The woman said nothing, just harrumphed.
‘Now, back to work, the pair of you. I’m off to get pampered with my beau.’ Ray started to clear his desk.
Once Penny was out of earshot, Vic gave her boss a grin. ‘Have an amazing weekend, and thanks for being such a stalwart in my life, Ray Glover.’
As she headed back to her computer, the door buzzer sounded. She walked over and pressed the intercom.
‘Vic, Vic, is that you?’ Vic’s soul soared at the sound of the familiar Irish tones. ‘It’s Orla… and Mand. We’ve come to take you for lunch, you moody eejit.’
Vic poked her head around Ray’s door. By the smug look on his face, he’d clearly heard already.
‘It so annoys me when you’re right.’ But Vic couldn’t hide her elation.
Ray cocked his head to the side. ‘My dad brought me up to never to say I told you so.’ Then he winked.
‘I love you, Ray Glover.’ Vic blew him a kiss.
‘Steady on.’ Ray grinned. ‘Now get your arse downstairs. And remember: those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.’
Once Mandy had managed to stop crying and they had at last been able to put in their lunch order to one of the suave Italian waiters in Ricardo’s, Orla spoke up. ‘I am so sorry, Vic, that I reacted so badly.’
‘I won’t lie, I was surprised, and very hurt. But I get it too. I’ve had to educate myself.’ Vic took a drink of her cola.
Mandy took a slug of water. ‘I promise I haven’t told anyone, not even Steve, and I won’t unless you say I can. I realise you might not want people to know.’ She started crying again. ‘And I feel so bad about not calling you, but I didn’t actually know what to say.’
‘“Hello” would have been a start.’ Vic’s face remained stony. ‘And what’s with the bloody waterworks? I am not dying – well, not yet, anyway.’
‘Oh my God, don’t say, that,’ Mandy wailed again, making Orla and Vic laugh.
‘I’ll start on the treatment when required, and that’s it.’ Not quite believing herself how relaxed she was being – and, in this moment, feeling – about the whole situation, Vic picked up a bread stick and took a bite.
Mandy blew her nose. ‘I’m not sure this is the right time or place, but I have to tell you both something too…’ She put her hand to her stomach. ‘I’m pregnant.’ Orla and Vic instinctively looked to her already-large tummy.
‘Jesus. No wonder you’re a bag of water,’ Orla blurted.
‘Tell me about it. I’m even crying at reruns ofThe Office. I’m not sure what’s happening to me because I also lied to the school and said I was ill today so that I could come here. I’m turning into a charlatan.’ She burst into tears again.
‘Oh, Mandy, that’s the best news ever! Congratulations!’ Orla enthused. ‘And as for being a charlatan, don’t be daft. I clearly hold that title, not you.’
‘When are you due?’ Vic asked quietly.
‘July the first.’ Mandy blew her nose again. ‘I was pregnant at the hen weekend and didn’t even realise!’
‘Shit, if it’s a girl you’ll have to call her Tequila.’ Orla smiled.
‘Wow. That seems quick.’ Vic felt a tinge of sadness, which quickly passed. ‘I don’t think having a baby is an option for me now. It would be too much of a risk that the baby might contract it too.’
‘I knew I shouldn’t have told you.’ Mandy started wailing again.
‘You should have told me. I am still the same old Vic. Please don’t wrap me in cotton wool. I’ve thought about it and I’m genuinely OK about not having kids. I was never sure, anyway – you know that. And the decision has been made for me now. And that sits well with me. Another tick to my future, in a weird way. And I could always get a dog.’ Vic grinned.
‘You’re so brave.’ Mandy sniffed.
‘No, just realistic, and trying now to deal with the cards I’ve been dealt.’ Vic picked up the menu.
‘No, you are fecking brave,’ Orla insisted, taking another big slurp of her wine.
Three huge wood-fired pizzas and a fresh and appetising-looking side salad to share were put down in front of them,along with a beaming smile from the same handsome waiter, whom Orla, surprisingly, hadn’t once attempted to flirt with.
