“Laura said something special was going to happen today,” Edwin said. “She knew.”
“Oh, really?” Alex smiled at me, and I pulled a face as if to say,Yes, maybe I did know.
Edwin bounced around him. “Laura only lets me get two things, Uncle Alex, but I really, really want a chocolate egg as well.”
Alex assumed a sympathetic expression, but said to Edwin, “I think Laura knows what she’s talking about. Come on, choose your two things, and we can go and sit in the sunshine, and you can tell me everything you’ve been up to since I last saw you.”
He held my elbow lightly as we crossed the street outside the shop, Edwin holding my hand on the other side.
“So how’reyoudoing?” he asked, slowing down by the bench and frowning at me slightly.
“I’m fine. Great,” I said.
“Hm. They looking after you properly up there?”
I checked his expression but found no trace of humor. “I’m the one looking after Edwin, remember?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I know. So, how’s Ruth?”
My clockwork jumped to a halt. How could I have forgotten about Ruth and the baby? Or more precisely, his connection to Ruth and the baby. I bit the inside of my lip.Of course he didn’t miss me.I was pathetic. Edwin ran off to play, and I sank onto the bench, and after a moment Alex perched next to me, watching me.
“She’s all right,” I said. I glanced at him. Did he know?
“Good,” he said, nodding with raised eyebrows as if waiting for more, but I leaned back and focused my attention on Edwin, who was climbing the steps of the slide.
“And Dominic?” he asked.
“Yep, he’s fine.” I waited four or five seconds. “They’re excited about the baby, of course.”
“Baby?” Alex swiveled round, his knee bumping mine. “She’s pregnant?”
I nodded.
“Bloody hell.” He leaned back and ran a hand over his face. “Sorry,” he added. “I mean, that’s great. One baby or...?”
“Yes, just one.”
“Good. Okay.” He sat back again. “How far along is she?”
“Quite far,” I said. I waved to Edwin at the top of the slide. “She’s due in August. End of August.”
He kept his gaze on the houses at the far side of the green. An elderly man walked past us, a small terrier dragging behind on its lead. A cold sensation was spreading through my chest, and suddenly, I couldn’t bear to sit there any longer.
“We should be getting back.” I stood and beckoned to Edwin.
Alex rose too. “Do you think—?” he said.
I waited.
“Do you think Ruth would mind if I walked back with you?”
I glanced at Edwin. “I think you probably should ring her first,” I said.
He nodded, rapidly. “Yeah, okay, good idea. I’ll do that.”
“Bye, Uncle Alex,” Edwin said, squinting up at him.
Alex ruffled his hair. “Bye, Edwin. Say hi to your mama for me.” As we walked away he added, “Good to see you both.”
