Free A Last Kiss for Mummy by Casey Watson Page A

boyfriend? Has she admitted yet that he’s the father?’
    She watched me carefully as I shook my head. ‘No. She talks about him at times, but she hasn’t mentioned him being Roman’s dad.’ I felt slightly uncomfortable discussing this without saying that I thought Tarim was something of a control freak. But to be perfectly honest I didn’t know this for sure. It was only my initial thoughts, and I felt I owed it to Emma not to bad mouth him until I understood more. Still, I wrestled with my motivation for holding back with Hannah. Was it because I wanted to protect Emma, or was it because I needed her to trust me enough to be able to confide in me? As soon as I realised it was the latter, it helped to strengthen my resolve. I needed Emma to see that I was in her corner, and speaking out now might just ruin things in that respect. If I could gain her trust, I could influence her choices in so many ways, and where Tarim was concerned that might be vital.
    None of this, of course, was of real concern to Hannah. She was just there to see Roman was in a safe pair of hands. Something Emma still had to prove. So I was pleased to see Hannah closing her notebook for today. ‘Is that it then?’ I asked as she stood up.
    ‘Yes, that’s it for now. Let me know on Friday how the group meeting went and we’ll take it from there. I will probably start cutting my visits down a little if Emma attends that regularly.’
    Emma was delighted to hear that Hannah wouldn’t be visiting so often and it set her mood for the remainder of that day. After she settled Roman down for his nap, I decided to broach the subject of Tarim once again. Mike had decided that he’d nip out to the fish and chip shop for supper and Emma was helping me butter bread and set the table. ‘Oh, I hope he remembers to put the vinegar on at the chip shop, Casey, it tastes loads better than when you do it at home.’
    I laughed as I realised that I thought the exact same thing. ‘I know. How strange is that?’ Then as casually as I could muster, ‘Have you given any thought to what you’ll do when Tarim gets released?’
    Emma spun round to look at me and asked suspiciously, ‘What do you mean?’
    Clearly a way to go with that trust thing, I thought wryly. ‘Well, he’s obviously going to want to see Roman, isn’t he?’ I said. I noticed Emma blush and she averted her eyes. She began to chew nervously on her lip. ‘Look, love. It’s not my business, but I kind of guessed that he’s the dad. I saw your photo at the side of your bed and they do look alike. But like I said, it isn’t my business, and if you don’t want to tell anyone I can understand that. You’ll be scared that they might try to prosecute him, is that what it is?’
    Emma nodded. ‘Casey, I won’t admit it to anyone. I really won’t. Fair enough if you’ve guessed. Tarim can’t say I’ve told you, but I’m sticking to my story. None of it is his fault. I knew what I was doing, and no one pushed me into anything.’
    ‘I understand, love, and I know it’s a sticky situation but, dad or not, if Tarim is to play a part in Roman’s life, then social services will eventually need to know.’
    ‘I don’t see why!’ Emma said. I could see she was getting worked up. ‘All they need to know is that I can take care of my baby. Anything else is my business.’
    ‘Right now, Emma, that’s true. All I’m trying to say is that perhaps it would work in your favour if, later on, they can see that you are being open and honest. Don’t worry about it yet though, love. We can cross that bridge when we get to it.’
    I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched the words sink in without her getting upset. Drama averted, I busied myself making some hot drinks while Emma went up to check on Roman. I had opened the way up for a discussion but it was clear that she wasn’t yet ready to confide in me with her plans for the future.
    I was torn in reality. Part of me knew that Emma operated