Page 35 of The Importance of Being Emma
We all laughed; except Emily, who surveyed me gravely with her big hazel eyes, so like her aunt’s.
Mark whispered in my ear, ‘Are you coming to Grandpa’s to see us?’
‘No, I’m going to see my poorly car. I could call in on my way home, though.’
‘We’ll turn back now and walk as far as Hartfield with you,’ Emma said.
We set off side by side, falling easily into step with each other.
‘Izzy and I are taking the children to visit the Bateses as soon as they get back from the nine o’clock service,’ she went on. ‘But John and Dad will be in, if you decide to drop by. Or you could bring Tamara for lunch, we’re having roast pork and all the trimmings, there’s plenty to spare. You never know, she might enjoy it.’
‘Thank you, but I’ve booked a table at The Hare and Hounds.’
‘You could always cancel it.’
‘Best to leave the arrangements as they are, if you don’t mind.’
We walked in silence for a while, Mark crooning to himself and Emily tugging at Emma’s hair. Despite the slightly awkward conversation about lunch, I felt at peace with the world. And I had a strange, random thought: to anyone that didn’t know us, we would seem the perfect family, out for a Sunday morning stroll, happy as can be.
Or maybe not. When I glanced across at Emma, she was frowning and biting her lip. I had a silly urge to take her in my arms, but I didn’t; bit tricky with a child on my back.
Instead I asked, keeping my tone casual, ‘Did you get home all right last night?’
‘Obviously, why wouldn’t I?’
Her blush and the defensive note in her voice were a dead giveaway. So Elton had tried it on, the little shit.
I cleared my throat and went for a less direct approach. ‘You know, Emily, there’s no need for your aunt to overreact like that, I just had a feeling something embarrassing might have happened. Of course, it can’t have, because she prides herself on being able to read people like a book—’
‘I got a new book,’ Mark put in. ‘’Bout Mog.’
Emma sighed. ‘Yes, and guess how many times we’ve read it, Uncle Mark? At least ten, and that was just before breakfast. But don’t let me interrupt your lecture to Emily, I bet she’s finding it riveting.’
I was pleased to see that my tactics were working; she was already looking more relaxed. ‘As I was saying, Emily, your aunt thinks people can be judged by their covers, like books. I’m afraid she still has a lot to learn.’
Emma gave a rueful smile. ‘You see, Emily, Uncle Mark’s lived so long in the big bad world that he thinks he knows everything. But he has a point, I dooccasionallymake the wrong call. So, when you grow up, make sure you’re twice as clever and only half as conceited as your aunt and you’ll be fine. Isn’t that right, Uncle Mark?’
I reached across, tickled Emily under her chubby little chin and watched her rosy cheeks dimple. ‘For once, little one, your aunt’s talking sense,’ I said softly, ‘and I can’t argue with her.’
Then Mark yelled, ‘There’s Grandpa’s gate!’
He was right; we’d arrived at the arched wrought iron gate that led into the Hartfield garden. I lifted him down and he ran towards it, whooping loudly.
Emma turned to me. ‘See you tomorrow, then.’
I grinned. ‘That’s right, your big presentation. I’m looking forward to it.’
‘So was I, until last night . . . Still, that’s a problem of my own making and I’ll just have to sort it.’
And, with a defiant lift of her chin, she followed little Mark through the gate.
* * *
~~EMMA~~
To all intents and purposes, this would be a repeat of the last Board meeting: same place, same people, probably even sitting in the same seats. Only Philip and I knew that something had changed. It seemed that he couldn’t hide his animosity, however. As soon as I entered the room, he turned his back on me and continued talking to Terry. Even when Terry nodded and smiled in my direction, Philip refused to acknowledge me.
Harriet had struggled into work, looking washed out and smelling strongly of garlic. We’d prepared the boardroom together and I’d set up my laptop and the new projector I’d ordered immediately after the last meeting. Harriet had also put printouts of my slides, together with a selection of photos from the photo shoot, into smart information packs to accompany my PC presentation.
