Page 64 of Lessons in Life

‘Should we get her to hospital?’ I asked.

‘I don’t think it’s necessary. She woke me up about 1a.m. Said she had tummy ache. I saw she was bleeding. Obviously need to keep an eye on her, but I think it’s like a very heavy period. She wasn’t very far gone.’

‘Mum, how do you know that? Don’t you have to have a D and C or something after you’ve lost a baby?’ I seemed to remember reading something of the sort in a magazine.

‘I rang 111. They said if it’s an early miscarriage, to let nature take its course. If she seems to be bleeding a lot or if she’s in a lot of pain, then I’ll take her up to A&E. But, to be honest, Robyn, sitting for hours with the last of the Saturday-night drunks while we wait to be seen… you know, she’s better here where Jess and I can take care of her.’ Mum held my eye. ‘It’s for the best, Robyn. She’s far too young to be putting her life on hold at fifteen. She’s young and healthy. She can stay in bed all day and we’ll see how she is.’

‘Do you want me to stay?’

‘No, there’s no need. She’ll be feeling very tired and emotional but, as I say, it’s for the best. Don’t cancel those train tickets just yet.’

‘Mum, come on, she can’t be facing the audition of her life if she’s just lost a baby.’

‘It’s a pregnancy at this early stage,’ Mum said.

‘You try telling that to women who find themselves unexpectedly not pregnant any longer. There’sbeena baby.’

‘I know, I know. I’m sorry. That was callous of me.’

‘I don’t think I should go out for lunch. Better to stay here with you and be here for her instead.’

‘Will you two stop discussing me?’ Sorrel appeared at her bedroom door, her face white. ‘It just feels like a very heavy period. I’ve a bit of cramping but yes, Robyn, it was early. I know exactly when it happened. It was just the once.’ Sorrel rubbed at her eyes. ‘And yes, it is for the best.’

‘Do you want me to stay?’ I went to hug her. ‘Go back to bed and stay there today.’

‘No, I’ll be fine. But, Robyn, the thought of dancing in London this week when I feel so tired, so heavy…’ Tears welled and rolled down Sorrel’s cheeks.

‘Come on, back to bed,’ I said once more. ‘Take some paracetamol and sleep.’ I turned Sorrel round, leading her back to her single bed while Mum set off downstairs to make tea. I arranged pillows, tucking the duvet around Sorrel’s beautiful elfin face. She looked so much like Mum, and I remembered with a start how Jess and I had often done the same for Mum when she’d had to take to her bed when we were in our early teens. Before Sorrel was even born. ‘You OK? It’s a truly awful and terribly sad thing you’re going through, Sorrel.’

A large tear slid down Sorrel’s face. ‘It really is. And I would have had the baby. I couldn’t have done anything else.’ She sniffed before turning back to me. ‘You know Fabian’s been in touch with Alex Brookfield?’

‘Who?’

‘Alex Brookfield, Joel’s solicitor.’

‘No, I didn’t know. He never said.’ I pulled a face.

‘Probably client confidentiality or something.’

‘Suppose. Right, listen, Sorrel, I’m going out for lunch with Fabian’s family…’

‘With the horrible Julius? And the horrible mother?’

‘They’re up in Harrogate to see Jemima. I’m only going to go out for lunch if you promise me if the bleeding becomes heavy, or if you feel feverish or you have a lot of pain, you let Jess and Mum know. Deal?’

‘OK.’ For once, Sorrel was not in combative mood.

‘Did Joel say what was happening with Fabian? You know, with his court case?’

‘Not really.’

‘And you told him about… you know…’

‘Being pregnant?’

‘Hmm.’

‘No. I didn’t want to add to his worries. His bail conditions have him on an electronic tag and a curfew. I didn’t want him breaking them by coming over to Beddingfield.’

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