Chapter 21
Jasmine stood in the nursery glancing around its cream walls dotted with bright, colourful pictures. Then her eyes cast over the two matching cots, stood side by side next to the window. She took a deep breath and gently rubbed her now very swollen belly.
‘Not long to go,’ she whispered to the two babes inside her.
Jasmine had been told by the midwife that it was expected for twins to arrive much earlier than a single baby. With that in mind, both she and Robin were relieved that they’d finished the nursery in good time. She was finding it rather tiring and difficult to get about now, so much so, Robin was concerned. He was especially uneasy about the up-and-coming launch party they’d been invited to. He entered the nursery with a pained expression.
‘Do you think it’s wise to go?’ he asked, holding the invitation in his hand.
‘Oh, Robin, don’t fuss. I’ll be perfectly fine,’ she replied, half expecting this.
‘Are you sure?’ Robin’s face etched with anxiety. ‘Itison the peninsula. What if—?’
‘Honestly, I’ll be fine,’ interrupted Jasmine a touch impatiently, then immediately felt guilty for being so sharp with him. She was tired and irritable. Being so big and uncomfortable didn’t allow much sleep. ‘Sorry.’ She went to give him a hug – well, as best as she could being the size she was. ‘I don’t mean to sound so snappy,’ she consoled.
‘I know.’ He rubbed her back in an attempt to comfort her.
‘I just want them born safely… and soon,’ Jasmine whimpered, on the verge of tears, which wasn’t helping Robin’s stress levels.
‘Oh, Jas…’ He too was filled with emotion.
Then they were distracted by a voice calling from the garden below. They both looked out of the window to see Bunty waving up at them. For the first time ever, Jasmine resented her neighbour’s interruption. She just wanted peace and quiet at the moment and sensed Robin felt the same, judging by his impatient sigh.
‘I don’t want company right now,’ she said tearfully, not at all like her usual self. Robin understood. It was part and parcel of the pregnancy and he totally respected the hormones that must be rife, circulating round her system.
‘I’ll deal with it,’ he replied gently, then made his way downstairs. After opening the back door, he told Bunty – as diplomatically as possible – now wasn’t a good time.
‘I see.’ She nodded sagely, not in the least offended, then bid him goodbye. Robin was relieved by Bunty’s reaction, not wanting to upset their dear elderly neighbour. But it did also give him food for thought. Was it going to work out having such a close friend living right next door? In many ways they considered themselves very fortunate to have Bunty as their neighbour, but now he was beginning to realise it may also prove a tad intrusive. Bunty was renowned for her forthright opinions and meddlesome ways. In fact, it had been Bunty’s ‘meddling’ that had brought him and Jasmine together. Deciding they would make a perfect couple, Bunty had instigated circumstances leading them to meet. For that alone, he’d be eternally grateful, but now he had a pregnant girlfriend to think of and didn’t want her at the neighbour’s beck and call. Jasmine needed rest. And rest was what she was going to get.
He went back upstairs to the nursery to join her, but she wasn’t there. Instead he found Jasmine lying on their bed, fast asleep. He smiled to himself and softly sat next to her on the edge. He watched in wonder as her bump slowly rose and fell. It seemed incredible to think it held his two children and tried to picture what they’d look like. Dark-haired like him, or blonde like their mother? It could even be one of each, he thought with a chuckle.
Robin was glad they didn’t know the sex of their babies. He’d understood why Jasmine had thought it far more practical to know and prepare for them, but he wanted the surprise. It also meant they’d had to choose both male and female names. They still hadn’t narrowed them down yet, finding it difficult to agree on one name, let alone two. So far they’d ruled out any of their family names, wanting to go for something a little more unusual, rather than traditional names.
‘I fancy something a bit different, not run of the mill,’ remarked Jasmine. Robin had raised an eyebrow. He’d been more concerned about their children’s surname more than anything. When he’d said as much, Jasmine had frowned.
‘Spencer, of course,’ she’d said, matter of fact. They were planning on getting married after all, so why not? Robin was glad. It had crossed his mind she may have wanted a double-barrelled surname which included her own. But yes, he agreed it made sense just to use his name, as Jasmine would indeed become a Spencer too. This then led to the next thing on Robin’s mind – marriage.Whenexactly would they be tying the knot? He didn’t want the issue of marriage getting lost in the midst of caring for two young newborns. Left to him, he’d have done it months ago, but it had been Jasmine who had insisted on not rushing. He could see it from her point of view, but a part of him wished they’d just done it. Basically, Robin merely wantedhis little family wrapped tightly all together, safe and sound. And who could blame him?
Bunty returned home, hoping Jasmine was OK. It wasn’t like her friend not to want visitors, but then she must be tired, she acknowledged. As Jasmine and Robin’s next-door neighbour, Bunty was used to calling unannounced whenever the mood took her. Now it looked as though that was about to change. Of course things were going to be different, thought Bunty. Whereas Jasmine had been a young, free woman, ready to share chit-chat and gossip over a coffee, now she was about to become a mother to two tiny babies. In short, her friend’s priorities were about to change – big time. Instead of feeling any form of sadness, Bunty envisaged a happy future, seeing the babies growing up next door to her. She imagined twin prams on the lawn, toddlers playing in the sand, children splashing in the sea, cries of ‘Auntie Bunty!’ to come and join them… She couldn’t wait. Then her thoughts turned to Perry. Would Emma have babies soon too, making him a granddad? The anticipation filled her with joy and excitement. They may be in the autumn of their life, but the future looked bright. Bright indeed.
‘OK, love? Was Jasmine not in?’ asked Perry as Bunty entered the kitchen.
‘Yes, but she’s tired and a little fragile at the moment,’ she replied.
‘Oh, I see,’ he said. Then added, ‘Nothing’s wrong though, is there?’
‘No, no.’ Bunty shook her head.
‘Well, she’s not long to go now, has she?’ asked Perry.
‘Definitely not. In fact, I think it’s imminent,’ said Bunty warily, hoping and praying her friend was going to be all right.
‘So, soon we’ll have two new neighbours then?’ Perry laughed.
She faced him with a smile. How much her life had changed. Over a year ago, she’d been living alone, almost as a recluse, in a huge house that was cut off by the tide twice daily. Absolute seclusion. It beggared belief to think she now had a husband, a stepdaughter, two lovely neighbours and was about to have two babies enter her life. A warm surge of happiness swept through her. Yes, the future looked rosy indeed.
