‘You’re right, I didn’t. And I’m absolutely starving.’
He placed the pan containing eggs cooked in tomato sauce and spices in the middle of the table, and added freshly baked bread.
Emma sat down and ate hungrily. When they were both finished, Jay turned to her. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve been neglecting you recently. I haven’t meant to. You mean the world to me, but I’ve had a lot on my mind.’
‘I know that and I understand. All I want to do is to support you, but I can’t do that if you shut me out.’
‘I get that and I’ll try to include you in the future.’
‘That’s all I’m asking. Being shut out makes me feel insecure. I suppose it stems from my childhood. I never really felt like I was part of Mum and Dad’s life, so maybe that explains why I have a tendency to overreact if it happens to me now I’m an adult.’
He felt another wave of guilt at her explanation. She’d never really spoken much about her parents, other than saying that they weren’t close, but this explained a lot. When they had more time together, he decided he would ask her more about what her life had been like growing up, so that he could understand her even better.
‘I forgot to mention it last night, but Liz phoned me yesterday,’ she said, startling him out of his plans.
His stomach lurched. ‘Oh?’
‘Yes, she told me her good news. I’m thrilled for them both.’
‘Yes, me too. She never thought it would happen.’
‘She told me you already knew.’
‘Yes, I did.’ He paused. ‘Look, I’m really sorry I kept it from you but I made her a promise.’
‘I understand. It wasn’t your secret to tell,’ she said.
‘I don’t think she would have even told me if she hadn’t been suffering from terrible morning sickness.’
‘Well, at least it now all makes sense. The virus excuse certainly didn’t.’
‘Yes.’ He sighed, glad that it was finally all out in the open.
‘I knew you were keeping something from me, so it’s a relief to know that’s what it was.’
‘Again, I’m sorry. No more secrets from now on.’
She smiled then. ‘Good, I’m glad we’ve got that all sorted.’
* * *
‘Jam and cream?’ Betty asked, interrupting Jay’s thoughts.
‘Of course.’ He groaned inwardly as she handed him a huge plateful of her baking. ‘Nan, I wish you’d keep your front door locked.’
‘I know. You keep telling me.’
‘If you’d just put your key in the lock when you come in, then you’d always know where your key was.’
‘I always do know where it is. It’s on the dresser. See. Here.’ She picked up the key and waved it under his nose. ‘Besides, if the door was locked, I’d have had to come and open it for you just now and my scones might have burned.’
‘Nan! Anyone could walk in. I worry about you.’
‘Oh, okay, I give in.’ Betty stomped down the hallway and he heard the key turn. ‘There! Happy now?’ she said as she came back into the kitchen.
‘Very.’
‘Good, now eat up. Do you want a cuppa?’
