Chapter 12
…
Amanda helped Em set the table for dinner before getting the wine from the rack and setting two bottles in the middle of the table before adding a few candles for a place setting.
"Wow, you really are good at the hostess stuff aren't you?" Amanda smiled.
"I want this to be perfect you know."
Amanda walked over to Em, gently pulling her into a hug as Em leaned her head against Amanda's.
"I know you do sweetie, and it'll be great…you'll see."
Em went and turned the oven down a little before looking up when she heard the front door.
"That'll be Connie, you stay here and I'll go get her okay." Em smiled.
"Sure."
"Won't be a minute."
Em made her way in to the hallway to find Connie taking off her jacket, before Connie could open her mouth, Em had taken two large paces over to her and kissed her passionately on the lips. Connie melted in to the kiss, only pulling back when a small cough interrupted them…looking up to see Amanda standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Sorry ladies, but that's the pasta bake about done. I'll get it dished up okay."
"That's hun, we'll be right there." Em replied.
Connie pulled back, offering a small smile as Em tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
"She looks nervous." Connie said.
"She is, actually I don't know whose worse, her or me."
"What do you have to be nervous about?"
"Are you kidding, you're about to try my cooking for the first time, I'm terrified."
"Em darling, you couldn't be any worse than I am…believe me."
"She wants to make amends for the other day, please give her a chance."
"I don't hold anything she said against her Em, I completely understand what she was feeling…don't worry, I won't make tonight tough on her, you have my word."
"Thank you, come on then…let's eat, I'm starved."
…
Zoë walked along the canal, her eyes going wide when she saw smoke coming from Dylan's boat.
"Oh my god." She blurted out before running towards the boat. "DYLAN…DYLAN, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"
The door to the boat opened, Zoë taking a step back when Dylan appeared, holding a spatula in his hand.
"What the hell are you yelling for woman?"
"What the…I saw smoke and I thought…"
"Thought what, the place was on fire."
"Well actually yes."
"You are a drama queen sometimes, I'm cooking some sausages for Dervla, you want some." He said, walking back inside, Zoë following behind.
"No you're alright; I'd hate to deprive your dog."
"I could never deprive her, could I old girl." He said, cutting the sausages up and giving them to her.
"Look, if I'm interrupting, I could always come back."
"Oh don't be daft. What do you want?"
"I come baring good news actually, I talked it over with Connie and Guy and congratulations…you're hired."
"Really."
"You can start tomorrow."
"Zoë thank you, really."
"Well, it'll be nice to have you back…we've missed you."
"So, do you want to stay for dinner then or what?"
"I tell you what, why don't we leave Dervla here to eat her sausages and we'll go out to dinner, my treat as a welcome back gift…what do you say."
"Just so long as I don't have to wear a tie."
"Fine, come on then."
…
Em, Connie and Amanda sat around the table, drinking their wine and enjoying Em's pasta back as music played in the background.
"So, is the meal okay?" Em asked.
"It's wonderful, the best I've ever tasted."
"Wow, Em she's a keeper." Amanda laughed.
"So Amanda, what is it you're studying."
"Law, it's something I've always wanted to do."
"Very good, so what are you thinking for your future? Police officer…judge, solicitor."
"I've always seen myself as a solicitor, I like to help people. Well, like you and Em I guess."
"Are your parents happy with your career choice?"
"Mum is, dad wanted me to train as a doctor but…."
"Amanda's not the best when it comes to bloody and things like that." Em added.
"Well, I admit it took me a few years after medical school to get used to it but you do, you have too."
"Yeah well, not me. Em will make a good doctor one day though, she's got what it takes."
"Yes she has, it's one of the things I love about her. Her determination…her courage."
Em looked over at Connie, her hand comings to cover hers as she smiled at her.
"Why don't I get dessert, I'll give you guys some time alone."
They waited for Amanda to leave before Connie spoke again.
"It seems to be going well."
"I think she likes you."
"I'm so glad."
"I wouldn't have mattered you know, even if she hadn't."
"Yes it would, I'm glad she likes me but if it had been the opposite…I would never have stood in the way of your friendship, they're hard to come by."
"So is love, and with you…I know I've found that."
"Me too." Connie smiled.
…
To Be Continued…