and Victoria nodded because deep down she knew that he was right.
It wasn’t fear of confrontation that flooded her now; it was a wash of relief that came over her, though she tried not to show it. Finally there was someone in her corner where there never had been before, and even if he was there just to guard their child she was very glad that Dominic was on board.
‘Are you nervous?’ he asked.
‘Are you?’
‘Yes.’
And they smiled because given what had happened to Dominic, and given their short history, perhaps he should be, but Dominic nudged her and they looked up at the television.
‘Look.’
It was that image of them from Westbourne Grove.
It seemed like ages ago, but it had been just a couple of weeks.
Yet so much had changed.
Images of the protestors outside the hospital came onto the screen.
The fire had been a terrible day.
It had changed so many lives, and the fight to save some of them was ongoing. Children were still desperately ill, and yet, from such a terrible event good had prevailed.
Angela Marton was now talking about the fight to save Paddington Children’s Hospital and saying that Londoners did not want to lose the institution that brought hope to so many.
‘I want my baby to be born here,’ Victoria said.
‘Our baby,’ he corrected.
‘So you believe me now,’ she nudged.
‘Victoria, the more I know you, the more I’m amazed at the speed with which you dropped your knickers.’
‘Stop it!’
‘It’s true. That condom had probably expired.’
‘So why are you nervous, then?’
‘Because, like every other parent, I want our baby to be fine.’ He gave her a smile. ‘You do believe in fairytales.’
‘I don’t.’
‘Penny told me about the princess.’
‘How is Penny?’
‘Don’t worry about that now.’
‘I’m not worried,’ she lied. ‘Just tell me.’
‘She’s got a virus and she’s in severe heart failure.’
She thought of Penny’s beautiful eyes taking in the lounge and she prayed, so hard, that she would one day be back there.
‘Do you think she’ll be okay?’
‘I don’t know, Victoria. She’s got a long road ahead of her.’
‘Victoria Christie.’
She stood up for the radiographer when her name was called.
‘Come through.’
She was shown to a little cubicle and asked to put on a gown.
‘Then go in and lie down, and I’ll be through shortly,’ she said.
Victoria changed and went through to the little room and got up on the examination couch, putting a blanket over her legs.
And Dominic sat by her side.
The radiographer came in then and they chatted about dates and confirmed, when she had a feel of Victoria’s stomach, that indeed she did have a full bladder.
They had a little laugh, then the radiographer’s pager went off and she said that she’d be back soon.
They were both very quiet.
Dominic was probably feeling sick, Victoria thought, given what had happened the last time he was in this situation.
Dominic did not feel sick.
Not in the least.
He would not be demanding a DNA test.
He knew for a fact this baby was his.
Victoria didn’t need anyone.
Except maybe she did.
‘I’m nervous.’ She just came out and said it. ‘What if there’s something wrong?’
‘Then we shall deal with it together.’
He held her hand.
Oh, she did need a handhold because it felt like silk wrapping around not just her fingers but her heart.
She started to cry.
‘It will be okay,’ Dominic said, and he peeled off some tissues.
‘I’m just tired,’ she said. ‘It was a busy shift and I’m worried about Penny.’
‘I know,’ he said.
But it wasn’t just that.
‘I’m sorry I was terse with your father.’
‘It’s not that.’
She was glad of it now.
It was her mother.
‘I love this baby so much already. I don’t get how she could just leave me like that.’
‘Nor do I,’ he told her. ‘Victoria, I shan’t be doing the same.’
And Glen was right; whatever happened between them, they would do what was best for the baby.
But it wasn’t just that.
It was a huge comfort to know her baby would have such a wonderful father, yet the fears about Dominic were not for her child now. They were for her own heart.
The radiographer came in and he peeled off more tissues and she pressed them onto her eyes.
‘I’m enthusiastic to see our baby,’ Dominic said, and that made her smile. He hadn’t rushed in and said it when her eyes had pleaded for him to in the canteen.
He said it now when he meant it.
‘So am I.’
And there it was.
All that fuss for something so small.
Yet so beautiful and so vital and alive.
And they weren’t really listening
