Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
D illy woke up in Max’s arms, overlooking the tranquil stretch of the sea. The sky was a brilliant blue, and boats bobbed gently on the water, creating an Instagram-worthy photograph. Max was still asleep, and as she tried to gently move from his embrace, his grip tightened, and he pulled her closer. ‘Where do you think you’re going?’ he murmured with his eyes still closed but a smile on his face.
‘Good morning,’ she replied, resting her head against his chest. ‘How are you feeling?’ she asked.
‘On top of the world,’ he replied, kissing the top of her head. ‘I actually feel like this was meant to be, and I know it’s early days, but we can navigate this as slowly or as quickly as you want.’
Hearing his heartbeat, Dilly briefly closed her eyes, trying to savour the moment. She knew she should be feeling on top of the world too, but the secret she still kept from him was going to well and truly burst his bubble. ‘Max,’ she began gently, knowing she had to get this over with, even though it would spoil the magic of their night together. She could kick herself for getting carried away in the heat of the moment before telling him the truth.
Before he could answer, the alarm went off on his phone, making them jump. ‘Shoot! I have to be at work in thirty minutes. It’s a good job it’s a short commute,’ he joked.
‘And I’m going to have to sneak out without my dad seeing me, otherwise we’ll have some questions to answer.’
‘You don’t have to sneak around for me. I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to get a move on.’ He pulled the covers back and stood up, completely naked. Dilly couldn’t help but stare. He was bloody gorgeous and all she could think about was how she’d completely messed everything up.
As soon as Max was dressed, he walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes full of mischief. ‘I wish I had the day off and we could just lie here all day,’ he said, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face before he kissed her, making Dilly’s heart flutter. All she wanted to do was pull him back under the sheets.
‘Me too,’ she replied, kissing him back. ‘I could do this all day.’
‘I think we probably did it all night. I’ll be falling asleep on the job by mid-morning.’
‘It’s a good job you didn’t fall asleep on the job last night,’ she teased. ‘But Max, we do need to talk,’ she began, her voice a little unsteady. She reached out, taking his hand in hers.
Max’s eyes sparkled. ‘You have nothing to worry about, I promise. I’ve been upfront and honest about my situation, and I know we might have a few bumps in the road where Lydia’s concerned, but it won’t last for ever and as soon as she realises we’re unbreakable, she’ll move on. Please don’t worry… about anything. Now, I have to go.’ Max kissed her one last time before he walked to the bedroom door. ‘The door is on the latch so it will lock when you leave.’ The door shut and Dilly slumped back onto the pillow.
Staring up at the ceiling, she felt guilty. Just a week ago, if someone had told her she’d be pregnant by a romance scammer and that the love of her life would walk through the gallery door, she’d have thought they were deluded. Yet here she was, entangled in a predicament of her own making, unsure how to navigate it all. There were already two tasks on her to-do list today: the first was to attend her doctor’s appointment and the second was to talk to her dad about having seen her mum. But she didn’t want to do either of those things until she’d talked to Clemmie about the gigantic mess she’d got herself into. Quickly, she pulled on her clothes and slipped on her shoes. Within five minutes she was on her way back home.
She texted Clemmie.
I’ve got myself into a fine mess.
Clemmie replied immediately.
Why, what have you done now? Spent a night with an utterly gorgeous art teacher? Because if that’s a fine mess, I’d say it’s more like winning the lottery!
How do you know about that?
Dilly texted back, hoping that it wasn’t common gossip around the island but knowing it was a possibility given the way things spread like wildfire. Still, she didn’t want the whole island knowing just yet, not when she’d barely had time to process things herself.
I was doing the deliveries and spotted you sneaking out of the boat house. Pretty sure you weren’t just admiring the boats at this time in the morning.
Dilly couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s quick wit.
I was just … uh … making sure the boats didn’t float away in the middle of the night!
Clemmie responded with a laughing emoji.
Sure, sure. And I’m guessing that includes making sure Max didn’t float away too, right?
Dilly rolled her eyes, chuckling as she typed.
What can I say? I’m just doing my civic duty, keeping Max and the boats in check. Someone’s got to do it!
Oh, the things you do for the greater good. Heroic, really. I’ll make sure to nominate you for a bravery award in the next island meeting.
Dilly laughed out loud, shaking her head.
Please do. But I am in a fine mess, can you come round?
Dilly didn’t want to type out her tangled web of emotions over the phone.
I’m on my way, I’ve just finished deliveries and can spare thirty minutes. Get the kettle on.
Dilly felt a wave of relief knowing her best friend would soon be there to advise her on what exactly she should do.
They arrived at the gallery only moments apart and Clemmie immediately zoned in on Dilly’s dishevelled appearance. ‘Look at that bed hair.’ A mischievous grin spread across Clemmie’s face. ‘I’m hoping the sex was good because, honestly, I’d be a bit miffed trying to get those tangles out of my hair if it wasn’t.’
Dilly’s cheeks flamed red as she sputtered. ‘Clemmie!’ She laughed. ‘And for your information the sex was off the scale, the best I’ve ever had.’
‘Come on, spill the details while you make me a brew. You’ve got that post-romantic glow, and I need to hear all about Mr Harrington’s artistic skills.’
Dilly rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile as they headed up the stairs towards the kitchen.
‘And what’s this about a fine mess?’ Clemmie asked, looking at her friend with concern. ‘He’s not still in a relationship, is he?’
Dilly sighed, glancing over her shoulder at her friend. ‘No, he’s free as a bird, but he doesn’t know I’m pregnant.’
Clemmie leaned against the kitchen counter. ‘If it’s a one-night stand, he doesn’t have to know. It’s no one else’s business but yours.’
Dilly took the mugs out of the cupboard, making the tea before turning to face Clemmie. The look on her face made Clemmie’s eyes widen in sudden realisation. ‘Oh, you want it to be more.’
She sat down across from Dilly, her eyes locked onto her friend’s.
Dilly took a deep breath. ‘I know I said that after Giles I wouldn’t want another man as long as I live, but I’ve always had feelings for Max and they’re still there,’ she confessed. ‘If anything, they’re now deeper than ever after last night. But it’s not going to happen again.’
‘Why can’t it happen again? He’s a decent, genuine guy, from what I remember.’
‘Oh, he is,’ Dilly agreed. ‘Even my dad thinks so and we both know what he thought of Giles. Not that my dad knows anything about this,’ she quickly added.
‘A baby would be a bonus,’ Clemmie continued, leaning forward. ‘An extension of you.’
Dilly shook her head. ‘The father of this baby is… scum,’ she said, her voice hardening. ‘I can’t think of another word for him.’
Clemmie reached out, placing a comforting hand on Dilly’s arm. ‘If you’re really serious about each other, you can work this out and become a family.’
Dilly exhaled. ‘It’s impossible. I’m breaking a confidence when I tell you this, but I have to share it with someone, and I know I can trust you.’
‘Go on.’
Dilly hesitated. She felt a twinge of guilt for betraying Max’s trust, but she needed to confide in someone. She told Clemmie all about Lydia, from the fake pregnancy to the current real one, fathered by Max’s former best friend.
‘What a?—’
‘Cow,’ interrupted Dilly ‘And after he told me everything, his exact words were that he wasn’t sticking around to bring up another man’s child.’ Dilly placed her hands on her stomach. ‘And this is another man’s child.’
They sat in silence for a moment before Clemmie spoke. ‘This is different though, and you aren’t Lydia. That sounds like quite a toxic relationship and it seems she was a compulsive liar.’
Dilly heard Clemmie’s words but her mind was wandering, seeing the look on Max’s face and hearing the tone of his voice when he’d declared he wasn’t bringing up another man’s child. She knew that he had been through the mill in his marriage, harassed by Lydia’s relentless lies and her often physical temper. She could only imagine how emotionally shattered he must be. What if this pushed him over the edge?
‘Is it that different though?’ Dilly asked. ‘I have a past, and I’ve not shared any of it with Max. Yet he sat there, pouring his heart out, telling me everything. He’s going to think I’m as bad as Lydia, sleeping with him and not telling him the truth… that I’m pregnant.’
For a moment, Clemmie was quiet. ‘You do have options,’ she said cautiously.
‘What do you mean?’
‘It’s a difficult thing to think about, but you could terminate the pregnancy. That’ll mean you don’t carry the stigma of Giles and you wouldn’t have to tell Max anything about it. I’m not saying it’s an easy decision to make, but it is an option,’ Clemmie suggested.
‘A termination?’ Dilly repeated.
‘All I’m saying is that you do have options, and no one would think any less of you. This baby is going to tie you to Giles for ever, even if you and I are the only ones who know who its father is.’
Clemmie’s words lingered in the air, presenting Dilly with a stark reality she hadn’t even considered.