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‘Mourad, like the Prime Minister?’
‘Yes, he is my husband,’ Maya confirmed, her smile deep and full of the love of a happy wife. ‘Khalif has explained that I would be seeing you?’
The gentle way about her was soothing to Star’s edgy nerves. ‘Perhaps “explained” might be a bit of an exaggeration.’
Maya nodded knowingly. ‘I see. So, I am a family doctor,’ she explained. ‘A little like your GPs, but I specialise in women’s health.’
‘I didn’t think that you could tell if I was pregnant so soon after...’ Star’s words were replaced by a fierce blush and suddenly she wanted her sisters. She didn’t want to be here, no matter how nice Maya was. She should be talking to Skye and Summer about her first time, about how wonderful it was, not how she might be pregnant and how that meant she couldn’t come home.
She could almost hear them now. Skye would immediately be making plans about prams and cradles, nappies and booties, Summer would turn to books and have all kinds of information on birthing styles, baby names and vitamins. Both of them would be completely supportive, with all the kind words of encouragement and soothing she could possibly need.
But there would be that silentI told you soin Skye and Summer’s shared looks. They had expected her to get into trouble and, while they might not have forecasted just how big that trouble was...they’d clearly been right to worry.
‘We can’t tell whether you are pregnant yet,’ Maya said, answering Star’s half formed question from moments before. ‘But first I want to see if you’re okay. Then we’ll talk about the options.’
‘I won’t have a termination.’ The words were immediate and determined, natural and instinctive. They came from a place deep within her, and Star almost heard the growl of the dragon that Kal had called forth within her. ‘I’m sorry, I—’
‘No. It’s good for you to know how you feel about this, even at this early stage,’ Maya said, her gentle smile soothing a bit of the shock Star was beginning to feel. ‘I meant options in terms of the kinds of tests we can do now, the tests you’rehappyto do now, and any medical information you feel comfortable giving me.’
‘You mean giving Khalif?’ Star asked, more curious than resentful.
‘You are my patient. If there is anything you wish for me not to say, then you have my confidentiality.’
Star thought about it for a moment. ‘No,’ she said finally and resolutely. ‘I have nothing to hide.’
Maya smiled and gestured for her to sit. ‘So let’s start with the easiest question and then work back a little. When was your last period?’
CHAPTER FIVE
THEMOMENTMAYAemerged from his bedroom, Khalif demanded to know how Star was.
‘She is fine,’ Maya replied. ‘Taking a moment, but she is—’
His assistant stood, snaring Maya’s attention. ‘Any medical conditions we should know about? Family history of—’
‘That’s enough, Amin,’ Khalif said.
‘Your Highness, we need to know if there is any—’
‘IfStar is pregnant, we will get to those kinds of questions. Until then I willnotinvade her privacy in such a way,’ he warned.
Amin stared at Khalif until Star opened the door to the bedroom and came out, with a smile only he might be able to tell was nervous.
‘As I told Star,’ Maya said to the room, ‘we will need about eleven days before we can be sure a pregnancy test will be completely accurate.’
‘That’s the day after the memorial event,’ Amin said angrily as if somehow that was Star’s fault too.
‘Yes,’ Maya confirmed as Khalif’s head began to spin. Everything seemed to be converging on that one event.
‘You can’t miss it,’ Amin said to Khalif.
‘Why would you miss it?’ Star asked Khalif in confusion and started a little at the glare his assistant sent her way. Khalif was about to say something when she turned to Amin. ‘Are you okay?’ she asked, peering at him. ‘Do you need some water?’
Amin turned an indelicate shade of puce. Khalif couldn’t tell whether Star had been purposely oblivious to Amin’s obvious anger or simply unseeing of it.
‘You cannot leave, Your Highness. There is still too much work to do—’
‘Amin...’ he warned.
