Page 153 of Straight to Me

After a short wait my bloods are taken and I finish my conversation with my doctor. “I’ll give you a call if anything comes up from the test. Usually, one to two days at most. If you don’t hear from me or your home test comes back negative and you’re still experiencing sickness, come back to me and we’ll work out what’s causing it."

“I will, thank you.” Saying goodbye, Dean stands to meet me walking out the doctor’s room.

“How’d it go?”

“Fine. I had a blood test. I just have to wait for the results.” He nods, eyes searching mine for anything more. But I’m not telling him about the pregnancy conversation. And I’m not even considering taking a test until I’m ready.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

There’s only one hour left until it’s officially the weekend, according to the computer screen’s clock. I’ve been pretty quiet since my appointment yesterday. I understand everything the doctor said and the real possibility that I could be pregnant, but in truth, apart from the random sickness, I don’t really feel any different to how I normally do.

Rather than overthink it, I choose to bury it, keep my head down and crack on with work to get ahead for next week. “Mads.” I look up from the computer to where Alex stands all packed up ready to go.

“You off?” I ask.

“Yep.” He swings his bag over his shoulder and pushes his chair in. “Oh, I meant to say, the others and I are going out later if you fancy a few drinks?”

Honestly, I think I’d quite enjoy a night out, but there’s no way Dean would give the okay for that without coming along too or sending Travis to watch over me.

“I’m busy later, maybe another time?”

Alex pulls an exaggerated sad face at me. “I’ll hold you to it,” he says with a wink before turning from his desk. “Have a good one!”

My phone vibrates on the desk as I start shutting everything down.

VP: I’m not picking you up today Mads. Don’t worry, someone will meet you outside in the carpark

Me: Is everything okay?

VP: Yes, everything’s fine.

Me: Okay. Will you be back later? I wondered if we could go by my flat, grab some more of my things?

VP: We can tomorrow

I don’t reply. Instead on a rather large sigh, I shut everything down and pack up my stuff.

I manage to see Lauren on her way out and she tells me all about how boring her Spanish class had been but how she’d made a new friend.

“That’s great to hear. How’ve things been at home?”

“Fine, Mads. Really.” She doesn’t look me in the eye. I can’t tell if she’s telling the truth. She hasn’t come to me since our conversation in my office, so I don’t press her. “No Dean today?” she comments, as we walk to the spot where he usually parks.

“Urm no, not today. I’m not sure who’s coming to pick me up actually.”

“Why does he pick you up every day? Is he worried about your driving or something?”

On a smile, I nudge her gently with my elbow. “No, my driving’s just fine thank you. He worries about me, where I’ve not been feeling that great lately. I think it’s his way of making sure I’m okay.”

“Oh, I see. He must really love you.”

I stare off into the distance nodding my head. Over by the hedge, I spot a green Land Rover parked up. “I have to go, Lauren,” I say turning to look at her.

Before I have time to move, we both watch as a low riding car pulls up with the music turned up far too loud. The driver is a small-framed, black-haired man wearing a dark coloured jacket. He gives me an unsettling look. I can’t quite make out his features properly through the glass, but he’s staring at us.

The hairs on my neck stand on the end as I shift on my feet, nervously fiddling with my bag.

“Lauren,” she turns to look at me, “is that ride for you?”

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