"I'll put dinner on." Ethan told me when we got home after work.
"There's a message on the answer machine." I told him.
He leant over and pressed play:
Hi Emma, it's Stuart, can you give me a call when you get this. I need to speak to you about something- it's important.
I glanced at Ethan for a moment.
"Why don't you call him after you've had something to eat?" he suggested.
"Yeah, I'm sure it can wait." I agreed.
I followed into the kitchen and perched on the counter. I bit my lip as I sat, deep in thought.
"You're thinking about the message aren't you?" he asked me.
I nodded slowly.
"Call him now then so you can stop thinking about it." he suggested.
"Good idea." I agreed as I jumped off the counter.
I walked along to the phone and jumped as I heard a knock at the door. I sighed and put the phone back on the hook.
I opened the door and once again stood face to face with Susan. I couldn't help but wonder what she wanted this time?
"I'm sorry to disturb you but I need a word." she said.
"I don't think that's a good idea." I sighed.
She didn't know it but she had hurt Ethan with her comments last time and he still hadn't forgiven her for speaking to him like that. He hated feeling like she was trying to come between us.
"It won't take long." she insisted.
I sighed and gestured for her to come in.
I heard Ethan sigh as Susan followed me into the kitchen.
"Hello Ethan." she said when she saw him.
"Hey." he said shortly.
"Can I speak to Emma alone?" she asked.
"I'd rather you didn't." he replied bluntly.
"Okay." she sighed.
I sat opposite her at the dining table, I could feel Ethan's eyes watching us closely as he leant against the counter.
"The truth is I didn't just get the job at Holby for the money." she stated.
"What's this got to do with me?" I frowned.
"I took the job because of you." she said nervously.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked nervously.
She was starting to make me nervous, why had she taken a job where I worked? Why had she asked Caleb where I lived? Why had she been stalking me for the last few weeks. I was torn between telling her to leave and to stay away from me. On the other hand I really wanted to know what she had to say.
"Have you been stalking me?" I asked.
"No of course not!" she exclaimed.
"Well you asked Cal where I live." I pointed out.
"That was a lie....I already knew where you live." she admitted.
I stared at her in shock, completely speechless.
"You've got one minute to explain yourself before I remove you from the house." Ethan warned her.
His tone took me by surprise, I'd never heard him sound that angry before. I was slightly nervous what he was capable of.
"I've been looking for you for a while and I wanted to get to know you." she told me.
"I've met Stuart as well." she added.
"Why would you meet Stuart?" I frowned.
I heard Ethan gasp. I turned to him and saw him looking at me, a look of sympathy etched on his face.
"What's going on?!" I exclaimed as I looked between Susan and Ethan.
"Emma..." Ethan started gently.
"I don't understand." I said as I put my head in my hands.
I heard Ethan cross the room and squat next to me. He rested his head against my shoulder and gently wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"I think that's why Stuart wanted to talk to you." he whispered gently.
"Ethan I don't understand what's happening......" I admitted.
"I think you do." he sighed.
"Your husband is right, I'm your Mother." Susan announced.
