Page 52 of The Importance of Being Emma
‘Was it what you expected?’
‘Definitely.’
Why so cagey? I decided to draw her out. ‘I thought you might object to his views on packaging.’
A pause; then, ‘Which views exactly?’
I tried desperately to remember the details. I’d been too busy reliving that scene in the bedroom to pay much attention to the speech, whereas she’d seemed totally absorbed by it.
‘The need for packaging at all,’ I said, hesitantly. ‘Didn’t he suggest going back to the old days, where far less food was pre-wrapped? I just don’t believe that’s a viable solution any more.’
‘Surely he didn’t say that?’
‘I must admit, after that huge meal I wasn’t concentrating all the time, so I may have misheard him.’
We’d reached the room; the bags were in front of me, ready to go. It was just a matter of putting out my hand and—
‘Are you sure you’re OK to drive?’ she said, and I drew back my hand instantly. ‘I mean, if your concentration’s not all it should be?’
‘I’m fine now, thanks.’ I cleared my throat. ‘Although if you want to see more of Ashridge, we could always stay . . . ’
My heart started to hammer so loudly that I barely caught her reply.
‘No, we’d better not,’ she said, with a frown. ‘Dad’s expecting me.’
‘I thought you told him not to wait up?’
‘I did, but he’ll probably be lying awake imagining the worst until he knows I’m home safely.’
She threw on her coat and rushed out of the room as if it was possessed. I let out a long breath, picked up the bags and followed her into the corridor.
We walked back towards the house in silence; this time, we took the longer, more open route that led to the car park. Except for occasional snatches of laughter from the direction of the bar, the only sound was Emma’s heels tapping on the frosted path. The moon glinted in the black velvet sky like a sliver of crystal. New moon, new hope . . .
I left her in the car with the heater on and went to Reception to drop off the room key and pay the bill. Steph wanted to chat, but I brought the conversation to an end as soon as I could and hurried outside. My eyes turned once more to the stone cross; or rather, to where I knew it stood in the darkness. A simple but lasting expression of one man’s love for a woman.
Then it dawned on me. What I felt for Emma was much more than physical desire. I loved her, as I’d never loved anyone else. And I knew I’d been waiting my whole life for her; everyone else, even Tamara, had just been a distraction.
Tonight, whatever the consequences, I had to do something . . .
By the time I returned to the car, Emma was fast asleep. I sat watching her for a while, thinking things through. I’d taken a few risks in my life, but only when it didn’t seem to matter. With the things that were important, I’d always played safe.
Until now.
I recalled the three kisses on her birthday card; we were two down, one to go. I reached out my hand and stroked her cheek; but she didn’t stir.
Just as well. Be patient. Get her home first.
I turned the key in the ignition and set off for Hartfield.
* * *
~~EMMA~~
Drifting up through clouds of sleep, I found myself in a strange car and had a moment of panic. Then I saw Mark at the wheel.I remembered that he was taking me home from Ashridge in his father’s Mercedes and, reassured, I closed my eyes again.
When I next woke, we were drawing to a halt outside my house, the engine purring too softly to disturb Dad, whose bedroom overlooked the driveway. I smiled to myself. That was Mark all over, considerate to the last.
Following his lead, I tiptoed to the front door and let myself in without a sound while he brought my bags. The hall was beautifully warm, so I slipped off my coat and jacket and hung them on the banister. Behind me, the door shut with a muffled click. I turned round. Mark was barely a foot away, closer than I’d expected.
