Page 50 of Wild Tonic
“Hey,” he said. “What happened?”
Clem’s face was pale, and she shivered in a thin sundress. “It’s okay. I think we got her here in time. Barney had the same thing, so I knew what to do.”
“Thank God you were there.” Parker hoped that Nate told Poppy that. She deserved to know that Clem definitely wasn’t the bad guy in this.
“Poor little thing, she was so scared.”
“I’m sure she was.” Parker didn’t have the first clue what he would have done if he’d been in the same situation.
There seemed little else to say as they lingered in the waiting area. A few people came and went, then finally Poppy, India and Nate came out of the cubicle.
“Everything okay?” asked Parker. He went to Poppy and embraced the two of them, surprised and pleased to hear Poppy thanking Clem publicly for recognising India’s symptoms. She passed India over to Clem for a thank you kiss.
And then, without warning, Poppy slid to the floor.
“Can we get some help here?” Parker yelled in the direction of the doctor and knelt down beside Poppy, grasping her hand.
Poppy’s eyes fluttered open. “I think I fainted. I’ve been feeling a bit weird the last few days. I thought it must have been a virus.”
The doctor who had seen to India knelt down beside Poppy too. “You’ve been through quite a stressful evening, but we should probably do a couple of tests to be on the safe side. It’s not normal for a usually fit and healthy woman to drop like that.” She glanced around. “I’ll do them myself, see if we can’t get you and your daughter home soon.”
Parker helped Poppy to her feet and took her into the same cubicle India had just vacated.
“It shouldn’t take long,” the doctor advised. “If you would be able to wait outside.” She pulled the curtain aside and Parker slipped through.
Nate eyed him with concern. “Is she okay? It’s not like her to keel over.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. I guess the worry over India hit her hard.” Parker looked over at India, who was snuggled in Clem’s arms, her eyelids drooping. “Why don’t you and Clem take India back to the villa? We’ll pick up the medication and come home as soon as we can. Seems no point in all of us waiting around here.”
Nate nodded. “Sure, sounds like a plan. We’ll see you later.” He headed over to the girls and the three of them left.
It seemed to be hours before the doctor finally came out to see him. There was an amused smile on her face.
“Does that mean Poppy’s fine?” he asked, jumping out of his seat.
“She’s more than fine. Why don’t you go in to see her? Then you can be off.” She held out her hand. “Congratulations.”
As he shook the doctor’s hand, Parker wondered what she meant. He went to find Poppy, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, mascara still streaking her face, a weak grin playing across her lips.
“Well?” Parker stood in front of her and stroked her cheek, brushing away the kohl. “Everything’s good?”
“It’s more than good. It’s, well, it’s fantastic.” Poppy’s grin grew wider. “It seems that the reason I’ve been feeling so off is because I’m pregnant again. We’re having a baby!”
The world stopped still and Parker almost slid to the floor himself.A baby?
“How? I mean…”
“If I have to tell you how it happened, then something’s not right.” Poppy laughed. A frown flickered across her face. “You are pleased?”
“Oh, Poppy, of course I am! It was probably the last thing I expected to hear today, so I guess surprised is probably a better word. It’s brilliant, amazing, unbelievable.” Parker threw his arms around Poppy and pulled her towards him, holding her tightly. “I love you, Poppy. This is the best news, and I can’t wait for everyone else to know about it.”
Chapter Thirty
The sun was setting, creating the most beautiful sky.
Nate and Clem sat out by the pool, him nursing a beer, her a large glass of wine. He was checking on social media and she flicked through a magazine. Alik and Richey were racing lengths, Caro and Eva cheering them on; while Dev and Yulia sat at a table under one of the umbrellas, playing a word game. The others had been told what happened, and they were waiting for Poppy and Parker to get back. Since returning from the hospital, India had settled and was sleeping, with the help of the humidifier and some fever medication. Magda was preparing a light supper, and the mood across the villa was calm, in total contrast to how it had been that afternoon.
A noise from behind them made Nate jump.
