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Wren nodded.

‘Okay, well, just don’t wait too long,’ she said, pulling Robyn in towards her. ‘You might miss your chance.’ The two women hugged and held on tight, as close as they could get over Wren’s bump.

‘Come on, I’ll help you back downstairs and then I’m going to call it a night,’ Robyn said. ‘I’ve got some thinking to do.’

She stood and extended both hands to Wren, tugging her to her feet. As Wren stood, she gasped, then stilled and her eyes widened.

‘Oh God,’ she said, eyes fixed on Robyn’s. ‘I think my waters just broke.’

Both women looked at the puddle on the floor between them, spreading by the second.

‘Got anything in your bag in preparation for that?’ Robyn asked, indicating the beaded evening clutch bag on the sofa, and Wren laughed breathlessly.

‘Nope,’ she admitted.

‘I’ll get Rosie, and call for an ambulance,’ Robyn said, her own problems forgotten. She helped Wren to sit back down. ‘You stay here. I love you.’

Robyn gave her a quick squeeze and planted a kiss for luck on her cheek, before taking the stairs two at a time.

Chapter Fifty-Six

Fox

Fox’s front room looked like a bomb had gone off and the inside of his head felt similarly wrecked. The floor was littered with discarded wrapping paper, the dog was eating his Christmas crackers, and Reggie and George were already painting their pebbles from Santa at the kitchen table. Fox sank into a chair, exhausted even though it was only ten o’clock, and let the tsunami of feelings wash over him again. Last night had been a lot. And he didn’t know what to do next, about anything.

He wondered if he should talk to Robyn again. He hadn’t had the chance last night when the evening descended into chaos, with Wren being carried out on a stretcher and rushed to hospital. As the ambulance’s blue lights flashed through the windows, he looked for Robyn but she’d gone.

Though what was the point, if she still thought they were nothing at all? She had said she missed him last night – but she clearly meant as a friend with benefits, at most. He was so confused. Robyn thought he loved Meg, and he’d thought Robyn loved Finn. It was a mess and she was leaving in a week or so anyway. Some things were just too complicated.

His phone went off and he glanced hopefully at the pool house out the window as he picked up the phone.

Brothers from Another Mother WhatsApp group

Walker: Happy Christmas, everyone! Rosie just messaged. The babies are here! I’m a godfather – again!!

Fox: Congratulations, buddy!

Etienne: Great news.

Fox: Everyone healthy and happy?

Walker: Yep, a boy and a girl, both mums over the moon and apparently Toby can’t stop crying.

Fox: It’s a big day. Twins for Christmas.

Walker: Visiting hours extended because it’s Christmas Day, so see you all there in half an hour?

Fox: Wouldn’t miss it.

Maybe this would take his mind off Robyn for a while.

The maternity wing was playing Christmas music and lots of the nurses wore tinsel around their necks or baubles for earrings. Reggie and George were bouncing off the walls, already totally sugar high on all their Christmas chocolates. Fox wondered if they’d sleep later in the car on the way to Millie’s. He had to admit, he hoped so, just for an hour of peace and quiet.

It was standing room only in Wren’s room. She was propped up on a mountain of pillows, with Rosie sitting next to her on the bed one side, and Toby on the other, each with a bundle of baby in their arms. The gang all huddled around them, craning their necks to get a look at the new arrivals. Fox caught a faint scent of vanilla and realised Robyn must be there. He looked up and spotted her standing in the corner, Willow in her arms. Their eyes met briefly before hers darted away.

Fox moved in to kiss Rosie and Wren on the cheek, and shake Toby, their family friend and the sperm donor for all three of their children now, by the hand. He looked proud as punch. Toby’s partner, Jesse, was opening a bottle of champagne and pouring it into plastic glasses.

‘Congratulations, you lot,’ Fox said, looking from one baby to the other, with newborn frowns on their scrunched-up faces and their eyes tightly shut, swaddled in blankets covered in Christmas elves. ‘They’re perfect.’