‘Is it really obvious?’ Sive whispered to her.
‘No, I’m just one of those freaky women who can spot a pregnancy a mile off.’
‘Thatisfreaky!’ Sive smiled. ‘Practically witchy.’
‘Oh, I’d definitely have found myself on the business end of a bonfire if I’d been born in the wrong century. I’ve also been known to make a potion or two now and then.’
‘Thank goodness for modern times.’
‘Amen to that.’ Irene put down her needles and folded her knitting back into her bag as the scene on stage came to an end. She stood to meet James who was already thundering down the aisle towards her.
‘It’ll get better,’ she whispered to Sive as she edged past her, giving her a comforting pat on the hand. ‘The first couple of months are usually the worst.’
Sive hoped Irene was right. But somehow, she managed to dredge up the appropriate level of gaiety for the afternoon rehearsal, and she danced and carolled as if she hadn’t a care in the world.
‘I hardly see you these days except on the stage,’ Sam said later as the rehearsal broke up.
He looked so vibrant, rosy-cheeked and bright-eyed after the afternoon’s exertions. She felt weary just looking at him. ‘I haven’t been feeling great.’
‘Oh no! Are you okay?’
‘It’s nothing serious. Something I ate, I think. I’m sure it’ll pass. I’m just going to go home and crawl into bed. But I’ll see you on Sunday?’
‘Actually, I won’t be around on Sunday.’
‘Got a better offer?’ she teased.
‘Never. Got a different offer. A … um, mate invited me to dinner.’
‘Oh, okay.’ Sive was guiltily relieved that she wouldn’t have to fake her way through Sunday dinner pretending she was fine. She felt queasy at the thought. If she wanted to, she could stay in bed all day. ‘Well, enjoy it.’
‘There is something I wanted to ask you, though.’
‘Oh?’
‘Yeah.’ Sam seemed suddenly nervous. ‘I have a wedding coming up in January and I wanted to ask if you’d be my date – or plus one, whatever. No pressure,’ he added hastily. ‘I mean, we could go as friends.’
‘When is the wedding?’
‘The eleventh. I know it’s a long way off, but it’s an overnight thing, so I need to book a room – rooms – soon.’
Surely she’d be feeling okay by then? But Sam might want to retract the invitation once she’d told him she was pregnant. She chewed her lip. ‘The show will have finished its run by then, so it should be okay. Can I get back to you about it next week?’
‘Sure.’
She hated how disappointed he looked.
‘Okay. Well, have a good weekend.’
‘Thanks. And you take care.’ Sam pulled her into a hug. ‘Hope you’re feeling better soon.’
‘You’re skipping out on usagain?’ Andrea said, as she and Ciara joined them by the door. ‘We’re going to start taking it personally.’ Her tone was playful and teasing, but there was an undercurrent of spite to it that was all too real. Sive knew Andrea had accused Mimi of being uppity when she didn’t socialise with the company during thePrivate Livesrehearsals. Mimi had been avoiding Rocco, but Andrea had decided she was standoffish and bitched her up to everyone.
‘She’s not feeling well,’ Sam said defensively.
‘Aw.’ Andrea pulled a sympathetic expression. ‘I’m only joking. Take care of yourself.’ She reached out and rubbed Sive’s arm.
‘Oh, are you under the weather?’ Ciara said. ‘Poor you!’
