Jasmine slightly raised herself as her tiny twins were wheeled closer. Still holding Robin’s hand, they exchanged a look of pure love.
‘We’ll get them into neonatal. You’ll be able to join them shortly,’ comforted one of the nurses.
‘Thank you so much,’ croaked Robin.
Tara was sat outside anxiously waiting. As the babies passed her, she quickly got up and rushed to speak to the nurses. Recognising Dr O’Hara, they quickly filled her in whilst rushing to neonatal. Tara took a deep breath and made her way back to the labour ward. After half an hour, when Jasmine had been looked over, she tapped on the door and poked her head round. She saw Jasmine and Robin still clutching hands, looking both tired and jubilant.
‘Congratulations,’ she said, smiling warmly.
‘Tara, I can’t thank you enough,’ sobbed Jasmine.
‘Don’t mention it. That’s my job!’
‘We’ve a boy and a girl,’ she gushed with glee.
‘I know. I’ve just seen them,’ replied Tara, suddenly feeling emotional too. Then she took in Robin, still pale and dazed. ‘You OK, Robin?’
He looked up, eyes still watery. ‘I’m the proudest man alive,’ he answered gruffly.
Jack had taken Calum back to Tara’s home and was waiting on tenterhooks for her call.
‘I’m hungry,’ complained Calum.
‘Pizza?’ suggested Jack. He too was feeling peckish, having only had a few canapes all day.
‘Yeah!’ cheered Calum.
‘OK, I’ll order. What do you fancy?’
‘Hot spicy beef,’ answered Calum instantly. This new fella of Mum’s was really beginning to grow on him.
‘Coming up,’ said Jack, scrolling through his contacts for the local pizza delivery. After ordering, the landline phone rang. Calum answered it.
‘Hi, Mum.’ Jack’s head darted towards him. ‘Yeah, I’ll put him on.’ Then Calum passed the phone.
‘Hi.’
‘Hi, Jack, I just tried your mobile, but it was engaged.’
‘I’ve just been ordering pizzas. Everything OK?’ he asked anxiously.
‘Yes. A boy and a girl, safely delivered, and two very happy parents,’ replied Tara.
‘Oh, thank God.’
‘I’m on my way home now. Thanks for taking care of Calum.’
‘No worries,’ said Jack.
‘Bye, won’t be long.’
‘OK, see ya.’
Jack smiled as he put the phone down, pleased to be of help. Then it rang again. He grinned, figuring it was probably Tara wanting pizza too. He should have thought to ask her. He picked up the receiver, expecting to hear her voice. Instead he got anirate male one.
‘Where the hell have you been?’ thundered the voice. Jack blinked. ‘Try answering your phone!’
Jack paused before answering. ‘I take it you want to speak to Tara.’ He spoke in a cold, rigid tone. There was a deathly silence.
‘Who is this?’ hissed the voice.
‘None of your goddamn business,’ replied Jack, then put the phone down. So, that was Richard. What a dickhead.
