Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
N ina had placed an advert on social media for her upcoming sale. She did not want mayhem in the shop so had led those who clicked on her advert to the appointment page on her website. Slots began to fill up over the day, thirty minutes apart. She listed all the stock and sizes on the page explaining that she would pass customers on to her seamstress for any alterations. Luckily, she had the more common sizes in the shop and her seamstress could do wonders. She knew the next couple of weeks would be extremely busy but up until then, she would take it easy, rearrange the shop and set up a spreadsheet to manage what was still in, so that she could simply add ‘sold’ to the listings on her site. She was only in for half of the day as Jaz was picking her up to take her to Bristol for the ultrasound. She was booked into a private hospital in the Clifton area of Bristol, which Dr Gupta suggested and her mother had insisted on paying for when she had been to her parents for dinner, saying she was a mature mother and would need the best possible care.
There was no market that day. The council had pedestrianised the market square so it was quiet and she could no longer park outside her shop. While it was inconvenient, she had promoted it to be a traffic-free zone herself and suggested the measure. It meant that she’d arranged to meet Jaz at a nearby car park. As she reached the agreed meeting place, she spotted Jaz’s car and got inside.
“I’m looking forward to this, hun,” Jaz said. “Have you heard from Ethan?”
“I’ve not taken his calls as I don’t want to discuss the baby and let him know that it’s here to stay, until I have the full facts. He sent me a text saying he assumes I want to have space, realising how difficult these situations can be for a woman and that when I’m ready to talk about it, to give him a call.”
“That’s good of him,” Jaz said sarcastically and put the car into gear and slowly drove towards the car park exit.
“I feel awful not being honest with him.”
“He’ll come around. He’ll have to.”
“I hope so. The only relationship strain we’ve had before is when we’re too busy, not being able to see much of each other. We’ve always been so good together, I can’t even remember us arguing.”
Jaz laughed. “Sounds a lot tamer than our household!”
Nina smiled. “Everyone knows you and Julian love each other.” She looked out of the window as Jaz queued at the light. “I’m fine with Ethan being away. I know he’s committed to this job in Qatar. I’m happy to do most of the childcare and we can have quality time as a family when he’s back.”
“It’s all going to work out fine, hun,” Jaz said. “Everyone can see Ethan adores you. He was just shocked.”
Nina smiled and felt much better discussing it with Jaz. She was always clear and to the point. “I’m sure we can work through it.”
“He’ll feel differently once he’s had time to get his head around it. As you know, I always shied away from kids. I ran away and left Julian and Noah, and now look at me, I’m a full- time step mum and do most of the parenting of Belle and Mikey. If I can have a change of heart, I’m sure Ethan can!”
Nina laughed. “You’ve done well, Jaz.”
Jaz sighed. “I’m having issues with Belle, though. Something’s bothering her and she won’t tell me what it is.”
“Do you want me to have a word with her?” Nina asked. She always got on well with the girl and Belle often chattered away to her.
“It would be great if you could come to darts tomorrow at the pub. I’ll bring Belle, it’s not really for kids but she’s bound to ask if she can tag along. And it’ll get her away from Mikey and Noah. It could be them getting on her nerves, she stayed at Mum’s for an extra day last week.”
“Of course I’ll chat to her,” Nina said. “But I don’t want to mention my pregnancy to the villagers, not until I know what the situation is with Ethan. No one knows do they?”
“Only if they’ve overheard me and Julian, I haven’t told anyone else.” She paused. “I don’t think!”
“Don’t worry, Jaz, it’ll be out soon enough but I’d like to keep it quiet at least until Ethan realises I’m keeping the baby.” Nina smiled at Jaz. She knew she had a problem keeping secrets which was amusing because Jaz hated gossip and didn’t gossip at all, but she blurted things out by mistake. They chatted about Nina’s planned dress sale as they headed for the Bristol-based clinic and Nina began to relax.
Jaz parked up and they went to the reception and after a short wait were directed to the consulting room. After completing a questionnaire about her medical history and her last remembered period, she was asked to lay on the examination bed. Nina felt the cool gel being applied to her stomach and watched the monitor as the black and white image of her child came into view.
“It’s moving!” Jaz said as she put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, hun. It’s so cute.”
Nina smiled. “Hello little one,” she said to the screen as the doctor used the equipment to take measurements. She felt a solitary tear run from the corner of her eye. It’s really happening, she thought, knowing that having seen her child on the screen, there was no way she would consider being parted from it. She was looking at a new member of her family.
Back in a chair at the doctor’s desk, she stared at the scan pictures she was given.
“Everything is as it should be,” the doctor said. “I’ve given a rough due date of the twenty-ninth of October, although as we’re not entirely sure of the last period, it could be two weeks before or after that date. I’ve booked your second scan in July by which time we should be able to tell you the sex as well, if you’d like to know.”
“Of course, and yes I probably would like to know so I can think of names.” Nina also thought of nursery decoration. Will my baby have a nursery in Shepton Mallet? They had two spare rooms, one of which was ideal and her mind brought up pictures of it decked out with baby-related furniture. She was excited for Ethan to return. Although her future was still uncertain, she knew he would be moved by the scan pictures, when he saw his own child.
Nina arrived home two hours later as she had popped into the shop then driven home in her own car. She wanted to shower and change before going to her parents for tea. She could not wait to show them the scan picture. Her phone rang, notifying her that she had a video call. Looking at the screen she saw it was coming in from Ethan. She hesitated; she couldn’t let him go any longer thinking she’d had a termination. What if their mothers bumped into each other and Sumitra told Christine? And she missed him terribly. He’d always been the person she confided in when she had a problem. She wanted the caring Ethan back, the one she laughed with. The one she loved. He’d been her world for years, her best friend. I can’t do this without him.
When she answered the call, it was to see Ethan on the screen, standing before a huge window. She realised he must have his phone at arm’s length. “I’m so pleased you answered,” he said and his voice had a slight echo to it. “I’ve found us the perfect apartment.” He moved the phone around the large open-plan space. “You’ll love it. Can you see the views?”
She gulped, not being able to really make anything out. Especially not the view which looked white on the phone. The picture settled, with his face filling the screen.
“It’s been a tough week for you. And I’m an idiot and was harsh the other day. I’m so sorry. It was insensitive of me. You’d lost your seat, your business is in trouble at an emotional time for a woman, having to deal with an unwanted pregnancy – alone.” He looked to the side. “With me out here, so many miles away.” He turned back and closer to the screen of his phone, so she could see his blue eyes. “Babe. I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. And the good news is, this apartment is in a gated community and I’ve spoken to some of the residents and you won’t be bothered at all. Why don’t you fly out and I can spoil you. There are multiple flights here a day from Heathrow.”
Nina gave a weak smile. “I’m glad you’ve calmed down.” Although she had more to say of course. She took a deep breath. “I went to a private clinic today.”
“A clinic? You couldn’t take a pill?”
This wasn’t going to be easy. “No, the pills are for women who are a couple of weeks pregnant.” She swallowed hard. “I’m a lot more pregnant than that.”
“What, so they haven’t been able to do it yet? You’re still waiting for the procedure? They should do these things straight away.”
Her throat constricted. She wanted to discuss this in person. But at least he knew she was still pregnant.
“When can they do it?” he asked.
“I’ve another appointment,” she said. Not wanting to lie.
“Babe, look work’s so busy out here. But I’ll come back early, as soon as I can and give you the biggest hug.”
“Thanks,” she said longing for him to be home, so she could feel his arms around her and explain face-to-face the reality of the situation.