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‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I promise to behave. I won’t say another word.’
Amy looked over at Kirsty fondly and realized how content she was right here in the garden at Meadowbank. She had a sense that everything was going to work out absolutely fine.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was after 2 p.m. when Emma woke. For a moment, as she looked up at the pale lemon ceiling and saw the yellow cushions next to her, she wondered where she was then felt a sense of relief settle over her when she remembered.
She was safe and she was at home at Meadowbank Cottage. This room always felt so peaceful. Stretching, she did a quick body scan. Her head had a dull ache, which always happened when she cried, and her mouth was dry. The girls had left a glass of water on the bedside table, alongside a mug of tea that had gone cold. Gratefully she leaned over and took a gulp of the water. Then she felt a slight stab of shame when she thought of her emotional outburst earlier. Fear welled up inside her.
Why did she have to burst into tears the minute she arrived? Couldn’t she have held it together for a bit longer? Her sisters would be wondering what on earth was wrong with her. It was as if she had arrived back to go to a funeral and not a wedding. She was acting so out of character, and they certainly weren’t used to seeing this unhinged version.
Emma didn’t like the way in which her emotions were making her act so strangely. When her clients had broken down in front of her at work, she always passed a tissue and said the right things. If she was quite honest, she was always a bit bemused by others’ emotions and their inability to reign them in. This was certainly giving her fresh insight and perspective which, she told herself, wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps it would make her a bit gentler and more understanding at work?
She reached over to check her phone and saw a missed call and voicemail from Max. She clicked to listen.
‘Hi, love, just thought I’d give you a quick call. We’re just having a break for lunch. Hope you’re there with your sisters now and busy catching up. I’ll try you later. I love you so much.’
Emma smiled and quickly sent him a text message reassuring him she was safely there, and all was fine. There was a gentle knock at the door.
‘Come in,’ she called, hauling herself up and rearranging the pillows behind her. The bed was particularly comfortable.
‘How are you, sleepyhead?’
‘I’m okay, thanks. Had a good sleep,’ she said, yawning and rubbing her eyes. ‘I didn’t realize I was so tired.’
Kirsty raised an eyebrow at her and folded her arms. ‘Emma, you do work very hard. Too hard.’
‘Just the same as everyone else, though. Everyone works hard and juggles stuff. Look at you and all that you do, Kirsty, and you have the kids and Dad too.’
‘Don’t change the subject, Emma,’ said Kirsty, shaking her head. ‘You are such a lawyer! No wonder you’re in demand.’
Emma took a deep breath and looked up at her older sister. ‘It’s so good to be back. I don’t tell you enough but thanks for looking after me and for organizing the wedding.’
Kirsty frowned. ‘Oh Emma, you definitely are out of sorts as this is so unlike you. You don’t have to thank me.’
‘I do and I don’t say it enough, but I really appreciate you. Now I really need to get up,’ she said, pushing back the covers. ‘Where is everyone? What have I missed?’
‘Steve and the kids are in the garden with Dad and, no pressure, but they’re desperate to see you . . . and Amy has been hatching a plan.’
Emma surprised herself by laughing. When was the last time she chuckled? ‘That sounds ominous. Do I want to hear more?’
‘It’s okay. It’s a good plan. She wants us to go over to Blackwaterfoot later and watch the sunset.’
‘And take a picnic?’ Emma said hopefully, feeling positively enthused by the prospect. They used to do that all the time when they were younger and would spend hours lounging on the beach there, picking on food Mum had packed, swimming and then cosying up together, with a flask of tea and blankets, to watch the sunset. As they got older, the three of them would head down alone and Kirsty was always the driver, which she insisted she didn’t mind about, and so Amy and Emma would take rosé wine. Now whenever she was in a restaurant, even on a warm summer’s day, she couldn’t order rosé wine as it made her feel so homesick.
‘Don’t you worry, we are on it. And Amy has even nipped off to get some rosé wine and salt and vinegar crisps.’
‘Sounds heavenly,’ said Emma, feeling so much better than she did earlier. ‘Let me go and wash my face quickly and then I’ll be right down.’
‘Okay. I’ll go and tell your fans, and get the kettle on.’ She reached over and hugged Emma tightly and as she leaned back, a look of determination flitted across her face. ‘I’m your big sister and I’ll always be here for you.Always.’
At that moment, Emma felt more love for her sister than she ever had before. She was so grateful she was here with her. Maybe telling Kirsty what was really on her mind would be easier than she thought.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A few hours later, Kirsty was driving across the String Road that joined the north and south of the island and took them to the village of Blackwaterfoot.
‘Did you drive much in Vancouver, Amy?’ she said, glancing at her sister in the rearview mirror.
