Page 39 of The Three of Us
‘She laughs a lot more than she did. But watching Ant and Dec or Michael McIntyre can do that. And if it’s affection she wants, she can get a cat. She doesn’t have to make a fool of herself with somebody nearly young enough to be her son, does she?’
‘Is that all there is to it, Sam? The age thing?’
‘I dunno. Maybe.’
‘Or would you feel the same whoever he was?’
Sam sips at his beer and gazes at the blank TV screen in front of us. ‘He’s not Dad, is he?’
‘No. And nobody ever can be. But, if she’s ready to find someone, I think maybe we just have to let her. If he’s the one – the one who eventually takes Dad’s place – then I don’t think we can stand in the way. It’s her life, her choice. It might not come to anything. Just friends, you know. But if… well, we can’t help who we fall in love with, can we? In fact, maybe it’s time you found a serious girlfriend yourself, then you can move out and not have to see them together all the time. Leave Mum to it. You must be cramping her style, turning up every evening and wanting to be fed, spoiling their alone time!’
He leans over and swipes at my arm. ‘Pot, kettle, black! I see no serious relationship in your life, little Miss Independent! But, no, it’s not gonna happen. Not for years yet. I’m way too young for all that getting tied down stuff. There’s football, and pubbing, and having a laugh with my mates. Got to enjoy life while I’m still free and single, not have to ask permission from my wife every time I want to go for a pint. When I see it happening for you, I just might consider a change of heart.’
There’s not a lot I can say in answer to that. What with the unexpected reappearance of Jack Doherty in my life, and finding I am far more fond of babies than I had ever imagined, I’m beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, I would rather like to change my life, fall in love and settle down after all. There’s just one problem, of course. Who to do it with, now that Jack is not only married but soon to be a father, and even more out of the equation than he’s ever been.
Chapter 23
Molly
Molly stands outside the gates and reads the words on the button pad. It’s a school, but there are separate buttons for the children’s centre and a sports hall too, all on the same site.
She rechecks her appointment letter and presses for the children’s centre.
‘Hello, can I help you?’ a disembodied voice asks.
‘Molly Doherty. I’m here for an antenatal class.’
‘Come in.’ There’s a buzz, and the gate makes a small clicking sound as the catch releases.
As she swings it open and walks through, she hears footsteps charging up behind her and an arm reaches out to catch the gate before it closes.
‘Ooh, just in time. Saves having to buzz again.’ The woman is wearing a bright-red coat and pushing a double buggy that only just fits through the gap. She’s puffing a bit from her speed spurt and Molly holds the gate back against the wall until she and the buggy are safely through. ‘Sorry about that. I don’t want to hold you up.’
‘It’s fine. I’m a bit early anyway.’
‘I’ve not seen you here before. First time?’
‘Yes. Can you tell?’
‘That you’re pregnant, no. Nervous, yes! You’re not expecting twins, are you?’
‘Oh, God, no. One’s enough.’ Molly immediately realises her mistake and feels herself redden. ‘Oh, sorry. Not that having two isn’t wonderful, but…’
‘But not what you’d choose, right?’ The woman laughs. ‘I didn’t have a lot of say in the matter. We get what we’re given, don’t we? But I wouldn’t give them back now I’ve got them, believe me! No, I just wondered if you might be coming to TTC, that’s all. The twins and triplets club. We haven’t had any new members for a while.’
‘Sorry, no. Antenatal class. In the children’s centre.’
‘Ah, yes, I remember those. Lots of exercises and breathing. A few gory videos. They’ll have you practising bathing and nappies later too, with a doll, which I can promise you is nothing at all like the real thing, weeing and wriggling all over the place. You’ll be in the room next door to us. Might see you after. A few of us tend to gather for a coffee and cake at the café over the road, if you fancy it?’
They reached the building at the end of the path and went in, each of them signing the register at the reception desk.
The woman turned as she was about to disappear into a room to the side. ‘I’m late, as usual, so can’t stop. But, what do you think? Want to join us for coffee and a chat when we’re done?’
‘Yes. Sounds good. I don’t know any other mums yet.’
‘Brilliant. You soon will. Bring some of them with you if you like, although from what I remember from my time in the class most are still working and have to get back there after. Oh, and I’m Rosie, by the way.’
‘Molly.’