“It feels like one, though.” He exhaled. “Anyway, enough about me. How did everything go with Simon after we left?”
“About that. I wanted to apologize about his behavior.”
“Don’t you apologize; you did nothing wrong.”
“Simon’s not usually like that, I swear. He’d had too much to drink and—”
“Libby, it’s fine. You don’t have to make excuses for him.”
“But I feel terrible that he ruined the evening. Poor Esme looked petrified.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about her; she’s a tough cookie. Was Simon okay after a night’s sleep?”
“He was fine.” Libby stared out at the view in front of them. There was a heavy gray haze hanging over London this morning, and the Shard was barely visible through the fog.
“Did you have a chance to talk about the pregnancy?” Frank asked.
“Simon says he’s changed his mind and wants to be part of the baby’s life. He’s suggested I move back to Surrey, so he can be near me to help.”
Frank let out a long, low whistle. “Goodness. And how does that make you feel?”
“I don’t know. I’ve got used to the idea of having this child on my own, here in London, so this has completely thrown me. And what if he changes his mind again?”
“Do you think he might?”
Libby thought before she answered. “No, I don’t think so. He seemed genuine when he talked about it yesterday.”
“And what about you? What do you want?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I saw how hard my sister found having a baby, and that was with a husband and a nanny, not to mention a massive house and plenty of money. I’m not sure if I can do it on my own.”
“Of course you can. I’m not saying it will be easy, but you’re stronger than you think, Libby.”
“But Simon does have a right to be involved if he wants to. He’s the biological father.”
Frank nodded. “Sure, but that doesn’t mean you have to move back to Surrey. You could stay in London and still let Simon be involved.”
“But maybe it would be easier to move back to Surrey, though? I could afford a bigger place there, and my parents are nearby as well as Simon. I’d have more of a support network there.”
“And what about Dylan?”
Libby looked across at Frank, surprised to hear him say that name. “Did he tell you what happened on Saturday night?”
“No, but I could tell from your flushed faces when you came out with the cake thatsomethinghad happened.” Frank smiled at her, and Libby felt herself blush.
“It wasn’t just that. Dylan said some things... some amazing things. He offered to be part of my and the baby’s life.”
Frank was staring out at the view, but Libby could tell he was hiding a smile. “Dylan is a good man” was all he said.
“I know he is. Which is why this is all so confusing.”
“Yes, it must be. What’s that saying about buses? You wait ages for one, and then two come along at once.”
“Except in this case, I fear that one of the buses may no longer be willing to have me on board.”
“Why do you say that?” Frank said.
“You saw Dylan when Simon turned up. He was furious at him, and with me when I let Simon stay.”
