I love you.
After that, Libby had run straight to the hospital toilet, where she’d cried so much that the Scottish nurse had come in to check she was okay. Through her snotty tears, Libby hadtried to explain that the father of her baby wanted her to move back in with him, but she’d realized she was in love with another man, who probably had a girlfriend. The nurse had handed Libby some toilet roll to blow her nose and then told her in no uncertain terms that this all sounded far too complicated, and it was probably not a good idea to live with her ex if she was in love with someone else. And just like that, Libby had felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“Are you all right?” Frank was watching her.
“I might step outside for a minute. I’m really hot in here.”
“Would you like me to come with you?”
“No, I’ll be fine, thanks.”
She stood up and made her way toward the exit. As she did, she passed by Dylan’s table, but he was deep in conversation with Johnny and didn’t look up.
Libby stepped outside onto the hotel terrace, inhaling the cool evening air. There was a dull ache in her pelvis from all the standing up today, so she crossed to the far side of the terrace and sat down on a bench. After the noise and excitement of the wedding, it was quiet and still out here, and she took several deep breaths as she looked out over the garden, bright in the moonlight.
Libby heard a cough behind her, and when she turned around, she saw Dylan standing in the doorway, silhouetted against the light from inside. At the sight of him, she felt another throb in her stomach.
“Frank said you were out here,” he said as he walked across to join her. “You all right?”
“Yes, just needed some fresh air. This little one is pummeling me today.”
“Aren’t you cold?”
“Not really.” As she said it, Libby realized she was starting to shiver.
“Here, have this.” Dylan took off his jacket, and before she could say anything, he wrapped it round her shoulders.
He sat down next to her, and for a moment neither of them spoke.
“About the—”
“I wanted to—”
“Sorry, you first,” Libby said.
Dylan was staring at his feet. “I really thought you’d got back together with Simon.”
“What on earth made you think that?”
“You told me when you came to see me in hospital. I mean, it was you who came, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, but I never said I was getting together with Simon. Where did you get that idea from?”
“The old guy in the bed next to me. When I came round, he told me that a pregnant woman had been to visit me and that he’d heard her say, and I quote, ‘I’m going to say yes to Simon. It’s what’s best for the baby.’ I assumed that meant you were getting back with him.”
“I had no idea he was eavesdropping!”
“Yeah, Sam was a nosy old sod. He knew everybody’s business on the ward.” Dylan gave a small laugh, then turned serious again. “But what happened, then? What were you saying yes about?”
Libby paused, wondering how honest she should be with Dylan. Part of her wanted to tell him what had really happened: her moment of realization in the hospital that she was in love with him. But then she remembered his girlfriend.
“Simon asked me to move back in with him in Surrey, andI very nearly said yes. But then I realized that I’d just be repeating the old pattern of making my life decisions based on what other people want me to do. Simon and my mum were so desperate for me to live with him again, and they’d almost convinced me that I couldn’t do it on my own. But they’re wrong. I can and I will.”
“So where are you living now?”
“I’ve rented a tiny flat outside Guildford. My parents aren’t far away, and they’re helping me cover the rent until the baby’s here and I can get a job again. They’re being pretty good about it all, actually.”
“And Simon?”
