‘That’d be nice,’ Jay replied. ‘I’ve got a lot to tell you.’
He went into the kitchen to get a cold bottle of beer, then came back and sat down next to her.
‘What’s up?’ she asked.
‘Nan’s been taken to hospital.’
‘What?’ She hadn’t expected that.
‘It’s nothing too bad, although they’re keeping her in overnight. They thought she’d had a heart attack, but it turned out to be angina, so at least it’s treatable. She’s not best pleased, though.’
‘I bet she’s not. Will she be able to go home tomorrow?’
‘We hope so. Mum’s going to give me a ring and I’ve said I’ll take her over to pick up Nan if they’re going to let her out.’
Emma was surprised. ‘You’ve been with your mum?’
Jay smiled. ‘Yes, she rang me to let me know Nan had been taken in and I went straight over. If nothing else, it gave us the opportunity to talk. I think Nan being ill has made us both realise life’s too short to bear grudges.’
‘Oh, Jay!’ Overcome with emotion, Emma put her arms around him.
‘I’m so glad you’ve finally managed to sort things out.’
‘Me too. Mum and I have both agreed, though, that Nan’s going to need more looking after. Whether she likes it or not.’
‘Not, I suspect.’
‘I agree. I’m not sure how I’m going to fit it all in. But we’ll manage it somehow.’
‘I’ll help out if you like?’
‘Really?’ He looked at her. ‘You’d do that?’
‘Of course. I know I’ve only met her the once, but I really liked her and I’d be glad to help.’
He kissed her tenderly and she relished the feel of his lips on hers, which she’d been missing recently. When he pulled away, he said, ‘Actually I was thinking of cooking Sunday dinner for her.’
‘Here or at hers?’
‘It’d have to be at hers, I think. Maybe in time we can prise her away from her home, but I doubt she’d be ready for that just yet.’
‘I’m not working on Sunday. I can give you a hand with the cooking if you like.’
‘I’d appreciate your help, but keeping Nan away from the kitchen will be the biggest job.’
Emma smiled. ‘Oh, make my life easy why don’t you? But I’ll do my best.’
‘Come on.’ He took hold of her hand. ‘Let’s go to bed. It’s been one hell of a day.’
After they had undressed and got into bed, Jay reached out for her. She moved into his arms and, as tired as she was, felt her passion for him mounting. Afterwards, satisfied and ready for sleep, Emma turned on her side. As she waited for sleep to claim her, she suddenly realised that in all their conversation she hadn’t had a chance to tell him about her own day.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was Sunday and the smell of roasting beef filled the air in Betty’s kitchen. Betty and Emma were seated at the kitchen table. Every so often Betty would try to get up to ‘help’ Jay, but Emma would put a hand on her arm.
‘Let Jay do it.’
Betty grumbled. ‘I’m not an invalid.’
