Page 35 of The Baby Plan

“That’s not what he told us.”

Samson appeared at the kitchen doorway holding a Scrabble board hopefully. “Anyone for a game?”

“Sure,” said Sophie.

“As long as you don’t make up any words!” Maggie replied.

“I don’t make up words!” he said indignantly.

“Yes, you do. Just because you can find them on the internet does not make them real words you can use in Scrabble. Only words from the official Scrabble dictionary we bought you for Christmas ten years ago and you’ve never used, will be allowed.”

“Fine, I’ll still beat you,” Samson said cheerfully.

They sat around the kitchen table playing. Maggie was right: Samson did try to invent words — but they ganged up on him so he didn’t get to use them. He still won by a landslide though.

“Last time I beat him, Samson was about twelve,” Peter admitted. “His sisters refuse to play with him.”

“They’re sore losers,” Samson declared.

“I dare you to say that to their faces!” Peter joked. He turned to Sophie. “Those two know how to keep this troublemaker in line.”

“They’re both coming for lunch tomorrow,” Maggie commented. “They can’t wait to meet their niece.”

“Are the guys coming?” Samson asked.

“Yes,” said Maggie happily. “They’ll all be here around one.”

“Bethan’s married to Ed, they live in London,” Samson explained, “and Maria and her boyfriend, Ryan, are coming from Bristol. They work at the university there.”

“Maria’s a researcher in the physics department,” said Peter proudly, putting the kettle on. “Cup of tea anyone?”

Sophie tried to stifle a yawn as best as she could; Alana had had her up early, and the day was catching up with her now.

“Would anyone mind if I turned in?” she asked.

“Of course not,” Maggie said understandingly. “Let us know if there’s anything you need. We’ll see you in the morning.” She got up and gave Sophie a good night hug. “Thank you so much for coming. It’s lovely to have you here,” she said quietly.

* * *

Sophie groaned when she was woken by Alana stirring at seven the next morning. The baby had been restless sleeping in a different house and Sophie had ended up giving her a bottle at 3a.m. to settle her. Sophie was tired but knew she’d better get the little girl up straight away though; she didn’t want her disturbing everyone if they wanted to sleep in a bit. She was hauling herself out of bed when there was a quiet knock at her bedroom door.

“Sophie, it’s me, Samson. Would you like me to take Alana for you?”

Sophie opened the door to him. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Nah, I was getting up anyway. You grab some extra kip.”

Alana went happily to her dad, and Sophie settled back into bed for another hour before having a long, hot bath and heading downstairs to join the family for breakfast.

Peter was sitting at the kitchen table watching the news on the little television in the corner of the room. “Morning,” he said pleasantly. “Maggie’s outside doing some gardening and Samson’s taken Alana and Mutt to get the paper and some fresh bread — they’ll be back soon. Help yourself to tea or there’s fresh coffee in the pot.”

“Thanks.” Sophie felt a bit shy being by herself with Samson’s father.

She poured herself a coffee and went through the open French doors into the garden. Maggie was giving everything a water with the hose before it got hot.

“Good morning! Did you sleep well?” Maggie asked cheerfully. Ah, a morning person.

“Yes, thank you.”

---