Page 60 of Best Laid Plans

‘I don’t want to take off for some remote mining site when I’m pregnant. I certainly couldn’t live there with a tiny baby.’

‘Well… no. I don’t suppose you could.’ Gina gritted her teeth. ‘So you don’t want me to wring my brother’s neck, or try to hammer some sense into him.’

‘No,’ said Lucy, crossing her fingers behind her back. ‘Leave it to me.’

By midafternoon the pace in the surgery wasn’t quite so hectic and Lucy sent her father a text message.

Are you busy? Can I phone you?

The two of them had always been good mates and she wanted him to know her news.

Almost immediately, he called her back. ‘Darling, I have five minutes. What can I do for you?’

‘I just wanted to share some good news, Dad. I’m pregnant.’

She waited for his shocked gasp, but he surprised her. ‘That’s wonderful news. Congratulations.’

‘Really, Dad? You don’t mind?’

‘Doyoumind, Lucy?’

‘No. I’m actually very, very happy.’

‘Then so am I. I’m delighted. Couldn’t be happier.’

Lucy was amazed that he didn’t immediately bombard her with predictable questions about who the father was, or when she was planning to be married.

Her dad simply asked, ‘Are you keeping well?’

She grinned. First and last, Alistair McKenty was a doctor. ‘It’s very early days. But I’m feeling fine. I have good vibes about this.’

‘You’ll see Ken Harper?’

‘Yes, Dad.’ Ken Harper was Willowbank Hospital’s only obstetrician. ‘And as you know, Ken will give me top antenatal care.’

She heard a chuckle on the other end of the line and she waited for more questions. When there was silence, she said, ‘In case you were wondering, Will Carruthers is the baby’s father.’

‘Ah.’

‘Ah? What does that mean?’

‘I noticed that Will’s been home for rather longer than usual.’

Heat suffused Lucy. ‘Is that all you can say?’

‘No. I’m actually very pleased. I like Will. I always expected you two to get together.’

‘You did?’

‘You used to be such terrific friends, but then you took up with that older brother.’

‘Yes.’

‘I never understood that, Lucy. Josh Carruthers had girlfriends all over the district.’

‘Dad, I don’t really want to go back over that now.’

‘I’m sorry. You’re right. It’s all in the past.’

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