Dangerous Affection

Chapter Thirty-Three

Emma

I totally expected Maisie to be buzzing with excitement when she got home from her day out.

Looking forward to having her back home, I laid a few snacks out on the coffee table in the kitchen area: crisps, cheese straws, her usual favourites. I envisaged that we’d sit and talk through the day together.

I had a full roster of work scheduled to keep me busy while she was out. The thought of having time to catch up on admin tasks and also finally read through last month’s legal updates bulletin was a luxury I’d been looking forward to.

But in the event, I was unable to tick anything off my to-do list. My mind simply refused to focus, choosing instead to play scenes of what Maisie might be up to, on loop in my head.

Every hour that ticked by, I asked myself, was she happy? Was Shaun looking after her properly? Was Piper behaving?

It was silly. Even as I was doing it, I knew I had to learn to trust Shaun and trust that Maisie would be OK. She had new people in her life now who she’d forge relationships with.

I had no control over it.

After I’d given myself a bit of a talking-to, the afternoon was slightly more productive, although I did notice I had to keep rereading passages in the legal updates bulletin.

But now Maisie is back home, her face glum and her energy low, and the panic returns.

‘Is she OK?’ I ask Shaun as Maisie slinks past me into the house.

‘Of course she’s OK!’ Shaun says. ‘Probably a bit tired; we’ve packed lots in. I think she’s really enjoyed it.’

‘And Piper…’

‘Piper and Maisie got on brilliantly. You’re worrying again about things that aren’t a problem, Emma. I think it will be good for her to spend time with other people.’

‘Apart from me and my mother, you mean?’

His face darkens and he sighs.

‘I didn’t mean that, but never mind.’ He leans forward. ‘Bye, Maisie, see you soon!’ he calls.

I hear Maisie call goodbye from the kitchen, but she doesn’t come out to wave Shaun off.

I close the door and walk into the kitchen.

‘So, how was it?’

She’s lying on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

‘It was… OK,’ she says without looking at me.

‘What does OK mean?’ I grin and nudge her foot. ‘Details, please.’

‘We went bowling, then went back to Joanne’s apartment for tea.’ Her voice is flat, disinterested.

‘And how was Piper?’

‘She was just her normal Piper self. Irritating.’

Maisie suddenly sits up.

‘I’m really tired, Mum. I think I’ll just go up to my room a while.’

‘Oh!’ I lay my hand on her shoulder as she walks by me. ‘Sure you’re OK, poppet? We can talk about anything you like.’

‘I’m fine,’ she says. ‘Just tired.’

She disappears up the stairs and I’m left standing there, wondering what it is I’m not being told.