* * *
The restaurant was fully booked over lunchtime and Emma was rushed off her feet. She got on well with the restaurant manager, Paul, though, and it was a relief to be working with someone who appreciated her.
‘It was good of you to offer to fill in while I’m short-staffed,’ Paul said, during a lull in service.
‘I didn’t exactly offer,’ Emma said. ‘Heather told me this was where I would be working today, but at least I enjoy it better than some of the other jobs she gives me.’
‘Really?’
Emma nodded. ‘Last week I was cleaning rooms, and the week before that I was an honorary kitchen porter.’
‘And there was me thinking you were on the management trainee programme.’
Emma shrugged and tried to look as though she didn’t mind. ‘At least I’m learning from the ground up. And they say a good manager should never ask someone to do something they wouldn’t be prepared to do themselves.’
‘So what does that make Heather then?’ he asked. ‘She’d never lower herself enough to wash dishes or clean rooms.’
‘I couldn’t say.’ Emma didn’t want to get sucked into bad-mouthing Heather. Paul seemed lovely, but she knew he was a bit of a gossip and she didn’t want a stray comment to get her in more trouble.
‘If you ask me, she’s jealous,’ Paul said after a pause.
‘What has she got to be jealous of?’
‘You. You’re young, intelligent and you’re certainly a hard worker. You have your whole career in front of you. But Heather, well, she’s in her forties, she’s been in her current position for ages now, and I can’t ever see her getting any further. There’s a lot for her to be jealous about. And she has form. She’s always hardest on the young female trainee managers who are sent her way.’
That piqued Emma’s curiosity. ‘Have there been a few, then?’
‘Several. None of them lasted more than six months, so you’re in good company.’
‘Well, I’m not thinking about leaving,’ Emma said.
‘That’s good to hear. And although I don’t think you should be serving in the restaurant, I’m very glad for your help. You do a cracking job.’
‘I’m glad you think so.’ Emma smiled at Paul before she went to clear a table.
* * *
When Emma returned to the office at the end of service, Heather was at her desk, seemingly engrossed in paperwork.Emma thought about what Paul had said. Heather certainly wasn’t the kind of manager who led from the front — the management style she so admired in Liz. Thinking of her friend’s words from yesterday, Emma cleared her throat and said, ‘Heather, what time do you finish your shift?’
Heather turned to her and frowned. ‘In about half an hour. Why?’
Emma steeled herself. ‘I was just wondering if you fancied going for a drink when we finish. I should be done by then too.’
‘A drink?’ Heather asked sharply. ‘With you?’
‘Yes. Why not?’ Emma tried hard to ignore her boss’s horrified expression. ‘I thought it might be nice for us to get to know each other a bit better. Away from the hotel.’ When Heather continued to stare at her, Emma hastily added, ‘But I should’ve realised it’d be far too short notice for you. I’m sure you have a busy life and much better things to do than go for a drink with me.’
Heather stood up. ‘Well, yes, I do have plans. I’ve got a few things to finish off, but I’ve done the management rotas for next week. Can you send them out on the WhatsApp group?’
‘Of course.’
When Heather had left, Emma sat down at her desk feeling deflated. She should have realised it would take more than a simple offer of a drink to warm the Arctic ice in Heather’s veins. But she’d made a start. She’d just have to carry on with a dripping-tap campaign. Emma opened up her laptop and clicked into the rotas folder. When she looked at her own name, she saw that Heather had put her on five lates and two overnights in the hotel for the next week. She sighed. She’d just have to hope that Jay was free during the day sometimes or she’d never get to see him. There was some light in the shade, though, she thought, as she looked at the rest of the rota. At least Heather had put herself down for days so, despite an overlap in the middle, Emmawouldn’t have to see her that much. It would give her time to work on a better plan than just asking her to go out for a drink.
* * *
Liz’s hands shook as she removed the packaging from the pregnancy test. She held it in front of her and stared at it for a few moments. What this little plastic stick would tell her could alter her life for ever.Was she ready for this? Ready to grow a life inside her, and then care for and nurture it for the rest of her own life?She shook her head at her silly questions. If she was pregnant there’d be no choice. Best just to get on and do the test.
As she waited for the result, she wondered how she would feel if it was negative. Sad was the answer. For both her and Alex. The thought of holding a baby in her arms filled her heart with joy. She just hoped she was up to the job. Steeling herself, she looked back to the test. Two blue lines. She was pregnant.
