‘I know I promised you this wouldn’t happen. And I genuinely thought it couldn’t – I didn’t do it on purpose, I swear!’
He keeps my hands in his. ‘It’s all right. Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together. The two of us.’
I squeeze his fingers, and bite my lip before I speak. What if he’s angry? What if he’s upset? What if he feels like I tricked him?
‘Well, that’s the thing, Brody,’ I murmur, unable to meet his eyes, suddenly awash with nerves. ‘It isn’t just the two of us any more. It’s… it’s the three of us. I found out when I was in hospital, but I didn’t want to pressure you. I was going to tell you when you were back home.’
He blinks once, twice, a small frown between his brows as he absorbs the information.
‘You’re pregnant?’ he asks. His tone is perfectly neutral.
I nod. ‘Yes. I am. I never planned this, Brody, honestly. And I would never have used it to make you stay. But I’m having this baby. I completely understand if this is too much to handle. If you want to turn around right now, I wouldn’t blame you.’
Now he looks even more confused. ‘What the hell, Kate? Why would you say that? I came back here to tell you I love you – that I want to stay here with you, make this work. Then you tell me you’re carrying my child, and give me permission to leave? That’s messed up.’
He doesn’t sound angry, just bewildered. This is a lot, I know. I’ve had days to get used to this idea, and I can’t expect him to process it in a microsecond.
‘I know it is,’ I tell him, ‘I’m… well, I am messed up, I suppose. I thought you were gone, Brody. I thought I’d be doing this on my own. I couldn’t stand the thought of you only staying out of a sense of duty. Now I don’t know what to think!’
My lips begin to tremble, and I start to come undone. It’s been so very hard, the last few days – a concussion, the baby news, Brody leaving. Me having to come to terms with my uncertain future.
He takes hold of my shoulders, and pulls me back into his arms. I sob into his chest, all of the worry and tension flooding out of me. He soothes me, murmuring loving words and kissing my hair and telling me everything is going to be all right.
‘I’m here, Kate,’ he says. ‘And I’m not going anywhere, okay? I came back because I love you, not because of a sense of duty. I love you, and I love this baby, and I already love the life we’re going to build together, right here in Bonnie Bay, where we can look at puffins and visit the bookshop whenever we want.’
I look up at him, searching for any sign of a lie in his eyes, his voice, his body language. I find none. All I find is love, and reassurance, and strength.
‘You’re sure?’ I murmur. ‘I know it’s a lot… definitely more than you expected when we made this agreement…’
‘I’m sure,’ he says firmly, stroking my tears away from my cheeks. ‘I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I want this, Kate – I want you, and our baby, and our future. I want Shannon to have a little brother or sister, and I want to see you be the amazing mom I know you will be, and I want to be a dad who’s actually there for his kid. I promise you, I want it.’
I finally start to believe him. I finally start to relax into his arms.
I finally accept that I made my leap of faith – and landed exactly where I was meant to be.
PART THREE
THE END?
EPILOGUE
September, Bonnie Bay
The sun is shining, giving Bonnie Bay one of those most wonderful gifts – a last burst of summer before the leaves start to turn, and the autumn chill descends.
As is tradition at this time of year, many of the villagers have gathered to spend a final day swimming in the sea, and enjoying the fresh air. Saying their farewell to the summer. Children are building sandcastles, dogs are chasing each other around the beach, and all feels well with the world.
‘Today is perfect,’ Kate says, skirt hoisted up, her bare legs dangling off the edge of the jetty. ‘Still so warm.’
‘Aye, it is – but that’s just Bonnie Bay lulling you into a false sense of security, hen. No getting away from the fact that the winters here can be brutal. We get snowed in every year.’
Kate glances up at Moira, still using her wheelchair for distances but taking more steps every day. ‘I like the sound of that, actually,’ she says. ‘Getting snowed in.’
‘You would, love – you’ll be snowed in with Brody. I’ll be snowed in with Joanne!’
The two women laugh together, then Moira points out at the horizon.
‘Here they come,’ she announces. ‘The testosterone express!’
