“He’ll have forgotten it. The cleaning staff leave things for a few days because people like Rowan like to keep their personal property everywhere. It would’ve stunk even without the fish being in it.” There had been worse things found, things which Neva probably didn’t need to know about. Some of the team were pretty gross.
“I don’t want fish for lunch.” She tucked her e-reader away in her bag. “How about Thai?”
I nodded. I could happily eat most things. Even fish. “What about the Thai restaurant on the roundabout in the village?” It wouldn’t be too busy at this time, and we’d be able to have a conversation without being heard.
“That’ll do. I haven’t been there in ages.” She glanced at me, as if checking for something. “The last time I ate from there was when you picked up take out.”
I stopped, realising something. “Apart from Kitty’s, this is the first time we’ve eaten out together, isn’t it?”
“I think so.” Her laugh sounded embarrassed. “Is it going to be weird?”
“Why would it be weird? If you’re worried about someone seeing us and taking a photo, it’ll just be put down to us working together on the healthy lifestyles project.” I was set on dampening any concerns she had as much as I could. I didn’t want her to pick up on a thread that would make her change her mind.
“Fair enough. I’ll drive my own car and meet you there.” She stopped at the doors out of the training hub. “It’s easier to get home from.”
“See you in half an hour.” I took my chance, bending down and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
She didn’t flinch or even look around to check if anyone had seen. That was good.
“Looking forward to our date.” That was pushing it, so I headed off before she could disagree.
CHAPTER11
Neva
Jude gotto the restaurant before me, of course. He drove quicker and had a head start getting to his car, getting through lights before I did. He did wait in the car park for me, opening my door like a gentleman, which wasn’t necessary, but it was nice. I had a sudden premonition of what he’d be like when I was pregnant – if I got pregnant – and how over-protective he could end up being.
I wasn’t sure I’d hate that.
“Hey.” I looked up at him. I was wearing my flats today, which meant Jude had just short of a foot on me in height.
“Ready for food, baby mama?” His grin told me he knew exactly how I was going to react to that name. “I can see sweetcorn cakes and pad Thai in my future.”
“Were they suggestions for baby names? If they were, you need to rethink. And by that, I mean you need to rethink what you’re calling me.”
He opened the door to the restaurant, following me through. We were greeted by one of their team who obviously recognised Jude and sat us away from anyone else in a booth at the back, which was about as private as we could get.
We ordered drinks and prawn crackers, Jude asking for a couple of starters without even looking at the menu, which surprised no one.
“Hungry?” I toyed with the menu, feeling shy. This was probably going to be a conversation I’d remember for the rest of my life, one way or the other.
Jude nodded, not giving me a jokey response which I’d expected.
“Can we get to the bit we both want to talk about, then we can crack on.” He tapped his fingers once on the table, a sign that he was struggling to keep a lid on what was simmering. “You want to try for a baby. With me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh and smile, the shock of my decision a good kind of shock. “Yes. I do. I think you’d be a good dad.” Which was where my head had been for the last few days. “And I think you know what you’ll be letting yourself into. Kids aren’t easy.”
“I know. I’ve seen Nate do it on his own and seen how Rowan’s been with Toby. I know it’ll be hard, but I’m hoping it’ll be worth it.” He took a deep breath. “I’m going to suggest something that I think’ll make you feel better, maybe. I’m not bothered about doing it but I’m going to end up being advised to. I’ll speak to my solicitor on Monday about our situation so it lays out an entitlement – moneywise – if I get you pregnant. You know I’ll want any kid to have the best, not spoiled, but to have opportunities like I did - ”
“I am paid pretty decently, you know.” I reached out and grabbed his forearm. He was starting to rub at his nose, which meant he was trying really hard to not go on a Shakespearean length monologue. “But I get what you mean, and this would be your child. I am putting my foot down on the being spoiled though.”
“I know. I wouldn’t not work with you for big decisions. If I don’t make a formal agreement, someone will tell me I’m being stupid because some women would try to get pregnant because it would come with a big pay cheque.” He looked at the table. “I’ll ask my solicitor to draw up an agreement about time as well. I wouldn’t do this with anyone else, but I need to make sure that I get my time with them, just in case something turns sour. I know it won’t, Neva. I feel shit mentioning it.”
“But do you feel better now you’ve said it?”
Another nod, then he looked up. “I do.”
“I think we should have that and then I feel better about you knowing I’m not going to try and scam you. If you told me it was sperm only, I’d have accepted it and not named anyone on the birth certificate. I’m also really glad that’s not going to be the case.” There was more I could say, but that would’ve been too overwhelming for this restaurant. I’d spent yesterday actually getting excited about the idea of having a baby, starting a password protected board for nurseries, looking at baby equipment and even maternity clothes. That was probably getting carried away, but after years of thinking this would never happen, it now possibly could.
