‘It’s all right,’ said Beth. ‘As long as he turns up at yours tomorrow.’
Lottie’s hesitation wasn’t exactly encouraging. ‘I’m sure things will be different by morning. He had a shock.’
‘He wasn’t the only one.’
Lottie looked to Samuel again.
‘We’ll let you get on,’ he said, thumbing towards the door. ‘Unless you need us to stick around. Help you with anything.’
‘Thanks, but I’m okay.’ Beth was looking forward to some peace and quiet.
There wasn’t anything left to do till morning. Putting it to the back of her mind for a while was the rest she needed. Whatever happened after five DNA tests were sent off was out of her hands. All she could do was pray Spencer got the confirmation he deserved.
When Lottie and Samuel left, Beth glared at the ceiling.
Why me? One reckless drunken night, and now look. Dodgy DNA results and a broken heart.
She walked over to the pram to meet Archie’s bright eyes. ‘I should have named you Silver Lining.’
He offered a little smile, warming her immediately.
‘Whatever happens, son, you and me are going to be just fine,’ she whispered, gaining herself another smile.
Chapter 33
Spencer
Sitting in Lottie’s kitchen had never made Spencer feel awkward before, but having his sister, Samuel, Beth, and Archie all staring his way was rattling every part of him. Anyone would think he was the one who had done something wrong. Well, he wasn’t having it. Nope. They could all get stuffed. Except Archie. The baby was the only one with a shimmer of love in his eyes, and it was heartbreaking to look at him.
Spencer sniffed as Lottie unwrapped the first box, pulling out a leaflet.
‘Okay, before we start, did you do what I asked?’ Lottie glanced at Beth first, then Spencer.
Even though she was speaking to him as though he were five, it felt good to have her to focus on, because his eyes kept wanting to wander over to Beth all the time, and he wasn’t about to acknowledge her presence. It was way too hard just being in the same room with her. Besides, it wasn’t as though she had spoken to him. She hadn’t said anything but a polite hello to Lottie and Samuel.
‘Yes,’ he told his sister. ‘I haven’t eaten, had a drink, brushed my teeth or anything in over an hour. I’m good to go.’
Lottie turned to Beth.
Beth nodded. ‘Me too, and I have Archie’s bottle of water ready to give his mouth a rinse before we start.’
Lottie pointed at the sink. ‘Go rinse your mouth first, Spence.’
He went off to do as he was instructed, realizing he hadn’t done that before. He tried to think back, but it was a bit of a blur, what with his mind in a muddle at the time.
Lottie started to read the instructions out loud, checking things off. ‘My hands are clean, yep. All mouths are ready for swabbing, yep, you’ve both signed the consent form, yep.’
‘I didn’t last time,’ said Beth, sounding slightly bemused.
Spencer swallowed hard. ‘I did it by myself, as I thought I had parental responsibility, seeing how I was told I was Archie’s father, and the place I used only wanted a signature anyway.’
‘Never mind that now,’ said Lottie. ‘Let’s just sort this properly once and for all.’
‘Besides,’ said Beth, ‘I was going to talk to you about adding your name to the birth certificate. As far as I’m concerned, you have parental rights.’ He was sure there was a slight angry undertone to her words.
Spencer sat back down, keeping his gaze firmly on the containers that held the long-stemmed cotton buds, while Beth gave Archie to Samuel before heading off to rinse her mouth.
Samuel gave the baby some water.
