Free A Last Kiss for Mummy by Casey Watson Page B

well knowing that she had Tarim in the background, and that speaking to him regularly and writing was holding them together and keeping her on an even keel. Though I didn’t know her very well, I knew enough to know that it was his influence that kept her indoors with her baby. Other teen mums might have kicked up a fuss about not having time out with friends, but not Emma. She wanted Tarim to know that she was well and truly ‘waiting’ for him. Another part of me hated this. I could see that if Tarim was on the outside, this would be a very controlling relationship, and not a healthy one at all. But what could I do? I told myself that while he was away there was no harm being done, and in fact I was getting the best out of Emma. I just hoped I wouldn’t live to regret my decision to allow it to continue.

Chapter 7
    With Roman needing round-the-clock care and Emma being so young and vulnerable, it was perhaps no surprise that the next couple of weeks passed by in something of a baby-talc-scented blur. No surprise either that my focus was very much a tight one; the days revolving mostly around feeds, naps and washing, and the regular assessment visits made by Hannah, as well as trying to keep Emma positive and on track.
    ‘Have I come to the right house?!’ Riley asked when she came round for coffee the following Thursday. ‘Does a Mrs Casey Watson actually live here?’
    She looked around, her expression one of shock and stupefaction. ‘Nope,’ she said, poking her head into the kitchen and through lounge in turn. ‘Nope again. No, I definitely have the wrong house.’
    I shook my head while I scooped Jackson up for a cuddle. ‘I have absolutely no idea what your mother is on about,’ I told him.
    ‘Fairy lights!’ Riley clarified. ‘Decorations! Trees! It’s the first week in December and you don’t yet have a single thing up. This has to be a record, mum. Has to be.’
    Apart from visits to the letter-box, this morning was the first time Emma had been out without me since she’d been with us; she’d gone to the mother and baby group on her own, which was an important development. As was the fact that it was also the first time I’d had the house to myself since she’d come to us, too.
    ‘Very funny,’ I said, following Riley into the kitchen to make the drinks. ‘Actually, your dad and I plan to go tree shopping this weekend. And the decorations are down, just not out. But they will be. You’re right, though,’ I admitted, ‘I am way behind with everything. And haven’t seen nearly enough of you, little man,’ I finished, popping Jackson up on the kitchen counter in front of me. It was an unexpected treat to see him – normally he’d be in nursery. But with two teachers away from work with a tummy bug, they had made the difficult but probably sensible decision to ask those parents in a position to, to keep their little ones off as well. I began undoing his coat buttons, marvelling as ever at how quickly he seemed to be growing. He’d be three soon and, before we knew it, off to school like Levi, something I contemplated with very mixed emotions. On the one hand, it would be nice for Riley – she could then really get her teeth into her fostering – but at the same time, how had the time gone so fast?
    ‘I’ll get there,’ I said. ‘Well, eventually I will, anyway. It’s incredible how quickly you forget just how time consuming a new baby is.’
    ‘Two babies, don’t forget,’ Riley pointed out. ‘You’re looking after both of them, Mum. Don’t forget that. How’s Emma getting on anyway? Is she coping any better now?’
    ‘Definitely. I have every confidence in her,’ I said, and perhaps a touch more forcefully than I intended. I wasn’t speaking to Hannah, after all, was I? Riley knew the score. I sighed then, almost automatically. It didn’t matter if Emma passed muster for Hannah and social services with flying colours. She still had the next bit to get through, didn’t