Maids Under The Mistletoe Collection. Christy McKellen

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      There was a short pause. ‘Listen, Emma,’ Clio said carefully, ‘for what it’s worth, my advice is to keep in mind that just because the marriage wasn’t right for you then, it doesn’t mean it isn’t right for you now. Both of you have had a lot of time to grow and learn things about yourself since then. That’s worth considering.’

      Emma’s first reaction was one of scepticism that Jack would be at all interested in a reconciliation based on his angry outburst last night, but maybe Clio had a point. Sure, they’d grown apart over the years, each finding their own way forwards, but neither of them had gone so far as to ask the other for a divorce. And surely he never would have lost his cool with Jolyon if he didn’t still care about her, at least in some small way?

      Her heartbeat picked up as she cautiously entertained the idea of it. Even though he’d been standoffish around her since then, she couldn’t help but wonder whether the more time they spent together, the more chance there was she’d spot a chink in his armour.

      That there might still be hope for them.

      But she’d be a fool to get too excited about the idea of it. There was probably too much water under the bridge now for them to turn things around.

      Wasn’t there?

      ‘Anyway,’ Clio said, breaking into her racing thoughts, ‘like I said, don’t worry about anything. Just let me know when you’re in a position to take on another job and I’ll make sure to find you something. In the meantime you take care of yourself, okay?’

      ‘I will, Clio. And thanks. I really appreciate the support.’

      She became aware of an achy tension building at the back of her throat and she concluded the call quickly so that her boss wouldn’t hear the emotion in her voice.

      She felt so confused all of a sudden.

      After putting down the phone to Clio she took a moment to compose herself before calling Sophie, whose number she’d memorised because they’d worked so frequently together for the agency.

      After giving her the same quick summary that she’d given Clio, she asked her friend to drop her missing bag and coat over to Jack’s house, as she couldn’t risk picking them up in person in case the press took more photos of her leaving.

      Sophie’s mixture of earnest concern and soothing support nearly set Emma’s tears off again, but she managed to hold it together until they’d arranged how to get the missing items back to her.

      Twenty minutes after she’d put the phone down to her friend there was a discreet knock at the back door where they’d agreed to rendezvous. Emma opened it to find Sophie waiting there with a look of worried anticipation on her face.

      ‘One handbag, one coat,’ Sophie said, holding the items up for her to grab as she dashed inside before any press noticed that she’d vaulted over the back wall and snuck through Jack’s garden to gain entry.

      ‘You’re a lifesaver,’ Emma said, giving her a tight hug.

      ‘Are you okay?’ Sophie asked, her voice muffled by Emma’s hair.

      It took Emma a moment before she was able to let go of her friend—the comfort of the hug seemed to be releasing some of the straining tension in her—and they drew away from each other.

      Emma nodded, tried to smile, failed, then shook her head. ‘Not really.’

      ‘You poor thing. What a mess,’ Sophie cooed.

      ‘I know, and it’s all of my own making. I should have contacted Jack before now...’ she sighed and tugged a hand through her hair ‘...but I never seemed to find the strength to do it.’

      ‘It must be a horrible thing to have to deal with. I don’t blame you one little bit for letting it slide.’

      ‘Well, there’s no sliding out of it now. We’re leaving to see his parents at their massive stately pile in Cambridgeshire in about ten minutes. I’ll certainly be facing the firing squad there. They’re very uptight about how their family is portrayed in the media and I’m not exactly the daughter-in-law they were hoping for.’

      ‘Emma, how can they not love you? You’re an amazing woman, kind, compassionate, smart. They’d be lucky to have you as part of their family.’

      Emma managed to dredge up a droll smile. ‘Try telling Jack that.’

      Sophie gave her a discerning look. ‘You still have feelings for him, don’t you?’

      Emma sighed and rubbed a hand across her aching forehead. ‘To be honest I don’t know how I feel about him right now. He can be the most frustrating man in the world, but he does something to me on a visceral level, you know?’

      ‘I do,’ Sophie said, watching her with a worried frown. ‘You can’t help who you fall in love with.’

      ‘No.’

      They were both silent for a moment, each of them lost in their own personal reverie.

      ‘Hey, do you have something knockout to wear to meet his parents?’ Sophie asked, breaking Emma out of her thoughts about how she was going to deal with spending more up-close-and-personal time with Jack when she was feeling so mixed up about him.

      She glanced up at her friend. ‘Jack’s sister left some of her clothes here, which I can wear. They’re a bit casual for a meeting with a marquess and marchioness, but they’ll have to do. I haven’t got time to go home now. Not that I’ve got anything suitable there either.’

      ‘Okay, well in that case I’m glad I brought these with me.’ Sophie slipped the strap of a suit carrier off her shoulder and held it out towards her.

      ‘They’re dresses I’ve just finished sewing for a charity catwalk show. You’re so lovely and slim I think they’ll fit you perfectly.’

      The kindness of the act brought tears straight to Emma’s eyes and she blinked hard, knowing that if she let as much as one of them fall she was a goner.

      ‘That’s so sweet of you, thanks,’ she said, pulling Sophie in for another hug and holding onto her tightly until she’d got herself under control.

      After disentangling herself, Sophie smoothed down her hair and gave her a warm smile. ‘You’re welcome. Knock their socks off, Emma! And call me as soon as you can to let me know that you’re okay, all right. The girls and I were really worried about you when you disappeared like you did last night and they’ll want to know you’re in good hands.’

      ‘I will. And thanks again, you’re a good friend.’

      ‘My pleasure, sweetheart.’

      Blowing her one final kiss, Sophie nipped out of the door and hared back off across the garden before the paps got a chance to get a good look at her.

      Shutting the door firmly behind her friend, Emma smiled and took a deep fortifying breath, thanking her lucky stars for such good friends.

      It was so good to know that she wasn’t completely on her own with this.

      * * *

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