Escape To Christmas at Corner Cottage

by Sarah Hope

  Standing up, she walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. She shook her head and laughed. She was a grown woman, not a teenager. Things like getting pregnant after a drunken night together didn’t happen to women her age.

  She picked up Evie’s t-shirt from the pile of clean laundry strewn on the bed from earlier and folded it. She’d get this cleared now and then it would save her a job later when she came up to bed.

  The fast beeps of the timer pierced through the silent cottage. Placing another t-shirt onto the appropriate pile on her bed, Chrissy retraced the short distance back into the bathroom and turned the timer off. She’d have to wrap the test up well before putting it in the bin, she didn’t want the twins to find it.

  Pulling some paper off of the toilet roll, Chrissy picked up the pregnancy test and glanced at it quickly.

  Letting the toilet paper flutter to the floor, she blinked. There couldn’t be. There couldn’t be two blue lines. Shaking the plastic stick, she looked again. They were still there, staring straight back at her.

  Could the second one be a condensation line? You hear about it all the time. Women getting false positives from their tests. But it looked so clear and dark. The second line jeering up at her was just as dark, if not darker than the control line.

  No, she couldn’t be.

  She couldn’t be.

  Leaning over the sink, she threw up, the bitter taste of hot chocolate burning the back of her throat. She couldn’t be pregnant. She had a bug. She didn’t have morning sickness. It was a bug. Just a bug.

  Running the cold tap, she swilled her mouth out, washing away the taste left behind. It was probably a faulty test. That was it. It was all a mistake.

  Sinking to the floor, she held the test in her hands, staring at it, willing the second blue line to vanish. She just needed to give it time, a few minutes and the line would be gone. Maybe she hadn’t left it long enough, or maybe she’s left it too long. She picked up her mobile, maybe the timer had broken. Maybe that was it.

  Dropping the test and her mobile onto the floor beside her, she sank her head into her arms and held her breath. She was pregnant. What the hell was she supposed to do now? What would she tell the twins? What would she tell Andrew? What would everyone think of her? A newly single mum getting pregnant so quickly.

  She couldn’t do this. How was she going to cope with a baby? And the twins? They didn’t need another upheaval. They’d been through so much recently. They didn’t need their newfound stability rocked now.

  But what choice did she have? She was pregnant. There was no going back.

  And Luke? They’d barely even known each other for a couple of months, not even that. And most of that short time they hadn’t even been in a relationship.

  Their first time together and they had gotten pregnant. What would he say?

  Lifting her head, she grappled for her phone and found Luke’s number, pressing ‘ring’ before she could think about it.

  The rings echoed in her ear as she waited for him to pick up. She didn’t have a clue what she would say to him. Would she tell him now, over the phone? Or ask him to come round and tell him in person? What would be best? If she waited until he got here she might lose the bottle, might not be able to tell him.

  Come on, Luke, pick up.

  Nothing. He was out though, won't he? He was out with Natalie and Graham and their friends for a pre-wedding meal and drinks or whatever it was. He was out with them. He was out with Laura.

  Pulling herself to standing, she wretched over the side of the sink. She’d told him to go out. He hadn’t wanted to. He’d wanted to come round, he’d wanted to spend the evening with her. She’d sent him out to get drunk with his ex-girlfriend, the ex-girlfriend who wanted to get back together with him.

  What had she done?

  She needed him now. But what if it was too late?

  Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself away from the sink and walked slowly into her bedroom. Lifting the laundry from her bed she placed it in a pile on the floor by the wardrobe and sank onto her mattress. Without changing into her nightclothes, she pulled the duvet tight around her, trying to ward off the chill seeping into her bones.

  She’d think about it all tomorrow. She couldn’t think about it now.

  Chapter 19

  ‘I’m sorry to mess you around. There was nothing else I could do. My parents are away for the weekend and Susan’s got this spa day to go to today with some friends.’ Andrew jangled his keys in his hand. ‘It shouldn't happen again. I’m not on call again until next month, and then I’ll make sure I have a backup plan in case I get called out.’

  ‘Ok, no worries.’ Chrissy pulled her dressing gown tighter around her middle and smoothed her hair back. She must look a sight. It was barely eight o’clock in the morning. Although she’d gone straight to bed after doing the test last night, she’d barely had a couple of hours sleep.

  ‘I’d better go. Bye, girls.’ Waving at Evie and Sophia as they stood in the hall, their overnight bags at their feet, he turned on his heels and headed back to the car.

  ‘Right, let’s get you two some breakfast.’ Shutting the front door behind her, she swallowed the bile threatening to rise in her throat.

  ‘Can’t I just go back to bed for a bit? Dad woke us up at just gone six o’clock.’ Sophia yawned and rubbed her eyes.

  ‘Yes, if you want to. Is that what time he got the call from work?’

  ‘I guess so.’

  ‘Never mind. We get the weekend together now.’ Chrissy smiled. ‘Is your tummy all better from last night, Evie?’

  ‘Yes. Can I have some toast for breakfast, please?’

  ‘Of course, you can. Sophia, you go and have your nap and, Evie, you go and pop the TV on while I get your toast.’

  SPREADING THE BUTTER onto the hot toast, Chrissy watched as the flick of yellow melted into the warm bread. She had to keep it together. She had to put it all out of her mind and focus on the twins. They had an extra weekend together. They should make the most of it and find somewhere Christmassy to go.

  ‘Here you go, Evie.’ Passing Evie the plate, Chrissy sat down next to her, bringing her legs up underneath her.

  ‘Thanks, Mum. I’m glad Susan was busy. I wouldn’t have wanted to stay there while Daddy went to work.’ Evie bit into the toast, crumbs spilling onto the plate on her lap.

  ‘She’s not horrible to you or Sophia, is she?’

  ‘No, we just don’t know her, that’s all. It would have been weird.’

  ‘I guess it will take a little while to get to know her properly.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You’d tell me if there was anything bothering you about her though, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘Yes. I would.’ Evie paused to take a sip of juice before carrying on eating her toast. ‘What are we going to do today?’

  ‘Well, I’ve got to go round Natalie’s house and take a dress round for one of her bridesmaids to try on, but then maybe we can go over to the garden centre, they’ve got an ice rink up at the moment.’ Closing her eyes, she tried to shut out the realisation that she was going to have to see Laura today of all days.

  ‘Yay. I love ice skating!’

  ‘I know you do.’ Smiling, she picked up a couple of stray crumbs from the sofa cushions and put them back on Evie’s plate.

  ‘WILL ADAM BE HERE? Do you think we’ll be allowed to go and play in the garden while you and Natalie do your wedding thing?’ Evie glanced up at Chrissy and pressed the doorbell again.

  ‘Probably. I think you’ve rung that enough now, you don’t want Natalie thinking there’s a fire or something.’ Chrissy gently pulled Evie’s hand away from the doorbell.

  ‘Chrissy, hi. Hello, girls.’

  ‘Hi, Natalie. I hope we’re not disturbing you, I just wanted to drop Laura’s bridesmaid dress off so she can try it on. I wanted to catch her before she left for London again.’

  ‘Of course you’re not. Come in. Sophia, Evie, Adam’s playin
g footie in the garden if you wanted to go and join him?’

  ‘Yes, please.’

  ‘Go on then. Take your shoes off and carry them to the back door, Natalie doesn’t want mud walked through the house.’

  ‘Honestly, don’t worry. The number of times Kane and Adam, well, and Graham come to think of it, plod mud everywhere, I shouldn’t worry. I think Poppy’s going to grow up with an immune system made of steel. Come through and I’ll stick the kettle on.’

  Following Natalie through the living room to the back of the house, Chrissy glanced around. She couldn’t see any signs to suggest they’d had a heavy night of drinking the day before and Natalie seemed her usual well organised and groomed self. ‘Did you have a good time last night? Sorry I couldn’t be there.’

  ‘That’s ok, Luke said you weren’t feeling well. Are you feeling better?’

  ‘Yes, thanks.’ Chrissy turned her head away from Natalie, hoping she had been quick enough to hide the deep crimson flushing through her cheeks. ‘So, how was your night out?’

  ‘Really good, thanks. Gina’s husband is so funny when he’s had a bit to drink so he was encouraging everyone to join him. Hence, why Graham’s still asleep upstairs. He can’t handle his drink quite as well as Gina’s other half.’ Natalie laughed. ‘We ended up going to the nightclub in town. Do you know the one? A rather dingy place with sticky floors and groups of teenagers?’

  ‘No, I didn’t grow up around here.’

  ‘Well, you haven’t missed anything. Apart from Gina dancing around like she was on something! And she obviously hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol because of the bump. Still, she always says she doesn’t need to drink, she just gets drunk on everyone else’s jolliness.’

  ‘You’re not suffering today then?’

  ‘No, I’m still breastfeeding so can’t drink anyway.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Where do you want this?’ Chrissy nodded to the gown bag in her arms.

  ‘Can you just lay it over the back of one of the chairs, please? I’ll take it upstairs in a bit.’

  ‘Ok.’

  Natalie looked over at Poppy who had begun to cry and kick her legs in her bouncy chair. ‘Are you ok just picking her up while I finish these?’ She indicated the mugs with the teaspoon in her hand.

  ‘Yes of course.’ Walking over to Poppy, Chrissy stood over her before taking a deep breath and picking her up. ‘Hello, Poppy.’

  ‘Did you want a biscuit?’ Natalie turned, holding an open packet of chocolate biscuits towards Chrissy.

  Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes and waited for the nausea to ease before turning towards Natalie. ‘No, I’m fine, thank you. I’m trying to be good.’

  ‘You’ve got more willpower than me then! Even with the wedding just under two weeks away and the constant nightmares about not being able to pull my dress up over my hips, I still cave when it comes to biscuits. Or any food for that matter.’ Carrying the mugs of steaming tea, Natalie joined Chrissy and Poppy on the sofa.

  ‘How’s the planning going? Are you all ready for the big day?’

  ‘I think so. Although if you asked Gina, I’m sure she’d say something different. She’s been an absolute star. She’s single-handedly organised more or less the whole thing.’

  ‘That’s good of her.’

  ‘It is, although I think she’s secretly just happy to be kept busy. She was made redundant shortly after she announced to her work colleagues that she was pregnant again.’

  ‘That’s awful. Surely she’ll have a legal case against them?’

  ‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But it was all very complicated. Although she’d worked there as Events Manager for over five years, just after she’d told them she was pregnant the company was taken over. I think they panicked and made her redundant.’

  ‘That’s so wrong.’

  ‘It is, but legally she didn’t have a leg to stand on because they merged departments or something so it looked as though her job wasn’t needed anymore. What the bosses didn’t realise is that she’d have probably carried on working until she dropped and then she’d have most likely gone back after six weeks like she did with Olivia.’

  ‘Wow, that’s quick.’

  ‘That’s what she’s like, she needs to keep busy. That’s why she’s been all over my wedding. Which is good for me, obviously. I’m going to have an amazingly well-organised wedding that I quite literally haven’t had to lift a finger to pull it off.’

  ‘That’s handy then.’

  ‘It certainly is. Are you ok with her for a minute while I see if the kids want a drink?’ Standing up, Natalie indicated to Poppy.

  Nodding, Chrissy bent down and picked up a fabric doll from the playmat, holding it just within Poppy’s reach. ‘Are you trying to reach it?’

  Holding Poppy on one knee, Chrissy rubbed her temples with her free hand. Was she ready for this? Was she ready to go back to the beginning again? The twins were only a year and a half away from starting secondary school, they were becoming more independent every day. This baby would mean toddler groups, nursery, primary school, everything all over again.

  She looked down into Poppy’s wide blue eyes. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad starting over again. Plus, the twins were always bugging her that they wanted a baby brother or sister. Or they were before she and Andrew had split up. Now, they’d probably given up on the idea that it would ever happen. Andrew hadn’t wanted any more children, and if he had been honest, he hadn’t really wanted any. It was Chrissy who had been ready to be a parent, not Andrew.

  Smiling, she sat Poppy up on her lap, supporting her neck. Luke wanted children, he had said that. Although he had said he wasn’t ready yet. Chrissy leant her head against the back of the sofa. What if he said it was too soon and turned his back on her?

  ‘You ok?’

  Jerking her head up, Chrissy smiled. ‘Yes, I’m fine thanks. This one’s almost trying to sit up on her own, isn’t she?’ Luke was one of the good guys, he wouldn’t turn his back on her, on them.

  ‘She is, isn’t she? It’s not going to be long. She rolled over the other day too! Admittedly, she got stuck and screamed the house down, but she still rolled.’

  ‘Clever girl. What time is Laura coming by to try her dress on?’

  ‘She’s not today. She’s had to go away. Sorry, I’m sure her dress will fit though, it looked lovely when you were pinning it.’

  ‘That’s fine, don’t worry.’ Circling her shoulders, she let herself relax a little, at least she wouldn’t have to face her.

  ‘Mum, they’re going ice skating this afternoon, can you take us?’ Adam came in through the back door, followed by Kane, Evie and Sophia.

  ‘I can’t today. Sorry, love.’ Natalie took another biscuit from the packet.

  ‘How come?’

  ‘Because Gina’s coming round to finalise some bits for the wedding. We’ll go another time.’

  ‘Can Dad take us then?’

  ‘Your dad, if you hadn’t noticed, is still in bed with a sore head. I really don’t think he’s going to be in any fit state to take you anywhere today, let alone to test his balance on the ice.’ Laughing, Natalie brushed some crumbs from her biscuit onto the floor.

  ‘How about Uncle Luke then? He likes ice skating. He can take us.’

  ‘I’m afraid not, boys. The last time I saw your Uncle Luke he was in an even worse state than your dad and I’ve not even heard from him today.’

  ‘Oh, Mum. That’s not fair.’

  ‘Sorry, kids. Another day though.’ Finishing the last of her biscuit, Natalie offered the packet to the children.

  He hadn’t been in touch with his sister. And Laura had cancelled her fitting today too. Chrissy cleared her throat. It all made sense. Complete sense. Luke and Laura must be together. They must have spent the night together last night.

  ‘Come on, girls. Time to go.’ Standing up, Chrissy passed Poppy to Natalie. ‘Thanks for the tea.’

  ‘You’re welcome, I’m just sor
ry it was a bit of a waste of time for you.’

  ‘Don’t worry. It’s fine.’ Stumbling over a discarded toy, Chrissy grabbed onto the back of a dining chair to steady herself.

  ‘Are you ok?’

  ‘Yes, sorry, I just didn’t see it. Thanks again.’ Smiling at Natalie, Chrissy watched as she stood up. ‘No, don’t worry, we can see ourselves out.’

  USHERING THE TWINS through the front door, Chrissy let the cold winter wind cool her cheeks. That was the end to her fairy-tale ending then.

  ‘Can we go straight away?’ Sophia looked up at her mum.

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Ice skating of course.’

  ‘Right, of course. No, let’s get home first. I’m not feeling too good.’ Looking at her feet, she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Bile rose into her mouth again and the pain in her head gripped her temples. She needed to lie down for a bit. She needed to stop thinking.

  ‘Mum, you promised we could go.’

  ‘I know, and we will. I just need to get home first. Come on.’ Turning down their lane, Chrissy picked up the pace. She couldn’t throw up out here, not in the middle of the village.

  ‘We will go though, won't we?’

  ‘Yes, Sophia. in a bit. Quick, in you go.’ Holding the front door open, Chrissy let the girls through before letting the door slam behind her and running upstairs.

  ‘MUM, ARE YOU OK?’ SOPHIA’S voice floated through the bathroom door.

  ‘Yes, sweetheart, I’m fine.’ Splashing her face, she looked in the mirror and tried to pinch a bit of colour into her cheeks.

  ‘Have you just been sick?’

  ‘Only a little bit.’

  ‘Are you poorly?’

  ‘I’ve just got a headache, that’s all.’

  ‘We’re not going ice skating, are we?’

  ‘Can I just have a lie-down and then see how I feel?’