Page 83 of The Only Way Is Up

Another surprise arrived just after school finished, in the shape of Melanie. She looked fabulous in a grey pencil skirt, cream blouse and sensible heels after her first day as Tom’s new school secretary. She was standing taller and had a new glow of confidence about her.

‘I just thought I’d pop in and say hello. Is it a bad time?’

‘Absolutely not.’ Daisy boiled the kettle for what felt like the seventeenth time today. ‘Do you want tea? Or wine? Is it too early for wine?’

‘It’s 4 p.m., Daisy,’ Melanie smiled. ‘Anyway, I’m off wine at the moment.’

‘You as well?’ Daisy exclaimed in mock horror. ‘It must be this village! My mother’s given up the booze, now you too. Who am I going to drink with in my last week?’

‘Oh, well, I have a good reason.’ Melanie looked at Daisy awkwardly. ‘Actually, I’m, um, well. I’m pregnant.’

‘Oh my God!’ Daisy yelled, crossing the tiny kitchen to hug Melanie. ‘That’s amazing news! You’re pleased, right?’

Melanie nodded, clearly still unused to saying it out loud. ‘I’m thrilled. Gerald’s a little shocked – and Will looked like he might be sick.’ She giggled. ‘I think the idea of his parents having sex was a bit much for him.’ Melanie tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘But yes, I’m pleased. We tried for years after Will and couldn’t quite get there, so I never imagined . . . anyway, it’s still very early days. I’ve had miscarriages before, and I’m not exactly in my first youth. So please don’t tell anyone.’

‘Of course.’ Daisy laid her hand on Melanie’s arm, squeezing gently. ‘I won’t say a word.’

‘But look,’ Melanie took the mug of tea from Daisy, leaning her hip against the worktop, ‘since I’ve told you, can I ask your advice about something?’

‘Sure.’

‘I haven’t told Tom. I just want to see what happens first, get past the first scan. Is that bad?’

‘Of course not,’ replied Daisy. ‘Tell him when you’re ready. He’ll be delighted for you, even if it means you’re only there for a couple of terms.’

‘I’m rather hoping I can go back afterwards. At least part time. I thought Gerald might share the parenting load this time round, be more of a modern father.’

Daisy raised her eyebrows. ‘Is that likely?’ Gerald didn’t seem like the kind of man to put the baby in a sling while he pegged reusable nappies on the washing line.

Melanie laughed. ‘A couple of months ago I’d have said absolutely not. But an awful lot has changed since then.’

‘Tell me about it . . .’ laughed Daisy.

‘Well, actually, that’s why I’m here,’ said Melanie with a grin. ‘You and Tom. Tell me ALL about it.’

The final surprise of the day came about three minutes after Melanie left, when another knock at the door heralded the arrival of Will. He hurried into the cottage, dropping his school bag by the door.

‘Sorry,’ he mumbled, as Daisy stared at him in surprise. ‘I’ve been hiding behind the stables waiting for my mum to leave.’

‘Is everything OK?’ Daisy took his wet coat, hanging it over the back of a chair. ‘It’s not Ruby?’

‘She’s fine,’ Will said reassuringly. ‘Bit nervous about her play on Friday, I think.’

‘Well, that’s normal. So what’s the urgency?’

Will took a deep breath. ‘It’s about the thing in the paper yesterday. The story in the Mail. I think somebody from the village has been talking.’

Daisy tried not to smile; Will looked so intense and grown-up and she didn’t want to burst his bubble. ‘What makes you think that?’

‘Because there was something in the story about Justella going on This Morning. Nobody could have known that unless they were at your birthday party.’

Daisy beamed. ‘You, Will, are a very smart young man. I’d actually already worked out the same thing but hadn’t got much further than that.’

‘I wanted to tell you it wasn’t me,’ Will blurted, his feet shuffling with nerves.

Daisy gave a soft smile, wishing she could give him a hug without it seeming weird. ‘It never crossed my mind.’

‘Really?’ he looked surprised.