Page 83 of Hidden Gem
The PM’s eyebrows shot up as she accepted the envelope. “Thank you, Jason. I appreciate your honesty. However, we might keep the details to ourselves until the news about Kathleen has blown over. Maybe longer. You must understand how badly this reflects on all of us.”
“I do.” Jason swallowed a huge lump of shame.
Everyone stared at him, mirroring the PM’s shock and disappointment. Everyone but Malcolm. His only Parliament friend. His confidante. There was a hint of understanding in his eyes.
Slowly, he stood up and took Jason’s hand, turning the handshake into a one-armed bro hug. “Godspeed, Jason.”
“Thanks,” he rasped, lowering his voice. “I just can’t. I have to step away and get better.”
“I hope you get her back.”
Malcolm’s permission was all he needed. After a quick round of apologies and goodbyes, he hurried out. He didn’t want to hear their platitudes or face their questions. And he wasn’t handing anyone more ammunition than they already had.
Floating on a rush of his newfound freedom, Jason let his shaky legs carry him out through the security, ignoring everyone. Would he miss this place? Maybe. But that was nothing compared to his sense of relief. The secret was out. It no longer held power over him. He’d ruined his reputation, and burned his career, but he was free. There was a way out, somewhere in the distance.
Chapter 39
“I’m sorry, I don’tlike the look of these numbers. They’re too low.”
Marnie shrank in her seat, the doctor’s compassionate voice ringing in her ears. Her baby was leaving. The dream that had lifted her from darkness was slipping away.
“What does it mean? A false positive?”
The doctor smiled and shook her head. She had a black bob and an impenetrable shell of professional pleasantness. “No. False positives are very rare. You’re most likely pregnant, but either it’s very early, or you’re miscarrying. You told me you got a faint positive with a home pregnancy test yesterday. Those tests are quite sensitive, but your hCG should be higher by now. So, I’m just saying, given your age, you should prepare for an early miscarriage. Either way, please book another appointment in a couple of days so we can do another test.”
She clicked her mouse, bringing up something on the screen. “Now, how’re you handling the arthritis? Are the symptoms getting worse?”
Marnie hardly cared about a little joint pain. Maybe she was just getting used to the twinges and swelling. When she didn’t focus on how old it made her feel, could handle the illness, for now. She had an inkling the fasting and diet changes helped.
She shrugged. “It’s fine. Comes and goes.”
“That’s good. Look after yourself. Keep those joints warm.”
Marnie tucked her hands in her pockets. “So, you think I’ll start bleeding soon?”
“If you do, it should be very straight forward, like a heavy period. You can still come and see us, and we’ll make sure it’s over.”
