‘I promise I’m not. The characters are well developed and the plots are quite intricate.’
I placed Serenity down on the island and stared at Gary. ‘How much did you read?’
He hesitated. ‘All of them.’
‘Seriously? There must be seven or eight stories in there. When did you find the time?’
‘The early hours of the morning.’
‘So that’s why you look so tired.’
He nodded. ‘I honestly couldn’t put them down. There’s nine of them, by the way. I hope you’re not mad at me.’
I shook my head and smiled at him. ‘How could I be mad when you’ve re-discovered Ellorinia for me.’ I’d thought about it a lot since my conversation with Stevie, and even more since I’d doodled the sword, but I’d been unable to muster the energy to start over. Now I didn’t have to.
Gary gently placed Serenity into the crate and put the lid on it. ‘You know what this means, don’t you?’
I grinned. ‘I certainly do. We’ve just found me.’
34
The next few weeks seemed to whizz by. Much as I wanted to spend it reading my stories, I had to spend the rest of half-term in a flurry of marking work and lesson preparation.
The second half of the autumn term started with the usual frantic Christmas activities – rehearsals for the Christmas pantomime and the EGO equivalent, and planning the end of term party – plus parent consultations and an Ofsted inspection. I never seemed to have a moment spare, although any snatched minute I found, I spent re-discovering Ellorinia. The distractions kept me from doing the one thing I knew I had to do – talk to Daniel.
The week running up to Sarah’s hen do arrived and, with it, a new determination. This was the week. I was nearly seventeen weeks pregnant and the father had a right to know. Clare had been in regular contact about the hen do on our WhatsApp group but had also set up a group for the two of us on which she repeatedly urged me to make the announcement. I knew it made sense, especially as the deception was wearing me down. Once I’d told Daniel, I’d just go for it.
I resolved to text him after work on Monday and see if he could meet me one evening that week, but I picked up a voicemail before I had a chance: ‘Elise, it’s Lee. Jess is in labour. We’re on our way to the hospital.’
My heart thumping, I sat down heavily in the staff room.
‘Bad news?’ Graham sat down next to me.
‘Jess is in labour. That’s four-and-a-half weeks early.’
‘My cousin had twins five weeks early and they were absolutely fine. I’m sure Jess’s babies will be too. Do you want to go to the hospital? I can take your classes for you.’
I shook my head. ‘No. It’s fine. She could be in labour for hours.’
‘And she could have a caesarean. Go to the hospital, Elise.’
Graham had been right about the caesarean. Three hours later, I gave my first hug to my tiny five-pound-two-ounces nephew, Oliver James Grainger, and then traded him for two-ounces-lighter Emily Hannah Grainger. Holding my adorable sleeping niece, my thoughts turned to baby bean and how incredible it must feel to hold him or her when holding my sister’s babies felt so emotionally overwhelming.
‘Hey, don’t cry,’ Jess said. ‘You’ll find someone else and have your own baby one day.’
Yes, in about twenty-three weeks’ time, but this definitely wasn’t the moment to share that news. Instead, I said, ‘I know. In the meantime, I get two gorgeous babies to spoil and no sleepless nights or stinky nappies to change.’
‘I might let you off with the sleepless nights, but didn’t you realise that it’s in every auntie’s job description to be on stinky nappy-changing duty?’
‘As long as I get lots of cuddles as compensation.’ I handed Emily to Lee. ‘I think it’s time I left you two to enjoy your babies alone. Is she coming in?’
‘Mother?’ Jess shook her head and tears glistened in her eyes. ‘Lee phoned. She said she hates hospitals and she might come round when we get home. I think we can substitute might for won’t, can’t we?’
I knew she wanted me to say encouraging words and reassure her that of course our mother would visit but I couldn’t do it because I knew she was right – especially after what I’d overheard Mother saying at the wedding – and I wasn’t going to build any false hope.
‘Don’t let her get to you, Jess. You knew what she’d be like.’
‘True. I know she’s not exactly parent of the year material, but I thought she might feel differently about her grandchildren. Silly me. Lee’s parents are already on their way down from Aberdeen and Dad will fly over from Spain at the weekend, yet she lives ten minutes’ walk from here and can’t be arsed.’
Taking care not to squash Oliver, I gave Jess a hug. ‘I’m here too and I’m very proud of you both. I’ll be such a great auntie that they won’t miss their Grandma Morgan.’
‘I know you will. Thanks, sis.’
‘I’ll visit again tomorrow after school, whether you’re here or at home, but you may have to wait for presents because I was feeling superstitious about purchasing until I knew they’d arrived safely.’
I jabbed at the lift button and tapped my foot while I waited for the lift to arrive. Even though I’d overheard Mother expressing her disinterest in the twins at the wedding, I’d hoped she’d change her mind when they were actually born. Clearly not. What a stupid, selfish woman.
I was still muttering under my breath when I exited the lift on the ground floor and collided with someone. ‘Sorry.’ I looked up. ‘Stevie? What are you doing here?’ Butterflies flitted round my stomach at the unexpected sight of him.
‘Are you okay? Is something wrong with the baby?’
I smiled. ‘No. I’ve just been to see Jess. She’s had her twins.’
Stevie’s face lit up. ‘Really? What’s she had?’
Jess had decided to only tell family about the genders so I’d been sworn to secrecy. I’d become pretty good at keeping secrets. I told Stevie their names, weights and all the usual baby details. ‘They’re absolutely gorgeous,’ I said. ‘It was a bit strange thinking that, in about five months, I’ll be holding my own.’
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Good. The nausea has completely gone now. I’m tired, but I think everything’s fine otherwise.’
‘Have you told Daniel yet?’
I grimaced. ‘That’s my task for this week. I’ve been procrastinating because there’s no way he’ll take it well.’
‘Then he’s an idiot.’ Stevie frowned. ‘But we already know that because he let you go.’
The butterflies went crazy as he looked at me intently. I gazed at his mouth and found myself desperate to kiss him again. That brief moment at Seashell Cottage had felt amazing. If only I hadn’t had to stop it.
‘Erm, I’d better go,’ he said, breaking our gaze.
‘Of course. Why are you here, by the way? Are you okay?’
‘My Uncle George has had a minor op. I’m visiting him.’