Page 88 of The In-Laws

Nancy’s office door opened and she walked out. Melanie noticed Katie taking a step back, standing almost behind Jamie so Nancy wouldn’t see her. ‘Sorry, I was on a call.’ She walked towards Ruby, her hand extended. ‘I’m Nancy Fitzroy, nice to meet you.’

Ruby shook it. ‘Nice to meet you too. As it happens I know your son Ross very well.’

Nancy looked around, took in the scene, and frowned. ‘Oh, I thought you were here to see Melanie.’

Ross finally managed to move. He walked towards Ruby and said, ‘Can I speak to you privately?’

Ruby shook her head. ‘No, you’ve lost that privilege. I’ve tried contacting you privately loads of times, but youwere always too busy to return my calls and emails. You had your chance to do this privately, I’m done.’

‘Ruby, please,’ Ross begged.

Ruby placed a hand on her pregnant stomach. ‘No!’

Nancy was watching Ross closely and Melanie could see that she was starting to put two and two together.

‘Okay, what’s going on here?’ Nancy cut briskly to the chase. ‘I thought you were an author looking for Melanie to represent you?’

‘I am looking for a new agent, but hell would freeze over before I’d let anyone in this family represent me. I came here to confront your son about his child.’ Ruby pointed to her bump.

Katie peered out from behind Jamie and beamed at Melanie, who tried to keep a straight face. Melanie was watching Ruby, and she actually admired how composed she was. Ruby was ready for her moment. She had no doubts or fears: that was clear.

Jamie’s mouth fell open. ‘What’s … Ross?’

‘Ross?’ Nancy barked.

Melanie watched as her brother-in-law, always so self-assured and bullish, tried to control his emotions. ‘I … I … Jesus, the thing is, I met Ruby a while ago and … well …’

‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ Ruby hissed, ‘man up.’ Turning to Nancy, she explained, ‘Ross and I had an affair and I got pregnant. As soon as he found out, he ran home to Dublin and has been avoiding me ever since. I want him to acknowledge his child and help pay for their upkeep, like any proper man would do. And I need him to speak to me directly because, come hell or high water, he’s going to be involved in this baby’s life. He can’t keep cowering behind a lawyer. It’s pathetic.’

Nancy’s eyes narrowed as she looked at her eldest son. ‘Is this true?’

Ross’s face had drained of all colour. Melanie thought he might actually faint. ‘Well, yes, but it’s more complicated than that.’

‘What’s complicated? You have a child on the way, own it,’ Ruby snapped.

Nancy’s face darkened. ‘Christ, Ross, what a bloody mess.’

‘Bloody hell,’ Jamie muttered. ‘So this is really why you came back.’

Melanie could see realization dawning on Nancy’s face – all that talk of caring for his mother, being there for her, unable to stay away when she needed help, it was all a front to hide the true story. Looking at Nancy, she reckoned it hurt her to realize that she, and her home, had been used because it suited Ross’s agenda, not because he was a loving son.

‘Well, Ross?’ Ruby Rose wanted answers.

Beads of sweat had formed on Ross’s brow. Melanie almost felt sorry for him.

‘I’m just finalizing things with my solicitor. I’ll have a contract for you next week.’

‘It had better be fair, and you’d better acknowledge this baby and be a dad to them. I want my kid to know their father, even if he is a spineless git.’

‘Ross will do the right thing, I can assure you of that,’ Nancy told her, standing with her back very straight.

‘Yes. We’ll make sure your baby is looked after,’ Frank added. ‘The happiness and wellbeing of the child is the most important thing.’

Ross glared at Frank. Melanie couldn’t tell if Frank was being sincere, or getting a dig in.

‘Look, Ruby, I’ve just been trying to work things out for the best for everyone,’ Ross said.

‘Ignoring me is not for the best for me,’ Ruby said.

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