Chapter Nineteen
‘The midwife says I’m fine to travel, so you can stop worrying. I honestly wouldn’t be going to France if I thought there was a risk.’ Lisa looked at Nathan and pulled one of his T-shirts out of the wardrobe. ‘Can I take this one?’ She was finding his clothes more comfortable than her own and had taken to wearing his T-shirts.
As Nathan nodded, she folded the shirt shehad been holding and placed it in her case. ‘Flick and I have been looking forward to this. It’s just the weekend, and then you, Pete and the children will be there too; I promise to behave at least until you arrive.’
‘Well, that’s OK, then.’ Nathan laughed and looked in his wardrobe with a frown. ‘Half of my wardrobe is going to be there before me.’
‘You don’t mind, do you?’
‘No,of course not. For one thing you look sexy in my T-shirts, and for another it saves me packing.’
Lisa flicked Nathan with the pair of leggings she had taken from her section of the wardrobe.
‘Your aim is terrible.’ Nathan laughed.
Lisa went to grab more ammunition in the shape of a pillow from the bed, but felt a tightening in her stomach as she reached across. She winced, put herhand to her bump, and attempted to steady her breathing. Trying not to reveal the concern she felt, she looked at Nathan.
‘Lisa, what is it?’ He was by her side, placing his arm around her shoulders.
‘I just reached too far, that’s all. I’m sure it’s fine.’
Her breath felt too shallow. Her bump felt rigid to the touch.
‘Do you want me to call someone?’
Lisa shook her head andstood still for a moment before blowing out a breath. The sensation was easing off, her muscles relaxing. ‘It’s OK … I think I must have pulled something as I moved.’ She felt light-headed with relief as the tension left her. ‘I just have to remind myself moving quickly is a thing of the past. At least until this baby arrives.’ She slumped onto the edge of the bed.
Nathan sat next to her.‘Are you sure you don’t want me to call someone?’
Lisa could see the concern in his eyes and wanted to reassure him. ‘No, really, I think I just moved too—’
‘Perhaps we should mention it while we’re at the hospital?’ Nathan interrupted.
Lisa thought about the signs she had missed before, but she was so much further into this pregnancy than she’d ever got with Pip. This baby was thrivingand her poor muscles were just getting used to the exertion of being twenty-four weeks pregnant. ‘I don’t think you’re supposed to discuss your pregnancy while you’re visiting the maternity ward; it’s just so we can look at the facilities, think about our birth plan, that sort of thing.’
‘But there will be midwives, doctors, nurses there, surely?’
‘I guess, being a hospital and all,’ Lisamocked before planting a kiss on Nathan’s cheek.
Having got to the hospital on time, finding a parking space took a further ten minutes. Aware they were now late, Lisa went to dive out of the car but realised either the gap was too small or her belly was too big. After a couple of attempts to exit with dignity, she admitted defeat and Nathan pulled the car forward so she could get out. Whilehe reparked, Lisa stood shaking her head at the disappointed people who had paused nearby in the hope they were vacating their space.No, no, move along, my boyfriend is just reparking! That’s right, move on, I’m just too huge to get out like a normal person!Her cheeks flushed at the humiliation.
Once Nathan slipped annoyingly easily out of the car, Lisa took his hand. She felt nervous aboutseeing the maternity ward, but excited too. She looked at the hospital – an imposing edifice forming a formidable skyline against the cloudless sky. ‘You know the next time we’re here, it will be because I’m in labour.’
‘Yes, I guess so.’ Nathan squeezed her hand as they made their way inside. ‘Hopefully we’ll be able to park then, though I’ll probably drop you by the door, save you waddlingin.’
Lisa looked at him in disbelief. ‘Waddling? Really?’
‘Well, you’ll be huge by then.’
‘Huge!’
‘I didn’t mean huge’ – Nathan elongated the word – ‘forty weeks, full term.’
Lisa continued to stare at him.
‘I was being nice. You’ll be forty weeks and in pain.’ Nathan cringed at his own words.
Lisa giggled. ‘I knew what you meant; I was just letting you dig yourselfa little deeper.’
