Page 24 of A New Arrival at Cwtch Cove

‘A friend,’ Alice said. ‘He’s not here yet though.’

‘Can I get you a drink?’ Stella asked.

‘I’ll have a coffee, please. Decaff if you have it.’

‘We have decaff.’ While Stella made Alice’s coffee, she removed her coat and draped it over her arm then she ran a hand over her hair, smoothing it from where the wind had whipped it around her head as she’d walked to the pub. She could see her reflection in the mirror behind the bar and she looked pale, young, tired. This whole thing felt surreal, and she couldn’t believe that she had to tell Tarquin that he was going to be a father. How would he react? He’d most likely be extremely shocked. She was still in shock, after all, even though during the ultrasound scan she’d seen the tiny baby on the screen and had a printout of the scan in her bag. Thankfully, everything had been fine and measurements were as expected.

‘There you go.’ Stella set a mug on the bar and Alice paid for her coffee then carried it over to a table near the open fireplace. She hung her coat over the back of the chair then sat down and wrapped her hands around her mug.

Her eyes were drawn to the fire and she watched as the flames crackled around the logs, as the embers glowed orange and red and the smoke drifted up the chimney. She suddenly felt really tired, as if she could curl up in front of the fire and sleep for a year. That thought made her laugh because Jeff and Don had two Alsatians named Sonny and Cher and if they found her lying in front of the fire they’d probably join her.

‘Hi, Alice.’ Tarquin snapped her from her thoughts. He was standing near the table, his coat folded over his arm, his ginger hair sticking up as if he hadn’t been able to find his brush that morning.

‘Hi,’ she said, pushing her chair back and standing.

‘Do you want a drink?’ he asked.

‘I have one but let me get you one.’

‘No no, it’s fine. I’ll just pop to the toilet then get one on my way back. Are you sure you don’t want another?’

‘I’m fine, thank you.’

Alice sank back down and Tarquin draped his coat over a chair followed by his scarf then he crossed the pub and disappeared through the door that led to the toilets.

Five minutes later, Tarquin sat opposite her and fixed his hazel eyes on her face.

‘So what’s this about, Alice? Are you OK? I’ve been worried since you said that you needed to speak to me.’

Alice licked her lips and took a deep breath.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you but I also needed to tell you this in person.’

‘OK.’

‘See… I-I’m pregnant.’

Tarquin’s Adam’s apple bobbed and his eyes widened. He rubbed at the back of his neck then scratched his freshly shaven chin.

‘I’m telling you because it’s yours, by the way. In case you hadn’t got that bit.’

Tarquin’s left eye twitched and he pressed a fingertip to the lid. ‘Oh. Uhm… OK.’

‘Sorry,’ Alice said quietly. ‘To tell you like this but it didn’t seem right to tell you over the phone. It’s a shock, right? I’m shocked.’

Tarquin picked up his glass mug and downed his latte in one go then wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. When he set the mug back down on the table, he steepled his hands on the surface and leant forwards. ‘How are you feeling?’

Alice bobbed her head. ‘I’m OK.’

‘Good. Good.’ His brows knitted together. ‘I’m a bit… uhm… surprised.’

‘I know. And for that I’m really sorry. But so am I.’

‘I didn’t think I could… Um… that I was fertile.’

‘No?’

He shook his head. ‘I’ve always used protection just in case, for that reason and the rest, but I had mumps when I was eighteen and I was rough with it. I thought I’d probably be firing blanks.’ He gave a wobbly laugh and Alice reached across the table and placed a hand on his arm.

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