‘Why don’t you come back to Chalkham with us?’ Emily said excitedly. ‘Jen has another room at the cottage you could use … if that’s ok with you, Jen?’ she added belatedly. Jennifer nodded. ‘Then you could spend a few days getting to know us both. Oh, that would be so cool! Please say you will.’
‘Oh Emily, there’s nothing I’d like more. I could do today and tomorrow but I need to be back in London for a case conference on Friday. Would that suit you?’
‘That would be just great and, when Adam is back, we’ll come down to London to see you. Oh, this is all just so exciting!’
Jennifer took a moment to observe the happy faces around her. Emily was almost bouncing with joy, in that endearing, puppy-like way she had; Susan had the air of someone from whom a great weight had been lifted, her features lightened with relief; Grace’s face was luminous with love. She could not tear her eyes away from Emily as if that visual contact was keeping them together and the merest blink might cause her to vanish. Jennifer felt the emotion of the moment raw in her throat. These women were all connected to her, part of her life’s tapestry and her future would be inextricably woven with their threads. It was an overwhelming thought but one, Jennifer realised, which made her incredibly happy. Now she was a part of a family she did not know existed and she knew she wanted to embrace it fully.
◆◆◆
They drove back to Chalkham in convoy, Grace’s old, green Peugeot following Emily’s mini. Susan had stayed behind as she had to pick up her grandchildren from school later that afternoon. On the journey, Emily chattered non-stop, making plans, changing them and, most of all, talking about Grace. Jennifer listened tolerantly, still basking in the warmth that had enveloped her in Susan’s kitchen.
Then David called her, wanting to know how the visit had gone.
‘That’s just fantastic!’ he exclaimed when Jennifer had given him all the details. ‘Tell you what, why don’t I take you out tonight and we leave the new mum and daughter alone to get to know each other better?’
Jennifer thought for a moment. ‘That could be a good plan. I’ll check with Emily and call you back.’
Emily grinned knowingly when the last part of the conversation was relayed to her but kept her voice neutral as she said, ‘That would be very kind of you and David. I can’t deny that it would be good to spend this first evening alone with her. Are you sure you don’t mind?’
‘I expect I’ll live,’ Jennifer replied drily.
‘Excellent,’ David’s voice was filled with satisfaction when she returned his call. He lowered his voice seductively. ‘I have to admit I haven’t been able to think of much else this morning other than kissing you again. I’ll cook for you at my house. Then we can be alone.’
Jennifer felt the heat in her cheeks at his words and glanced surreptitiously at Emily who was studiously focused on the road ahead. ‘That would be lovely, thank you. Shall we say seven o’clock? That will give me time to prepare something for Emily, Grace and Alex first.’
As she returned her phone to her bag, Emily began to argue. ‘You don’t need to cook us anything. We could get a takeaway or fish and chips. You just concentrate on enjoying your evening out. You deserve a treat. You’ve been amazing this week.’
‘Absolutely not,’ Jennifer insisted. ‘You’re my guests and it’s no trouble to cook for you before I go out. Now I know you’re family, it’s even more important and I do think your first meal with your mum should be a bit more special than fish and chips.’
Emily sighed. Already she knew Jennifer well enough to know it was pointless to argue further. ‘Ok then, as long as you let me help with the preparations.’
By the time they arrived at Caroline’s house, the other parents and children had already left and Alex was sitting at her kitchen table eating some marmite fingers. Grace had waited outside in her car, wanting her first meeting with her grandson to take place in a more private setting.
‘Look, my pots, mummy!’ he shouted excitedly, spraying toast crumbs everywhere and wriggling off his chair. ‘Look!’ He toddled across the kitchen to where his previously fired and glazed, rather misshapen pots sat on a worktop.
‘Wow! Don’t they look good. Those were the ones you made last time. What have you made today?’
‘We’ve been making some sculptures today with some self-drying clay. Alex chose to make cats.’ Caroline indicated four shapes, all with long, curly appendages, alongside the pots.
‘Ah, so I see. He loves cats.’ She smiled at Caroline, grateful that she had identified the strange looking objects. ‘Well done, darling. I can see you’ve given them some lovely tails.’
‘And whiskers. Look mummy!’
Emily peered closer. Sure enough, there were some rather thick lines drawn on each head. ‘Oh yes, I can see them now. You have done well. Now, we need to get back to the cottage. I have a surprise for you when we get there.’
Caroline raised her eyebrows. ‘Did today go well then?’ she asked, as she wrapped Alex’s creations carefully in bubble wrap and placed them in a small box.
‘It went completely brilliantly!’ Emily replied happily. ‘Thank you so much for looking after Alex this morning. What do I owe you?’
‘Oh, first session’s always free – like a taster session. I’ll charge you next time.’
Emily gave her a swift hug. ‘’You’re so kind. What do you say to Caroline, Alex?’
‘Thank you,’ he said obediently.
‘Good boy. It’s been a pleasure.’ Caroline handed over the box and they headed back to Horseshoes Cottage.
◆◆◆
Alex’s first meeting with his grandmother did not go well. Sadly, Alex had anticipated that the promised surprise would be something rather more exciting than a strange woman with purple hair and he immediately burst into
