‘Oh, don’t mind me.’ I shake my head, brushing it off. ‘I wentout with a male stripper who had the morals of a horny Casanova and I justdon’t want to repeat the same mistakes, that’s all.’
‘Wow. I bet you’ve got some stories, though,’ muses Ellie.‘A stripper, eh?’
‘It was certainly interesting. While it lasted.’
We exchange a grin. Then Ellie sighs. ‘It’s so hard whenreality doesn’t match up to your hopes and dreams.’
‘Are... things hard for you just now?’ Findingher in tears earlier was a shock but I don’t want to pry.
She looks at me with a sad little smile, and I catch theglint of tears in her eyes. ‘Zak and I are fine.’
‘That’s good.’
‘But I want a baby, Kenzie. I really want a baby. But I’mstarting to think maybe there’s something wrong with me.’ She shakes her headin despair. ‘Ever since Zak and I got married, we’ve been...well,trying... but it’s just not happening. Andfrankly, I’m starting to wonder if it ever will.’
‘Oh, dear.’ My heart goes out to her. ‘It must be awful,hoping so hard every month and then...’ I trail offuselessly, wishing I could find the right thing to say.
‘It is. I really thought that this month we might be able tocelebrate. But then my period arrived this morning.’
‘Oh, no.’ So that’s why she was crying. ‘I’m so sorry.’
‘It’s silly, really. It’s like I can’t stop obsessing aboutgetting pregnant. But the stress of it could be the very reason it’s just nothappening! And the thing is, I know I’m so lucky to have Maisie in my life.’
I nod. ‘You really are. She’s so lovely. If a little bitfeisty at the moment.’
‘You’re right there.’ She smiles.
‘But I can understand your longing to have a baby with Zak,and I’m sure it’ll happen for you. Just give it time.’
‘I’m not getting any younger.’
‘But lots of women have babies in their forties these days. You’vegotyearsto go before you... well, you should justnot give up hope, that’s all.’ I’m talking really quickly because I want tohelp but I seem to be making things worse. Ellie’s blinking away tears now.
And then Maisie appears at the door.
At once, Ellie straightens up and smiles at her. ‘Maisie,love. I didn’t hear you come in. Where’s Jessica?’ Getting up from the table,she turns away for a second, discreetly dabbing her eyes.
‘She’s still outside,’ says Maisie. ‘She’s hungry. She’dlike a biscuit.’
I leap up and go to the biscuit barrel, glad to havesomething to do to help. ‘I expect you’d like one as well?’ I smile, holding itout for her to choose one. ‘Chocolate digestive or custard cream?’
‘Chocolate jestive, please. And one for Jessica.’ Maisiesolemnly selects two biscuits. ‘Thank you, Kenzie.’
I hand her a plate. ‘There you go. So you don’t get yourhands all messy with the chocolate melting.’
‘Are you all right, Maisie?’ Ellie looks at her, worried.Even I can tell Maisie doesn’t seem her usual sunny self.
‘Yes.’
‘Well, be careful out there. Stick to the –’
‘I know. Stick to the pavement.’
She goes out, carrying her plate carefully. But a momentlater, she’s back, the biscuits still on the plate. ‘Kenzie, why have you got aChristmas tree up in there when it’s not Christmas anymore?’ She’s staring atme in wide-eyed surprise.
‘Don’t be rude, Maisie,’ gasps Ellie.
‘I’m not being rude.’
