Chapter 13

…

Em was standing in front of the mirror checking her outfit for the fifth time in as many minutes when she heard Connie calling from the bottom of the stairs.

"Em, hurry up…the cars arrived."

"Yeah…be right there. Oh god this is it, please let her like me."

Em shook her head before taking a deep breath and making her way down the stairs to see Connie waiting at the bottom, smiling at her.

"Wow, you look lovely…it is just my daughter you know, you don't need to dress up for her."

Connie's arms came around Em, pulling her close as she placed a kiss to Em's forehead.

"I just want to make a good first impression, what if she doesn't like me?"

"Grace likes everyone."

"Even her mother's girlfriend?"

"About that, I'm still a little unsure about telling Grace about us, at least for now."

"It's fine really…I understand."

"Okay then, you ready?"

"Ready." She smiled.

Connie opened the door to see Grace closing the door of her friends car before spotting Connie and running up to her.

"Mummy…" She smiled, wrapping her arms around Connie.

"How's my little girl huh."

"Glad to be home."

"What's the matter…are you not enjoying school."

"I hate being away from you mummy, can't I come home…please." She begged.

"Why don't we talk about it later okay, right now, there's somebody I'd like you to meet."

Connie took Grace's hand and took her inside before closing the door, Grace turned around to see Em standing looking nervous.

"Who's she?"

"Grace honey, this is Em…she's a friend of mine, she's going to be staying here for a while."

"How long?"

"We're not sure just yet, a while."

"Hi Grace, it's nice to meet you…your mum's told me so much about you."

Grace stood close to Connie, afraid to leave her side. Em walked towards her and knelt in front of her before handing her a package from her pocket.

"I got you a present to welcome you home, I hope you like it."

Grace looked from Em to Connie before taking the gift from Em's hand and began unwrapping the small package.

"Oh mummy look, it's a necklace…it's Elsa."

"Your mum told me you were a big Frozen fan."

"It's my favourite."

"What do you say Grace?" Connie asked.

"Thank you Em, I love it."

Em smiled before letting out a small gasp as Grace lunged forward and hugged Em tightly.

"Mummy, can I go and get something to eat please?"

"Of course honey, there's some of your favourite chocolate mousse in the fridge, just one though…we don't want you to spoil your lunch."

Grace ran off towards the kitchen, leaving Em and Connie in the hallway.

"Well that went better than I thought it would." Em smiled.

"I told you that you had nothing to worry about, when did you buy the necklace?"

"Oh, yesterday when I went shopping with Amanda, I hope you don't mind me buying it for her, I should have asked you first, god I'm so sorry I…."

"Em darling…it's fine, it was very thoughtful of you and Grace loves it. You've made a very good first impression on her."

"You think."

"I don't think we'll have anything to worry about, come on…we better get lunch started."

They walked through to join Grace in the kitchen, Connie's hand lingering on the small of Em's back, just a little longer than normal.

…

Zoë had spent the afternoon with Dylan at the hospital, introducing him to all the newer members of the ED before taking him over the road for a few drinks to get to know everyone a little better.

"So Dr Keogh, how long have you been away from Holby?" Robyn asked.

"Not too long, a couple of years."

"What is it you were doing after you left then?" Lofty asked.

"I was helping at a practice out in the country as well as some teaching."

"Teaching…wow that must have been rewarding?"

"You would think."

Lofty gave him a curious look before looking at Zoë.

"Ignore him, he's not much of a people person…he's more a dog man."

"Oh I love dogs."

"You two will get on great then." Zoë replied sarcastically.

"Why don't I get us some more drinks?" Dylan said, getting up.

Lofty was on his feet following Dylan to the bar as Zoë and Max began talking about their weekend plans with Robyn.

"Zoe Dr Keogh, what's your dogs name?"

"Her names Dervla, I've had her for about 10 years. My longest relationship I suppose."

"So…you're not married?"

"Once, a long time ago…it didn't work out, Sam and I…we wanted different things."

"Sam right…so maybe if you ever want some company when your walking Dervla, I could tag a long."

"Why would you want to do that?"

"Get to know each other better, makes for a good working relationship don't you think and like I said, I love dogs. I was never allowed one as a kid."

"Why not?"

"I'm a bit clumsy sometimes; you'll find that out…trust me. I'll take the drinks over."

Dylan turned to watch as Lofty picked up the drinks, handing money to the barman.

"Looks like Lofty's made a buddy." Max whispered to Zoë.

"Why are you saying like that?" Zoe asked.

"Like what, I'm just saying."

"No you weren't, what's going on."

"You mean you don't know?"

"Know what, Max, out with it."

"Lofty likes men and women."

"What…no way, you're winding me up."

"He doesn't exactly broadcast it but yeah; don't go telling anyone…he is a mate."

"What and you think he likes Dylan."

"I know that look, he likes him."

…

Connie had made all of Grace's favourites for lunch, macaroni and cheese and chocolate fudge cake for dessert. Grace finished of her slice of cake before taking another slice from the plate.

"Grace don't eat too much, we don't want you making yourself sick okay."

"Yeah mummy, sorry…I just love it so much."

"It's okay sweetheart, last piece though."

Em smiled at Connie as Connie placed a warm hand on Em's arm; Grace looked up from her cake and noticed the way they were looking at each other.

"Mummy, about school…do I have to go back on Monday."

"Oh Grace…why don't you want to go back? It's a good school; you've made some good friends.

"Aimee's leaving to start public school in a few weeks because her parents can't afford the fees anymore, she's my best friend. I want to go to her school.

"You want to go to public school." The shock in her voice evident.

"Hey, I went to public school…I turned out fine, didn't I?" Em asked.

"More than fine." Connie whispered. "I'm not saying yes but I'm not saying no either, can I at least think about it Grace."

"Okay mummy, can I go watch some TV?"

"Of course, we'll clean up."

They waited for Grace to leave before Em leaned in and kissed Connie on the cheek.

"You are such a snob." She joked.

"It's not that it's just…."

"What."

"I wasn't always like this, when I was young my parents didn't have much money. I went to public school and I was bullied mercifully, I was adamant that I didn't want that for my daughter, I wanted her to have the best of everything."

"Not all public schools are like that, I was never bullied…in fact our school was pretty great. Most kids hated going to school but not me, loved it. Not all public schools are run down places, trust me and if she were with Aimee at least she'd have her best friend with her…that's something."

"I'll phone her father later, discuss it with him. Thanks for doing this with me today, it's been great."

"Hey, it's not over yet and I'm having a really good time. Grace is a lovely girl."

"I don't know what I'd do without her."

"How about later we take her to the cinema, my treat."

"Sounds wonderful, I really do love you Em."

"Good…because I love you too."

Connie leaned in a pressed her lips to Em unaware that Grace was standing by the door watching them.

…

To Be Continued…