Public Secrets Part 320

able to make music again. "I don't know. We could ask ourselves

forever, but it wouldn't change." She drew back. "Dad. We have to set

it aside. Not forget, but set it aside."

"A new beginning?"

"G.o.d no." She smiled. "I wouldn't want to begin again. Not for

anything. Finally I know where I am and where I want to go. I don't

have to be afraid anymore. I don't have to wonder. And I can stop

blaming myself, because I didn't run this time."

"You were never to blame, Emma."

"None of us were. Come inside." She drew him into the light and the

warmth. In the silence, she walked to the television and switched it

on. "I want to hear them say your name."

As she watched the set, P.M. touched her arm. "Emma." Unable to find

the words, he brought her hand to his cheek.

"Here we go, mates." Johnno laid a hand on Brian's shoulder as the

nominees for Song of the Year were announced.

Emma held her breath, then let it out on a laugh when she heard Brian

McAvoy and Johnno Donovan. "Congratulations." She swung her arms around

both of them. "Oh, I wish I could have handed it to you."

"Next year," Johnno said, giving her a quick, hard kiss.

"It's a promise. It's important," she said, squeezing Brian's hand. "It

means something. Don't let what happened spoil this for you, or for

me."

"No." He relaxed, and when he smiled she watched it reach his eyes. He

threw an arm around Johnno's shoulder. "Not bad for a couple of aging

rockers."

"Mind your adjectives, Bri." Johnno winked at Emma. "Jagger's older."

He lifted a brow when he heard the knock on the door. "Ah, the call of

the gray-eyed, infatuated copper."

"Shut up, Johnno," Emma said pleasantly as she hurried to answer with

Conroy at her heels. "Michael."

"Sorry it took so long." He dragged on the dog's collar to keep him from

leaping. "Okay?"

"Sure." She leaned down, the beads of her evening dress glinting, to rub

between Conroy's ears. "We were just pa.s.sing out congratulations. Dad

and Johnno won Song of the Year."

"No, we were just leaving." Bev was already picking up her wrap. If

ever she'd seen a man who wanted to be alone with a woman, it was

Michael. "There's a pot of tea in the kitchen," she added, flicking a

glance over her shoulder to get the others moving. Before Emma could

protest, she pulled her close. "Time's too precious to waste," she

murmured. "Michael." She put her arms around him. "Thank you," she

said quietly. And pulling back, smiled. "Welcome to chaos."

They made their way out, one at a time, while a disinterested Conroy

sniffed around, then went to sleep in the corner.

"They're quite a group," Michael stated when the door finally closed.

"No pun intended."

"Yes, they are. You're not going to mind having dinner with the lot of

them tomorrow, are you?"

"No." He didn't give a hang about tomorrow. Only tonight. The way she