“With all due respect, Mrs Pierce, Nick is the one who deserves an apology for your interfering. But what he needs most of all is peace and quiet to recover from a nasty accident. I think it would be best if you did as he asked and left.” Lulu’s tone makes it clear she will tolerate no nonsense.
“How dare you? Who do you think you are?” Mum’s eyebrow is up, and her face is an unhealthy shade of purple. I’ve never seen her quite so furious. Her infamous unflappability has well and truly crumbled.
I’m about to jump in and tell Mum exactly who Lulu is, which will no doubt cause her to lose her mind, but Lulu beats me to the punch with a voice of steel to match her spine and ice in her eyes.
“I’m the mother of Nick’s child; that’s who I think I am. So, you’d best not makemeget security. I don’t think you’d like the outcome.”
I attempt to smother a smile.
“You heard the lady, Mum. Time to leave.”
“I most certainly will not,” Mum chokes out. “We have things to discuss. Not least of which is this ridiculous claim you are the father of this woman’s baby. Have you had a paternity test?” Mum looks at Lulu like she’s something she found stuck to the bottom of her shoe.
If I wasn’t so groggy, I would get up and see Mum to the door myself for that statement alone. Instead, all I can do is give her the Pierce laser stare. “I don’t need one. And you should be ashamed of yourself for such an offensive remark.”
There’s not a trace of humour in Mum’s laugh. “I can’t believe how naïve you’re being, Nicholas. Women trap men with babies that aren’t theirs all the time. I insist on a paternity test. If it is your baby, we can make suitable financial arrangements.” Mum turns to Lulu. “But don’t imagine you will get more than the absolute minimum. There will be no golden ticket for you, missy.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lulu
IfeellikeI’vebeen slapped in the face. Nick’s expression is a study in fury. It even makes me a little nervous. I can see why he’s such a successful lawyer. “There will be no paternity test and noarrangements, financial or otherwise. Certainly not with you.”
I can’t hold in the burst of laughter bubbling up in my chest.
“I neither want nor need a golden ticket, Mrs Pierce. What I want is to be happy. With Nick. And our baby. And it will take more than a few threats from you to stop that from happening.”
“Well, we will see about that when Nick comes to his senses. Which he will no doubt do very shortly. Then you’ll find yourself very quickly out in the cold.” Mary sneers at me as she turns back to Nick. “You’re being ridiculous. If you marry Eleanor, you’ll be prime minister one day. Think about your future, Nicholas.” There’s such a frantic edge to her voice I could almost feel sorry for her if she hadn’t caused so much heartache.
“I am thinking about it. Clearly. For the first time in a long time. I warned you at the partners’ dinner what would happen if you continued to interfere in my life,” Nick snaps.”
Their voices are so loud a nurse comes in.
“What on earth is going on in here?” Her gaze travels from Nick and me to Mary. “Nick is recovering from a head injury. He needs peace and quiet, not arguing.”
“It’s okay, nurse; my mother was just leaving.” Nick’s voice is strong and brooks no argument. It’s the Nick I first met in the lift so many weeks ago.
“Are you sure? Do I need to call security?” I can see there’s no love lost between the staff and Nick’s mother. She’s made herself unpopular in a remarkably short space of time.
Mary doesn’t even spare the nurse a glance, but I get a boiling look. “You will be very sorry you didn’t heed my warning to stay away, young lady.”
“Enough of the threats, Mum. Now please leave, and don’t come back until you’re prepared to give both Lulu and me a full apology for the appalling way you’ve behaved.”
I would love to tell Mary what I think, ugly scene be damned, but Nick has the situation well under control, despite his injuries.
If this is the woman who raised Nick, who was supposed to be his nurturer, no wonder he wasn’t interested in a relationship when we met.
The nurse opens her arms to shepherd Mary into the corridor, failing to hide her grin.
“This conversation is not over, Nicholas,” Mary warns.
“It is until Lulu gets an apology.” I wouldn’t want to be in Mary’s shoes when Nick feels better.
We’re both silent as we listen to Mary’s footsteps fade down the corridor.
“You were magnificent.” Nick grins at me.
I can feel my cheeks burning. “You’re not upset I threw down with your mother?”
