Page 9 of Seven Letters

Sarah thought it was up to Johnny to search into options, but she said nothing. Her older sister had always liked to control everything. She couldn’t help herself – it was in her DNA. Their mother had been the same.

‘Well, hopefully he’ll get sorted soon.’

‘Thanks. Let’s not talk about Johnny. How are you feeling? You look pale. You might need iron. You’re probably anaemic. Ask the doctor today for a prescription.’

‘I’m fine. I just slept badly. Don’t fuss.’ Sarah didn’t want another lecture on looking after herself. Mia had always been bossy, but since their mum had died three years ago she’d gone into overdrive. It was as if she felt her role now was leader of the family. She was even bossing their poor dad, Charlie, about. Sarah thought Charlie’s romance with Olivia was an attempt to get away from Mia telling him what to do. Mind you, Sarah wasn’t sure Olivia was the best choice, but Charlie seemed content.

‘Well, good luck with the scan later. Will you find out the sex, do you think?’

Sarah was still undecided. ‘I think so. It depends if they can see anything on the scan or not. Adam’s mad keen to know. He has a big meeting today and I’m worried it’ll run on. If he misses the scan, I’ll kill him.’

Adam will always put work first, Mia thought. She picked up her bag and headed out of the door. ‘Call me if you want me to bring Izzy home. You might need a lie-down – you really do look tired.’

Sarah didn’t bother responding. She walked to the front door and waved them off. She could see Izzy chatting to Riley, while her teenage cousin stared at her phone. She hoped Izzy would love the new baby as much as she loved Riley.

3

Sarah sat in the waiting room at the clinic, flicking through a fashion magazine. She kept one eye on the big clock ticking in the corner of the surgery. Photos of celebrities on the beach with big red circles around their stretchmarks couldn’t distract her from the anger rising in her chest. Where the hell was Adam? Her scan was scheduled for half past two. Knowing Adam’s disastrous time-keeping, she’d lied and told him it was at two o’clock. It was now twenty past and there was no sign of him. She dropped the magazine onto the coffee-table and picked up her phone. She dialled his mobile. Straight to voicemail. She left a third grumpy message.

Damn him. He knew how important this was to her. And it should be just as important to him, for God’s sake. She’d told him to be there, no matter what. This was a really big deal. This was their longed-for, wished-for, prayed-for baby. She did not want to do this alone.

A text flashed up.So sorry. Negotiations still ongoing. Good luck. Ax

Sarah wanted to throw the phone against the wall. She felt emotion well up. She wanted support today. She’d been feeling really tired and headachy lately and she didn’t want to do this without her husband. She stared at the phone, silently cursing Adam for being so bloody unavailable all the time. Then she began scrolling through her contacts, stopping at ‘Dad’.

Charlie lived ten minutes away. If he was at home, maybe he could come and support her if her husband couldn’t.

Charlie answered on the second ring. Sarah explained the situation, struggling to hold back tears.

‘I’ll be there in ten minutes,’ he said.

‘Thanks, Dad, you’re an angel.’

Sarah sat back and tried to calm her breathing. Getting worked up before the big scan was not a good idea. She was only twelve weeks pregnant, but she already had a tiny little bump. She’d thought it might be twins because she’d had no bump until about sixteen weeks with Izzy, but the original scan had shown just one baby. Mind you, it could be down to the daily scones she was scoffing. She’d have to be careful not to put on too much weight this time.

She didn’t care what sex the baby was. A girl would be wonderful because Izzy would have a sister, like Sarah had Mia, but a boy would be amazing too, a little Adam.

The sonographer, Frankie O’Sullivan, called her name. Sarah looked towards the reception door. Charlie hadn’t arrived yet.

‘My father’s on his way. Can you show him in when he arrives?’ she asked the receptionist.

‘Of course, no problem.’

Sarah followed Frankie into the small, dark room. She hopped onto the bed, undid her belt and the zip of her jeans, pulling them down to just below her hips. Frankie squeezed cold gel on her stomach and began to run the probe over her pregnancy bump.

Sarah held her breath. She hadn’t had any bleeding or spotting, but you never knew until you heard the heartbeat and saw the screen if all was truly well. The probe moved around and then … the beautiful thump of her baby’s heartbeat filled the room. Sarah smiled. The most wonderful sound in the world.

‘Everything looks good,’ Frankie assured her.

The door opened and Charlie rushed in. ‘Sorry. Traffic. Am I too late?’

‘No, Dad, just in time. Look, there’s the baby.’

Charlie sat down beside his daughter and stared at the screen. ‘Well, now, isn’t that something?’ He was transfixed.

They stared at the screen and Charlie took Sarah’s hand in his. ‘I’m so glad for you, love.’

‘Thanks, Dad.’ Sarah tried not to cry. Turning to the sonographer she asked, ‘If possible, I’d like to know the sex.’

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