‘I remember when we got home after the service and we picked Sophie up from school and we said, we have some news and it felt like a big deal.’ She laughed quietly at the memory, knowing what he was going to say, one of their favourite stories, she was always happy to hear it. ‘And you said, “Guess what, Soph? We got married today,” and she said, “What’s for tea?”’
‘What’s for tea?’ they chorused.
It had been lovely, seamless, the way little Sophie had just accepted this man into her life, calling him Dad, calling Jamie Daddy, and without seeming to apply the complexity to it that Remy had been fearful of navigating. It was both a blessing and a curse that Jamie wasn’t ever present. Truth was, she preferred the lack of contact, but worried that he wasn’t a constant in Sophie’s life. He had, since she was a toddler, popped up on the odd occasion to take her out for a burger and to spoil her with a gift. Sophie, in fairness, didn’t seem to expect or hanker after anything more. And Midge certainly provided constancy.
‘I didn’t need a big wedding. I wanted a marriage, I love you, Midge Hughes.’
‘And I you.’ He reached for her hand and knitted it inside his.
‘Wearelucky, aren’t we?’ She smiled, feeling a little smug and hoping that Ashleigh would enjoy her day tomorrow. Hoping too that it would be everything her mum and dad hoped for. Her sister had, after all, kept them all waiting for a long, long time.
‘We really are, Ren. And I know things have been tight for the last couple of years, but the garage is picking up and I’m getting more regular customers, and so if you want to go to college, I know you used to want to study, or if you want to go and see To—’
‘I don’t want to do either of those things,’ she interrupted. ‘Midge.’ She drew breath, hadn’t planned on this being the moment, but it felt right.
‘What?’
‘I don’t know how to tell you this.’ Her mouth felt a little dry with nerves.
‘You’re running away with one of Archie Huffington Smythe’s chinless school mates?’
‘No!’ She sat up in the water to face him, knowing this was important.
‘Oh God, that’s your serious face. Just say it.’
And so she did, she took a beat, and just said it!
‘I’m pregnant.’
She stared at his face, waiting for the tell, the little clue that would let her know how he felt without him saying a word.
‘Wow!’
‘Yes, wow.’
‘How pregnant?’ He leaned over the bath and put his face into the water, kissing the flat of her stomach before surfacing with a wet face and hair.
‘Just a little bit,’ she whispered, knowing she wouldn’t forget that this was when she told him, this day, in this room. With water dripping from his nose and chin, he looked her in the eye, and smiled, as if to say,I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.
‘My clever girl.’ His eyes misted with tears. ‘My clever, clever girl!’
Ashleigh
Ashleigh was doing her best to keep calm. But if one more person asked her one more stupid question she thought she might scream!
Do you know where one might find some florist twine?
Do you know where Archie is?
Wine waiters to pour or leave opened bottles on the table tomorrow?
What time exactly are you planning on cutting the cake?
Do you know where Archie is?
Does the DJ know the gate code for the rear paddock?
It was exhausting.
