After the Honeymoon by Janey Fraser Read Free Book Online Page A

her. She needed
them.
    ‘I’m sorry, poppet.’ She scattered light kisses over her son’s downy head as she spoke. ‘Hornymoons – I mean honeymoons – are just for mummies and daddies. You and Willow are going to have a lovely time with Granny instead.’
    Gawain broke away from her arms and glared. ‘But I want to go with
you.
’
    See, Emma said silently, shooting an
I told you
look at Tom. She knew this would happen. The children didn’t want them to go away any more than she wanted to leave them. How dare Bernie interfere? Tom was no better.
    ‘You should have discussed it with me first,’ Emma had snapped on the day that Bernie and the girls had given her the honeymoon envelope.
    Tom had looked uncertain, giving her one of his owlish looks behind his thick-rimmed glasses. ‘We thought it would be a nice surprise.’ He shifted awkwardly from one leg to the other. ‘The lads and I were talking in the pub and I just happened to mention to Phil that we couldn’t afford a honeymoon. He said something to Bernie and that started the ball rolling.’
    ‘It wasn’t just that we couldn’t afford one,’ Emma had sniffed. ‘It was because I didn’t want to be away from the kids.’
    Tom had put his arm around her then. ‘I know,’ he said quietly. ‘But don’t you think we need some time on our own? It’s only for a week, and your mother is used to looking after Willow when you’re at work.’
    ‘That’s for two hours a day, Tom. We’re talking about a whole week.’ Emma’s eyes had filled with tears. ‘What if they want me at night? What if my mother doesn’t watch them properly and they have an accident? I’d never forgive myself.’
    Or you, she had silently added.
    ‘That could happen any time.’ Tom, normally so compliant, had a firm edge to his voice. ‘We deserve some couple time, Em. Besides, it’s all arranged and paid for. You’d upset Bernie and the girls who saved up for this out of their earnings.’ He bent down to kiss her. ‘You’d upset me too.’
    He was right. She had no choice but to go along with the girls’ generous gesture. It would, she knew, have made a big dent in their pay packets.
    To make herself feel better, she’d made a list of all the things that her mother might need reminding of, for a long-term stay. Gawain hated any food that was orange or green (which ruled out quite a lot of vegetables). His spare Spider-Man tee-shirt was in the storage bag under his bed. Willow’s fluffy blue comfort blanket was kept in the second drawer down. The brake on the pushchair was a bit stiff. And so on and so on. The list was endless.
    ‘I know most of this,’ her mother had said, glancing at it dismissively. ‘Besides, I did bring
you
up, you know. Stop fussing.’
    But she couldn’t help it, especially as it was time to go now. Inside Corrywood Hall, the guests were still bopping along to the loud disco which they’d got for a discount rate because one of Tom’s friends knew the DJ, and picking away at the cold buffet which she hadn’t been able to touch, thanks to nerves. All that money they’d been saving up for years had been blown. And to show for it, she had a shiny gold wedding ring on her left hand, and a piece of paper which tied her to her husband for life.
    Divorce, in Emma’s book, wasn’t on. Not when you’d suffered like she had, from her parents’ bitter break-up.
    ‘Better get going or we’ll miss the flight,’ said one of Tom’s friends chirpily. ‘I’ve got the car ready outside.’ He winked at her. ‘The boys and I did it up. Tin cans, foam and everything. Wait till you see it!’
    Gawain caught hold of her skirt and, as if on cue, Willow began to whimper as Tom prised her off his neck and handed her over to Emma’s mother.
    ‘I can’t do it,’ whispered Emma. ‘I can’t leave them.’
    ‘Nonsense.’ Her mother’s voice was sharp, hissing in her ear. ‘You’re a wife now. Not just a mum. Don’t make the mistake I did.