by Anna Jacobs
Peggy lay in bed, closing her eyes but not dozing this time. She had too much to think about. Was it really possible that she was pregnant? She’d been desperately wanting a baby for the past few months; she didn’t know why, she just had.
They wouldn’t tell her that if it wasn’t true, surely? No, of course not, and anyway she trusted Sarisha far more than she trusted doctors.
What would Mike say about it?
It took a few minutes of fighting tears before she could face the truth: he’d say to get rid of the baby. It only took a few seconds longer for her to add mentally that she would never do that.
Another thought crept into her mind: he’d think she’d got pregnant on purpose and would probably claim that he wasn’t the father. It could only be his, though.
She pressed both hands to her belly, feeling protective in a way she’d never experienced before. What could Mike actually do about preventing her from having the baby? Nothing.
She’d been hoping against hope that he’d marry her, but he’d been absolutely scathing about ‘golden shackles’ and had told her he wanted to split up because she was getting too clingy. Give the rat his due. He’d always made it clear that marriage wasn’t on the cards. The trouble was, he could say such charming, romantic things when he wanted to make love that she’d started to hope she was his special woman, the one who changed his mind.
It took her a while longer to admit to herself that even if he was forced to take responsibility for the baby, he’d make her life a misery about it because he wasn’t a big earner. And she was quite sure he wouldn’t want her to move back in with him and bring the baby.
She’d seen him swerve to avoid approaching a baby or small child at one of his family functions. They’d had a big argument once when she stopped to chat to his cousin’s two-year-old, who’d only wanted to show them her toy rabbit.
It was as if she was seeing Mike clearly for the first time. Oh, what a fool she’d been to keep on hoping he’d change. He hadn’t lied to her; she’d lied to herself.
She rubbed her aching forehead as memories played back at her, and then suddenly she began to sob. What was she going to do? How would she cope?
Then arms went round her and she knew Sarisha had come back. ‘I must be – the most stupid woman – on the whole planet to have got together with him.’
Soft laughter surprised her. ‘There are a lot of women stupid enough to fall in love with the wrong man. And vice versa. What matters now is whether you’re stupid enough to stay fixated on your fellow.’ She patted the bedcovers above Peggy’s stomach. ‘Or are you going to put your little one first?’ She waited and leant sideways to get a tissue from the box beside the bed. ‘Here. Blow your nose and think about your baby. He or she needs some more food.’
That caught Peggy’s attention. Was it a girl or a boy? She’d love it already whichever it was.
Sarisha now had a small pot in her hand. ‘Here we go. Just a few more mouthfuls. For the baby’s sake. It’s a sort of fancy yoghurt.’
‘No sugar in it?’
‘Perish the thought.’
‘What exactly is in it?’
She lied again. ‘A special low-calorie protein.’
When Aaron and Emma got home they saw a police car outside the house next door, its lights flashing.
‘What the hell has happened now?’ He waited impatiently for the garage door to rise, and could immediately see that the lights weren’t on in the living area.
‘Where’s Mara? Shouldn’t she be home by now? It’s too early for her to have gone to bed, surely?’
‘You’d think so. She wouldn’t be sitting in the dark, though. Perhaps she’s still with Hal next door.’
‘That’s where the police are.’
He didn’t wait for the garage door to finish going down but rushed out to the patio. When Mara wasn’t anywhere to be seen he headed next door, stopping dead with one leg over the wall when he saw the window that someone had tried to smash. ‘Look at that!’
Emma joined him as a police officer came across to them. ‘And you are, sir?’
‘We’re the neighbours and – Oh, there you are, Mara. Are you all right?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘What’s happened?’
‘We came back to find that someone had tried to break in. Hal is just answering a few questions.’
The officer looked from her to Aaron. ‘No need to tell me that you’re a relative of this gentleman.’
‘He’s my father.’
In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Aaron beamed at her.
It was half an hour before the police had finished asking questions and checking for fingerprints.
One of the officers said, ‘The intruders didn’t get inside so there’s no need for us to bring a forensics team to check the interior. We’ll put the word out to keep an eye open for canal break-ins and if you hear any suspicious noises or you’re bothered again in any way, please call us at once.’
Hal nodded. ‘I shan’t hesitate. I’ll have to find someone to repair that window ASAP. I wonder where to get that glass. It might be among my mother’s paperwork.’
The other officer was answering a call and turned to his colleague. ‘Traffic accident just south of the bridge. Can we attend?’
‘Yes.’
‘Sorry, sir, they want us to leave straight away.’
When he’d seen them out, Hal came back and looked at the others. ‘Please sit down. I need a drink. Can I get you folk anything?’
‘A whisky would be lovely,’ Emma said. ‘It’s been one of those evenings! We had an unexpected visit to the hospital.’
Mara stiffened. ‘Are you both all right?’
‘It was for Peggy. She fainted.’
‘May I interrupt a minute? My mother only had one sort of whisky.’ Hal showed her the bottle.
‘That’ll do fine. I’m not a snob about what I drink.’
‘I’d prefer a beer,’ Aaron said. ‘If you haven’t got any, I’ll nip next door and fetch some. I’ve got plenty at home.’
‘I do have a couple of bottles.’ Hal smiled. ‘But that’s all. It depends how drunk you want to get. Go on. Tell us about your evening. What was wrong with your daughter?’
When they’d all brought each other up to date, Emma nudged Aaron with her elbow. ‘Time we older folk were getting to bed now.’
But to her disappointment, Mara stood up as well. ‘I think we could all do with an early night.’
Hal walked to the door with them, hesitated, then grabbed Mara’s arm and waited till his neighbours had tactfully led the way into their house. ‘Did you mean it about helping me with Mum’s clothes?’
‘Yes, of course I did.’
‘Then I’ll see you in the morning perhaps?’
‘About ten be all right? I want to find out how Peggy is before I start.’
‘That’d be fine.’
He walked slowly back inside and sat for a long time with an untasted refill of his drink in his hand, trying to work out why someone would be targeting him. Or perhaps they were targeting his house?
Yes, that might be it. The person wanting to buy it had sent an agent to approach him as soon as he arrived, so he must be extremely eager. And the would-be buyer’s real estate agent had already approached him again. That didn’t necessarily mean they were behind this, but he felt they were the most likely. Who else could be causing trouble? He didn’t know anyone in Mandurah except for his neighbours and he couldn’t imagine his quiet, reclusive mother making enemies.
Did this person really think he’d sell the house out of fear of intruders? He must be crazy.
Hal yawned. He’d not learn anything by sitting here, so he went up to bed, setting the alarm system for the rest of the house after he’d locked the door of his suite. He was really glad to have that protection, would be much more careful to use it from now on. He’d been lulled into a false sense of security by the peaceful surroundings, should have known b
etter.
Unfortunately he didn’t have any protection from his thoughts, which stopped him falling asleep easily. He was sorry the incident had spoilt the rest of his evening with Mara. You couldn’t mistake it when someone was as attracted to you as you were to them. Early stages, but still, there it was. He didn’t intend to let the opportunity to get to know her slip.
He really liked her. As well as being attractive physically, she had an honesty and openness to her that he really appreciated.
His thoughts kept going back to the attempted break-ins. First thing tomorrow he’d go online and see what he could find out about the real estate agency that had sent a rep to approach him, and the rep herself.
And then after that … he yawned, snuggled down a little and let the world slip gently away.
Chapter Fifteen
Peggy woke late, for her. Nearly nine o’clock by the numerals on the dial next to her bed. Hold on! That wasn’t her clock, and where was that beeping coming from? So annoying.
It took a few minutes for her to remember where she was and why. By that time a nurse had come in and was taking her blood pressure, promising to bring in a light breakfast shortly.
‘I’m not hungry,’ she said automatically, then hesitated. ‘But perhaps I’ll just eat a few mouthfuls.’
The nurse wasn’t anything like Sarisha and gave her a disapproving look but didn’t say anything else.
Peggy forced down a few spoonfuls of the same mush and asked if she could have something more healthy to eat next time, like fruit.
‘I can get you a banana now, if you like, but only if you eat all your porridge first.’
She sat staring at it for a while, then managed to choke the rest down. She had to lean back against her pillows for a while afterwards, feeling like throwing up, but then she remembered the baby and the quick rush of joy banished the remaining nausea.
She unpeeled one end of the banana. She wasn’t hungry now but Sarisha was right: the baby would need her to eat more. She took a bite and then forced down a couple more mouthfuls until a voice made her jump.
‘Hi, Pegs.’
She looked up to see her brother standing in the doorway, and why the sight of him should bring tears to her eyes, she couldn’t think. ‘Rufus. Come in.’
‘I will if you’ll finish eating that banana.’
‘I can’t. I had a whole bowl of mush first.’
He came across and gave her one of his rare hugs. ‘You’ve let that sod brainwash you about food. Just because he’s a walking skeleton doesn’t mean the rest of the world has to be.’
She could only shrug and took another small bite of banana to hide her inability to respond as sharply as usual. Rufus had said the same thing several times before.
‘Does Mike know about the baby?’ he asked.
‘No. How do you know?’
‘Mum phoned me. I got worried about you, so Jenn said I should come and visit you to set my mind at rest.’
‘If you had to be forced to come, you needn’t have bothered.’
‘She didn’t force me, you idiot, no one needed to do that. I thought if I could see you were all right, I might manage not to punch Mike in the face next time I run into him.’
She gaped at him. Rufus had never got into fights, not even when he was younger and less in control of his temper.
He shrugged. ‘I know. Fighting is so not me. But you’re my sister and my disgust with that fellow is rather strong, so for once it’d give me a great deal of satisfaction to wallop him. I’d be quite safe. He’s a real limp lettuce physically. Makes me feel like Tarzan.’
‘He’s lean and toned.’
‘No way. He’s scraggy and skeletal. There’s nothing toned about that oik. When does he ever do any exercise? And don’t you dare let him take you over again. I lost my sister for a while there.’
‘You needn’t worry. I’m not even going to try to go back to him because he wouldn’t want the baby – and I do. Very much.’
‘Good. I brought you the traditional hospital present.’ He picked up his shoulder bag and pulled out a paper bag containing a small bunch of grapes.
She stared at them. They were full of sugar, but also vitamins, and she need only eat a few at a time. ‘Thank you.’
‘If you eat one now I can have one too.’ He plucked one off the bunch and held it towards her mouth.
She forced herself to eat it and was surprised that she’d forgotten how nice they tasted. How long was it since she’d eaten a grape? ‘Only the one. I’ve just finished a huge breakfast.’
‘OK.’ He ate one and nodded. ‘Mmm. They’re good. I might buy another bunch on the way home. Jenn likes grapes, too.’
‘You’re all settled in with her now?’
‘We’re still getting used to one another’s small ways. I wouldn’t call that “settled in”. But it’s a promising start and I hope we’ll end up together.’
His smile at the thought of his partner was so fond that Peggy felt like weeping with jealousy and had to dig her fingernails into the palms of her hands to keep her emotions under control.
‘When Mum told me you were going to make me an uncle, I felt very happy. Hopefully it’ll be a girl and won’t look at all like Mr Scarecrow.’ He chuckled. ‘Remember how you used to call them “squarecroaks” when you were little.’
She couldn’t help chuckling at that, then her smile faded. ‘You never did like Mike, did you?’
‘No. Are you really not going back to him?’
‘He wouldn’t have me and anyway, he loathes the idea of having children. I do want them. So very much. What sort of life would this poor thing have even if he did take me back?’
‘A very unhappy one. And so would you. Don’t do it, Pegs.’
‘Don’t worry. I won’t. I’ve already worked that out. The baby comes first from now on.’
After he’d been there for a few minutes, Sarisha bustled into the room. ‘You’re looking a lot better this morning, Peggy.’ She turned to Rufus. ‘Time’s up, Mr Buchanan. Ten minutes is long enough until your sister has her body functioning properly again.’
When he’d gone, she produced what looked like a jelly baby sweet.
‘I shan’t be eating any sweets,’ Peggy said firmly.
‘This isn’t a sweet; it’s a vitamin pill in disguise. We give them to children this way, but I think you’ll digest this type better than the standard pill.’
She didn’t want to put anything else into her mouth. ‘I’ve just had a huge breakfast. Can’t that thing wait till later?’
‘Not if you want to build yourself up a bit and be released into the wild again.’
‘What do you mean by that? I can release myself at any time.’
‘I don’t think you’re that stupid. Your mother has arranged for us to keep you here in our special unit for a while.’
‘What’s special about it?’
‘It’s for anorexics at risk because of other factors. Until you prove that you can manage your body properly, you really do need to stay here. You said you wanted the baby. Didn’t you mean it?’
‘Of course I did.’
‘Good. The dietician will work with you to make sure you eat super-healthily and that you’re eating enough. We’ll be monitoring the baby’s progress as well as yours.’
‘Or I could just walk out and choose my own food.’
‘And look where that’s brought you. Would you really do that to your baby? It can’t grow properly without nourishment. Not to mention how it’d affect your parents, who’re outside now, anxiously waiting their turn to see you.’
‘Oh, very well. I suppose I’ll stay on for a while. I trust you not to let me get fat, though.’
That firm hand came down on hers. ‘No one who works here will try to make you fat, I promise. Fat isn’t healthy either. Now, swallow that vitamin then let me show in your parents.’
‘I feel such a fool winding up here. What shall I say to Mum and Dad?’
Sari
sha smiled. ‘They’ll probably hog the conversation telling you how worried they’ve been. Just say you’re sorry. Ask them to tell you about the excitement at your new neighbour’s last night.’ On that she whisked out of the room.
Footsteps heralded the arrival of Peggy’s parents and somehow she got through the short visit without upsetting them still further.
She couldn’t believe there had been an attempted break-in next door, or that Mara, who seemed rather quiet and plump, had been out with Hal Kendrell, the poet’s son. What could he see in a podge like her?
By the time they left she was ready for a nap and this quiet place was perfect for it. Her visit from her parents had made her realise that she didn’t want to go home until she could cope with other people hovering over her and pestering her to eat.
She drifted into a favourite fantasy, wishing she could find a cave deep in a green, leafy forest and hibernate there for a while, especially now, when she needed to adjust to such important new parameters to her life.
Should she tell Mike about the baby? On the one hand, it seemed only fair; on the other, he might – no, make that would create a fuss about it, or even try to cause trouble for her.
How quickly her life was changing and with it, her attitude to Mike.
She not only wanted that baby very much indeed, she didn’t want him coming anywhere near it.
Mara woke up the morning after the attempted break-in feeling happy. While the evening had brought trouble, it had also brought her a new friendship. She really liked Hal, with his quiet, unassuming ways and his lovely tall body. She was looking forward to spending the day with him.
The main cloud on the horizon was still there, however. When she phoned her father, she once again got no answer and had to leave another message. Was her mother deleting the messages?
If she didn’t catch him in today, she was going to phone the neighbour and ask Sally to check on him. They’d been living next door to one another for many years and Mara was very fond of her, as if she was an honorary aunt.
Why hadn’t she thought of Sally before? She’d be ideally situated to judge the situation and find out if Mara needed to go home.
