She was back quickly, carrying a plain box. No one in the pharmacy would’ve seen what was being taken in to the room.
“Bathroom. Pee on it. Bring it out here. You don’t need to do more than one. It will be accurate. And turn the tap on, it’ll help you to pee because everyone freezes in these circumstances.”
Keren appreciated the practicality. “It sounds like you’re practiced at this.”
“You’d be surprised. Go. You need to know.”
Keren went into the tiny bathroom and shut the door, pulling down her trousers and panties and turning on the tap. Beth was right, it took ages before she could actually pee. She cleaned up and straightened her clothes, trying not to look at the stick that was potentially going to give her life-changing news. And not just life changing for her.
“Let’s have a look.” Beth held her hand out.
Keren passed it over, heart thudding. This was quite possibly the biggest moment in her life and she really wished that she was sat at home with Scott waiting to see what it said but she had no idea how he would welcome the news if it was…
“Positive.” Beth gave her a very delighted smile. “You’re pregnant. And I’m going to say congratulations because this is a blessing even if the circumstances aren’t ideal.”
Keren sat still, her body feeling frozen while her mind was sprinting through the extremity of how things were going to change.
“Keren? Are you okay? There are other options…”
“No. I don’t need to know the options. I’m going to be a mum.” She was going to have a little person who would call her mummy and need her to look after them. Her house would be filled with toys and nappies and bottles and she’d have to get used to sleepless nights.
And the baby would have someone to call daddy too, because there was no way Scott wouldn’t be part of its life. No matter how he felt about Keren and the mistake with contraception, there would be no way he wouldn’t be a part of his child’s life.
It was whether he would still want to be a part of hers.
“Want to talk?” Beth stretched her arms out on the small table. “I’m good for a few minutes.”
“I don’t know what to say. I have to get my head around it.”
Beth nodded. “I agree. And I know you will. You’re financially stable. You have a strong network of friends. And I’m guessing I know the father.”
“The Severton gossip train.” Keren rubbed her face. “It’s Scott. I’ve messed up. I thought my implant was still good. I realised today I’m over a year out. I’ve just not needed to think about it.”
“And now you’re pregnant. People get pregnant every day, Keren. This isn’t the worst way to do it. I’m not saying it’s ideal, but I’m pretty sure Scott will get over it. He played a part in it too.”
“He thought I was protected.”
“So did you. You haven’t done it on purpose.”
“Will he believe that?” He hadn’t believed the best of her all those years ago.
Why should he believe her now?
14
“Ican presume you’ll be offering this gin in your bar?” Veronica Davies, one of the most formidable women Scott had ever met, gave him a look that suggested should he dare to refuse, he’d be a new ingredient in said gin.
“Definitely.” He’d tried it, although gin wasn’t his thing. It was refreshing and crisp, his palette unable to offer any more words to describe it. A local gin would sell well to the tourists and locals alike. Stocking it was a no-brainer.
“Good. Now can you explain why your young lady isn’t drinking it?” Gran said, jabbing him in the chest. He’d always figured that this was her way of copping a quick feel.
“I’m not sure she’s anyone’s young lady bar her own.” She’d been distant the past week or so. They’d gone out or she’d come to the bar, but she’d been quiet, withdrawn. He’d stayed at hers a few times and they’d slept together – there was nothing wrong there. She’d clung to him afterwards, something she’d not done at the start, as if she was afraid to let go. He’d welcomed it. Keren was the sweetest part of his life, even with all the sass. But he was worried about the quietness that had occurred between them.
Gran looked towards where Keren was standing. Her long dark hair was loose down her back and she wore jeans with a tight sweater that showed off her curves. She was beautiful, all woman and – he hoped – all his.
“You were always going to be together,” Gran eyeballed him. “When you were seventeen and she was fourteen you came in here for something – probably some music magazine – and you kept looking at her and she kept looking at you. Neither of you noticed what the other was doing but it was obvious to everyone else.”
“So why didn’t someone say?” He wondered why he wasn’t denying it. “Although she would’ve been too young for me then.”
