“Parker, my name is Ashford Parker!”
It really seems she wants to know my story. “Are you her husband, then?”
“I am.”
“He’s not,” my mother replies.
“Are you her husband or not?” The nurse asks again.
“I’m her husband, but we got divorced, and then she found out she was pregnant,” I explain, cutting a long story short.
“It’s a long story, but it’s easy to understand,” says Cécile.
“And who is this?” The nurse points at her with irritation.
“Someone who talks too much and has an opinion on everything,” I snap.
“I know how to shut her up,” Harring adds.
“Oh boy, what do you have to do with it?” The nurse asks Harring.
“Me? Oh, nothing special, I just shag her,” he shrugs.
The nurse’s confusion is growing. “So… you’re the husband she’s divorced from, and he’s the one she sleeps with. But who’s the father?”
“I am!” I roar.
“He is!” Cécile and Harring shout.
“That’s highly debatable,” my mother objects.
“Is the lady with you?”
“She’s the grandmother,” we all say in unison.
“Let’s be clear once and for all: I am the Duke of Burlingham, for God’s sake! This is my mother, so she’s the grandmother, I’m the husband of the mother-to-be and the father of the child; these two sleep together and have stuff all to do with all this. Can I see Jemma, now?”
“I’ll ask the doctor. Wait here.”
*
When the nurse comes back, I’m ready to follow her, but she stops me again. “I’m sorry. The patient doesn’t want to see you.”
“It’s not possible!” I protest.
“In any case, I suggest that you take a seat and wait here.” Her tone is not open to discussion, so I give a snort of indignation and sit on one of the chairs in the corridor with my arms crossed; although I’m quiet, I’m fuming.
Harring, Cécile and my mother don’t dare talk to me, because they can feel it.
I hear incoming steps, then someone sitting beside me. “Remember when I told you that you would pay, if you ever made my daughter suffer?”
I turn round and see Vance on my left. “What if I told you that I’m already paying?”
His expression is inscrutable. “The fact that you’re here today tells me that there’s something Jemma doesn’t know. That woman, Portia, does she mean anything to you?”
“Jemma has always been the only one. But she didn’t give me any chance to explain.” After a short pause, I ask him: “Why didn’t anyone tell me that she was pregnant?”
“It was her choice, Carly and I respected it. Personally, I don’t agree. I think that assuming your responsibilities as a father is your right and duty. Pure joy, but also constant trouble. Look at me, my daughter is twenty-six, she’s married, she’s about to give birth, but she’s still my bairn and she needs my love and protection. And this will never change.”
