Emma's War
Page 30
‘Emmie …’ Lizzy tugged at my hand. ‘Can I have an ice cream please? Just one more before we go home?’
‘I’ll take her,’ Sheila offered. ‘You’ll find us in the cafe over the road, Emma.’ She held out her hand. ‘You coming, James?’
He shook his head. His expression was tortured. It was obvious he wanted that ice cream, but he wanted to stay with Jack more.
‘No, I want to be with Jack,’ he said. He had remembered he was grown up now, his expression slightly apprehensive as he looked at his daddy. ‘Are you really going to come and see me next week, sir?’
‘Yes, I really am,’ Jack said. ‘I promise. I’ll take you out somewhere – if your mother says it’s OK?’ I nodded, and Jack gave him a little push towards Sheila and Lizzy. ‘Go with your friend,’ he said. ‘I want to talk to your mother now for a few minutes.’
James was silent, still hesitant; then he nodded and ran off to join Sheila and Lizzy. For a moment Jack and I stood absolutely still, just staring at each other.
‘I’m sorry,’ Jack said. ‘I was rude last night, Emma. I should have come over and said hello.’
‘You were surprised to see me,’ I said. I was desperately trying to stay calm. ‘It was a shock for me, too, seeing you walk in like that. We only brought the children down for a couple of days. Sheila has been in America since the war. She came over to visit Lizzy, who lives with me, and book the hotels for her husband’s tour. Todd Jansen, the jazz singer.’
Jack nodded, his expression thoughtful. ‘Yes, I sort of recognized her. We met once at a charity concert in New York. I vaguely remember she was a friend of yours once …’
‘We are friends,’ I replied. ‘We don’t see each other often, but we’re still friends …’
‘Am I still your friend, Emma?’
My throat was tight with emotion. ‘Do you want to be?’
‘It might be easier … for the boy’s sake.’ Jack’s eyes were intent on my face. ‘I would like to see something of him while I’m here – and keep in touch in the future.’ He frowned. ‘I thought he might have forgotten me by now. It was my intention to bring him a present and then go quietly away again if he had forgotten about me …’
‘James has never forgotten you …’
My heart was aching. I had not forgotten Jack either, but I would not let him see that if I could help it.
‘In that case, you won’t mind if I call to see James?’
‘No, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t.’ I hesitated, then raised my gaze to meet his. ‘I am fetching Jon home from hospital tomorrow. He doesn’t know about …’
‘About us being lovers?’ There was a faint smile in Jack’s eyes. ‘No, I didn’t imagine he would. I’ll be careful, Emma. All your husband needs to know is that I’m James’s friend. I’ll tell him I prefer to be called Jack now he’s grown up.’
‘Yes, that might be best … more tactful. James does call Jon Father occasionally … though only out of politeness. He clearly still thinks of you as his daddy.’ I took a deep breath. ‘Well, I ought to be going … we have to catch the train at two-thirty this afternoon.’
‘I shall see you next week then,’ Jack said. His gaze narrowed. ‘Thank you for being so reasonable, Emma.’
‘Why should I be anything else?’ I asked. ‘I did what I had to do, Jack. I never meant to hurt you.’
‘No,’ he said, and there was an odd expression in his eyes now. ‘I believe you did what you thought was right … and perhaps you were. Who knows about these things?’
‘You wouldn’t have met your wife if I had left Jon …’
‘No …’ Jack smiled, a mocking, challenging look that made me flinch as if he had struck me. ‘I wouldn’t, would I, Emma?’
‘I wish you every happiness, Jack.’
‘Thank you, Emma. Believe me, I am as happy as I deserve to be.’
I nodded, and turned away to cross the road.
‘Are you happy, Emma?’
His question held me. For a moment I paused on the edge of the pavement, glancing back at him. ‘I’m as happy as I expected to be,’ I said, then I ran across the street and did not look back.
Also by Rosie Clarke:
EMMA
All she has is her reputation …
When Emma Robinson discovers she is carrying Paul Greenslade’s child, there are harsh consequences after he disappears rather than marry a common shop-girl.
Forced by her tyrannical father to marry Richard Gillows, Emma learns quickly that a jealous husband is a violent one. How can Emma escape the ties that bind her, to build a life for herself and her child?
Coming soon from Rosie Clarke:
EMMA’S DUTY
The war is over, but Emma’s battles continue at home …
Emma Reece is slowly adjusting to her husband’s return from the war, even though his appalling injuries mean their marriage is in name only.
But then tragedy strikes, and Emma finds she cannot turn to Jack Harvey, her long-standing friend and one-time lover – for while he still loves her, he is now a married man …
Also by Rosie Clarke:
THE DOWNSTAIRS MAID
She is a servant girl …
When her father becomes ill, Emily Carter finds herself sent into service at Priorsfield Manor in order to provide the family with an income.
He will be the Lord of the Manor …
Emily strikes up an unlikely friendship with the daughters of the house, as well as Nicolas, son of the Earl. But as the threat of war comes ever closer, she becomes even more aware of the vast differences between upstairs and downstairs, servant and master …
If you like Downton Abbey you’ll love this!
Also available from Ebury Press:
WARTIME SWEETHEARTS
By Lizzie Lane
The Sweet family has run the local bakery for as long as anyone can remember.
Twins Ruby and Mary Sweet help their widowed father out when they can. Ruby loves baking and has no intention of leaving their small Bristol village. While Mary dreams of life in London.
But as war threatens there will be changes for all of the Sweet family with the youngest sister Frances facing evacuation. But there will be opportunities too, as the twins’ baking talent catches the attention of the Ministry of Food …
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Ebury Press, an imprint of Ebury Publishing,
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Copyright © Rosie Clarke 2000
Rosie Clarke has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this Work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental
First published as The Bonds That Break in 2000 by Severn House Publishers
This edition published in 2015 by Ebury Press
www.eburypublishing.co.uk
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 9780091956110