Page 95 of The London Girls
He stared at her as if he hadn’t heard what she’d said. ‘Pregnant?’ he finally repeated.
‘Pregnant,’ she said with a grin. ‘I – well, I didn’t think you’d want me riding one of thesedeath trapswith our baby on board.’
George was still staring at her with the most comical look on his face, and she walked over to him, looping her arms around his neck since there was no one else around. ‘Darling, please say something. I thought you’d be ecstatic.’
He finally seemed to digest the news, but instead of his face breaking out into a smile, he looked like he was about to explode.
‘You’ve been delivering dispatches when you knew you werepregnant?’ he blustered.
‘Well, when you say it like that ...’
‘Ava, of all the irresponsible, reckless things you’ve done, this,this—’
‘George,’ she interrupted, taking his hand and holding it to her stomach. ‘Darling, I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a baby. Surely we don’t have to be theatrical about what I have or haven’t done up until this moment?’
Just like she’d known it would, the instant his hand covered her belly, his face softened, all traces of anger disappearing.
‘We’re going to have a baby?’ he whispered.
‘Yes, George, we’re going to have a baby.’ She laughed. ‘So can we forget all about the reckless behaviour part and just celebrate the fact I’ve voluntarily given up work? I feel like it’s quite an accomplishment for me to be so mature.’
George laughed then, too. ‘I suppose it is a miracle.’
‘Youknowit’s a miracle,’ she murmured against his mouth, before planting a kiss on his lips. ‘We’re going to be parents, George. Can you believe it?’
He took her into his arms, kissing her back, and she knew then that he’d most definitely forgotten all about how cross he was with her.
‘Heaven help me if we have a daughter,’ he muttered. ‘How in God’s name would I deal with another girl like you?’
‘Easily,’ she said, tilting her head back as she looked up at him. ‘You’ve dealt with me just fine up until now.’
He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, before wrapping her in his arms and lifting her clean off her feet.
‘What are you doing?’ she squealed. ‘George, put me down!’
But George carried her straight out to the street and didn’t stop.
‘George!’
‘This is no place for the mother of my child. I’m taking you home.’
‘I can walk!’ she protested, unsuccessfully wriggling against his hold. ‘George, please! I’m pregnant, not sick!’
But he completely ignored her, taking her to the little flat they’d shared ever since they’d married, and kissing her on the head once he deposited her outside the front door.
‘Rest,’ he said. ‘I’ll be home soon.’
And, for the first time in her life, once she’d waved goodbye, Ava followed his orders without hesitation and curled up in bed, ready to sleep the day away until George came home.
The next evening, Ava lay on her back, propped up slightly with pillows and looking down at George. His hand was placed protectively over her stomach, and she laughed when he bent to kiss it. There was a gentle curve there now, whereas before it had been flat, and she sighed as he moved up the bed to kiss her lips. She was half surprised he hadn’t noticed the change before she’d told him, although she well knew that men were often hopeless when it came to things like that.
‘I’m sorry you had to spend last night alone,’ he said.
‘I’m fine,’ she replied. ‘We’refine.’
His hand moved back to her stomach. ‘Ava, about your last dispatch—’
‘Stop,’ she said, wriggling back and holding up her hand. ‘Before you say anything, I know I should have stopped riding sooner. I’m sorry, but you know how difficult it is for me to—’
