A week had since passed since Madeline's christening. Violet was convinced there was a conspiracy between Hyacinth, Emmet and Bruce to oust Jack from the family. Rose had kept herself locked in her room crying most of the time. Each time she suggested going to talk to Emmet, Jack always managed to talk her out of it.
Emmet too was a mess. An angry mess. He had seen how Jack had controlled Rose. While he was upset at Rose and the situation, he didn't blame her. Not entirely. Her over dramatic turn didn't help matters on that score but he felt Jack was the main player in this mess.
...
Emmet was startled that Sunday afternoon when the intercom buzzed. He was even more startled when he found out who the caller was.
Emmet refused to let Jack in. The visitor claimed he was there to collect some clothes for Rose, she was too upset to attend herself.
Instead, Emmet picked up an envelope and went out of the flat. He sandwiched himself between Jack and the door, ensuring Jack couldn't enter the premises.
"Tell Rose if she wants to come and collect her belongings she's more than welcome."
"She's sent me." The man said smugly.
"I don't want you here and besides I would like to see Rose and talk to her myself." Emmet was stern. He felt at this point he had nothing to lose.
Jack was angry with Emmet but he knew not to push it or he would lose control.
He sighed. "Fine Emmet, you win. I'll tell her."
Emmet smiled hoping he was getting through to the other man. He then extracted the envelope from the inside of his jacket.
"Can you give Rose this, please?" Emmet asked, handing Jack the paper.
Jack nodded and took it. "Of course." He sounded sincere but secretly he had no intention of giving Emmet's letter to his half-sister.
...
Feeling sorry for himself Emmet made his way to Elizabeth's house. He needed cheering up and his sister usually knew the right things to say.
When he arrived Liz looked a little flustered as she was left looking after baby Madeline. Matty had gone with Gail and Harold to work on their house.
No sooner had he stepped through the door, Emmet was put on great-uncle duties. Nursing Madeline was a nice distraction from the drama with Rose. But it also highlighted how empty his life had become. All through his marriage he had wanted a family. Something his ex-wife denied him. Being with Rose had made him see having a family wasn't the be all and end all of life. It didn't define you as a person. But now she appeared to be gone, his life was an empty black hole again.
"That Jack has a lot to answer for." Liz called from the kitchen, where she was testing the temperature of Madeline's milk by dabbing a bit on her elbow.
"I know." Emmet sighed. "I don't want to lose Rose."
"Then fight for her." Liz said reappearing and handing Emmet the bottle and a muslin cloth.
"I just don't want to bump into that nasty little man." He said, smiling as his great-niece latched onto the teat of the bottle.
Elizabeth hesitated before making a suggestion. "Now, before I say what I'm going to, promise you won't bite my head off."
Emmet laughed at his sister, "Of course not. What is it?"
"I really think you ought to pop next door and have a word with Hyacinth. She is constantly telling me that Jack is not to be trusted. Maybe if you joined forces you could uncover something and make Rose see he's not to be trusted."
Emmet knew his sister had a good idea but he really didn't want to have to go round there.
"Can't you go?" He asked sounding pathetic and widening his brown eyes.
Liz laughed. "Oh no, you will just have to be brave. Besides I've got to look after the baby."
"How about you go and I look after the baby?"
"Okay, you win. Just to warn you she will need her nappy changing about half an hour after that bottle. That's if she doesn't throw it up all over your shoulder when you burp her." Liz smirked.
Emmet quickly stood up and handed baby Madeline back to her grandmother.
"I'll see you later." He said, letting himself out of the house.
