Page 22 of A New Arrival at Cwtch Cove

But there was no denying what she felt.

It was love.

* * *

They strolled back through the village and then along the woodland walk, their arms linked, their footsteps in time. Alice knew that her mum was worried about her but she felt reassured knowing that her mum would be there for her and for the baby. Her mum had been wonderful as a mother and Alice knew she’d make a brilliant grandmother.

‘Mum,’ she said.

‘Yes?’

‘Do you think it will be a boy or a girl?’

‘Oooh… I have no idea. Do you have a preference?’

Alice thought for a moment then shook her head. ‘No preference. Just as long as it’s healthy.’

‘That’s what every parent wants. Ooh!’

‘What is it?’ Alice stopped walking and held her mum’s arms, gazed into her eyes.

‘It just hit me that I’m going to be a nanna.’

Alice giggled and her mum joined her and soon they were holding each other and giggling like they’d never stop. Be it shock, fear, joy, love… a combination of different emotions, it needed to come out.

And as tears of laughter ran down her cheeks, Alice knew that everything would work out just fine. There was nothing at all to worry about.

Chapter18

Henry

Three weeks had passed since Alice had taken the home pregnancy test then had the pregnancy confirmed by the GP. This had been followed by an ultrasound scan at the local hospital that had confirmed that all was well. Henry was in the bakery on a Friday afternoon. Trudy had been on pins all day because Alice was meeting Tarquin that afternoon to tell him about the pregnancy. She’d told him on the phone that she needed to speak to him and he’d offered to come to Cwtch Cove because she sounded so serious.

And that was good, Henry thought. Of course it was. Tarquin must be a decent chap to come from Exeter to Wales to see his ex-colleague and friend. Alice was pregnant by the man and he was going to find out today, which would be momentous news for anyone.

But…

Henry sighed as a strawberry tart slid off the tray he was holding and dropped to the floor. It smashed on impact and pieces of tart flew off in all directions. He set the tray on the counter then crouched down and started to pick up the pieces of pastry, blobs of strawberry jam, slices of glossy, red strawberry and fluffy, whipped cream. He placed them in his open palm, grimacing as his skin grew sticky.

But…

His thoughts moved slowly as if he was wading through treacle.

But…

If Tarquin really liked Alice and was happy when he found out about her pregnancy then they might well decide to make a go of things for the baby and it would mean that Alice would end up in a relationship. Possibly married.

Shit!

That would suck.

No it wouldn’t!

If Alice cared about Tarquin and wanted to be with him then it would be a positive thing for her and the baby. Being a single parent could be hard and Henry would never want that for her.

And yet…

If she ended up with Tarquin it would mean that Henry would never stand a chance.

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