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Valentina got to Frankie’s barn after a torturously slow drive.

She struggled out of the car and made her way to Frankie’s door, groaning softly with the effort as she got her mobile phone out of her pocket.

But Frankie was already awake and standing at the front door, holding a mug of coffee as the dogs sniffed around in the snow.

‘Teens! Are you okay?’

‘Yeah… my… Braxton… Hicks… are bad,’ Valentina panted as she got to Frankie.

‘Are you sure that’s all it is?’

‘Yeah, I’m not due for another couple of days. And first babies are often late.’

‘Sometimes babies don’t keep to the schedule.’ Frankie was looking at her in concern.

‘Well, this one will have to because I have to talk to you. And Rocco.’ She found her brother’s number and called him.

He picked up and Valentina put it on to loudspeaker.

‘Rocco, I’m with Frankie at her barn and I need you to get here. We have to talk as I’ve got a confession about the father… and it involves you both.’

‘What?’ Rocco said.

‘It’s fine, I already know,’ Frankie said.

Valentina looked at her in surprise. ‘How do you know? Did Jay tell you?’

‘What the hell has Jay got to do with it?’ Rocco said.

‘I guessed,’ Frankie said.

‘Oh…’ Valentina started to say but then she was aware of a trickling sensation running down her thigh. She looked down to see a little puddle of water had formed on the snow between her legs. ‘OH!’

‘What’s wrong?’ Rocco said.

‘Valentina’s waters just broke,’ Frankie said as she took the phone from Valentina’s shaking hand.

‘Okay, get her to the hospital. Try and time her contractions and I’ll meet you there. Valentina, don’t panic. I’ll bring the hospital bag.’

‘This isn’t part of my birth plan,’ Valentina said weakly, allowing Frankie to guide her over to her car.

‘I don’t think bubba is bothered about your birth plan.’

‘But I can’t have the baby yet. It’ll have to stay there because everything is just too difficult to think about.’

‘Come on, I’m going to drive you to the hospital.’

‘Not in my car! You’re not insured. I don’t want to get stopped and have to explain this to a police officer. I’ll drive myself back to Rocco’s. I’ll be fine after a cup of tea and a lie— ohhhhhh.’ Releasing an animalistic groan, Valentina bent over. Crikey, the Braxton Hicks had certainly gone up a gear.

‘We’re going to the hospital. If you’re that worried about being stopped, we’ll go in my van.’

This time Valentina didn’t argue.

CHAPTER 54

FRANKIE

Frankie crawled down her driveway, avoiding all the potholes. She turned onto the road, relieved to see the roads had recently been gritted.