Don't Want To Miss A Thing (44 page)

Chapter 54

The party was being held at the Saucy Swan. Everyone was here. Pausing for a moment to survey the scene, Molly marvelled at the changes that had taken place in their lives over the last year.

None more so than Dex, whose changes had been pretty seismic. They had also, quite possibly, been the making of him. Yesterday he had officially become Delphi’s father. The adoption order had been heard in the family court, the final papers had been signed and the order granted. It had been an emotional moment for all involved and even one or two of the social workers had wiped away a tear.

Not today, though. This was September the first, adoption celebration day. Molly’s heart gave an involuntary leap of joy as Dex reappeared from outside with Delphi on his hip. Without question, the last couple of months had been the happiest of her life; each day that passed just increased the amount of love she felt for him. The sex had been worth waiting for, but it was about so much more than that; she simply couldn’t imagine a life without Dex.

‘Look at you, ogling your boyfriend.’ Appearing at her side, Frankie gave her a teasing nudge.

‘Would you rather I ogled yours?’ Molly nodded at Henry, who was talking to Joe and Christina. Frankie wasn’t rushing into anything but Henry was fine with that; he was happy to be patient, spend weekends down here in Briarwood and give her all the time she needed. Meanwhile, an unlikely but touching friendship had developed between them and Joe’s other family. Amber, thankfully, was back on track now. Her AS level results hadn’t been as catastrophic as they’d feared and Shaun was helping her to catch up with the schoolwork she’d fallen behind on. Next week she would be starting back at school for her final year and Shaun was shortly heading off to university, but their brother-sister relationship had been forged and would endure. Best of all, the old Amber was back, cheerful and motivated and once more enjoying life to the full. The episode with Doss and his grubby druggy friends was behind her now, well and truly a thing of the past.

‘I love Muriel, by the way.’ Frankie smiled as the bright red mobility scooter with the small dog perched in the front basket manoeuvred its way through the throng of guests. ‘We were chatting to her earlier. What a character.’

‘I know. She’s fabulous.’ Molly was glad she’d stayed friendly with Muriel; since the end of her ill-fated relationship with Vince, she’d fallen into an easy email correspondence with his glamorous, outgoing grandmother. And when she’d told Muriel about the adoption party, it had seemed only natural to invite her along to help them celebrate.

Frankie pointed and said, ‘Ha, look at Addy dancing with Stefan and Hope!’

Together they watched them; Hope was living with Stefan in his caravan now, radiating happiness and enjoying being welcomed into village life. A journalist, getting wind of their romance, had
turned up in Briarwood and attempted to make a story out of the unlikely pairing. Having met with polite refusal to co-operate with him from . . . well, everyone, he had been forced to give up and go home again. Those who knew about the relationship were delighted for the pair of them. And Addy adored her grandfather’s new lady friend.

‘Lois calls her Wicked Stepmother,’ said Molly. ‘Hope loves it. They’re getting on so well together. Actually, Lois is looking amazing, don’t you think?’

There was a kind of glow about Lois. Her dark glossy ringlets swung around her shoulders, pinned back on one side by an oversized red silk rose. Her hourglass figure was encased in a scarlet and white flowered frock, cut low to show off a tanned and spectacular cleavage.

‘I like that dress she’s wearing.’ Frankie paused, then said tentatively, ‘Remember when Lois took those few days off last week? OK, this might sound stupid, and not that she needs one, but does it look to you as if she’s had a boob job?’

‘So, tell me to take a running jump if I’m being too personal, but can I ask you a question?’

Lois had just sat down to rest her feet for five minutes. She had no idea who the old lady with the mobility scooter was, other than that she was apparently a friend of Molly’s. Swallowing her mouthful of ham and tomato sandwich, she met the woman’s bright gaze and said good-naturedly, ‘Fire away.’

‘Are you pregnant?’

‘What?’ Almost choking on the just-swallowed sandwich, Lois covered her mouth.

‘Whoops, sorry. It’s just that I’ve always wanted to be one of those Miss Marple types, super-observant and noticing the clues
everyone else has missed. And I saw the way you were checking those sandwiches just then.’ The woman nodded at the array of plates on the table before them. ‘You left the ones containing mayonnaise and soft cheese.’

‘Maybe I don’t like mayonnaise and soft cheese,’ said Lois.

‘And you’re drinking plain orange juice.’

Luckily everyone else was out of earshot. Although it wasn’t something she was going to be able to hide for much longer anyway. And the woman had been observant. Lois exhaled and murmured, ‘Yes, I’m pregnant. You must be some kind of witch. No one else knows, though, so if you could be discreet I’d be grateful.’

‘Bless you, darling, discretion is my middle name. Actually it isn’t,’ said the old woman, ‘it’s Anthea.’ She stuck out her hand, beautifully manicured and heavy with jewels. ‘I’m Muriel, by the way. And congratulations.’

Lois said wryly, ‘Thank you.’

‘Oh dear. Not planned, then?’

‘You could put it like that.’

‘And the father?’

‘Doesn’t know. Will never know.’ It was actually a relief to be able to talk about the situation that had been occupying her thoughts for weeks now. Ironically, it was easier to discuss it with a stranger. ‘It’s OK,’ said Lois, ‘I’ll be fine. We’ll cope. I did it before.’ She indicated Addy, now dancing energetically with her friends. ‘And I know I can do it again. I just don’t seem to have the best judgement when it comes to men.’

‘That’s a shame. What was your daughter’s father like?’

‘Waste of space. Lazy, selfish and handy with his fists when he’d had a drink. So that put me off trying again for quite a while. I know I look like a good-time girl.’ Lois’s smile was rueful. ‘But the truth is, I very rarely have a good time.’

‘How sad,’ said Muriel. ‘And this latest one? What was he like?’

Ridiculously, Lois felt a lump expand in her throat; the pregnancy hormones were running amok. ‘Honestly? He was wonderful. I thought he was perfect, had such high hopes . . . it was only the one night but I really thought it could be the start of something amazing.’ She paused to gather herself, then said matter-of-factly, ‘Until the next morning when he woke up and couldn’t get away fast enough. That’s when I realised I’d got it wrong again. He ran away and I haven’t seen him since.’

‘Oh darling, poor you. Men can be such utter pigs sometimes.’

Hearing Muriel say the words made Lois smile. ‘He really wasn’t a pig, though. That’s the thing; he was genuinely nice. I just seem to scare off the good ones.’

‘But you could track him down if you wanted to?’

‘Yes, I could.’ Imagine asking Molly for Vince’s number, oh God. ‘But I won’t. I do have some pride.’

‘Well, if it’s any consolation, I think he’s mad. And it’s his loss.’ Muriel leaned over and patted her arm. ‘You seem perfectly lovely to me. I wish my dear grandson could meet someone like you.’

Amused, Lois briefly wondered what Muriel’s grandson was like. Then, pulling herself together, she said, ‘Except I’ve rather taken myself off the market for the next year or so, haven’t I? So you’d have to ask him to wait.’

The party was still going strong at six o’clock when Lois noticed Muriel struggling to put her jacket on and went over to give her a hand.

‘Here, let me sort you out. There you go.’

‘Thank you, darling. Most kind.’ Smoothing down the lapels of the elegant ivory velvet jacket, Muriel said, ‘I’ve had a few gins which doesn’t help. Now, you could do me another favour
if you like. My grandson’s going to be here any minute now to pick me up, but he says he’ll wait outside for me. Would you be an absolute angel and carry my bag, so I can concentrate on driving this machine without tipping it over?’

‘No problem.’ Despite everything, Lois was intrigued to meet the grandson. Taking the oversized patent leather bag, she walked alongside Muriel as she began to steer the mobility scooter towards the door. ‘Are you going to say goodbye to anyone before you go?’

Muriel gestured across the room, to where Molly and Dex were chatting with the social workers who’d been part of the fostering and adoption team. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t bother them while they’re busy with their friends. I’d rather just slip away then email Molly later. Whoops, watch out, Wilbur! Hold on tight!’

Outside the pub they didn’t have long to wait. The car appeared in the distance and made its way sedately around the village green.

Lois blanched when she saw who was behind the wheel of the spotless, rust-free vehicle.

Vince was evidently pretty stunned too.

Oh God, so that was why Muriel’s grandson had been so set on waiting in the car.

‘Excellent timing, darling. We’ve had such fun,’ Muriel exclaimed. ‘Now listen, I have no idea how it happened but you’re going to have to be careful getting me off this thing because I’m the teensiest bit squiffy. And you mustn’t ask this lovely lady to help you because she mustn’t exert herself.’ Double-checking that no one else was around to overhear, she stage-whispered, ‘She’s pregnant, you see.’

Vince looked as if he’d been hooked up to the National Grid. The shock was both visible and palpable. His gaze slipped from Lois’s face to her more expansive than usual chest and still-flat stomach.

Well, not completely flat. The rest of Briarwood might not have spotted it yet but there were the faint beginnings of a curve that would become more noticeable in the coming weeks.

Lois felt her cheeks burn at the unexpectedness of the situation. By way of contrast, all the colour had drained from Vince’s handsome face.

Finally he mouthed, ‘Is it mine?’

Oh well, seeing as he’d asked the question. Feeling a bit faint but standing her ground, Lois mouthed back, ‘Yes.’

‘Excuse me? What’s going on here?’ demanded Muriel. ‘Why are you two looking at each other like that? What am I missing?’

‘Does she know?’ Vince’s voice was hoarse with shock, his gaze fixed on Lois. ‘Did you tell her about . . .?’

‘No,’ Lois blurted out defensively. ‘I did not.’

‘Oh, good grief,’ Muriel announced as the penny dropped. ‘I might be ninety-three but I’m not completely stupid.’ Twisting round on her mobility scooter to properly face her grandson, she said, ‘So it was you, my boy, was it? Spent the night with this wonderful girl then couldn’t get away fast enough in the morning? Vincent, what’s wrong with you? She thought you were the one! Why would you do that to her?’

‘Oh, please don’t,’ Lois begged, mortified. ‘It doesn’t matter. I just wasn’t his type—’

‘Well, you jolly well should be! You’d be perfect for each other,’ Muriel exclaimed. ‘Mark my words, I know these things and I’m always right. Vince needs someone like you.’ Grabbing the scooter’s accelerator handle, she careered round in a reckless circle and waved airily as she and Wilbur – ears flying – zoomed towards the pub. ‘OK, we’re heading back inside for another drink. You two can sort yourselves out.’

OK, this was officially horrendous. When Muriel had
disappeared, Lois said, ‘It’s fine, don’t worry. God, your grandmother’s embarrassing.’

‘I know. I’m sorry. But . . . you should have told me.’ Vince gestured helplessly in the region of her stomach.

‘Really? Because you would have been so overcome with joy? Come on, we’re both adults. You woke up in my bed and couldn’t bear to look at me.’

‘But that wasn’t any reflection on you,’ he blurted out. ‘I was ashamed of myself, don’t you understand? I’d never done anything like that before in my life. I was in a blind panic, couldn’t believe I’d done something so shocking and . . . shameful. It wasn’t you at all, I swear.’

Lois shrugged helplessly, not trusting herself to speak.

‘And afterwards I couldn’t stop thinking about you,’ Vince went on. ‘I wanted to see you again. But by then it was too late, I told myself there was no way in the world you’d want to see
me
. . .’

Was this true? Did he actually mean it? Back on the defensive, Lois crossed her arms and said, ‘It doesn’t matter, you don’t have to do anything. I’m a coper, I can manage on my own.’

But Vince was eyeing her intently, already shaking his head. ‘Are you joking? You’re having my child. I don’t walk away from my responsibilities.’

The way he was looking at her was making her heart race. The way he said the words was making her think they might actually be true. After a moment Lois said, ‘So what are we going to do now?’

‘OK, first thing, I need to take my meddling grandmother home.’

Home to Bristol. ‘That sounds like walking away from your responsibilities to me. Well, driving away from them,’ said Lois.

‘And then I’ll be back. By eight o’clock, OK?’ Vince reached out and took her hand. ‘I promise.’

‘You do?’ This time it came out as a croak.

‘I do. Hey, I can feel you shaking. Stop it.’

‘I don’t think I can.’ Even her voice was trembling. ‘I’m scared. And I’m
never
scared.’

‘Don’t be.’ There was a warmth in his eyes; he was visibly relaxing now. ‘You know something?’ said Vince with the slow beginnings of a smile. ‘This could turn out to be . . . just what I always wanted.’

Chapter 55

Was it actually possible to feel happier than this?

It was the morning after the adoption party. Having heard the sound of wooden cot bars rattling, Dex had gone into the nursery and lifted Delphi out of her cot. Now, always disgustingly perky first thing, she was sitting up in the centre of his king-sized mattress, surrounded by mounds of snowy duvet.

‘Love you, Delph.’ He ruffled her fine dark hair and tickled her ears.

‘Dadada.’ She beamed back at him.

She’d been saying it for weeks. Now, finally, it was true. He was legally, officially her father. Every time he thought about it, Dex wanted to burst with pride.