took the test sticks from the worktop and handed them to her friend in silence.
Chloe stared at them. ‘These are just as reliable as the ones I can do, so that’s pretty conclusive.’ She took Melinda’s hand and squeezed it. ‘Well. Congratulations.’
‘I hope. Things still aren’t that good between me and Dragan. We’re taking it slowly.’ Melinda swallowed hard. ‘And you know what they say about people having a baby to patch up a relationship. It never works.’
‘Firstly, that’s not why you’re having this baby. And, secondly, Dragan loves you. He’s just a bit…well…mixed up at the moment. Not that I’ve said anything to him.’
Chloe was a total sweetheart and she’d never interfere, Melinda knew.
‘I need to tell him. But not until I know for sure how pregnant I am.’
Chloe looked thoughtful. ‘Your last period…was it lighter than usual?’
‘Yes.’ Melinda frowned. ‘Now I come to think of it, the last two were a bit light.’
‘Some women have a very light bleed for the first couple of months—it’s all to do with hormones settling down,’ Chloe said, ‘so you could be three months gone already. Did you have any spotting before the first light period?’
‘I’m really not sure. Why?’ Melinda went cold. ‘Does that mean there’s a problem?’
‘No, it just happens sometimes as the egg implants into the lining of the womb,’ Chloe explained. ‘Nothing to worry about at all.’
‘Can you do a scan?’
‘We don’t have the equipment at the surgery. You’ll have to go to St Piran for the ultrasound,’ Chloe said. ‘I can get you an appointment—and because you’re not sure of your dates and you might be three months already, they’ll fit you in pretty quickly. I’ll ring first thing on Monday morning and book you in—that is, if you want me to be your midwife?’
Melinda hugged her. ‘I’d love you to be my midwife—you’re one of my best friends and I know I’ll be in safe hands. Thank you, Chloe. I really appreciate this.’
‘Hey. That’s what friends are for.’ Chloe hugged her back. ‘Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.’
Maybe.
But Melinda still felt the prickle of doubt all the way down her spine.
No more secrets.
Guilt flooded through Melinda. But this wasn’t a secret, exactly. Nobody knew, apart from Chloe—who wouldn’t say a word. Melinda was going to tell Dragan as soon as she knew when the baby was due. She’d make sure the time and the place were right—and she’d tell him.
But even so, she found herself picking at her meal when she went to a restaurant not far from Penhally with him on Sunday night.
And he noticed.
‘Are you all right?’ he asked.
‘Just not that hungry,’ she prevaricated, pushing her plate away. ‘Sorry. I’m just a bit tired.’
‘I’ll pay the bill, then walk you back.’
It wasn’t exactly far. Just round the corner.
‘Do you want to come in for a coffee?’ she asked.
‘Better not.’ He moved his head very slightly in the direction of the photographer who was loitering in view of the door to her flat, reminding her that they were being watched.
It was a good thing, in a way, she thought. The smell of coffee really made her feel sick. But she missed the old days when Dragan would have carried her up the stairs to her bed. Or to his.
‘Dragan…’ She stopped. No, now wasn’t the time or the place.
‘What?’
‘Nothing. Just I’m sorry I’m not good company tonight.’
‘Still not heard from Serena?’ he asked softly.
‘Yes. But there’s nothing to tell. Papà seems OK with the idea of finding an alternative solution, but Mamma…’ Melinda shook her head in exasperation.
Dragan smiled. ‘Could this be where you get your stubbornness?’
‘Very funny. I’m nothing like her.’ But she smiled back. ‘So do I get a kiss goodnight?’
‘“Just good friends” don’t kiss each other goodnight,’ he reminded her softly. ‘And we’ve already talked long enough for that photographer to get very interested. He’s just moved a bit closer.’
An added pressure on their relationship she could well do without. She sighed. ‘Goodnight, then.’
‘Goodnight.’
He waited while she unlocked the door, then smiled at her. ‘Get some sleep. You’ll feel better tomorrow.’
True. Once she had a date for her scan. And once she’d had the scan itself, it would be even better. ‘I have a day off tomorrow.’
‘Sleep in. It’ll do you good,’ he advised. ‘I’ll call you in the morning.’
Melinda had just stepped out of the shower the following morning when the phone shrilled.
She wrapped a towel around herself and hurried to answer it. Dragan? Or was it Chloe, with the news of the appointment? ‘Hello?’
‘Melinda, just what is all this about?’ Viviana asked crisply.
Melinda grimaced when she heard her mother’s voice. She really wasn’t in the mood for another fight. ‘Serena’s already told you. We worked it out between us.’
‘I don’t mean that. The headlines, child,’ Viviana said impatiently.
‘What headlines?’
‘You know very well which ones.’
‘Mamma, I haven’t seen a newspaper this morning.’
‘How long have you known that you are pregnant?’ her mother snapped.
‘I…’ Melinda was suddenly, horribly awake, as if someone had thrown a bucket of icy-cold water over her. ‘Pregnant?’
‘Unless the headlines are untrue, in which case we will be suing for libel.’
‘But…’ Melinda dragged in a breath. ‘I don’t understand how they could possibly know. I only found out myself the day before yesterday.’
‘So you are pregnant? How could you be so stupid?’ Viviana demanded.
Melinda put a protective hand on her abdomen. So much for
