‘I’m a bit mixed up about Max at the moment.’
‘Is the pregnancy causing that, or what’s going on in your relationship right now? Mum told me he’s hardly ever around any more.’
Tara resented having to defend Max but, in fairness to the man, she felt she should. ‘He’s been very busy with all the world crises in the tourist industry. On the plus side, he did ask me just this weekend to quit my job and travel with him in future.’ Tara didn’t add that she was more qualified for the role of travelling companion since finding her sexual wings.
‘Wow! And what did you say to that? Silly question. Yes, of course. I know you’re crazy about the man.’
‘I can’t see myself travelling at all in the near future. I’m sick as a dog every morning. I need to see a doctor, Jen. Do you think you could get an appointment with your doctor this week?’
‘He might be able to fit you in. But he won’t be able to cure you of morning sickness. You’ll just have to ride that out. Have a packet of dry biscuits by your bed and eat a couple before you get up. That helps. So, how far gone are you?’
‘That’s another thing. I don’t know. Before this weekend, I hadn’t seen Max in almost a month. Yet I had a period whilst he was away. At least, I thought I did. There was some bleeding when my period was due.’
‘Yeah, that can happen. You’re probably about six weeks gone if you’re chucking up. But you need to have it checked out. Don’t worry. I’ll explain to the receptionist that it’s an emergency. Now, when are you going to tell lover-boy?’
‘Max,’ Tara corrected firmly. ‘Call him Max.’
‘I’d like to call him lots of things, actually. But Max isn’t one of them. Look, once you’ve been to the doctor and had things properly confirmed, you have to tell him. Even if he doesn’t want to marry you, he’s legally required to support this baby. You have no idea how much having children costs these days. Do you have private health cover?’
‘For pity’s sake, Jen, do you have to be so…so…pragmatic? I’ve just found out I’m having a baby. It’s a very emotional time for me.’
‘You can be emotional later. First things first, which is your welfare and the welfare of your child. Trust me. I know better than you in this.’
‘I wish I hadn’t told you at all!’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. You need all the support you can get. Which reminds me. You really should tell Mum.’
‘Are you kidding? I’m going to delay that disaster area for as long as possible. Promise me you won’t tell her, Jen. Right now. Promise.’
‘OK. I think you’re wrong, but it’s your call. Speaking of calls, I’ll ring the surgery first thing tomorrow morning. Then I’ll ring you at work to let you know. I’ll come with you, of course.’
‘Would you? Oh, Jen, that would be great. I…I feel kind of…Oh, I don’t know. I just can’t seem to get my head around all this. A baby, for heaven’s sake. I’m going to have a baby!’ Tears threatened again.
‘A beautiful baby, I’ll warrant. And you’ll love it to pieces.’
Tara gulped down the lump in her throat. ‘Will I? I’ve never thought of myself as good mother material. I’m too…restless.’
‘You just didn’t know what you wanted. Having a baby will bring your life into focus. Er—we’d better sign off now before Mum comes back.’
‘Yes, I really couldn’t cope with the third degree she’d give me. You won’t forget to call me tomorrow?’
‘I won’t forget.’
‘OK. Bye for now.’
Jen hung up, then grimaced up at her mother, who was standing there, mugs in hand.
‘You heard that last bit, didn’t you?’
Joyce nodded.
‘She…she’s too scared to tell you,’ Jen said quietly, knowing by the look on her mother’s face that she was about to have a hissy fit.
‘But why?’ Joyce wailed, putting the mugs down on the coffee-table next to the Scrabble board and flopping down into her chair.
‘You know why, Mum. It’s the same reason I didn’t want to tell you when I was pregnant. Daughters want their mothers to be proud of them, not ashamed.’
‘But Jen, I was never ashamed of you. Just disappointed for you. And worried. You were so young. And neither of you had any money.’
‘What’s age or money got to do with it? Love’s what matters, Mum, when it comes to kids and marriage. Dale loved me and I loved him. We’ve had some tough times but we’re going to make it. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure Max Richmond loves our Tara. Certainly not enough to give up his jet-setting lifestyle. That’s why she’s in such a tizz, because she knows it too. She’s going to need a lot of support through this, Mum.’
‘But how can I support her when I’m not supposed to even know?’
‘She’ll tell you. Just give her a little time.’
‘From the sounds of things, she hasn’t told Max Richmond.’
‘Not yet. She’s just found out herself, I gather, and he’s not there.’
‘He’s never going to be there for her.’
‘Probably. But he can be forced to support her financially. At least she won’t be poor.’
‘Yes, that’s true. But Tara never wanted his money. You know she’s not that kind of girl. She just wanted him to love her.’
‘Yeah, I do know. She’s always been a real romantic. She’s been living in a fantasy world with her fantasy lover and now the real world has come up and bitten her, big time.’
Joyce was shaking her head. ‘I’ve been afraid of something like this for a long time. If that man lets her down, I’m not sure she’ll be able to cope.’
‘She’ll be upset, but she’ll cope, Mum. You brought us up to be survivors. We’re a stubborn pair. Trust me on that.’
‘You’re both good girls.’
‘More’s the pity. If Tara wasn’t so damned good, she wouldn’t have a problem.’
‘Jen, you don’t think she’d ever…’
‘No. Never in a million years. She’s going to have this baby whether lover-boy wants her to or not.’
Joyce looked shocked. ‘You mean he might try to persuade her to get rid of it?’
‘It’s highly likely, don’t you think?’
‘She does love him a lot, Jen. If he puts the pressure on, she might do what he wants. Women in love can sometimes do things they regret later.’
