Page 15 of The Promise
Orla rubs her belly. “It’s incredible, isn’t it? Is that how far along you are? Eightweeks?”
“No, only six. This is all a bit of a surprise and not something I envisagedhappening.”
“Even when it’s planned, it can be a lot to take. So many adjustments are needed and you can never imagine what your body goes through during these nine months. My husband and I were trying for years but nothing happened. We gave up hope, got on with our lives…and then…” She gestures to her belly.” It was the most incredible surprise,” she says with a teary-eyed smile as she caresses herbelly.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Orla says with pink cheeks after letting out a burp, “Blame nugget. Are you ready togo?”
“Uh…are you sure about this? I’m going to be the worst shopping partner ever because I have no clue aboutanything.”
“That’s why we’re going. Comeon.”
Orla drives us to the retail park and we walk up and down every isle, looking at items I never knew existed. She explains what I might need and some of the things she thinks are just a money-making gimmick, and generally helps build my confidence that this isn’t going to be the huge disaster I’m worried it mightbe.
By the time we leave, I’m the proud owner of two maternity bras. They’re not quite what I’m used to, but with how tender my boobs are already feeling, I can understand the need to lose theunderwire.
The lady behind the counter pops anall you could possibly need for you new arrivalcatalogue inside my bag. The thickness of it makes me panic but Orla reassures me that not all of it’s necessary. Thank fuck for that, because I’m just starting a business I have no money to fund—I don’t need a baby sucking up all of what I domake.
Orla offers to drive me home but I kindly refuse. She’s already done so much for me today that driving out of her way to my side of town isn’t necessary. Plus, she looks like she could really do with that afternoon nap she mentioned. I insist that I’m fine, that I need to do some shopping, and I’ll get a taxi back. She tries to argue but I have none of it. When she suggests meeting again next week, I bite her arm off. This afternoon’s been a bit of a revelation for me. I’ve never spent so much time talking about babies or looking at baby things, but I found I actually enjoyed it, and having someone to confide in is just what I needed. I don’t want to tell everyone yet—not just because I want to make sure everything is okay, but also because I want to have my head straight. Having Orla to talk to about this makes all thedifference.
I pick up the bit of shopping I need and I’m busy experimenting making milkshakes in the bakery when someone starts ringing the buzzer. A little rush of excitement goes through me as I think it could be Blake. Then, I chastise myself for being excited about it. He may have now had his say, but we’ve got a lot of things to work through if we are ever going to make it as acouple.
When I pull the door open, I’m a little disappointed when it’s Cara looking back atme.
“Expecting someone else?” she asks when she sees the look on myface.
“Not at all,” I say, trying to sort myself out. “Come in, I need a taste tester.” I’ve had my fill of milkshakes today. I think if I have one more sip, I’m gonnapuke.
“Well, I’m your girl. What am Itasting?”
* * *
“Oh my God, Adds, these are gorgeous,” Cara says, slurping down her forthmilkshake.
“You think they’llsell?”
“Uh…do bears shite in thewoods?”
“Well, okay then,” I say with a laugh. “I’d better order some glasses, straws, andingredients.”
“Yes, you had, and speaking of opening day,” she says, rummaging around in her giant bag before pulling out business cards and pens to go with the fliers and aprons she handed me when she firstarrived.
“Who are you? Mary Poppins? You gonna pull a lamp out of that thingnext?”
“Shut your trap and make me another banana milkshake,” shedemands.
“Aren’t you feeling sickyet?”
“Nope, keep ‘emcoming.”
