by Ashley Croft
She was half laughing, half crying. ‘Oh, yeah, what would that be?’
‘Well, it’s well documented that bonobos have sex to resolve conflicts …’ He raised an eyebrow. It was funny and weird and touching to see him in this way: as if he’d shrugged a heavy pack from his shoulders and was almost jumping for joy. Molly wasn’t quite sure of the man who was holding her in his arms but she was getting to know him. He’d never shown any emotion before because he felt too much, not too little.
And that she could understand, that she could love.
‘I don’t need a PhD to see where this is going,’ she whispered.
Ewan cradled her face in his hands and dropped the gentlest of kisses on her lips. His hands smelled vaguely of ethanol and she could hardly breathe but she didn’t care. Nothing was perfect in this life and so many things were far from it, but she was certain that loving Ewan was the closest anything had ever been or ever would be.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Sarah fanned herself discreetly with an order of service at the back of the church. There had been standing room only by the time she’d arrived but, embarrassingly, an elderly man had insisted on giving up his end of the pew to her. She was the size of a baby elephant and the early August heat was intense, making the crowded church feel stuffy. She knew that people might stare at her and wonder who she was and why she was there but she was desperate to see Hayley in her tiara and more importantly, she would never let Liam down.
She’d kept the wedding invitation on her mantelpiece ever since she’d received it, alongside Hayley’s card. She thought about going for ages and hadn’t been able to decide. Finally, a few weeks previously, she’d read the invitation and Hayley’s card again as the Bump wriggled inside her. It was the afternoon of the RSVP deadline date and taking her courage in her hands, she’d replied that she’d be delighted to attend.
While she waited for the bride and Liam to arrive, she thought back to the previous evening and Niall’s most recent visit. He was still struggling with their split but had stopped begging her to take him back. She knew exactly how he felt: the desperation, the pain, the disbelief, but it was early days for him and he was still raw. She’d said he could be at the birth and come along to one of her antenatal appointments with her.
She knew he hoped she’d change her mind. She knew she wouldn’t. Living on her own wasn’t all roses; even with Molly, her friends, her clients and the mums-to-be she’d made friends with at antenatal classes, she still felt the cottage was too big and too quiet for one. That would change, of course, soon enough and then she’d have new challenges to face as a single parent.
The other guests – none of whom she knew – glanced at her with sympathy and some curiosity but then the ‘Bridal March’ struck up and all eyes shifted to the aisle. Tears filled Sarah’s eyes as Hayley walked past on Liam’s arm. She looked stunning and the tiara was the perfect complement to her simple dress: not OTT but very pretty. There were sniffles all around and several of the men were suspiciously moist-eyed.
Sarah had seen quite a few brides wearing her or their own creations, but this was different; she’d never felt so close to the people involved. In his morning suit, Liam was so handsome and bursting with pride as he escorted Hayley to the altar, followed by two little bridesmaids and a pageboy.
Sarah wondered how Liam must feel today. He must be so happy to be walking his daughter down the aisle but missing his wife, Kerren, and wondering what might have been.
What was she doing here? Even though she was invited, she felt like an intruder. She was relieved when the vicar finished speaking and the baby next to her started wailing along to ‘Morning Has Broken’.
The old lady on the other side of her said in a doom-laden tone. ‘You’ve got this to come, you know, young lady.’
Sarah needn’t have felt like an intruder. At the reception, Liam had thanked her for coming as she’d made her way down the receiving line and Hayley had hugged her before he and the bride and groom had both been swept off by the whirl of the wedding. Sarah had been put on a table full of fun and interesting friends of the bride who all wanted to know about her job and she’d had her business card requested by a dozen guests. It had been a lovely, lively wedding with genuinely happy, friendly people and she was glad she’d plucked up the courage to attend. However, the room was stuffy and by the time the DJ had set up ready for the disco, her ankles had started to swell and the baby was obviously trying her new Olympic tumbling routine.
She waddled to the restroom and splashed her face with cold water. Her face was red and her back was aching from standing too long during the photographs. She didn’t think she could cope much longer so she went back to collect her place card and service sheet when Liam appeared. He’d got rid of his jacket long before but still wore the dark blue cravat.
Seeing her holding her handbag and the service sheet, his face crumpled in disappointment.
‘You’re not leaving already, are you?’ he asked.
‘I was thinking about it. I get tired these days and the Bump is hinting.’
‘It’s selfish of me but can you stay a bit longer? I’ve hardly had time to speak you on my own.’
She laughed. ‘It’s your daughter’s wedding. It’s your job to talk to everyone.’
‘I’d rather talk to you, to be honest.’
The DJ’s voice boomed out, announcing that the bride and groom were about to take to the floor.
Liam winced. ‘Ouch, the first dance. Hayley hates dancing. Kerren tried to take her to ballet lessons but she threw her shoes at the instructor and stormed out and made us enrol her in the judo class instead.’
Sarah laughed. ‘Are you sure she hates dancing?’ she said, pointing to the dance floor.
Hayley and Kyle took to the floor. Sarah recognised the song: ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ by INXS. There were gasps and then applause as instead of the expected awkward shuffle, Hayley and Kyle waltzed off confidently.
‘Bloody hell …’ said Liam.
People started to wolf whistle and cheer. Liam stood open-mouthed.
‘Not bad for someone who hates dancing,’ said Sarah. ‘Great choice of song too.’
Liam’s eyes glistened. ‘I might have known she’d surprise me. She always has.’
After a few bars, Hayley and Kyle called for other people to join them and a few of the older couples started to waltz while younger ones laughed and fudged their way around the floor.
Liam blew out a breath.
‘You must miss Kerren today,’ said Sarah.
‘Yes. I’ve had a few moments. It must have been scary for you too, turning up to a strange tribe’s wedding on your own.’
‘It was a bit weird at first but I’ve really enjoyed it. Your tribe are one of the better ones and Hayley looks amazing. Your tiara was perfect.’
‘But don’t give up the day job?’
She laughed. ‘I don’t think I could handle the competition.’
The formal waltz ended and the DJ started playing ‘Thinking Out Loud’.
Sarah saw Hayley glance their way and mouth “Dad?” enquiringly.
‘Would you like to dance – and not just because Hayley wants me to?’ Liam asked with a wry smile. ‘Unless you have any violent objections to Ed Sheeran?’
‘None I can think of. But … look at me.’ Sarah grimaced.
‘I am and I would say you looked gorgeous and sexy but that would probably be breaking the rules. Where did you get that dress?’
She glanced down at the vintage boho silk dress she’d rescued from the loft at the cottage. ‘Thanks. It was my mum’s. Eighties Monsoon but I still feel a bit like Dumbo.’
‘You don’t look like him. Now, will you dance with me? As long as we can shuffle because I definitely can’t waltz.’
She laughed. ‘Good, because neither can I.’
Liam took Sarah’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. Hayley looked gleeful as she swept past and Kyle winked.
�
�People are staring at us,’ Sarah murmured as Liam rested his hands on her waist.
‘Of course they are.’
‘You know what they’re probably thinking?’
‘That you and I met when you tried to kill me with a Toby jug? I don’t care what they think. Do you?’
‘Actually, no.’
Liam pulled her a little closer so that her bump touched his stomach. The muscles of his back were firm under the cotton of his shirt. Was it wrong for a pregnant women to be turned on by a guy who wasn’t the father of her baby? Was someone somewhere wagging their finger? She didn’t care. She rested her cheek against Liam’s shoulder and closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of his aftershave, enjoying every shift in the muscles around his spine, and the gentle kicks of her baby. The music would have to end sometime and she’d still be going home alone but she also sensed that this was the start of a new beginning for her and Liam as much as it was for Hayley and Kyle.
‘Oh!’
Sarah stopped dancing.
‘What’s the matter?’
‘The baby, I think. Kicked me in the back. She’s getting stronger.’
‘Do you want to sit down?’
‘Yes. I think I’d better, and then I should probably head home. It’s so hot.’
Liam led her off the dance floor to a chair. ‘Can I get you a glass of water?’
‘Thanks.’ Perspiration sheened her body and her dress stuck to her. The baby had stopped kicking. For now. A few people were looking at her, and she guessed putting two and two together and making ninety-five. She didn’t care. She felt better, though a little hot. ‘You crafty little madam. You knew what I was up to,’ she murmured to the baby.
Liam came back with some iced water and Sarah took it gratefully. She sipped and started to feel cooler.
Liam took a chair next to her, looking concerned. Sarah felt embarrassed. ‘Thanks, that’s better. Owww!’
The glass slipped from her hand and onto the table. Water drenched the cloth, the floor and her dress.
‘Sarah!’ Sarah was doubled up in pain. Liam held her shoulders and she heard voices rushing towards her above the thump of the music. She wanted to wave them away but she felt faint and the pain in her back was agonising.
‘Owww.’
‘Take a deep breath, Sarah. That’s it. Big deep breath.’ Sarah was vaguely aware of a new voice. It sounded like Hayley’s.
‘Is she OK?’
Liam’s voice filtered through to her as she took some deep breaths. The pain had started to subside a little but she was pouring with sweat and her dress was soaked.
‘I’m sorry. So clumsy of me and I could die of embarrassment.’
Liam stood by anxiously. ‘It’s OK. I’ll get one of the staff to clear up the water and get someone to drive you home. In fact, I’ll come with you.’
‘Hold on, Dad.’ Hayley was kneeling beside her chair, the train of her dress spread out.
‘Your dress will get wet,’ Sarah said.
‘It’ll dry. How many weeks are you?’ Hayley asked.
‘Th-thirty-six,’ said Sarah. ‘And a couple of days. I’m so embarrassed at doing this at your wedding.’
‘Don’t be.’
‘Oh God, there’s water everywhere. It was only a glass.’
Hayley got up. ‘Yes, but don’t worry about it.’
‘Arghhhh!’ Sarah gripped the table and howled. Everyone was looking now but she didn’t care anymore. She thumped the table as another crushing pain rolled over her.
As it gripped her and slowly began to subside, she heard Hayley speaking to Liam.
‘Dad, can you phone for an ambulance please? I think Sarah’s waters have broken.’
‘What? Now? She can’t be.’
Through a haze of crushing pain, Sarah heard Hayley speak. ‘Dad. Trust me. She’s having the baby.’
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Molly and Ewan had spent the Saturday having sex, picnicking by the river in the hot sunshine before heading back to bed again. Over the past weeks, they’d definitely made up for lost time and the novelty of being together hadn’t worn off yet. In fact, they were more in love than ever and now, properly an item at work, much to Pete the Parasite’s disgust. His face had been a picture when he’d found out they were seeing each other.
Molly smirked again at the memory of his horrified expression as she sashayed back from her kitchen for a chilled bottle of wine and two glasses. Twilight was falling outside as she carried a tray back to her bedroom, along with a bag of Kettle Chips.
Ewan sat up in bed while Molly handed him a glass of wine. He chinked her glass and took a sip while Molly had a large glug of hers.
‘Cheers.’ They touched glasses and Molly giggled.
‘You know, I think I’m going to have to eat something,’ said Ewan, putting his untouched glass on the bedside table and delving into the Kettle Chips. ‘I know this isn’t very romantic but I’m starving after all that action.’
They snuggled down as Ewan tucked into the crisps and Molly topped up her glass. Ewan had just picked up his glass again when Molly’s phone rang.
‘Oh no. Don’t answer it,’ he said.
‘I have to. Every time I don’t answer my phone I miss something important. It might be Sarah.’
‘I thought she was at a wedding?’
‘She is. It’s Liam’s daughter’s wedding. She was worried about going because she only knows Liam and she didn’t want to look like a baby elephant. Actually, I told her she looked beautiful in Mum’s silk dress. I hope she’s had a good time.’
‘I’m sure she has.’ Ewan walked his fingers up her thigh and sighed. ‘I suppose you’d better take the call in case it is Sarah.’
‘Arghh.’ Molly snatched the phone a second after it finished ringing. ‘Oh, it’s from Liam and he’s left a message.’ She frowned. ‘How weird.’
Ewan collapsed back against the pillows while Molly listened to her message. Her heart rate took off.
‘Oh my God!’
Ewan sat upright. ‘What?’
Molly dropped the phone on the duvet. ‘That was Liam. It’s Sarah. They’ve rushed her to City Hospital. She’s having the baby!’
Half an hour later, Molly hurtled through the main doors of the hospital maternity unit and skidded along the corridor towards the delivery suite. She’d already taken two wrong turns and ended up in the Ear, Nose and Throat department. She was almost dizzy with panic. Sarah had asked her to be her birth partner if Niall couldn’t make it and she’d rather die than let her sister down.
It was a good job Ewan hadn’t had more than a mouthful of fizz because he was able to drop her at Sarah’s to collect her suitcase, which was packed and waiting in the spare room. She had to leave a message with Niall’s controller and hoped he was already at the hospital, rather than on the other side of the county attending an incident.
The baby was coming faster than anyone had expected and almost four weeks early – would it be OK? Would Sarah be OK? Molly couldn’t bear it if anything happened.
‘Oh, Sarah. Why have you done this to us?’ she muttered, then, dizzy with relief, saw the doors to the delivery suite ahead.
She ran into the waiting area to find Ewan pacing about in the empty room.
‘Where have you been? I’ve found a parking spot and came straight here!’
‘L-lost,’ said Molly, hardly able to breathe. ‘Any n-news?’
‘I don’t know. I’m not a relative so I haven’t dared ask.’
Liam walked in. He was still in his morning suit and red in the face.
Molly grabbed his arm. ‘Liam? What happened? How is she?’
‘OK. It’s all happening quite quickly but you can see her if you like.’
Molly’s shoulders sagged in relief.
‘What the feck’s going on?’ Niall, red-faced and out of breath, thumped into the waiting area and glared at Liam in disbelief. ‘Why are the hell you here?’
‘Sarah went in
to labour at Liam’s daughter’s wedding. Hayley’s an army medic and she looked after her,’ said Molly, still out of breath herself. ‘And Ewan drove me here because I’ve had four glasses of wine and a packet of Kettle Chips.’
Niall looked at her like she was mad. ‘Kettle Chips?’
‘We were starving,’ said Ewan indignantly.
‘Right, you lot!’ A midwife in blue scrubs stood with her hands on her hips in the doorway, glaring at Molly, Liam, Ewan and Niall. ‘Would any of you fine people care to tell me which one of you is the partner?’
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Five months later
New Year’s Eve
Sarah pulled up the blind and peered out of her window down into the street. The sky had been heavy all day and she thought she could see a few specks of snow drifting down in the glow of the street lights. In the distance, firework chrysanthemums exploded above the rooftops, all pinks and greens and blinding whites.
It was early in the evening for them – again – and she hoped no one would let off any in the street and wake up the baby Rowena. She’d begun to sleep through most nights and Sarah would love it if the baby kept to her new habit this evening.
She dropped the blind and went to the kitchen to get the glasses out of the cabinet, switched on the oven and started to unwrap some of the trays of Indian snacks. The combined live/work unit wasn’t cut out for throwing wild parties but it was ideal for her and Rowena. It wasn’t one of Liam’s developments but it had been built by a design and build company who he’d recommended. The flat sat above a ground-floor workspace, and while it wasn’t as rustic as Liam’s unit, it was perfect for Sarah’s growing business. There was even a nursery nearby where Rowena could be cared for a couple of mornings a week while Sarah went to offsite meetings.
The doorbell buzzed. Leaving the food, Sarah skipped downstairs, through the workspace and opened the door.
Molly hugged her enthusiastically. ‘Happy New Year!’
Sarah held her sister tightly, thinking she’d never looked happier or more glowing. ‘You too, little sister,’ she said then noticed Ewan’s absence. ‘Where’s Professor McDreamy?’