Page 57 of Fireworks at Pennycress Inn
Polly laughed. ‘I’m not sure. I think I would have, although after the journey down there and my lame attempt to clear the air, I think I might well have walked back to avoid another conversation like that.’
‘Haha, I don’t blame you.’ Zac held his breath as his mobile rang, vibrating across his desk. Keeping his eyes fixed on the small bump beneath his sleeve, he quickly picked it up, silencing it before bringing it to his ear and speaking quietly.
Standing up, Polly picked up her mug before grabbing Zac’s and heading into the small kitchen area in order to give him some privacy. Switching the kettle on, she leaned against the counter and grinned. Since their conversation in the pub, she’d even managed to put the worry of the looming promotion out of her mind. She knew how she felt about Zac was an accumulation of her feelings towards him as they’d worked together over the years, and she knew she could feel comfortable with him. She could be herself and she didn’t have to prove anything to him. He’d said he’d had feelings for her since before the kiss and she certainly hadn’t been trying to be anything other than herself back then.
Yes, that was what was special about what they had, and probably why they’d slipped so easily into this relationship, too.
She shook her head. No, it hadn’t been easy, but now they’d both spoken about things, spoken about the past few months and cleared the air. It was easy now. And she couldn’t wait to see what lay ahead for them together.
Turning back to the kettle as it boiled, she picked it up and filled their mugs. They’d planned on the cinema after work. A film and then a few drinks and she was looking forward to being able to relax before the Bonfire Night celebration. Not that she wasn’t looking forward to it, she was, but she couldn’t help feeling nervous too. She didn’t want to mess up the first event she’d organised.
‘Polly.’
Replacing the kettle, she glanced over her shoulder before turning around. Standing in the doorway, Zac shifted on his feet, his face ashen. ‘What’s happened? Are you okay?’
Zac shook his head. ‘I have to go. My gran’s had a fall at the nursing home and been rushed to hospital.’
‘Oh no.’ Dashing towards him, she threw her arms around him, before hurrying towards her desk and grabbing her and Zac’s coats. ‘I’ll come with you, you can’t be driving there on your own.’
‘Thanks.’ Zac carefully shook his sleeve until little Rolo slid down his arm to his hand.
Passing Zac his coat, Polly took Rolo in her hands just as the door to the office was swung open and Vicki and Art shuffled in, carrying the large glass fish tank between them as they laughed and joked about who was doing all the heavy lifting.
Stopping in the middle of the room, Vicki frowned. ‘Is everything okay?’
As Zac stood there distractedly, running his palm over his face, Polly walked across and waited until Vicki and Art had lowered the fish tank to the floor before passing Vicki little Rolo. ‘Zac has a family emergency and I’m going to go with him to the hospital. Can you let Declan know we’ll be back as soon as possible, please?’
‘Of course.’ Taking Rolo, Vicki looked across at Zac in concern. ‘I hope everything’s okay.’
‘Yes, take care, mate.’ Art retraced his steps and held the door open for them.
‘Thanks.’ Taking Zac’s arm, Polly led the way outside. It was times like this that she wished she hadn’t given up on learning to drive, but at least she could be with him. She remembered how much it had meant to her having Stacey by her side when her grandma had been at her worst; if she could give Zac half the support Stacey had given her, it would be something.
32
Hurrying down the hospital corridor, Polly tried to match Zac’s long strides, keeping her eyes focused on him in an attempt to block out the familiar smell of disinfectant and sickness. Just stepping back inside the hospital was bringing back memories of the last time she’d seen her grandma. Shoving her hands in her pockets, she tried to suppress the memories. She was here to support Zac, and that’s what she’d do. She wouldn’t allow the past to consume her.
Zac pushed open the door to the ward his parents had told him his gran had been taken to and came to a stop by the nurses’ station.
Coming up a few steps behind him, Polly paused next to him as the nurse indicated the family room to their left.
‘Thank you.’ Nodding, Zac turned and walked across to the family room before waiting at the door. ‘Polly, my parents will be in here. Are you sure you want to stay? I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t.’
Reaching out, she pushed the tuft of hair from the middle of his forehead before cupping his cheek with her hand. ‘I’m here for you, Zac. I’m going to stay.’
‘Thank you.’ His expression suddenly relaxing a little, Zac nodded before pushing open the door.
Taking a deep breath, Polly followed him inside. An older couple, presumably his parents, were the only ones in the family room, and as they entered, his mum stood up and hurried across to Zac before giving him a quick hug, whilst his dad remained on the chair in the corner, one leg crossed over the other whilst a newspaper lay open on his lap.
‘So glad you could come, Zachary.’ His mum glanced across at Polly. ‘Are you two together?’
‘Yes, she came with me.’ Zac cleared his throat. ‘Mum, this is Polly. Polly, this is my mum, Miranda.’
‘Hi.’ Holding her hand up in acknowledgement, Polly noticed his dad glance up briefly from his paper.
‘Lovely to meet you, dear. I’m so pleased Zachary has someone to support him at such a difficult time.’ Miranda sat back down, lifting her handbag from the floor and perching it on her lap.
‘Nice to meet you too.’ Polly spoke quietly, darting her eyes towards Zac’s dad, who made no move to greet her.
