The Importance of Being Emma by Juliet Archer

Author:Juliet Archer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, General
ISBN: 9781906931209
Publisher: Choc Lit
Published: 2008-01-01T22:00:00+00:00

~~EMMA~~

It was the look on Mark’s face that got to me. I wanted to put my arms round him and kiss the sadness away. As a friend, nothing more …

But the next moment Flynn was murmuring in my ear, ‘Oops, put my foot in it there, didn’t I?’

I gave him a sympathetic smile and whispered back, ‘You weren’t to know.’

He raised his voice. ‘So, Em, are you ready to have a guess at the answer?’

My smile broadened. ‘Depends what the prize is.’

‘Can’t say, you’ll just have to trust me when I say it’s worth winning.’

I took a deep breath. ‘OK then, I think what they all have in common is – ’

‘What about Henry?’ Mark put in. ‘He hasn’t read his out yet, it may give more people a chance to win the prize.’

Flynn hesitated, then shrugged. ‘Henry’s probably gives the game away, but if you insist … ’

Dad unwrapped his biscuit and stared at it longingly. ‘I don’t think I dare risk it – ’

‘The paper, Henry, read out what’s on the paper,’ Batty squeaked.

He looked down and blanched. ‘Oh dear, I feel quite queasy. It says, “Grease is the word”.’

‘Songs from Grease,’ Mark and I said, at exactly the same time.

‘Correct, both of you.’ Flynn paused. ‘But you’re the winner, Em, I heard you first.’

‘Oh, what a shame, can’t they share the prize?’ Batty said, much to my annoyance.

He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid it’s not that sort of prize.’

‘I’m not bothered in the slightest,’ Mark said heavily, ‘but you could at least tell me what I’m missing.’

Flynn grinned at him. ‘Sure. I’ll be taking Em out for a meal, no expense spared.’

My heart skipped a beat. I could picture it now – an intimate candlelit dinner, wine and conversation flowing, and a goodnight kiss … ‘That sounds wonderful,’ I said. ‘We’d better arrange it soon, before everywhere’s booked up for Christmas.’

Jane got to her feet. ‘I’ve got a migraine coming on. If you don’t mind, I’ll call a taxi and go home.’

Batty gave a little shriek. ‘Oh, poor Jane, wait until I’ve finished my coffee and I’ll come with you – ’

‘You stay here, Mary,’ Mark put in. ‘I’m quite happy to take Jane home now and come back for you later.’

While everyone fussed over Jane, I went to the kitchen to make some camomile tea for Dad and me. I’d just put the kettle on and set out the cups and saucers on a tray, when Kate arrived.

‘I’m glad I’ve got you on your own, Emma. I’ve been dying to ask – who does Jane remind you of?’

Several answers sprang to mind, none of them complimentary; I decided to play safe. ‘No idea.’

‘Who’ve we met recently with black hair and really white skin?’

Oh God, she was right; the physical similarity was striking. Why hadn’t I seen it before?

‘Tamara,’ I said, slowly. My hand trembled as I poured the boiling water from the kettle into the teapot. Amazingly, I managed it without scalding myself, although I spilled some on the bench.

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