Page 81 of Never Gonna Happen

‘Well, the important half was still awake.’

‘I noticed.’

‘Fine, I’ll say it again. I love you, and you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’

Emily’s heart sang; she hadn’t realised how much she needed to hear that.

‘Don’t tell Louisa that, she’ll probably leave.’

Jamie nodded. ‘All things considered, I think it’s best if she does leave. I really appreciate her offering to help, and I hope we can stay friends. But it’s never going to be more than that, and her being here isn’t ideal for any of us.’

‘You’ll lose your physio,’ said Emily, feeling like she should at least table a small objection. ‘If you really think she’s the best, I will totally understand if you want her to stay.’

‘She’s not the only physio in the world,’ said Jamie, grabbing his crutches and levering himself out bed. ‘I believe Norwich has several. Even she admitted that my rehab is quite straightforward; I just need someone to keep an eye on my progress and help me with the hydrotherapy, check I don’t drown.’

‘Maybe we should book you in at the local leisure centre, get you a slot between Aquafit and toddler splash time.’

‘You’re very funny.’

Emily left Jamie’s a few minutes before Louisa was due, walking back to the house through the walled garden. She didn’t care if she met Adam or Anna or the local axe murderer, frankly – today she would melt them all with the power of her fuck-you killer death stare. The last time she’d felt this good was the day she’d wangled a month’s paid leave off Mark and set herself free from the pain of looking at his face every day. She’d wrestled back control of her life for the second time in four months, and it felt pretty great.

Leon was under the bonnet of the Audi when she walked past the garage, so she wandered over to say hello.

‘I thought you had gone home,’ he said, clearly confused.

‘I decided to come back,’ she said breezily.

Leon was quiet for a few seconds, twisting a spanner in his hands. ‘I don’t like the way you are being treated,’ he said. ‘By Adam and Anna and the other lady. It is not nice.’

‘Thank you,’ said Emily. ‘But I’ve got things under control.’

‘I am glad,’ said Leon. ‘Jamie is very lucky to have you.’

Emily rested her hand on his arm. ‘You’re a good friend, Leon. Thank you for looking out for me.’

His eyes looked a bit watery. ‘Is no problem,’ he said. ‘I don’t suppose you have a twin sister?’

Emily shook her head and laughed. ‘Two brothers, I’m afraid.’

‘Ah well,’ said Leon. ‘What is it the English say – you can’t win them all?’

‘You can’t,’ said Emily, heading off into the house to find Anna. She felt like she was on a winning streak today, and she wasn’t done yet.

She found Anna in the kitchen reading the Sunday Telegraph on the sofa, an empty cup of coffee on the table. She looked up as Emily came in, her eyebrows raised in annoyance.

‘I thought you weren’t back until tomorrow,’ she said, with a tone that suggested Emily had just pissed in her slippers.

‘I came back last night,’ said Emily cheerfully, boiling the kettle for a cup of tea. ‘I realised I was in the wrong place.’

Anna said nothing, her mouth set in a grim line as she returned to her newspaper. Emily could hear the cogs turning in her evil mastermind brain as she tried to formulate a new plan.

Once she’d made her tea, Emily didn’t take it straight upstairs as she normally would. Instead she carried it over to the sofa and sat down. Anna froze and glared at her, clearly unsettled by this turn of events and the implacable expression on Emily’s face.

‘Did you want something?’ she asked.

‘What have I done to upset you, Anna?’ Emily asked calmly, sipping her tea.

Anna stared at her for a few seconds, then looked back at the paper. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’