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“Sure, do you want me to come with you?” I ask, taking Grace’s things off him and loading it in the bag. My gut aches for him. I don't want Emily to be hurt, but it’s far better than the alternative.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Nadine laughs bitterly.
“Back off, Nadine!” Dan snaps. “And quit swearing in front of Grace.” He storms past her. “Grow up. Not everything is about you.”
“I don't care that she’s there!” she calls after him defensively.
He swings around and laughs. “So why mention her then?” He shakes his head, and I hook his bag over my shoulder.
“He’s hardly going to bed her in the waiting room,” Dan spits and Nadine snaps back, hurt, and I groan.
“What have you said to him?” she questions, her eyes narrowed. Jesus Christ. This is supposed to be about Emily and Grace, making sure they are okay. How is it about her again?
“Nothing. Our relationship isn’t anyone’s business. All evening, you were making digs, babe. It wasn’t fun,” I admit softly.
“But you went over to them.” She frowns, still hurt I'm acknowledging Holly and Beau.
“I went over to Beau,” I repeat. “She hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Biting her lip, she looks to where Dan is retreating over the green. “You’re going to the hospital, aren’t you?” she mutters.
I sigh. “Yes, even if it’s to calm Grace and bring her home.”
“She’s not your kid.” Her mouth twists in annoyance and my face shutters. Did she just go there? I feel myself starting to lose my patience with her. Where the hell has this side of her come from?
When she lifts her miserable face to mine, she blinks in shock at the level of anger I'm holding back. “Cam.” She sighs, taking my hand.
I pull my hand away. “You’re right, she’s not, but she is my goddaughter, and they are my family. Remember that,” I snap and walk off. Fucking hell.
Dan is putting Grace in her seat when I reach his car. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that to her.” He rubs his hand down his face.
“It’s fine. Here.” I dump the bag in the back and wink at Grace, who is looking confused and upset.
“Are you okay, monkey?” I ask, ruffling her hair.
“I hurt Emily,” she wails, her sharp voice ringing through our eardrums.
“No, baby girl, Daddy did, but we’re going to go check on her, okay?” He strokes her hair and gives her a kiss. Murmuring words, he holds her whilst she sniffles all over his shirt.
“And Cam?” Grace sniffles.
“I could do with the backup.” Dan sighs, knowing full well not only will my presence not be received, but it will cause an issue with Nadine too.
“Sure.”
We arriveat the hospital and make our way up to A&E, but I can’t see Emily or Holly anywhere. “Where are they?” Dan asks. He hoists Grace up and she grips his neck.
“Beau!” Grace calls, sounding herself for the first time in a while. We move past a family as Holly comes out of the toilet with her daughter. Beau giggles and runs over, but Holly is glaring at us both.
“I don't think I’ve ever seen Holly so angry,” Dan comments.
“I have.” I sigh wearily, and he laughs lightly.
Beau is already running over, and she tugs at Grace’s foot. “Come down.”
Grace shakes her head, and Beau frowns, clearly confused. Her gaze moves and she lifts her arms up for me to pick her up. I don't even look at Holly as I scoop Beau up and she smiles at me. “Hi.”
“Hey, squirt.” Her hands are clutching my collar, and my heart beats unnaturally.
