Page 80 of Thursdays at Orange Blossom House
Dorothy blushes. She was, in fact, ‘active’ with Frederick this morning, before they left for work. With the pressure off because she’s pregnant, they’ve been enjoying each other a lot more.
‘I see that may be the reason,’ the doctor says cheerfully. ‘No need to discontinue. Just be aware that this can be the result. But if there’s a greater amount of blood than this, come back in straightaway. Otherwise you have a normally progressing pregnancy and you can go home.’
Almost throwing off the gown, Dorothy dresses as quickly as she can and makes for the waiting room, the rush of the news carrying her along. She’s still pregnant. There’s still a baby inside her with its little beating heart. She doesn’t feel she can dare to hope yet that it will last all the way. But maybe soon. Maybe by the third trimester.
When she emerges, she sees that the waiting room is busier. Patricia is easy to spot, though, and Grace Maud is next to her, their heads bent towards each other, then turning towards … Frederick. He must have flown here. Or maybe more time has passed than she realised.
‘Liebling!’ he cries as he grabs her, hugging her.
‘It’s all right!’ she says breathlessly. ‘I’m all right!’
He pulls back, looking confused. ‘Yes?’
She smiles and nods vigorously. ‘Yes.’
‘I’m so pleased,’ Grace Maud says, patting her once on the arm.
‘That’s great,’ says Patricia, kissing her cheek. ‘Really great. So what happened?’
‘It’s just …’ Dorothy glances at Frederick and blushes again. ‘Something that happens.’
Frederick gives her a funny look. ‘But there must be a reason?’
‘I’ll tell you on the way home,’ she says quickly. ‘We should let Patricia and Grace Maud go.’
‘We’ll leave you to it,’ Patricia says, picking up her handbag. ‘But if you need anything, give me a call.’
Dorothy waits for the other two to depart before she clutches Frederick’s hand. ‘Our baby is fine,’ she says.
‘That is the best news.’ He kisses her forehead.
‘But next time we, ah … you know.’ She glances around to see if anyone is nearby. ‘We may have to be a little more gentle.’
His eyes widen, then he smiles. ‘I understand,’ he says.
‘I knew you would.’
She nudges him, and he puts an arm around her shoulders. As they walk to the car, Dorothy feels hope trying to flicker inside her again.
Maybe this baby really will last. Maybe this time her dream really will come true.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
‘What happened?’ Patricia says, breathless, as she almost throws her handbag onto the kitchen counter.
‘It’s all right, Patricia, she’s back now.’
Her father sounds annoyed, as if he hadn’t called her at work, in a panic because his wife was no longer in the house.
Patricia had to ask Gordon to cover her class, which means she owes him a favour and she knows he’ll call her on it. Nothing is ever straightforward with a man like that.
‘Dad, that’s not the point! How long was she gone?’
He shrugs, and starts to leaf through the newspaper. ‘I don’t know.’
‘Dad, stop! Stop reading the bloody paper!’
He looks up, surprised. Patricia doesn’t swear. Not around him. Not around anyone. Years of teaching have trained her out of it. She can’t afford to swear outside of school lest she slip up while she’s at work.
