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After a shower I felt better. Doctor Mellow always said whenever I felt down, I should do something that feels nice to distract myself from the negative thoughts. I was surprised how effective it was, considering that twenty minutes ago all I wanted to do was nothing.
“Oh Emma, this is lovely.” The smile on grans face made the effort I'd put into the chocolate cake worth it. I'd figured I needed something chocolaty, and what better than chocolate cake. Mom nodded her approval as she reached for a second slice. I raised my eyebrows at her and grinned.
“I didn't have much breakfast.” She said defensively. I rolled my eyes. Mom was forever going on about her weight, and dieting, even though she was the perfect weight for her height and had never had a problem with being overweight.
“You look happy today Emma.” I almost laughed at mom's comment. She was right though. I did feel really good now. It may or may not have had something from the message I received from Simon.
I cannot wait to meet those lips of yours tonight. You are incredible.
It was exactly what I needed. That and the cake. I listened as Gran told me about her latest man, Stanley. Stanley was sixty-eight, and still lived with his parents, who were ninety-one and ninety-four. I hadn't seen her this worked up over a man since Pop.
“Grandmother, you cannot possibly date a man whose parents are younger than you. That's just embarrassing!” Mom shook her head. She looked disgusted. I gulped down my cake. “And who still lives at home at that age?”
“I'll have you know that he is looking after his parents so they don't have to be put into care. And who are you to tell me who I can and cannot date. I may be 96, but I am still your grandmother. You cannot help who you fall in love with, not that you'd know anything about that.”
I glanced at gran curiously. What had she meant by that? Mom and Dad had been married for years. Mom gasped, her eyes wide with anger. I had no idea what was going on here, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to.
“More tea?” I asked loudly. Very loudly. Both mom and gran looked at me in surprise. I smiled at them. Yes, that's right, I'm still here.
Mom stood up, a forced smile on her face. “Thanks for lunch honey, but I have a doctors’ appointment to get to so we best be going.” I narrowed my eyes suspiciously and followed them to the door. I was pretty sure mom was telling a little fib, but I wasn't about to call her out on it.
Besides, this conversation had turned very awkward. I welcomed the escape from it.
“Hey you.” I smiled into my phone. I'd set him his own ringtone. I couldn't handle the anxiety of knowing my phone was on, for anyone to call. Tom had shown me how I could have it on silent for everyone but Simon.
“Hey Em. I need to ask a huge, huge favour of you.” Simon sounded tired and stressed.
“What's up?” I asked, concerned. “What can I do?”
“I need to question a witness now, before they leave the country. Are you able to mind Maddie for a few hours, if I drop her past? She won't be any trouble, I promise.”
“Sure. I'd love that Simon” The idea of spending the next few hours with Maddie and her dolls sounded perfect. She was such a lovely little girl, any nerves I’d had about getting to know her had already vanished, after only one meeting. I must admit, I loved that Simon trusted me enough to leave her with me.
I quickly tidied the already clean house. I’d just gone over the freshly mopped floor with a towel (so it didn’t look like I’d just mopped it) when my phone rang. Fishing it out of my pocket, I saw it was Cass.
“Hey.” I breathed, racing with the towel down to the laundry hamper.
“You sound puffed. Wait, Simon is not there is he?” I rolled my eyes at her snide remark.
“No, he is not here, but Maddie will be soon. I am babysitting.”
“Wow. You guys move fast.” She whistled. “So I was thinking of coming over tonight if you’re free?”
“Sounds good. Maddie might still be here. I’m not sure what time Simon will get away.”
“That’s cool. I will save my sexual dramas for after she goes home.”
“Sounds ominous.” I giggled. The doorbell rang. “Look, I have to go, but definitely, come over whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks I owe you big for this.” Simon said gratefully, carrying a smiling Maddie into the apartment. “Maddie, you remember Daddy’s friend, Emma?”
“Daddy, Emma is my friend, not yours.” She spoke in a tone that voiced her frustrations. Her curls were up today in a ponytail tied with a pink ribbon. The pink matched her dress exactly. The outfit was finished with a white cardigan. I was pretty sure she hadn't picked her own outfit today. Simon shook his head, and kissed both of us.
“Hey Maddie. What's your dolls name?” I pointed to the two cabbage patch dolls she was cradling in her arms. She giggled and introduced me to Lily and Lucy. “Are they twins?”
“No Silly.” giggled Maddie. “Lucy is older. By two years. She's six and Lily is Four.”
“Wow, can I hold Lily?” I smiled at Simon who was sneaking out the door. Maddie nodded, handing Lily to me.
