Stone Heart: small town, second chance romance by A. R. Thomas

Author:A. R. Thomas [Thomas, A. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Holly

Jeremy escorts Emily into my house. He is bundled up like a donkey with all our belongings. “These tablets will make you sleepy,” he informs her, reading the prescription.

“Good,” she grumbles, shifting on the sofa. I thought it would be better for her to stay with me as her apartment is up a flight of stairs. Emily has been quiet on the journey back. I think she’s in shock. Jeremy and I share a concerned look.

“Do you want a drink?” I whisper over Beau’s sleeping form. She could do with a sugar kick.

“I’ll do it. You get Beau to bed,” Jeremy tells me. He gives me a stern look when I try to argue. “Holly, you can’t be everywhere. I can manage a kettle. Go.” He nods me away, and I sigh.

“Thanks. Cups are in the third cupboard on the right,” I tell him, walking away with Beau. She barely flinches when I undress her and get her into bed. I tuck her and her unicorn teddy in and pull the door. I pop into my own room and pull back in horror when I see the smudges of mascara under my eyes. “Bloody hell!” I use a wipe and remove most of my makeup. Once I find pyjamas for Emily, I grab the wipes up for her too. Jeremy is busy in the kitchen when I return downstairs so I go to Emily. She is frowning at the TV. She doesn’t blink, not even once. “Hey, Em, how are you feeling?”

Jolting, she turns and shakes herself off, but I can see unshed tears in her eyes again. “Sorry.” She waves her hand, trying to dismiss her emotions.

“It's fine. You're in shock. In pain.” I smile, rubbing her arm.

Sniffling, she tries to smile, but it turns into a quiet sob. “God, I'm such a mess.” She laughs, making me frown. There’s more to this. What’s she not telling me?

“You can talk to me, you know.” I keep my tone quiet and check for Jeremy, but he is still tackling the drinks.

“I know. Sorry,” she says on a shaky exhale. “It brought back some not so nice memories.”

“Oh, Em.” I lean in and give her a big hug. My support unlocks something in her because she breaks down and sobs into my neck. Jeremy comes round the corner with the drinks and shrinks back in horror. I give a little shake of my head and he takes two steps backwards and stalks off quickly. If Emily wasn’t crying, I’d find his reaction comical. Em would, too. “You’re safe now. Us women stick together,” I say, giving her a tight squeeze.

“God, this is so silly. Dan’s not my ex. Sorry. Thanks.” She blows out a long stream of air and sits back. She doesn’t meet my eyes, so I know she is embarrassed by her admission.

“Our minds sometimes have rules of their own.” I smile. “Don't apologise. Are you in pain?”

“Yes. It’s throbbing.” She rubs her forehead and sits back, trying to get more comfortable.

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