Page 63 of Prognosis So Done

‘I have seen you look better,’ Katya admitted.

Harriet laughed at her friend’s candour, her vocal cords protesting the strain. It was impossible to have an ego around Katya.

‘Oh, God, Katya,’ she said, chewing her lip. ‘I was so horrible to Gill.’

‘Gill is a big boy. He understands,’ she dismissed.

Harriet laughed again and felt it in her stitches this time. They sat in companionable silence for a couple of minutes. Harriet picked up the jar again. ‘This is it. I don’t have another.’

Katya placed her hand over Harriet’s. ‘There are many ways

to have a baby,’ she said. ‘So... it’s not going to be as easy for you as a lot of women out there. So be it. IVF, adoption.’

She shrugged. ‘You will have a baby, Harry. I just know it.’

More tears threatened at Katya’s steadfast faith. Harriet only wished she could be so certain. ‘It’s not such a romantic

way to start a new life with someone, though, is it? Marry me

and have my babies and oh, you don’t mind providing a specimen in this jar do you?’

They both laughed, but it hurt Harriet’s stomach, and the

thought was so depressing that she quickly sobered. ‘What if no one wants me?’

‘Gill does.’

Harriet nodded slowly. ‘It’s not enough. I need more.’ She picked up the jar again, inspecting her lost tube. ‘This just makes me more determined. For a few weeks I was a mother. I want that again.’

‘And Gill was a father. A lot has happened tonight, my friend. You two need to talk. Why don’t I go and get him?’

She shook her head. ‘He said he’d be back.’ Well...before she’d told him not to bother, anyway. Luckily, he didn’t scare away easily. ‘And I’m tired and I need some time to think for a while.’

They did need to talk — she definitely needed to apologise to him if nothing else. But the op and the bleeding and a thousand tears had left her drained and weary. She felt like

she could sleep for an eternity.

Gill could wait.

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