by Lindsey Kelk
Alex moved behind me to cuddle me and the bump as we watched all the little kids skate by. Bundled up in hats and scarves and mittens, they whirled around the ice with grins on their faces and their arms flapping at their sides. One little girl with long blonde hair stuttered back and forth, stomping rather than skating as she chased a bigger boy in a blue hat. They were both laughing, not a care in the world between them.
‘I know I did,’ I agreed, leaning in for a kiss, revelling in our warm lips and cold noses. ‘And everything else will work itself out.’
It didn’t seem quite possible. If I could have popped back in time to give Past Angela a heads up, she would never have believed me. Sitting on the sofa with Mark, probably staring sadly out the window and daydreaming about a life so far away from her every day. But here I was, standing side by side with a man so wonderful you couldn’t make him up, walking out on one adventure, right into another and to top it all off, I was completely full of baby. It only seemed like two minutes since I’d arrived in New York with nothing more than a weekend bag, a broken heart and the four Toblerones I’d bought at the airport. And now … it really didn’t seem possible.
‘It’ll all be great,’ Alex promised, interrupting my thoughts with a squeeze of my hand. ‘Everything is going to be perfect.’
I took a deep breath and felt my waistband strain against my stomach.
‘Everything already is,’ I replied, meeting his eyes as I breathed out and smiled. ‘Everything already is.’
EPILOGUE
‘Alex?’
I let myself in and breathed in deeply. Whatever he was cooking smelled amazing.
‘I’m in here,’ he called. ‘Come see.’
Throwing my parka onto the coatrack, I leaned on the back of the settee as I prised my feet out of my trainers before tiptoeing barefoot into the bedroom.
‘Don’t come in until you get changed,’ Alex warned. He was poised on the top of a stepladder, paint roller in one hand, black plastic tray in the other. ‘Everything’s still wet. I’m almost done, give me two minutes and I’ll shower before we eat.’
‘It looks amazing,’ I said, marvelling from the doorway. ‘I can’t believe you did all this in one day.’
‘And cooked the world’s best pasta Bolognese,’ he added. ‘I know, I know, I’m kind of amazing.’
‘Completely amazing,’ I corrected as he climbed down the stepladder to meet me with a kiss. ‘And I’m not just saying that because I’m starving and desperate for a wee.’
‘How are you feeling?’ he called as I waddled to the bathroom. ‘Any movement?’
‘Nothing,’ I replied through the door, holding my breath and giving a little push. Nope, nothing. ‘I don’t think I’m having this baby, ever. I think it wants to stay right where it is.’
‘I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible,’ Alex called through the door, running a paint-covered hand through his paint-speckled hair. ‘I just painted a bedroom and I don’t do manual labour for the good of my health.’
I finished up and washed my hands before peeling off my leggings and swapping them for my favourite pair of extra-large Victoria’s Secret pyjama bottoms.
‘Do you like it?’ Alex asked when I reappeared. The broken streetlight outside the undressed window fizzled in and out and we stood side by side on dustsheets, admiring his handiwork.
‘I do,’ I nodded. ‘But Jenny’s going to hate it. She says we shouldn’t reinforce assigned gender stereotypes from birth.’
‘Jenny can suck it,’ Alex replied, swiping my nose with the roller. ‘If the baby hates it, we’ll change it. I’m not picking up a roller again until it’s old enough to help.’
I wiped my face with the back of my hand, a smear of baby pink paint stuck to my skin, then, startled, I grabbed hold of Alex’s arm.
‘What?’ He dropped the roller on the floor, splashing pink paint all up the leg of his jeans. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I think she does like the colour,’ I said, looking down at my pyjama bottoms. ‘My waters just broke.’
‘Are you OK, should I call Jenny? Should I call your mom?’ he looked around the room wildly. ‘I knew we should have done this last week. You shouldn’t be around all these paint fumes, we’ve got to get you out of here.’
‘Alex, relax,’ I said, pressing my hands down on his shoulders. ‘It’s not going to fall out right here. Is it? WAIT, IS IT?’
He pulled up my jumper and placed his palms on my enormous stomach. Inside, the baby kicked.
‘We’re having a baby,’ he whispered. ‘Shit, Angela, we’re having a baby.’
‘Please don’t be an arsehole and hurt Mummy,’ I said, rubbing my hands up and down my stomach. ‘I love you very much and we’ve been very nice to you so far.’
‘I’ll get the hospital bag, you go sit down,’ Alex ordered, running out of the nursery. ‘In the living room! Away from the paint!’
‘Think I might change my pants first,’ I muttered, gazing around the formerly spare room, the gorgeous cot Alex had made by hand, the vintage mobile my mum had sent over from when I was a baby, the monogrammed cashmere blankets from Jenny. And finally, I rested my narrowed eyes on the bustier breast pump.
‘I so can’t wait to meet you,’ I told the bump as my baby kicked impatiently. She was an anxious traveller, just like her mum. ‘Please don’t be a dick.’
‘Angela!’ Alex called from the other room. ‘Are you OK?’
‘Yes,’ I replied, turning out the light and closing the nursery door, wondering what came next. ‘I really am.’
The only thing I knew for certain was that everything was exactly how it was supposed to be.
And that was enough.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As always, major thanks to the entire team at HarperCollins. Lynne, Martha, HAHAHHHAA, it’s a book, madness. Special shout out to Lucy Vanderbilt for assorted cat photos sent in times of need, thank you, thank you, thank you. And to everyone else at HCUK, US, Australia and Canada, you’re the bestest.
I owe thanks to more people than I could hope to list here but there’s a big old gang of writers who have given me more support than I think they know, so hey Mhairi McFarlane, Kevin Dickson, Rowan Coleman, Rosie Walsh, Gi Fletcher, Paige Toon, Will Hill and Gillian McAllister, YOU’RE ALL RIGHT.
Can’t say enough nice things to all the people on Twitter, Insta and Facebook who are always there to chat when things get rough (or I just need to laugh), especially those of you who humour my constant tweets about the WWE and my lovely pal, Nicki Yates. I really hope you like this one!
To Terri White, Della Bolat, Ryan Child, Louise Doyle, Harriet Hadfield and Kevin Dickson (again. You poor fool, you), thank you so much for dealing with me IRL while I wrote this book. And all the others. You’re either gluttons for punishment or I did something right in a previous life.
And to Jeff Israel, thanks for dealing with the litter box for three straight months while I hid in a cupboard and wrote a book. You’re so lucky. I mean, I’m so lucky. Wait, did I? Yes, yes I did.
I HEART YOUR QUESTIONS!
What inspires you when you’re writing your books? Although your books are fiction, do some of your scenes resemble to your own life or people you know? For instance, relocating to America from London, this is what you have done isn’t it? Emily Mallinson
I did move from London to New York but that actually happened after I Heart New York had been published. The book was inspired by a holiday in New York with my brother. I just fell in love with the city and I was feeling so miserable and uninspired in my real life back at home, I couldn’t stop wondering what my life might look like if I was ever able to move to New York.
A lot of things that happen in the books are inspired by things I’ve done or life experiences I’ve been through but they’re usually very different by the time they make it to print. A lot of people think they recognize people they know in my characters but they’re usually a combination of lots of different peopl
e – it’s almost impossible to take a real person and drop them into a work of fiction and make it work, they always seem to stick out in the worst way. I’m constantly inspired by conversations I have with my friends, I figure if we’re talking about the same thing again and again, it must be something other people are experiencing too and then my brain starts ticking!
What’s the one thing you miss about New York? Morgan Tarr
Other than my friends, I genuinely miss the city itself. Walking the streets of New York is like charging a battery, you never know what you’re going to see, who you’re going to meet. When you’re out and about, it feels like literally anything could happen, every second is the beginning of a new adventure and I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world that has that kind of energy.
What was the last photograph you took on your phone? Kerry Woolford
Right this second, it’s a photograph of my cat, Anderson Cooper, passed out on the living room rug with his legs in the air. What a little tart.
If you could be one of your characters for a day, who would it be and what would you do? Nicola Aldgate
That’s so difficult! I think I’d actually be Tess because she’s a photographer and I’ve always wanted to learn how to be a proper photographer and maybe I’d acquire her snapper skills. Also, she gets to travel to lots of exciting locations, her best friend Amy is hilarious and I’d definitely be up for a date night with Nick …
If you had a unicorn, what would you name it? Katja Kane
Roy. Roy the unicorn. He’d be awesome.
What’s the best thing about being an author and what made you start writing in the first instance? Sarah Haddock
There are so many great things about being a writer. I get to indulge my creative nonsense for a living, experience all the different lives of my characters, I can make my own schedule, travel around the world while still getting my work done and best of all, I don’t have to commute in a morning! It’s hard to say what made me start because I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a little girl, I wrote stories for myself but I truly never expected them to be published.
What kind of a writer are you? Do you plot it all out meticulously first and then go from there? Natalie Sorrell
Someone once told me there are plotters and panters – authors who plot out every moment of their books and authors who fly by the seat of their pants. I’m a panter, which sounds really sketchy! When I’m writing the first draft, I have some character notes, a rough outline of where I want the plot to go and then, once that’s done, I write more notes and work through all the changes I need to make. When I was writing I Heart Forever, I made a storyboard to keep track of all my scenes after the first draft and it was really useful so maybe I need to be more of a plotter! I honestly don’t believe there’s a wrong or right way to be a writer, just do what feels natural to you. Don’t be afraid to experiment, as long as you’re doing it, you’re doing it right!
If you write another I Heart book, which city would you choose and why? Carine Durie
I don’t know if it would definitely be an I Heart book but I’d love to visit and write about Tokyo. I’ve always been fascinated by Japan but for whatever reason, I’ve still never made it over there. I just love Japanese culture and I’d love to see it firsthand.
Who, what or where is your biggest source of inspiration? Natalie Sorrell
My friends and New York City, without shadow of a doubt. My friends all live such interesting lives, they’re always giving me ideas for characters and I could write about New York forever, even though I don’t live there anymore. You could sit on one street corner for half an hour and get enough material to write twenty books. It’s my forever love.
If you had to give up either Percy Pigs or wrestling for the rest of your life, which would it be? Ellie Mould
That’s just cruel! I guess I would give up Percy Pigs and find another snack. I couldn’t give up wrestling, I know, I’ve tried.
The I Heart books have taken me to a different place and time when I’ve needed it, what do you do to escape the reality of everyday life? Kim Hopkins
I love to read as well but it’s not always a relaxing hobby for me! When I’m deep into writing a book, it’s hard to get out of my head and difficult to concentrate on someone else’s writing. For my birthday last year, my boyfriend bought me a membership to the LA Zoo and I love to go and visit the otters. There’s a little alcove built into the outside of their tank with a ledge big enough for me and my buddy, Kevin Dickson (who’s a writer as well), and we’ll sit down, talk about our books and right all the wrongs with the world. What bad could happen while you’re hanging out with otters? It’s kind of like Breakfast at Tiffany’s only, you know, not.
What is your go-to karaoke song? Annalee Slark
I have quite a few but my faves are I Touch Myself by The Divinyls and Torn by Natalie Imbruglia. I love karaoke so much.
Which one of your books is your ‘favourite child’? Samra Dzumhur
I Heart New York will always be really special because it was my first book and I’m still shocked it ever made it out into the world! Other than that, I really love We Were on a Break because it was so much fun to do something a little bit different. Also, I’m obsessed with Daniel Craig, the three-legged cat.
How are you and Angela alike and how are you different? Annaleigh Putze
When I started writing the I Heart series, Angela was very much based on me, basically living my dream life. I was confused and uncertain of what to do with myself and the idea of having a Jenny Lopez-fairy godmother appear to help me was really appealing! I can be socially and physically awkward, two characteristics I unfortunately passed on to Angela, and we definitely share the same issues with communication! I’ve always struggled to ask for what I want if I’m worried it’ll rock the boat and Angela and I both prefer to avoid conflict but we’re also hardworking, romantic and loyal to our friends. I think they’re great qualities. I’d say I’m more cynical than Angela – she seems to have her anxiety under better control than I do – but overall, I’d say we’re still quite similar.
If you weren’t an author what would like to be? Sarah Harris
Either a makeup artist or an events planner. I’m obsessed with makeup (and co-host Full Coverage, a podcast about everything beauty) but I’ve always loved planning parties and events. Last year I threw a western-themed baby shower for a friend and it was the best thing ever. I had real wagon wheels, bandanas, cowboy hats for everyone and we played lasso the rocking horse. I’d honestly love it so much.
Catch up on the rest of Lindsey’s I HEART series!
Click here to buy I Heart New York
978-0-00-733160-4
Click here to buy I Heart Hollywood
978-0-00-735316-3
Click here to buy I Heart Paris
978-0-00-736867-9
Click here to buy I Heart Vegas
978-0-00-738345-0
Click here to buy I Heart London
978-0-00-738373-3
Click here to buy I Heart Christmas
978-0-00-750152-6
Discover Lindsey’s Girl series …
‘Fans of the I Heart series will instantly fall
for this gorgeously funny and romantic read’ Closer
Click here to buy ABOUT A GIRL now
978-0-00-749799-7
Click here to buy WHAT A GIRL WANTS now
978-0-00-750155-7
Click here to buy A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND now
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If you love Lindsey’s books, why not try her latest standalone
‘You’ve just had a holiday,’ I pointed out, trying not to yawn. ‘Wasn’t that enough of a break?’ ‘I don’t mean that kind of break.’
There’s nothing worse than the last day of holiday. Oh wait, there is. When what should have been a proposal turns into a break, Liv and Adam find themselves on opposite sides of the life they had mapped out.
Friends and family all think they’re crazy; Liv throws herself into work – animals are so much simpler than humans – and Adam tries to get himself out of the hole he’s dug.
But as the short break becomes a chasm, can they find a way back to each other? Most importantly, do they want to?
Click here to buy now 9780007582426
About the Author
Lindsey Kelk is an author, journalist and prolific tweeter. Born and brought up in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, she worked as a sales assistant, a PR, a silver service waitress and a children’s editor before moving to New York and becoming a full-time writer. She now lives in LA.
Lindsey has written thirteen novels, including the I Heart books and the Girl series, as well as several standalones. A fan of lipstick, pro-wrestling and cats (although not all at the same time), she co-hosts the beauty podcast, Full Coverage, with make-up artist, Harriet Hadfield.
You can find out lots more about her here: http://lindseykelk.com and on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @LindseyKelk.
Also by Author
I Heart series
I Heart New York
I Heart Hollywood
I Heart Paris
I Heart Vegas
I Heart London
I Heart Christmas
I Heart Forever
Girl series
About a Girl
What a Girl Wants
A Girl’s Best Friend
Standalones
The Single Girl’s To-Do List
Always the Bridesmaid
We Were On A Break
Ebook-only short stories
Jenny Lopez Has A Bad Week
Jenny Lopez Saves Christmas