Page 26 of A New Arrival at Cwtch Cove

‘That’s perfect, Tarquin.’

‘Thanks. You’ll need to let me know what you need from me going forwards. Like…’ He looked at her closely. ‘Are you even in maternity clothes yet?’

‘Not yet.’ She laughed self-consciously. ‘But I will be soon enough.’

‘Then I’ll give you some money towards new clothes.’

‘There’s no need for that.’

‘Do you have a job now?’ he asked.

‘I don’t.’

‘So you’ll need my support.’

‘Tarquin… I hate this. I’ve been independent since I graduated and I don’t want to take your money.’

‘But I will insist. We’ll work something out and get it in writing so you’re protected and our baby has whatever he or she needs.’ He tilted his head. ‘Do you know if it’s he or she?’

Alice shook her head. ‘I could have asked if they could see what the gender was, but I didn’t want to. All I cared about was that it was healthy.’

‘Well that’s exciting because we’ll have a surprise.’ His smiled warmly and Alice felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease. She hadn’t released how tense she was and that thought made her realise that she needed to be more in tune with her body because tension wouldn’t be good for the baby.

‘We will.’ Alice ran a finger over the rim of her empty mug. ‘Would you like another coffee?’

‘Sure, that would be nice.’ He nodded. ‘Then you can tell me everything you know about the pregnancy and what your thoughts are for the birth and so on.’

‘Of course. Although I haven’t really given the birth and that much thought yet because I’m still coming to terms with the fact that there’s going to be a baby.’ Alice picked up her bag and reached inside then brought out a copy of the scan photo. ‘This is for you.’ She handed it to Tarquin then headed for the bar. She ordered two coffees then turned and looked back at Tarquin and a lump rose in her throat. He was gazing at the scan photo, tracing a finger over the shape of the baby, his lips slightly parted in awe.

This might not be the ideal way to bring a life into the world but she had a feeling that it wouldn’t be a bad way. With her and Tarquin as parents, this baby was going to be just fine.

* * *

Outside the pub, Alice hugged Tarquin then watched as he drove away in the direction of the caravan park. She hoped he’d be warm enough because a caravan in October could be chilly. He’d offered her a lift but she’d said she wanted to walk as she needed the fresh air.

As she started to walk home, she thought about how well telling Tarquin had gone. Apart from when he decided to propose that was and she’d soon nipped that in the bud. Poor Tarquin thinking he had to propose and him knowing that he didn’t even fancy her. What a disaster of a marriage that would have been.

Outside the veterinary surgery, she paused. Perhaps she should pop in and see her mum at the bakery and let her know how it went. After all, her mum had been worried about her and it would ease her concerns known that Tarquin was fine about it all. Well, more than fine, he was actually looking forward to being a dad.

When she reached Buns N’ Roses, Alice looked through the window and saw her mum and Henry behind the counter. They worked side by side, ready smiles on their faces for the customers, always having a kind word for the person they were serving. She loved her mum so much and hoped that her baby would feel the same way about her. She’d had a good role model so would, she hoped, be as good a mum to her baby as her mum had been to her. And as for Henry… She liked him. A lot. More than liked him. But she was having another man’s baby and so where did that leave them? What would it take for a man to want to take on a woman who was pregnant with another man’s child?

A warm and open heart was what it would take. And a lot of patience and understanding. It was far too much to ask of anyone.

She lifted her chin, readying herself to go inside. She might not be able to have Henry in her life as more than a friend, but for now, it would be enough. For now, she was simply glad to have him around.

Chapter20

Henry

Henry handed the customer the box of chocolate eclairs then looked up to see Alice standing outside the shop. She met his eyes and gave a small wave then pushed the door open. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold and the tip of her nose was red. His heart pounded as she approached the counter and he felt like he might fall over because his knees had gone wobbly.

‘Oh hello, love,’ Trudy said. She went around the counter and hugged Alice. When she released her she asked, ‘How did it go?’

Alice smiled and Henry didn’t know if that made him feel better or worse. What if Tarquin wanted to make a go of things with her? What if they were going to become an official couple to raise their child together?

‘It went well,’ Alice said.

Trudy looked at the clock on the wall. ‘We can close up now so you can tell me all about it. Go on through to the back and Henry can make you a cuppa while I quickly tidy up.’

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