Brad pulled his shoulders back and straightened up. “No… just tell me. Please.”
Mallory’s heart pounded in her chest. Why was the doctor insisting that Brad sit? What had happened?
“Mrs Farnham has lost a lot of blood. She’s sleeping. We’ll know more in a few hours.”
The colour seeped from Brad’s face, and the doctor reached to steady his shoulder for a moment. Brad nodded. “And… and the baby?”
The doctor smiled. “Your son is small, Mr Farnham. But he’s a fighter. He’s in the special care baby unit right now.”
Brad collapsed into the chair and burst into floods of tears. “Will he… will he be okay?”
“We certainly hope so. He needs a little help breathing at the moment, but that’s normal with a premature birth. I know it’s easier said than done, but please try not to worry. He’s getting the best care possible. You can see him if you like. Just head along to the SCBU when you’re ready. We’ll keep you posted about your wife and let you see her as soon as possible. And congratulations.” The doctor shook Brad’s hand and then left the room, closing the door gently behind him.
Brad lifted his head and turned to Mallory. Tears spilled from his red-rimmed eyes. “I’m… I’m a daddy, Mal.”
Allowing tears to fall unabashedly down her own cheeks, Mallory nodded with a smile. “You certainly are, Brad. Shall we go and see your son?” She stood and held out her hand. Brad grasped it and let her pull him to his feet.
After following the signs to the special care baby unit, they informed the nurse at the desk that they were there to see Baby Farnham. She smiled warmly and led the way to the room where the baby was being cared for. Once they had washed their hands and applied sanitiser, they were allowed entry into the room.
Baby Farnham lay in an incubator. A CPAP breathing apparatus covered most of his face. He was tiny but he had all his fingers and toes and was so very beautiful. Mallory’s gaze shifted to the card showing the baby’s details. Her throat tightened as she read the weight. Two pounds and twelve ounces. Not much bigger than a bag of sugar. How would he survive in the world when he wasn’t meant to be here for another two months?
Brad gasped and sat on the chair placed beside the crib for him by the nurse.
He placed his palm flat on the transparent casing and spoke in a soft voice. “Hey, little man… I’m your daddy. I love you so much. Your mummy will come and see you as soon as she’s feeling better. But she loves you too. She’s been so excited about meeting you. We both have. You’ve arrived a bit earlier than we expected, but… it’s fine. I’m just glad you’re fighting, little man. Keep fighting. Keep getting stronger so that your mummy and I can take you home. You’re going to be spoiled rotten, you know.” He glanced up at Mallory with a big, beaming smile on his face. “Isn’t he beautiful, Mal?”
“He really is, Brad. Just gorgeous.” Her heart clenched in her chest as tears left damp trails in their wake. Hearing him speak to his newborn son was the sweetest thing she’d heard since Greg had said similar words to Sylvie.
The door opened and another nurse appeared. “Mr Farnham. The doctor has asked me to come and tell you that you’re okay to go see your wife now.”
Without taking his eyes from his baby boy, Brad nodded. “Thank you. I’ll be right there.” The door closed once again.
Chapter Five
Legs shaking, Mallory walked with Brad as he made his way to visit Josie. Her heart hammered in her chest and fear gripped her insides, tying them in knots and making her feel nauseated. The thought of losing her best friend tormented her despite her efforts to push it from her mind. They arrived outside the room and were greeted by a nurse who winked at Mallory while confirming she was “immediate family” and thus a permitted visitor.
“One at a time, please. She’s still unconscious, but do speak to her.”
Brad looked apologetically at Mallory and reached out to squeeze her shoulder. She smiled reassuringly at him. “Go on. Go see the new mummy.” He nodded and walked through the door.
Mallory sat down on a chair opposite Josie’s room, and as she leaned her head back, she closed her eyes. Images of the day of Josie and Brad’s wedding played in her mind. They had married the previous Christmas…
Josie stood before the mirror in her fitted wedding dress, her petite frame covered in lace. Mallory’s eyes welled with tears. “You look so beautiful, Josie.”
Josie turned to face her best friend. “Thank you so much for coming. Especially when you’ve been so unwell this last week or so. I’ve been so worried that you wouldn’t make it.”
Mallory stepped toward her and took her hands. “I wouldn’t miss your wedding day for the world. And… I’m fine… honestly,” she lied.
Josie scrunched her face, clearly not buying the all-is-well front that Mallory was trying so hard to project. “Pull the other one, you daft bat. You forget how well I bloody know you. Now be honest. How are you feeling?”
“It’s nothing… I’m… I’m fine.” Mallory’s lip quivered as she fought back the mixture of emotions bubbling to the surface.
Concern washed over Josie’s features. “There’s something you’re not telling me. Out with it, Mally. You’re scaring me.”
Mallory dabbed at her eyes, angry with herself for getting upset. “No… it can wait. Today is your special day, and I’m not going to hog it with my crap.”
Josie pulled away from Mallory’s grip and placed her hands on her hips. “Do you want me to get pissed off? Because you know I will. Now tell me what the feck is going on or I’ll slap you.”
Josie was, at first glance, the epitome of elegance and class. Her small stature and blonde hair, however, belied the tough girl underneath. She appeared so fragile and demure—until she opened her gob, and her strong Yorkshire accent came out with expletives that could turn the air blue. Mallory couldn’t help the snorty laugh that escaped. “You’re so lovely.”
“Yeah, well, I’m about to turn green and rip my dress, so come on. Tell me what’s wrong or I swear you won’t like what happens next.”
Mallory turned and walked to the other side of the plush hotel suite. She plopped herself into the large chocolate-brown armchair and dropped her head into her hands. “I’m pregnant.”
There was an audible intake of breath. “Eh? What do you mean you’re fecking pregnant?”
Mallory snapped her head up and glared at her best friend. “I mean there is another baby growing in my belly. What the hell do you think I mean?”
“But… but… you… Mairi… how?” Josie stuttered.
“Crikey, the future Mrs Farnham at a loss for words. I’ve seen it all now.”
“Are you sure? Does Greg know? Are you happy? Is that why you’ve been puking so much? Are you keeping it? Are you sure?” The questions were fired as if being released from some kind of verbal machine gun.
“Bloody hell, Jose. Give me a chance to answer.”
Josie held her hands up in surrender. “Sorry… sorry.”
“Okay… Here goes… Yes, I’m very sure. I’ve been to the doctor’s. Yes, Greg knows and is over the moon. No, I’m not exactly happy, seeing as my body has only just bloody recovered from the last infant that I squeezed out. Yes, that’s why I’ve been puking so much. Yes, of course I’m bloody keeping it, and I can’t believe you even asked that. And finally, once again, yes, I’m bloody sure!”
Josie crossed the room and dropped to her knees before Mallory. “Oh, Mally, love. How can you not be happy?”
Mallory widened her eyes. “Were you not listening when I mentioned my body and the recovery from the last melon-sized baby I pushed out of my vagina?”
Josie started to laugh. At first she was visibly fighting it, but her shoulders shuddered, her lips contorted, and her eyes watered. Mallory stared in annoyance. She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m glad you find it funny. You’re supposed to be my best bloody friend.”
Josie guffawed for a
while as Mallory watched the tears stream down her face. “I’m… I’m so sorry, honey. But… but the way you said vagina… hilarious! I’m sorry… I’m calm now… honestly.”
Mallory pursed her lips as a smile tried its best to spread across her reluctant face. “It’s okay. You’re forgiven. It’s your wedding day, after all. I… I didn’t want to spoil things for you.”
Josie frowned. “How the hell would you be spoiling my day? You’ve just given me the best wedding gift ever! Baby news always turns me into a pile of mush, as you know. Now give me a fecking hug, you daft cow. And stop getting all fecking worked up.” She grappled Mallory into a bear hug. “You only have to look at that gorgeous little girl you have to know how wonderful this is. And think of it this way, the closer they are in age, the easier it’ll be.”
Mallory scrunched her face. “How the hell do you figure that out?”
Josie shrugged. “It gets all the crappy nappies out of the way in one go. They grow up together and become the best of friends.”
“Hmmm, or they despise each other and I have an all-out sibling war on my hands.”
“Oh, Mally, you’re such a fecking drama queen. You’ll adore that little bundle when it arrives. You know you will.”
“I know… I know. It’s just a little scary. I’ll get used to the idea… and what’s all this ‘fecking’ business?”
“Well… it’s not quite the same as swearing, and”—she gestured to Mallory’s tummy—“you know… little ears listening and all that.”
Mallory burst into fits of laughter at her crazy friend. “You do know that swearing in an Irish accent is still swearing, don’t you?”
Josie’s cheeks coloured bright red and she joined in with the laughter. “Oh, shit. I hadn’t realised that’s what it was! God, I’m so blonde!”
“Erm, Miss Gardiner, I think that’s rather insulting to the blondes in the world who actually have two brain cells to rub together,” Mallory teased.
Josie lightly slapped Mallory’s arm. “Oy! Cheeky sod!”
There was a knock at the door. “Josie, darlin’, are you coming to get wed or what?” Greg’s voice vibrated through the closed door.
“Be right there,” Josie replied modestly.
The ceremony was taking place in a little church in the grounds of the country house hotel and had been limited to close family and friends on account of their limited funds. Greg was giving Josie away, and Brad’s brother, Ant, was proudly taking the role of best man. The Landy had been decorated with ribbon and balloons, and when Mallory escorted her shaking best friend down to the hotel foyer, Greg, dressed in his kilt, held the rear door of the car open for them.
Josie gasped as they reached the shiny vehicle. “Shit, Greg, you’ve even washed the car!”
“Aye, of course I have. What kind of heathen do you take me for?” He glanced over at Mallory and winked. She giggled and felt the heat rise in her cheeks. He looked absolutely gorgeous, and she was sure her panties would melt right then and there.
Josie glanced between the two of them. “Good grief, you two. You’re like a pair of bloody teenagers.”
Without taking his eyes from Mallory’s, he said, “That’s because this woman makes me crazy with lust, and I love her with all my heart, Jose.”
Josie covered her mouth and laughed as she made fake retching noises. “Get me a bucket, quick!”
The two friends climbed into the car, and Mallory smoothed her, holly-green satin dress. As the wedding was so close to Christmas, the colours chosen had been particularly festive. Josie’s small hand-tied bouquet of Christmas roses and berries was interspersed with mistletoe, and she had commented that the bouquet would come in handy later. The suggestive eyebrow wiggle that had accompanied her words had made Mallory laugh out loud.
After driving the quarter of a mile within the grounds to get to the little church, Greg brought the car to a halt and climbed out. He helped the two women down from the vehicle. In ten steps they arrived at the door of the church, and Josie took in a deep, shaking breath.
Mallory turned to her friend. “Josie, you look beautiful. Brad is such a lucky man. The two of you have been destined for this day since high school, and I’m so happy to be a part of it. I love you both dearly. You’re my family.”
Josie’s lip quivered. “Stop it, you’ll make me cry. Thank you again for coming all this way. You’re the best, best friend a girl could ask for.”
Mallory smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself. Now come on. Brad’ll be panicking. You know what he’s like.”
Greg pushed open the ornately carved oak doors, and the opening bars of “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain began to play. He held out his elbow, and Josie linked her arm through his. After Mallory began to walk, Josie and Greg followed.
Glancing over her shoulder, Mallory could see Josie’s eyes glistening with tears ready to spill over and Greg simply beaming, his eyes crinkled in that cute way they did when he smiled widely. He wore the expression of a proud father and she could imagine him giving their daughter, Mairi, away in the future. The thought brought a lump to her throat. Turning to face the altar once again, she focussed her attention on Brad. He had the biggest smile fixed in place on his handsome features. The love he felt for Josie was written all over his face. Happiness radiated from his very being, and Mallory’s eyes began to sting once again.
Chapter Six
The door to Josie’s hospital room opened. A rather drained Brad stepped out and sat beside Mallory.
“How is she doing?” she asked.
He huffed out a long breath. “Hard to say really. There are all sorts of machines attached to her, and she looks so pale. How would I cope without her, Mal?” His lip quivered.
“You can’t keep thinking like that. You have to stay positive. You have a little boy to think of. He needs both of you.”
Brad leaned forward and ran his hands through his greasy hair. “And I need her, Mal.”
Anger began to rise within her. “And you still have her, Brad. You’re talking like she’s bloody dead or something. Stop it.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m just struggling to get my head around all of this. One minute she was wrapping Christmas gifts, and the next she was in agony. I felt so fucking useless, and I still feel fucking useless.”
“Well, you’re not useless. You’re a new father who’s worried about the well-being of his son and his wife. No man would cope well in that situation. Just… just do your best to stay strong. I’ll do whatever I can for the next few days, and after Christmas I’ll come back down if you need me.”
Brad’s smile was tinged with sadness. “Thanks, Mal. You’re a great friend. The best, in fact. Now go on in and see her.”
Mallory nodded and stood. She smoothed her skirt down and took a deep breath. Come on, McBradden, you can do this. Practise what you preach. Be strong. She walked through the door to the room and gasped. Josie was, as Brad had warned her, hooked up to monitors and drips. Her skin was pale and grey. Her eyes were closed, and the skin around them was sunken and dark. She had clearly been through the wringer.
Sadness washed over Mallory, and her stomach knotted. She walked over and sat beside her best friend, grasping her limp hand and stroking her thumb over her pallid skin. The smell of disinfectant assaulted her nostrils, bringing back memories of her own stays in hospital. Although hers had been somewhat happier occasions.
The continuous and regular bleeping of the heart monitor was a reassuring sign that all was as well as it could be under the circumstances. But Mallory found herself glancing over every couple of minutes just to make sure. She wanted nothing more than for Josie to wake and tell her off for being a soppy cow. Josie always told things as she saw them, and Mallory would’ve loved the banter right now.
“Hey, bestie… you gave us quite a scare. I’m… I can’t believe that you’re in here attached to machines when your beautiful little boy is waiting to meet you. You must get better soon, Jo
sie. You must.” Her voice broke and she clenched her eyes shut for a moment. Willing herself to be positive, she opened them. “When you’re better, we’re going to have a big celebration. You could bring your little family up to Scotland, and we can introduce your son to his future wife. Oh, Jose, can you imagine that? Sylvie and… oh, gosh, you have to wake up so you can name your son. Baby Farnham is a bit of a mouthful really.” She sat in silence for a few moments. “Greg thinks I’m going off him. He’s gotten all worried. I have no clue why. Well… that’s not exactly true. I’ve been thinking about Sam a lot lately. Greg has seen me drifting off into my own little world, and he thinks I’m regretting being with him. I’m not. I adore Greg. Remember that time when you said that Sam was some kind of guardian angel who led me to Greg? Well… I think you were right. You’re usually right. That’s why I need you to get better. I need you in my life, Josie. And so does that gorgeous baby boy.”
The door opened and a nurse walked in. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave now. We need to run some more tests.”
Mallory stood. “Oh… right. Yes, of course. I’ll come back tomorrow if that’s okay?”
“Of course. We’re hoping to see some improvements. I’ve just mentioned to Mr Farnham that we’ll contact him if there are any changes.”
“Thanks.” She looked back to Josie. “I’ve got to go, honey. But I’ll come back tomorrow. I think I’ll go to the shop and open up for a few hours. It might do me good to be there again. And I know how much you’ll panic if you find out it’s been closed.” She bent to kiss her friend’s forehead. “See you soon, sweetie. Keep getting well. I love you.” She squeezed Josie’s hand, and with a heavy heart, left the room.
Back at Brad and Josie’s house that night, Mallory lay in the guest room bed, unable to sleep. She could hear Brad moving around downstairs and was toying with the idea of going down and making them both a hot chocolate. But the house phone began to ring and she sat bolt upright. Brad had answered. She tried to hear what was being said, but he obviously was trying to stay quiet so as not to wake her. She grabbed her robe and pulled it on whilst making her way downstairs, panicking at why the phone would be ringing at this time of night.
Christmas Presence Page 3
