“I don’t suppose Parker is around, is he?” Chantelle asked Lois, an image of Parker’s battered little wholesale truck in her mind’s eye.

“He is,” Lois said. “I’ll fetch him.”

The line went silent. A moment later Parker’s voice sounded through the receiver.

“Boss-lady,” he quipped, “what can I do for you?”

Emily looked down at Chantelle, who was sitting on the step fiddling with her shoelaces. She looked so glum. Emily felt confident that she’d made the right decision in not bothering Daniel. She wanted to be back on safe ground, in the comfort of their home, before the issue of Chantelle’s school day was broached.

Emily spoke into the phone to Parker. “I have a favor to ask of you…”

*

That evening, the family relaxed together in the lounge. Finally, Emily felt like enough time had lapsed and she was ready to tackle the topic of Chantelle’s first day back at school.

“So, Chantelle didn’t have a good day today, did you, sweetie,” Emily said. “Can you tell Daddy what happened?”

Daniel raised his eyebrows and looked at Chantelle. She squirmed in her seat.

“You’re not in trouble,” Emily explained softly. “It’s just that Daddy doesn’t know that I had to come into the office and speak to Miss Butler and Mrs. Doyle.”

Daniel’s surprised expression grew stronger. “Mrs. Doyle, the principal?” he asked.

Emily could tell he was fighting to keep his tone even.

Chantelle nodded with shame.

“I wanted to change class because of a horrible girl,” she said, her gaze fixed on her lap.

“What horrible girl?” Daniel asked.

“She’s new,” Chantelle said. “Her name is Laverne. And she’s Bailey’s best friend.”

Daniel looked over at Emily. She flashed him a sad look.

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Daniel said. “I’m sure Bailey is just trying to be nice to her because she’s new and doesn’t know anyone.”

“It’s not like that,” Chantelle said, hitting her fist against the armrest of the couch. “Laverne told Bailey that she’s only allowed one friend with blond hair and because Laverne’s is blonder than mine, Bailey chose her!”

Emily could see the little girl was in pain, and she was growing irate as she recalled the painful events of the day.

“Have you spoken to Yvonne?” Daniel asked Emily.

She shook her head. At the same time, Chantelle shouted, “No!” She seemed panicked. “Please don’t speak to Yvonne about it. I don’t want her to tell Bailey off or force her to be my friend again. I only want her to be my friend if she wants to, not because her mom told her to.”

Emily felt so bad for Chantelle. The world of seven-year-olds could be just as complicated as the grown-up one. She desperately wished she could take all the hurt away from the little girl, but that wasn’t possible. And it wasn’t right, either. It was her job as a mom to guide Chantelle through these unpleasant experiences, not shield her from them or eradicate them.

“Do you also remember what Laverne said about you?” Emily prompted. She knew Chantelle didn’t want to talk about it but it was important that they worked through her emotions. She was almost eight years old and the people around her would soon lose patience with her tantrums. She had a steep learning curve ahead of her and a lot of time to make up for. She’d already made remarkable progress but there was still so far to go.

“She said I had a stupid accent,” Chantelle said. Then glumly, she added, “She’s right. I wish I had your voice, Daddy. Why do I have to sound like Sheila?”

“There’s nothing wrong with your voice,” Daniel told her. “Your accent is beautiful.”

“But it makes me different. And it makes people think I’m stupid.”

“You’re not stupid,” Daniel said sternly. “Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you are. You’re perfect the way you are.”

Emily loved the amount of warmth in his voice. His speech was very touching. But Chantelle did not seem to be buying it at all. She looked just as glum as ever.

“May I be excused now?” she said quietly.

Daniel looked at Emily. She shrugged, unsure what the best thing to do was.

“I’d like to watch cartoons in my room,” Chantelle added.

“Sure,” Emily said. Everyone deserves a cheer-up routine, she thought. If cartoons in bed could self-soothe Chantelle then that was better than having her melt down.

Chantelle slid off the couch and left the room. Once she was gone, Daniel looked sadly at Emily.

“You should have told me,” he said with an exasperated sigh. “As soon as it happened. Why didn’t you call?”

Emily frowned. She’d been so sure of her decision to get Parker to pick them up before, but now seeing Daniel’s expression she felt her resolve weaken. “You were at work,” she told him softly. “I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“But this is my little girl,” he said, sternly. “I need to know if she’d being bullied.”

Emily touched Daniel’s hand. She knew him well enough now to understand that it was the stress from his new work that was making him grouchy and short with her. It wasn’t meant to be personal and so she tried not to take it as such.

“Honey, I handled it,” she told him calmly but firmly. “Having you there wouldn’t have helped matters. In fact, having us both show up like that at the school could have been quite intimidating for Chantelle. I don’t know if it’s always the best thing for her to have all these adults peering down at her evaluating her behavior. I dealt with the school, then we came home and spent the rest of the day quietly working on our respective activities. Giving her space is just as important as talking through these things.” She folded her arms triumphantly. “I actually think I did a great job.”

Daniel looked a little pained. “I’m not saying you didn’t do a great job,” he said. “You know I think you’re an awesome mom.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I just hate having responsibilities that pull me away from you, from our family.”

Emily nodded, understanding. She’d been right in thinking it was the stress of the promotion compounding Daniel’s response.

“I’m sure it will settle,” she told him, reassuringly. “Once you’ve adjusted to the new responsibilities and found your feet.”

For the first time, Emily saw a smile return to Daniel’s eyes.

“Thanks, babe,” he told her. “I’m sure you’re right. It’s just so hard, not being there for Chantelle. Especially after missing the first six years, you know?” He sounded wistful.

“I know,” Emily replied meaningfully. “But you would have lost your temper if you’d been there. The school was useless! They wouldn’t even consider switching Laverne into a different class. The principal may as well have just shrugged and said she didn’t care. She actually said they had to figure it out amongst themselves. Seven-year-olds! Like they can sit down and have guidance counseling? I was furious. I unleashed the Mama Bear.”

Daniel laughed. “I would love to have seen that.”

Emily shook her head, recalling the fury she’d felt. “It completely ruined my coffee date with Amy.”

“Oh yeah,” Daniel said, remembering. “How was that? Did you find out what’s going on with her and Harry?”

Emily nodded. “It’s the obvious really. Commitment. She’s not sure about throwing herself headfirst into the relationship. Especially after Fraser. I can’t convince her. You know what she’s like, stubborn. I’m just dropping gentle hints that Harry is the One and that she needs to take the plunge.”

“It would be wonderful to have her here full time,” Daniel said. “For you. And Chantelle, of course. I think it’s important she has grown-ups to rely on and look up to.”

Emily nodded, but became a little quiet as she thought of Roy. His was the kind of adult relationship that Chantelle needed so badly, but it was going to come to an untimely and unjust end very soon. She and Daniel had agreed not to tell Chantelle her beloved Papa Roy was dying and she was glad of it now. The child clearly wouldn’t cope with it. But she’d need to be told at some point.

“I almost forgot,” Emily said, trying to force the dark thoughts from her mind. “Amy wants her and I to spend the weekend in New York City. She misses it and needs a bit of space from Harry to get her thoughts in order. Plus the baby shower was a bit of a disaster and she thinks a layette shower in New York City should happen, with Jayne.”

“This coming weekend?” Daniel asked, sounding a little surprised. “That’s a bit sudden.”

“I know,” Emily said. “Do you think Chantelle will be okay if I go? I won’t if it’s going to upset her more.”

“You have to,” Daniel said, surprising her. “Our baby should have a proper party. And I think Amy’s right, it would be good to do it in New York City.”

“Really?” Emily asked, surprised.

He nodded. “I want you to be happy and have as many fun experiences as possible, especially with your friends and Jayne. Things will be different once Charlotte’s here. You need as many happy moments as possible for when you’re exhausted after sleepless nights.”

Emily laughed. “Well, okay. If you think it’s a good idea. I don’t mind postponing until Chantelle’s feeling less fragile.”

Daniel kissed the top of her head. “By the time this week’s over, I’m sure this whole Laverne thing will be over and done with. And anyway, I can cope with Chantelle. You go. Have fun.”

They kissed, deeply and tenderly.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Emily said, gazing at her loving husband with adoration.

Just then, the sound of distant piano music interrupted Emily’s thought process. She frowned, quirking her head to the side in confusion.

“Am I imagining that, or can you hear a piano too?” she asked Daniel.

“It sounds like one of Owen’s pieces,” Daniel replied, confirming her suspicion.

They both looked at the piano in the corner. The music definitely wasn’t coming from that! It seemed to be floating toward them from a distance.

Daniel stood from the couch and went over to the window, drawing back the curtains.

“Oh!” he exclaimed

“What is it?” Emily asked, getting up as fast as her bump permitted and going over to join him.

To her surprise she saw people walking up the path, not toward the inn, but toward Trevor’s house. Light was streaming from the windows. The piano music was emanating from that direction, too.

“The restaurant!” Emily cried.

Daniel looked shocked. “It’s opening tonight?” he said. “How did we forget?”

Emily couldn’t believe something so important could have slipped her mind.

“Baby brain,” she suggested, referring to that well-known phenomenon that caused forgetfulness in pregnancy.

“That explains it for you,” Daniel chuckled. “But what about me?”

“Well, you’ve been focusing on your promotion,” she said. “And I guess we did pass all the responsibility over to Harry. He must be so good at managing things he didn’t even need to check in with us about anything.”

She watched all the people heading toward the house for the opening night. It looked like it was going to be a popular new haunt for the people of Sunset Harbor and Emily was relieved. Missing the Labor Day business had been a worry for Emily but the restaurant just hadn’t been ready in time to open then. She’d been certain that local folk would be too tired from all the celebrations to want another