The sonographer’s expression shifted. Not dramatic. Just… intent. Concentrated. A little frown she tried to smooth away without the ladies noticing.
Rita’s heart lurched. ‘What, what is it?’
Kelly panicked too. ‘I know that face. Don’t make that face.’
The sonographer took a slow breath.
‘Well’ – she smiled – ‘everything looks healthy. Baby is measuring well. Strong heartbeat.’
Rita exhaled. Kelly’s shoulders dropped. ‘And… well,’ the woman continued, fingers still moving, eyes back on the image. ‘There’s… another little one in there, too.’
Silence swallowed the room.
Kelly blinked. ‘Another what?’
The sonographer laughed aloud. ‘Another baby,’ she said, tilting the screen, pointing. ‘Here. And here. Two sacs. Two very definite little ones. Congratulations, Mrs Jory. You’re expecting twins.’
Rita’s laugh came out wrong, half breath, half sob. Kelly clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes filling instantly.
‘Not again!’ Kelly’s voice cracked into a stunned laugh. ‘Reet petite, you absolute bleeding overachiever!’
Rita stared at the screen. Two pulsing dots of life. Two tiny, beating drums. Just like before, only somehow more impossible, more unreal, more miraculous. The pain of remembering sharing this with Archie all those years ago suddenly tore through her. She pushed the thought away as quickly as it had come.
‘But…’ Rita shook her head. ‘How? I mean… I’m forty-six. I thought… I thought getting pregnant alone would be hard. Or… unlikely.’
The sonographer nodded kindly.
‘It is unusual, but you are proof it is absolutely possible. Women in their forties have a higher chance of releasing more than one egg when they do conceive. The body can do surprising things. And since you’ve already had twins before… well.’ She smiled gently. ‘Clearly some women’s bodies are just very fond of doing things in pairs.’
Kelly squeezed her friend’s hand tighter. ‘I bet you’ll be an even better Mum second time around.’
Mum.The word landed in Rita’s chest and stayed there.
‘OK, wipe the gunk off.’ The woman handed Rita some paper towels. ‘You’re doing wonderfully, as I said; both babies are healthy and a reasonable size, heartbeats strong. Because of your age and that these are twins, we will monitor you extra carefully. An early caesarean is likely to be recommended, but you’ll discuss all the details with your midwife. They’ll guide you every step of the way.’
And suddenly, it wasn’t terrifying anymore. It was life. Refusing to be neat. In the way life never was. Weirdly it being twins felt strangely familiar and comforting.
And for the first time since she’d found out she was pregnant, Rita didn’t feel alone at all.
She felt… chosen. Twice. Again.
Kelly was taking a shower upstairs when Hilda waltzed into the kitchen, her face bronzed from the South American sun, swinging a small souvenir bag.
‘I’m back!’
‘I can see that.’ Rita smiled warmly.
Her lips turned down. ‘I caught up on my messages last night. I’m so sorry to hear about Henry. He did stink a bit towards the end, but he was a lovable hound.’ Before Rita could react, Hilda continued, ‘And you would not believe the heat. And the music! The scenery. And oh, the men! Brought back memories of me being a showgirl in Monte Carlo. I danced every night until my knees did eventually start complaining. We had the best time.’
‘Good. Sounds like you had a proper holiday.’
‘Oh, I did. I brought you something back, too. Proper pisco. Grape brandy to you. One sip and you’ll either forget your problems or start new ones.’
She placed the bottle down with a flourish, making Rita laugh aloud.
‘And speaking of problems… I got home and something wasn’t right.’
Rita straightened. ‘What do you mean?’
