‘I’m not sure, Jay. It’s very kind of you, but we’re not together now so it will probably just confuse things.’
‘That’s what I wanted to talk to you about last night.’
‘It is?’ Hope flared within her.
‘Yes, but after what happened it wasn’t the right time for a conversation about the state of our relationship.’
‘Maybe it wasn’t then.’ Emma could feel her heart pounding, hoping that Jay would tell her what she wanted to hear.
‘I know you feel I took you for granted throughout our relationship,’ he began, ‘especially during the competition. It’s something I bitterly regret. I wish I could turn the clock back and change the way that I acted. And I want you to know that I do love you. Very much. And I don’t want to be without you. Life without you has been utterly miserable.’
Emma nearly cheered at his words, but she couldn’t push her own feelings under the carpet. She needed to explain too.
‘It’s been miserable for me too. But I realise now that I rather acted in haste. I was hurt and my instinct was to protect myself, so I ran away.’
‘I made you feel that you weren’t good enough for me. But if anything, it’s the other way round. I’ve always felt so at ease with you. You really get me and you’ve always understood that my ambition is a big part of me. You made me feel safe and I thought you’d always be around, so I neglected your needs. I realise now that I needed to put the work into our relationship to make sure you always knew how much you mean to me.’
Emma felt the tears well up in her eyes and blinked them back. This wasn’t the time for tears — it was time to be brave. ‘Well, you certainly proved that last night. But it takes two to make a relationship work, Jay. And I’m prepared to put the work in too, that’s if you’re willing to give us another go.’
Jay sprang up from the sofa, sat down beside her and cupped her face with his hands.
‘Oh, Em! Of course I’m willing. That’s what last night was all about. I said it was a meal to thank you for all the help you’d given me, but really I just wanted the opportunity to talk to you, to tell you how I really feel.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Diva’s? I’d forgotten all about that. What will Tia say about your abandoned meal?’
Jay laughed. ‘Tia’s gone away, so she won’t be saying anything. Besides, Liz and I are now officially tenants, so we can do what we like. Although I left in such a rush that I had to go there first thing this morning to tidy everything away.’
‘I wondered where you’d gone.’ She leaned in and kissed him gently. Their kiss deepened and she felt her whole body tingling. Before they got carried away, she pulled back. ‘So we’re back on, then?’
He smiled. ‘If you’ll have me.’
‘Oh, I’ll have you, all right.’
Epilogue
‘Will I do?’
Betty walked into the kitchen wearing a cream blouse and lilac two-piece suit.
‘You look lovely, Betty,’ Emma said.
‘Well, I wouldn’t want to show Jay up.’
‘You could never do that,’ Emma replied. ‘Besides, it’s your eightieth birthday party so you can wear whatever you want. And say whatever you want, too.’
‘I don’t know about that, going to a posh place like Diva’s.’
‘It’s the function room, Betty. It’s been hired for you and Jay is making all your favourite foods. Everyone is going to be there to celebrate you.’
Betty pulled at the sleeves of her jacket. ‘Can’t say I much like being the centre of attention.’
‘You’ll be all right once you get there and you’re surrounded by all your friends and family. And until you’re comfortable, I’ll be right by your side.’
Betty smiled. ‘You’re a good girl. Our Jay’s lucky to have you.’
‘That’s what I keep telling him.’ Emma grinned back and took Betty’s arm. ‘Now come on, that’s our taxi outside bibbing its horn.’
As they moved through the London traffic, Emma contemplated the last six months. Her and Jay’s relationship had gone from strength to strength, now that they understood each other better. And while he was still very much focused on work, thriving at running the business alone, they made sure they spent their time off together doing fun things. Shortly after the competition, Jay had been approached by Lord Weatherton.
