Read Meant To Be for Free Online Page B

subject.
    â€˜I did. Something’s up that they clearly don’t want to share.’
    â€˜I hope they’re okay,’ Emily said.
    â€˜Well, they seemed happy with each other – more affectionate than usual, I reckon. If we’re meant to know, we’ll find out,’ Jake added, patting Emily’s thigh. ‘Just leave it be.’
    â€˜Yeah, you’re right. It’s just that after all they’ve done for me, I’d like to return the favour if I can.’
    â€˜You’ll get your chance, if and when you’re meant to.’
    â€˜I hope so.’ Emily leaned back into the seat and tried to put the nag of concern out of her mind.
    â€˜I’m excited about going out with David tomorrow,’ Jake said, after a few minutes of silence.
    Emily smiled at his boyish enthusiasm; he sounded like a kid about to enter a candy shop.
    â€˜That’s great, you’ll have fun,’ she said, beaming at him. ‘But make sure you don’t overdo it. You’re here to recuperate, remember?’
    They entered the house to find the red light on the answering machine blinking in the dark kitchen. Emily turned on the overhead fluoro light, dumped her handbag beside Grace, who was snoozing in her bed, and pressed the button to play new messages.
    â€˜Oh! Des, it’s the damned answering machine,’ Enid’s voice rang out. ‘Emily, it’s your mother here. We’re outside. Where are you? I told you we would be stopping in. We’ve been sitting here in the car for ten minutes. Call me back when you get this.’
    â€˜Unbelievable,’ Jake muttered.
    Emily shook her head slowly and sighed. Just hearing her mother’s voice made her feel very tired. Thankfully, it was almost too late to phone back – well that would be her excuse. Enid didn’t take calls after nine p.m. Actually, no, I’ll get it over with now , she thought, grabbing the phone and plastering a smile on her face, as she’d once been taught in an office skills course. ‘A smile makes for a friendly sounding voice,’ she’d learnt during training.
    Enid picked up straight away. ‘Enid Oliphant speaking.’
    â€˜Hi Mum. We’ve just got home and got your message.’
    â€˜Where were you?’
    â€˜I told you we were going out. It’s not my fault you chose not to listen.’
    â€˜Oh, Emily, don’t get all high and mighty with me.’
    â€˜Was there something you wanted?’
    â€˜Yes, actually. We’d like to meet this young man you have staying.’
    â€˜It’s Jake, Mum, and you’ve already met him. At dinner with Liz.’
    â€˜Well, as it now seems he’s your boyfriend , we’d like to meet him properly. I need to have you both for dinner, but all my evenings are booked for the next two weeks.’
    â€˜That’s all right, we’ve got a lot on too.’
    â€˜What could you possibly have on? You’re a lady of leisure, and Jake’s on holidays, isn’t he?’
    â€˜Sort of. Mum, you don’t need to go to the bother of dinner. We’ll just drop in for a cuppa soon. Okay?’
    â€˜Well, then, please give some warning so I’m definitely here.’
    Emily smiled wryly and shook her head slowly. As if you won’t be there. She was starting to see the funny side of Enid.
    As she hung up and deleted the message, she wondered why her mother hadn’t just called her mobile in the first place. Why bother leaving an answering-machine message Emily might not get for hours? Maybe Enid thought she and Jake had been hiding inside.

Chapter Four
    At eleven the next morning, David’s ute pulled up outside. They went out, Jake swinging John’s blue lunchbox-sized esky and a small matching water bottle filled with ice cubes that rattled when he walked. Emily stopped short of the gate at the end of the concrete path and wrapped her arms around him.
    â€˜Are you