“Probably picking out a sofa bed. I told her she could have the room next to hers as a lounge or for friends to stay.”
He shrugged. “You’re spoiling her.”
“It’s a spare room. We have another three.”
There was a nod, then he pulled out a piece of paper from under the fruit bowl.
“I’ve spoken to my solicitors. And to Phillip.”
I sat up, puzzled. Phillip had been round a few times, mainly to see how I was getting on and to update me on Trina. She was still in police custody, having confessed to the attack and the damage to Toad Hall and my tyres. She was also demanding Phillip paid for her lawyer. He’d refused.
“What about?”
Jack looked sheepish.
“Jack? What stunt are you planning?”
“I’ve made him an offer to buy him out of the Tipsy Toad. And Mount Street.”
My mouth gaped open.
“That is if you’re comfortable with it. Because it’s obviously a bigger conversation than me being a sleeping partner. Although we don’t do much sleeping anyway.”
I still couldn’t speak.
“I’ll fill in the details because I’m sure you’d like them. My brother left a substantial amount of money - his pension, some compensation, investments we didn’t know about. He had very few instructions in his will, other than to provide for Lauren and invest in my future. I’d like to invest in the restaurants. I don’t want to take over – these are your babies – but…” He shrugged. “Saying something round about now would be good, Simone.”
“I’m pregnant.”
His mouth fell open.
I crossed my arms and smirked.
“Two tests upstairs confirm it.”
He closed his mouth.
“Saying something round about now would be good, Jack.”
“Fuck.”
I laughed.
“You are joking? You’re not joking are you? Shit, Simone… fuck…”
I carried on laughing.
“You’re not doing the sleep out.”
“I am.” I folded my arms. “I’m pregnant. Not sick.”
“Pregnant?”
“Yes, Jack. Pregnant. We talked about how it might happen, you know, because we weren’t using any contraception.” I was starting to get a little worried that he wasn’t on the same page here.
“Baby?”
“That’s what being pregnant means.”
