Chapter 6
6
The hospital fundraisers always drew a crowd and the idea for a sports day had grown out of a tug of war event at a previous summer fair. It had got the spectators on their feet and cheering for their chosen team and, according to Danni and Esther, the midwives had made short work of the A he’s got to take you somewhere with plenty of sunshine, where you can get your fill of vitamin D.’
‘Not to mention the calcium.’ Isla smiled at the blank looks on their faces. ‘There are plenty of cocktails containing cream, and a nice white Russian in the sunshine could be just what the doctor ordered.’
‘Or at least the doctor will pretend she didn’t hear that!’ Danni laughed, but the smile had slid off Christine’s face.
‘Oh my God! Robert’s on his way back from a fishing trip, but he won’t he home until late this evening. And my daughter and son-in-law are away for their wedding anniversary. I’ve got the kids tonight, and I’m supposed to be picking Joel and Freddie up from their match at Jury Park in Padstow. I need to be there by five.’
‘We could go and get them for you.’ Isla’s grandfather looked towards his wife, who nodded. ‘It’ll be a bit of a squeeze for them in the back of the Micra, but I’m sure they won’t mind.’
‘I said I’d give two of the other boys a lift home as well, and it’s our turn to wash the kit.’ Christine tried to sit up, forcing Isla to gently rest a hand on her shoulder.
‘Sorry to butt in, but as luck would have it, yesterday we traded in Aidan’s old car for a seven-seater.’ Jase, who’d been standing on the edge of the group, crouched down beside her. ‘I know Joel and Freddie from school, and probably the other boys too. I can pick them up and take them to our place, or stay with them at yours until Robert gets home.’
‘That’s great, but what about getting Christine to hospital?’ Isla looked at Danni.
‘Esther’s just texted to say that the St John Ambulance team are going to take her. It’ll be a lot more comfortable than a car, and much quicker than waiting for an ambulance, given that she won’t be a priority.’
‘It sounds like the perfect solution then, Christine, what do you think?’ Jase was still looking down at her.
‘I bet that’s the last thing you want to do on your day off, spend it chauffeuring around the kids you have to put up with all week.’
‘They’re the ones who have to put up with me.’ Jase smiled. ‘And it’ll be great to hear how they got on. From what I gather, the Three Ports under-tens are in with a good chance of finishing at the top of the league this year.’
‘At least you stake a claim in one trophy this summer then, Christine, because judging by the shouts coming from the track, the A after all, Isla had made the offer to Aidan outside the hospital shop, and St Piran’s had a notoriously efficient grapevine. ‘And I gather it’s something they’re hoping for.’
‘Well I really hope they get their wish.’ Joy’s tone was resolute, and if Isla didn’t take the opportunity now, she never would.
‘I’m really glad you think that, Nan, because I’m going to help them.’ She couldn’t take her eyes off her grandmother’s face as she waited for her to respond.
‘Do you mean carry their baby?’ Joy furrowed her brow, the concern in her expression as obvious as it was in her voice.
‘No, I don’t think I could do that, but I’m going to donate my eggs and then they’ll find a surrogate to carry the baby.’ Isla inhaled deeply; she needed to get the rest of the words out without pausing for breath. Then at least she’d have told half of her family. ‘I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. It was because of someone else’s generosity that I got to grow up as Nick Marlowe’s daughter, and your granddaughter. I couldn’t have asked for better parents, or grandparents, and I want to give that to someone else. At first I was going to do it anonymously, but it feels like even more of a gift to be able to do it for someone who I know deserves this chance as much as Aidan and Jase do. I hope you’ll be happy about it, and I’ll respect how you feel if you aren’t. But I’ve got to tell you that I’m going to be doing it anyway.’
‘I didn’t think I could be any prouder of you than I already am.’ Isla’s grandmother pulled her into a hug, and her grandpa wrapped his arms around both of them.
‘Well done.’ Gwen mouthed the word to Isla, as she locked eyes with the older woman again over her grandmother’s shoulder. She’d never have imagined it could be so emotional to have a conversation like that, while a woman dressed as a cockroach was looking on, but if she’d had any doubt left that she was making the right decision, every trace of it was gone. Now all she had to do was get through the fertility clinic screenings and then tell her mum and sister what she was planning to do.