Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Juliette had been feeling nauseous for most of the morning, so once she’d had a bite to eat at lunchtime, she planned to get her head into some work.
Since she’d found out she was pregnant, she’d been worrying about the business and how she was going to manage it with a baby alongside it.
She needed to have a think about how much time she wanted to take for maternity leave.
Work at the moment took up about thirty hours.
Once Danny was home, she reckoned she could fit that around having a child, after having a few months off.
Working for yourself wasn’t like having a conventional job.
Although she wouldn’t be entitled to maternity pay, thirty hours a week fitted around seven days was just over four hours a day.
She could do that when the child was asleep, or with Danny in an evening if push came to shove.
Besides, she could always get an assistant if necessary.
Perhaps she could do that for three months around the birth anyway.
If she could get someone to help virtually, that would lessen the burden.
She would look into that. She didn’t want to lose her clients, nor did she want to become a full-time mum. She enjoyed her work too much.
She smiled, thinking of next summer when Bump would be with them. Everything would be so rosy. Then she snorted. Having a baby wasn’t all sweetness and light. It was hard work, even if rewarding. But the thought of ten tiny fingers, ten small toes and a button nose made her shiver in anticipation.
Juliette hoped her age wouldn’t go against her. It was a nice idea, like Danny had suggested, that maybe they could have one child, perhaps even two more, but right now she’d be happy with a healthy one.
At the kitchen window, she spotted Sarah out in her garden. There was no sign of Richard. She checked the drive to see his car wasn’t there. It was unusual to see Sarah out when Richard had left. She went over to the hedge.
‘Hi, Sarah.’ She waved as the woman looked in her direction.
Sarah waved back.
‘How are you?’ she added when Sarah didn’t move.
Finally Sarah got up and came towards her. ‘I’m fine. How are you?’
Buoyed with her news, she decided it would be fine to tell her. ‘Can you keep a secret?’
‘What is it?’
‘I’m not really supposed to tell anyone yet, so don’t mention anything to Danny. I found out a few days ago that I’m pregnant.’
‘Oh, wow,’ Sarah cried. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Thanks. I can’t quite believe it.’
‘When are you due?’
‘Next spring. I’m eight weeks gone.’ Juliette beamed at her. ‘Danny and I are super pleased. And I know people might think that we’re replacing Emily, but it will never be like that.’
‘Of course not. I’m sure no one would be that silly.’
‘I know. I think about her every day. And every day, it gets a little less painful to realise that she’s gone. But still, it’s a way of looking forward to the future again.’
‘Well, I’m thrilled for you.’ Sarah nodded, then wiped at her cheek.
‘Hey.’ Juliette noticed her tears. ‘I’m sorry. I know talking about pregnancies can upset people. Me and my big mouth. I hope I haven’t offended you.’
‘It’s not that.’ Sarah gnawed on her bottom lip. ‘I don’t know how long I can keep doing this.’
‘Doing what?’
‘It’s so deceitful.’
‘What is?’
Sarah stood there for a moment, her face telling a tale of anguish. ‘I-I haven’t been honest with you.’ She looked up at Juliette. ‘You remember the child you thought you saw in the garden?’
‘How could I forget? I feel so stupid now and I—’
‘No, it wasn’t your imagination. She’s real.’