‘That trip to Paris.’
‘Steak frites and cheap red wine in the brasserie opposite our hotel.’ She could practically taste it, transported back to the feel of a cool spring breeze and the tingling excitement of being young and in love for the first time, the whole world feeling fresh and new. They’d have missed so much – all those memories they’d made together. ‘I wouldn’t be here now, having your mum’s fish and chips for lunch.’
‘And eating my Mars Bars.’ Ben grinned.
Sive snuggled into the pillow, feeling snug and warm. This was nice – it was like old times, lying on Ben’s bed eating Mars Bars and talking nonsense with him. She had her friend back and it felt good. ‘There’d be no Bean,’ she said softly.
‘No Bean,’ Ben breathed. ‘That’d be a bit rubbish, wouldn’t it?’
‘I can’t even imagine it.’
25
With the show upand running, Sive was able to indulge in long lie-ins and lazy afternoons. As November turned to December and the days got darker and colder, she spent prolonged mornings in bed with Sam and indulgent afternoons snuggled up to him in front of the fire watching old movies and kissing. To her enormous relief, her morning sickness had abated and she was starting to feel more energetic. She seemed to live in a permanent state of excitement now, floating in a little bubble of happiness buoyed by the twin excitements of Bean and Sam.
On the second Friday in December she decided to spend the day in town and start her Christmas shopping. She loved everything about Christmas, even the crowded shops and streets, and she enjoyed looking for the perfect presents for everyone. She jostled happily along with the throngs on Grafton Street, the glow of the lights overhead and the sparkling shop window displays seeming to warm the chill afternoon air.
She had more gifts to buy this year, with Sam, Rocco and Jonathan all added to her list. She had no idea what to get Sam. She wanted it to be something special, but she was having trouble coming up with anything. She’d got used to buying forBen – a trip to The Great Outdoors and she’d be sorted. His needs were simple and he had few wants. He wore clothes until they were literally falling apart, but he was always grateful for a new sweatshirt or pair of hiking socks. But what did you get for a boyfriend who didn’t need weird equipment for clambering up sheer rock faces or surviving on icy mountain ledges halfway to the clouds?
She’d considered buying Ben a present anyway this year, as he was the father of her child. But she’d decided it would be weird, not to mention inappropriate now that he was with someone else. Plus it would be awkward if he didn’t get her anything. Next year when Bean had arrived, they could do that thing of buying each other presents ‘from the baby’.
She was wandering down Grafton Street pondering what she could get Sam when she saw a woman she vaguely recognised coming towards her, walking a tiny dog on a lead. It took her a moment to place her, but as she got closer she realised it was Sophie Barron, Sam’s ex. They’d already seen each other, so it was too late to pretend otherwise.
‘Hi,’ Sive smiled at Sophie, expecting they’d simply acknowledge each other with a quick hello and pass on. It wasn’t as if they knew each other. So she was surprised when Sophie stopped.
‘Hi, Sive.’ She gave a pinched smile. ‘How are you?’
‘Great!’ Sive wondered for a brief moment if Sophie could tell she was pregnant. But that was impossible. She was only just starting to show, and there was no way Sophie could see her tiny bump through her coat. She couldn’t see Sophie having Irene’s magical powers of pregnancy detection. Unless someone had told her… ‘You?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Just doing some Christmas shopping,’ Sive said stupidly, lifting her bags. God, this was idiotic. Why had Sophie stopped to talk to her? They had nothing to say to each other.
‘So, you and Sam are together now?’ Sophie said.
‘Yep, that’s right.’
Sophie gave an unpleasant smirk. ‘And how’s that going?’
‘Brilliant!’Not that it’s any of your business.‘Sam’s great.’
‘Yeah, he’s a real doll,’ Sophie said bitterly.
‘I think so,’ Sive said staunchly, pretending to take Sophie’s comment as sincere. ‘He’s a lovely boyfriend.’
The little dog at Sophie’s feet gave a whimper and she bent to pick it up. ‘I suppose he has his moments … if you don’t mind playing second fiddle to bloody Julie.’ She rolled her eyes.
Sive frowned, confused.
‘You do know about her?’ Sophie said, stroking the little dog in her arms like a Bond villain.
‘Yes, of course,’ Sive said, not wanting to give Sophie the satisfaction of knowing she’d caught her off guard. ‘I mean, I haven’t met her, but Sam has mentioned her.’
‘Oh, you won’t meet her. But she only has to snap her fingers and Sam goes running. He once abandoned me in the middle of my own birthday dinner because she sent out the bat signal. Women like that make me sick – so needy. He’s never left you hanging in the middle of a date because she called?’
‘No, never.’Except that time he did.‘I guess she’s not around much anymore.’
Sophie gave a disbelieving huff. ‘I doubt that. It’s probably just that her husband hasn’t been out of town for a while. You haven’t been with Sam long, right?’
