of the rain filled her senses. It was carrying her away, back to a time when she’d been able to let loose, when she hadn’t been a mother, when she’d been a teenage girl falling in love for the very first time. But that wasn’t who she was now. And she was with Chris.
A thump of realisation wrenched her back into her seat and away from Guy.
‘Oh my God. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have…’
‘Don’t be sorry,’ he said. He moved to take her hand but she withdrew it. The car came to a halt.
‘I have to go.’ She picked up her bag and opened the door.
‘Emma, wait,’ he begged.
She shut the door of the car and rushed up the path to her house. She didn’t look back.
*
He tried to compose himself but his heart was still racing. He hadn’t felt that way in so long. He’d kissed her. She’d kissed him. It had been sweeter than he remembered. He put a finger to his lips, hoping to feel her still on him.
He pressed the intercom. ‘Just give me a minute, Sean.’
He couldn’t leave things this way.
*
She rushed into the house almost unable to breathe. What had she done? How could she have been so stupid? He had led her on again. He had reminded her of their past and taken advantage of the situation. She had kissed him. Kissed him. She had cheated on Chris! She closed her eyes and leaned against the front door. She hated herself.
‘Is that you, love?’ Mike’s voice called from the living room.
She opened her eyes quickly and tried to calm down. She needed to get a grip and quickly. No one had to know about this. It was a mistake. A big mistake but a mistake none the less. She’d made mistakes before and put them behind her. This would be no different.
‘Yes… yes, Dad, it’s me,’ she answered, moving towards the lounge.
She blew a breath out and put her hand on the door. Smiling, she greeted Mike.
‘Hey, Dad.’
‘Hello, love. How’s Ally?’ Mike asked, turning off the television.
Ally. Of course. She told him she was going to Ally’s.
‘Oh, you know, she’s a bit upset but she’s getting there. A couple of bottles of wine and some chocolates and the world seemed slightly better.’ She began to undo the buttons of the jacket and it was then she realised it was Guy’s.
‘Whose is the jacket?’ Mike asked as Emma fought to get it off.
‘Jonty’s. The pilot. Ally’s ex-boyfriend. I went out without a coat and she insisted I took it so I didn’t get wet getting in and out of the cab,’ she said.
‘Looks expensive. I always thought those pilots earned good money,’ Mike said. He stood up from the sofa.
‘Dom OK?’ Emma asked.
‘Oh yes he’s fine. Ran me ragged on the Wii despite that ankle injury. We snowboarded and kick-boxed and every other punching sport under the sun. He went up about half eight and I checked on him about ten and he was out for the count,’ Mike informed her.
‘Thanks, Dad. Thanks for babysitting,’ Emma said.
‘Anytime, love. You know that.’ He picked his anorak up from the chair and headed out of the room.
‘I’ll give you a ring in the week. You can tell me how your search for the perfect woman’s going,’ Emma joked.
‘You may mock, but I’m finding the internet dating to be an eye-opener… what’s this?’ Mike asked. He stooped down and picked something up from the doormat.
Emma’s heart stopped as she watched her dad pick up a piece of paper.
‘It’s got your name on it, love. Didn’t you see it when you came in?’ Mike asked. He passed the note to her. She took it and held it in her hand. She didn’t need to look at the writing to know who it was from.
‘I… didn’t put the hall light on,’ she answered.
‘Right, well, I’ll get off then. I’ll see you, love,’ Mike said. He opened the door.
‘Bye, Dad. Thanks again,’ Emma said.
Mike waved his hand. She made sure he made it to his car and then she shut the door. She flipped open the note.
My phone is in the jacket. I’ll call in at the school tomorrow.
She closed her eyes and squeezed them up tight.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
August 2005
‘Is everything OK, love?’
She needed to leave to meet Guy but her dad was taking ages to eat breakfast and it was her turn to wash up. She looked at her watch again. She had ten minutes. It wasn’t