‘Like that filigree stuff you do.’
She nodded. ‘Exactly that.’
A pendant, rings, earrings and a bangle. And his imagination would have to supply a vision of Emmy wearing said jewellery, and nothing but said jewellery.
‘Are you going to show them your jet animals as well?’ he asked, pushing the recalcitrant thoughts away.
She wrinkled her nose. ‘No, they’re just a bit of fun.’
‘But they’re different, Emmy. People might forget your name if they want to buy your jewellery, but they’ll definitely remember your jet animals, so they’ll look them up on the Internet and find you.’
She thought about it. ‘Fair point.’
‘Go for it,’ he said. ‘Maybe that little turtle you made for Ty last week. And the dolphin.’
‘I could do a seahorse,’ she said, seeming to warm to the idea.
‘That would definitely do it,’ he said. ‘A jet seahorse.’
‘I owe you,’ she said, finishing her pizza. ‘Would you mind...?’
‘Go. You’re off housework, childcare and everything else,’ he said. ‘Go beat that deadline.’
She went off to work, and he made a phone call to delegate his work for the next four days so he could take over from her. It was a lot to ask, but he also knew that if he’d been the one to ask the favour her reaction would’ve been the same: total support. And he could give her some help to chase her dream.
* * *
Over the next four days, Emmy worked crazy hours to get the pieces done—a solid jet heart with silver filigree radiating out into a larger heart-shaped pendant, matching earrings, and delicate filigree cuffs containing the shape of a heart in solid jet. The other set included a modern pendant of a jet cone with a slice of amber running through it, matching earrings, a jet ring that entwined with an amber one, and a bangle that replicated the same effect, a thin band of amber entwined with a thin band of jet. And to finish the collection she carved the jet seahorse she’d discussed with Dylan.
Outside her work, she didn’t have time to do anything other than have a quick shower in the morning, then fall into bed exhausted at night. Dylan brought her coffee and fruit and sandwiches to keep her going during the day, but didn’t stay long enough to disturb her. He did insist on her taking a short break in the evening, though, to eat a proper dinner. She gave him a grateful smile. ‘Thank you, Dylan. You’ve been a real star.’
‘You’d do the same for me. How’s it going?’
‘I’m getting there.’
When she’d finished, she showed him the two collections.
‘This is beautiful. I know a lot of women who’d love something like this.’ He smiled at her. ‘You’re definitely going to get this.’
‘There are no guarantees,’ she reminded him.
Emmy delivered the jewellery to the magazine offices by hand, including the jet seahorse. She knew she was being paranoid, but she couldn’t trust them to anyone else. She’d put too much of her heart and soul into the project now for things to go wrong.
Then it was a matter of waiting.
Were they going to choose her?
And how long would they keep her waiting before they delivered the verdict?
Every second seemed to drag—even though she knew she was being ridiculous and she probably wouldn’t hear for at least a week. But by the time she got back to the house in Islington, she felt flat.
Dylan took one look at her. ‘Right. We’re going out.’
‘Where?’ she asked.
‘You need some fresh air, and Ty and I are going with you to keep you company—isn’t that right, sweetheart?’ he added to the baby. ‘I’ve got his bag organised. All I need to do is get a couple of bottles from the fridge, and we’re good to go.’
She gave in. ‘Thank you, Dylan.’
‘I know you like the sea,’ he said as he finished packing the baby’s bag. ‘And I think it’s what you need to blow the cobwebs out.’
‘But it’s nearly five hours from here to Whitby,’ she blurted out.
He laughed. ‘I know. I’m not taking you there. I thought we could go to Sussex.’
In the end he drove them to Brighton, where they crunched over the pebbles next to the sea. Part of Emmy was wistful for the fine, soft sand of the east coast she was used to, but she was seriously grateful that Dylan had thought of it. ‘You’re right. The sea’s just what I need. Thank you so much.’
‘My pleasure.’ He smiled at her, and her heart did a flip. Which was totally ridiculous.
They ate fish and chips on the pier. He fed little bits of fish to Tyler, who absolutely loved it and opened his mouth for more.
‘I think we’ve just found the next food for his list,’ Dylan said with a grin.
The woman sitting on the bench next to them looked over. ‘Oh, your baby’s just adorable.’
Emmy froze.
But Dylan simply smiled. ‘Thank you. We think so, too.’
For a moment Emmy wondered what it would be like if this were real—if Dylan were her partner and Tyler were their baby. Then she reminded herself that they were co-guardians. They’d agreed that kiss was a mistake. She’d be stupid to want more than she could have.
‘You’re quiet,’ Dylan remarked when they were wandering through the narrow streets of boutique shops, with Tyler fast asleep in his pushchair.
‘I’m just a bit tired,’ she prevaricated.
‘And worrying about whether they’re going to like your designs?’
She frowned. ‘How did you know?’
‘I’m the same whenever I bid for a project. I always know I’ve done my best, but I always worry whether the client will like what I’ve suggested.’
‘And I guess you have the added pressure, because you have people relying on you for work.’
He shrugged. ‘There is that.’
She grimaced. ‘Sorry, that was patronising and a stupid thing to say.’
‘It’s OK. You’ve done the equivalent of a week and a half’s normal office hours over four days. I’m not surprised your brain is a bit fried. Come on. Let’s get an ice cream.’
‘Good idea. And it’s my shout.’
* * *
Emmy
