Page 62 of Strictly Business

But then he forced his mind past Peter’s death to remember their childhood and the fun they’d had growing up together. Peter had been his best friend, his mate. On theirparents’ orchard farm they’d run wild. They’d been constant companions, building forts, or tree houses, scheming pranks, playing cricket, kicking footballs, helping each other with homework. He’d never been lonely.

‘Liam?’ Alice was watching him anxiously. ‘You don’t mind that it’s twins, do you?

He blinked. ‘No, of course I don’t mind. It’s wonderful. It’s more than wonderful. It’s fantastic.’

‘I think we can determine their sex, too,’ said the doctor, as he peered at a different image on the screen. ‘Would you like to know?’

Alice was looking at Liam again. ‘Would you?’

‘I don’t mind either way. This should be your choice, sweetheart.’

It only took her a few seconds to make up her mind. ‘No,’ she said, shaking her head emphatically. ‘I don’t want to know now, because it doesn’t really matter whether they’re boys or girls.’ She squeezed Liam’s hand. ‘We already love them anyway, don’t we, darling?’

Liam wanted to kiss her right there and then.

Soon after that, the procedure was completed and Liam was asked to wait outside in the corridor again while Alice went to a cubicle to change back into her own clothes.

She came out looking flushed and shiny eyed with happiness.

‘You clever girl,’ he told her.

‘Can you believe we’re having twins?’

‘The idea is slowly sinking in.’

She laughed. ‘It’s not a bad effort for a girl who thought she couldn’t get pregnant, is it?’

‘Two babies will be a handful.’

She gave his arm a gentle shake. ‘We’ll cope.’ Then she pulled a face. ‘Of course it means I’m going to grow as big as two houses.’

‘You’ll still be beautiful.’

‘But you’re right,’ she admitted. ‘Two babies will keep me busy.’ Suddenly she looked troubled. ‘This is not the best way to start a marriage, Liam. I want our marriage to be romantic.’

Taking her hands in his, he said, ‘We’ll make time for romance.’ He rubbed the backs of her hands with his thumbs. ‘Besides, I’d much rather be inside a marriage with you and your babies than locked on the outside without you.’

Her eyes glistened. ‘Don’t worry. The babies and I insist on having you there with us – on the inside.’

He smiled and bent his head to drop two warm kisses on her happy lips. ‘That’s a kiss for each of your babies.’

Her cheeks dimpled. ‘And what about another one for their mother, please?

‘Just a gentle one this time. I don’t want to get you all stirred up again.’

‘Liam, stop worrying and kiss me. Properly.’

He glanced up and down the corridor. ‘Isn’t it rather public here?’

‘Be quick then.’

Liam obeyed. ‘You have no idea how much I love you, Alice.’

‘I love you, too,’ she said close to his ear. ‘And your babies. We’re going to be all right, Liam. I’m sure of it.’

As they headed down the corridor, Alice stopped again, abruptly. ‘Goodness, I’ve totally overlooked thanking you for driving me here.’

His mouth twisted into a crooked smile. ‘No big deal.’

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