FICTION - Camomile Crescent - A Chance Encounter

For the previous instalments of Camomile Crescent please go here

Emma stared at the newspaper she had placed on the small kitchen table and tapped her cheek nervously with her finger.  She had been out and purchased it a good hour earlier, and despite having made and drunk her coffee, she still had not opened it.

"This is ridiculous." she said out loud to herself "You are only looking at what jobs are available, it's not like you are waiting to go into the interview."  Even so, her stomach still flipped over.  She had never had a job.  She had gone from school, to college, to University and then had the children.  She had never even had a Saturday job.

She filled her days the children had been at school, so far three weeks, catching up with all the household chores that needed doing.  All those things she wished she had time to do but never did.  Along with keeping on top of the day to day things; washing; ironing; making packed lunches she had been pleasantly busy and felt a real sense of achievement as she focused and completed her tasks.

Now her 'back log list' was coming to an end.  All rooms had been de-cluttered, pulled out and deep cleaned.  Toys had been sorted, fixed and stored in a logical order with labels to help the children maintain the new system.  She had been brutal in what was kept and what was donated to the local play-group and for the first time - in the history of having the children - all toys fitted into the numerous storage solutions that had been purchased over the years.  She had even undertaken a little bit of painting and now the hall and living areas were looking much brighter. 

Now though, she was facing the thing she had longed for, and now feared.  Time to do something other than look after the children.  Most people she had spoken to - albeit briefly she didn't have an abundance of friends - had questioned whether she would try to find a job.  What job she had no idea.  But it would make sense to help the families finances, which were always tight on Luke's Firefighter wage.  Even during the months when his side line of being an Electrician brought in some extra money, it was immediately paid off of the credit card or used for buying the children new essentials. 

The family had never been on more than a long weekend away, usually a caravan in a British seaside town.  They had plenty of fun but it was always over so quickly.  Emma and Luke had dreamt of being able to take the children on a holiday abroad, especially as they were all now potty trained and free from baby paraphernalia.  But try as they might to save, a serious of unfortunate events; a new oven; an exhaust for the car; all the school uniform;  meant any surplus money they acquired was spoken for and as such the 'Holiday Fund' account was still sitting at a rather sundry £90.

Only one person had told her to 'Enjoy herself.' when discussing what to do with her time.  Sarah the lady from number 27.  Emma had only recently discovered her name.  Emma had been walking home from dropping the children at The Academy one morning and Sarah had been out tending to her front garden.  As Emma neared, the women clipping her roses stood back, pondering her next move and had noticed her walking along.  She smiled warmly. 

"Hello!" she had ventured.  Emma returned the smile, quietly replied and nodded.  She was surprised when the lady continued "I don't think I have ever seen you without children?"  Emma laughed.

"Me either.  I have just dropped them all off to school." she verified.

"The Academy?  So lucky to have such a good school so close by.  I am hoping my daughter, Melanie, will teach there one day."  She took off her gloves and walked over to lean on the gate "She is just about to go off to University.  She's going to do Sports Science.  She wants to be a PE Teacher.  She has always excelled at sports, lucky thing.  She's doing some travelling around Europe at the moment, she is due back tomorrow.  That's why I am out here so early, trying to get all those things I would do over the course of the week done so I can spend the next week with Mel, before she leaves for the start of her term."  Emma was taken aback by the barrage of information from a women she had only ever nodded recognition too.

"Oh." Emma responded slightly unsure "Where is she going to University?"  This question prompted a further flurry of information and Emma wondered if she gushed about her own children in the same way as Sarah was about her daughter.  Probably she thought, they were her world, as Melanie obviously was to her parents.

"It's four you have got isn't it?" Sarah asked, tilting her head slightly to one side.  Emma was caught off guard with the sudden change of direction in conversation.

"Er... yes." she said with a lack of confidence.  Sarah laughed.  "Yes!" Emma reiterated shaking her head "Sorry, yes four, two sets of twins."

"Dear little things."  Sarah stated, then added winking "Well, they look like."  This time Emma laughed.

"Ha, sometimes.  No, they have definitely got better as they have got older.  And now they are all at school, they have less energy for fighting in the evening."

"Dream for you isn't it?" Sarah said "To finally have a bit of time for yourself."  Emma pondered this.  Yes it should have been.  But she had been struggling to find a new routine.  She just didn't really know what she should be doing with herself.

"It's..."  Emma paused "Odd."  She wanted to say, in actual fact it was petrifying.  That despite her best efforts at keeping busy she found herself pacing around at 2.30 in the afternoon wondering if it was too early to take the ninety second walk to the school.  Then she felt frustrated with herself.  At the first glimmer of that emotion she found something to clean, again, and pushed it aside.

She had found, however that she was becoming more short with Luke, when he invariably asked her what she had done with her day.  She knew it wasn't his fault that she had decided to stop having any other life outside of him and the children, but she just couldn't help it.  She felt foolish saying that she had spent all day cleaning and tidying and re-arranging.  He had commented how wonderful the home now looked, and she was grateful that he appreciated her full fledged efforts.  That had been a target since the children were born and it was satisfying to be fully on top of that at least.  Why wouldn't it be, she thought, it was all she had. 

Emma realised she had lost focus on what Sarah was saying, re-engaging as she said "A new routine just takes time, but just remember to make some time for yourself."  Emma forced a laugh.

"Oh yes, certainly!" The one thing she wasn't sure how to do, was just that.  Sarah tapped Emma's hand affectionately, which she had absent-mindedly rested on the gate.

"It's been lovely to chat to you.  It's madness I have lived in this road for so many years, yet I don't really know anyone.  Although," she said in a hushed tone "Some people I don't think I will be making an effort with." she nodded towards one of the larger detached properties, directly opposite Emma's modest semi-detached home. 

If memory served Emma correctly, the couple who had bought it had a son and daughter.  They looked like they were in their early teens.  Emma had seen them individually running into the gates of The Academy High School section, late, as she had been returning from dropping her own children several times over the last few weeks. 

Ellen.  That was the women.  She had no real idea who the man of the house was, when they had moved in there had been months of builders arriving and departing and Emma had given up trying to work out who was who.  She had seen a man coming and going daily certainly, but he left extremely early in the morning and usually returned at the time Emma was attempting to settle the children in to bed.  Sarah was right, they didn't seem particularly approachable so she would probably never need to know.  "Well, must get on, I am sure you have got plenty to be doing too."  Sarah concluded and both women had returned to their day.

Emma now drummed her fingers on the newspaper and sighed.  The day she had stood and chatted with Sarah had given her a spring in her step.  One to one adult conversation with another female had been such a change and had given her a buzz she missed and longed for, moreso now than ever.  She had heard some of the mothers at the school deciding to take their animated conversation at the gates to the local coffee shop and Emma had found herself forlornly watching them leave.  She desperately would have loved to have been involved in that sort of peer group but found herself struggling to get involved enough to get an invite.

Frowning at her own lack of self confidence, she pushed the chair back and made her way to the kettle.  One thing Emma loved was coffee.  It had been an essential ingredient for her to make it through the day for years and habits were hard to break.  Reaching for the sugar bowl, she remembered it was empty.  At one point Emma had been partial to three sugars, although she had got it down to one over the last few weeks she still needed it.  Opening the cupboard she scoured the cupboard for a new bag, failing to find one. 

"Grrrrrrr Luke!" she admonished him without him knowing it.  Luke had few bad habits but using the last of something and not telling her was one of them.  "I'll have to go back out now." she grumbled.  Making her way to the hall she pulled on her jacket and felt for her purse and keys.  Opening the front door she realised she did not have her phone with her.  Although she was only walking the short distance to the shop she didn't like to think the school couldn't get hold of her for a second.

It was quite an old phone, nothing like the mini-computers mobiles seemed to be these days.  But it made her contactable and she could text, which is about all she required it to do.  She couldn't work Luke's, it didn't  have buttons.  Emma liked the comfort of what she knew.  Advancement scared her, and she wondered if that fear was starting to hold her back in life?

Venturing out, for a second time, she pulled the old front door shut with a bang and set off down the small garden path.  She glanced along the road and saw one of her neighbours also coming out of her house.  As she closed the gate and started along the road she saw her neighbour grip onto her fence, sudden standing still with her head down, her long auburn hair covering her face.  Emma watched her warily, wondering what she was doing.  As Emma drew closer the women slowly started walking again, opening her own gate.  She stepped towards her car as Emma approached, suddenly gasping and pushing her hand against the door as if to help her stay up.  Emma looked around unsure what to do.  No one else was insight.  She could hear the women cursing.

"I...er..."  Emma started "Are you OK?"  She didn't draw any closer but couldn't just ignore the her when she was visibly in distress.  The women seemed surprised to see her.

"I don't know." she replied her face showing discomfort.  

"Is there anyone, indoors, I can get for you?"  Emma asked glancing towards the house the women had just emerged from.

"I hate hospitals." The women said, more to herself before responding to Emma.  "No." the reply came hastily "No, my partners away on business."  The women seemed to compose herself a little, but Emma wondered if she had been crying, her eyes had the tell tale signs but otherwise she was immaculately turned out in a suit.  "I need to get back to my office."  At that she again started to rub her abdomen "Oh no."  she murmured.

Emma hated to see anyone in pain "I think you better go and get yourself checked out." she said unhelpfully.

"Can you drive?" the women asked her expectantly.  Emma could but rarely did, they only had one car and Luke used it most of the time.  If Emma needed anything requiring a car she usually waited for Luke and he drove her.

"Yes, but," Emma started.

"Great." the women interrupted "I think it would be better if you drive."  Taken aback Emma stood, staring open mouthed.

"But," she started again just as the women pounded her fist on the car door, face contorted in discomfort, cursing.  "OK."  Emma quickly agreed as the women shook the car keys at her.  She glanced at the car, a sporty little red number and with her heart racing she pressed the unlock button.  The women opened the passenger side door and Emma made her way to the other side.  As she stood by the drivers door she took a deep breath and exhaled "You can do this." she commanded herself.  She opened the door and got in, surprised at how small it was inside, she was only used to having to have a car the size of a mini van.

She looked by the steering wheel and then glanced at what she had in her hand.  Where was the key?  She looked the other side and briefly shot a look at the face of her passenger, who had her eyes closed and was rubbing her forehead.  At the lack of engine starting she opened her eyes and looked at Emma, who was looking quite clueless. 

"Oh, you push that button." she said, indicating with a immaculately manicured finger nail.  Emma felt a stab of envy as she noticed her own dry hands.  That was what constant washing up, cleaning and sorting wet laundry did, she thought.  Bemused by the lack of key she didn't speak but checked that everything else in the car was as she remembered it, at least there was a gear stick and clutch. 

Pressing the button as instructed the car roared into life.  She touched the steering wheel, gear stick, clutch several times before actually taking the plunge and pushing the car into first.  Feeling for the indicator as she glanced in the side mirror she tentatively jolted away.  The sharp kangaroo jump led her passenger to open her eyes again.

"Sorry,"  Emma blagged "So used to our people carrier."  She slowly crept up the street letting the engine rev a little too long between gear changes, but soon realised that she could still remember how to drive.  As she reached the end of the road and made to take a right her passenger groaned and sat forward putting her head in her hands.  As she wheel spun out on to the road she thought that at least she would have something different to tell Luke this evening.  It was as she was contemplating if she was going to make it through the lights that her companion spoke.

"I'm Danielle." she took a deep breath and leaned back on the seat.  Emma glanced over at her briefly and realised it was her turn to introduce herself.

"Emma." she responded concentrating fiercely on the road "Have you had this pain before?"

"For a day or so."  She paused and looked away "I'm pregnant."  Emma shot her a look again. "Crossing." Danielle warned Emma. 

Emma slammed on the brakes just in time.

"Sorry.  Again.  How far along..." she began.

"Oh I don't really know.  I'm not," she paused "keeping it."  She turned her head towards the window once more as she said it "It's not in our plans."  She continued "Children I mean.  We agreed, right at the beginning of our relationship."

"Oh," Emma said quietly "Are you going to contact, er,"

"Marc?" Danielle replied "No he is in Ireland at the moment.  I was going to deal with the situation over the next few days."  She groaned again and pulled her knees up a little "Now fate might have taken it out of my hands." 

Emma turned off of the main road and thought back to her own pregnancies.  Nothing could have stopped her having the twins and she would have been devastated if she had found herself in a situation that Danielle was currently in.  Different people she thought.

"Have you had any bleeding?"  Emma questioned.  One thing Emma did feel confident talking about was pregnancy and babies.

"A little, more brown colour than red though.  And then these god damn cramps.  Mind you, they seem to be easing off a little now."  Was that hope Emma heard in Danielle's voice?  Emma still didn't think the prognosis was going to be good, maybe Danielle was right, maybe fate had intervened.  Emma indicated and turned into the hospital grounds.  "Could you drop me by the door and then go and park?" Although it was a question, it was asked in a tone that indicated that was what Emma was to do. 

"Of course."  Emma obliged.  She drew the car to a stop and Danielle opened the door.

"I'll speak to the desk and meet you in there."  She put one leg out of the door and turned back "Thanks." Danielle seemed to be mentally preparing herself for entering the hospital building.  Emma pulled away round to the car park where she inexpertly managed to get the vehicle into a space eventually.  Emma was really quite proud of herself and had only been tooted at twice by other, impatient drivers. 

She assumed the engine was turned off in the same way it was started.  As the car silenced and settled she took stock of the situation.  She was currently sitting in a sports car, that belonged to someone she had never spoken to before and was likely going to have to support that person in one of the most emotional experiences of their lives.  Emma paused, would it be emotional though, when she didn't want the pregnancy in the first place?  Emma yet again realised how naive she was and how much life experience she didn't have.  She could only think of the world through her own eyes.

Checking there was no one around she leaned over and opened the glove box.  She found make up, deodorant, a bottle of perfume and spare tights all neatly packed in.  Emma thought of her own car, strewn with car seats, littered in sweet wrappers, empty juice cartons, toys, drawings and an abundance of crumbs.  Oh what would she do if she had her own little number like this she thought.  She could have Cd's of her choice for a start.    

She suddenly realised she was still sitting pondering in the car, whilst Danielle was waiting for her.  Hastily getting out and locking up she hurried across the car park.  It was then she suddenly became conscious of what she was wearing.  Although today, by luck, she had not thrown on a pair of soft comfort trousers she had at least grabbed jeans, they were her old bell-bottom style ones.  These were accompanied by a knitted jumper that had numerous pulls and had seen better days.  Just from looking at the other mums at the school she knew skinny jeans were now the fashion and for the first time since having the children it bothered her.  She was going to be forced to sit next to Danielle who, even in her pain and discomfort had managed to turn herself out perfectly.

By the time she got to the entrance of the hospital she could see Danielle in heated discussion with the lady on the desk and was unsure whether to approach.  She could hear Danielle stating that she categorically could not wait an hour and a half to be seen as she needed to be in a meeting by then.  It was only when Danielle paused, to obviously let a cramp pass that Emma thought she may need some support. 

"Hi!" she beamed at the lady on the desk "Can I speak with you," she discreetly pointed her finger to the side "In private." she mouthed.  The receptionist nodded and Emma encouraged Danielle to take a seat.  The receptionist looked at Emma expectantly, as if it was going to take a miracle to get her to do any favours for the women that was so rude.

"I'm sorry I wasn't sure where I was supposed to take her, I think she is," Emma paused and realised she did not want to say what she was going to have to say "She's er..." she stammered.  The receptionist raised her eyebrows.  Emma took a deep breath "I think she's having a miscarriage."  The receptionists face softened. 

"OK.  Give me a few minutes to speak to the right people."

"Thanks."  Emma said gratefully.  She went over to Danielle "Hopefully we won't have to wait too long."

"Thanks." Danielle said, somewhat defeated.  "I'm not a hoity-toity person you know.  This whole," She waved her hand "Situation - just couldn't have come at a worse time.  I'm flat out at work and," she looked around concern covering her expressions "I have a real issue with anything medical and " she didn't finish the sentence. 

"Is there anyone I can call for you?  Parents?  Sister?"  Emma tried again.  Danielle shook her head.

"No, I really do not want to have to tell my mum about this.  Marc said she would make too much fuss.  I'm an only child."  She looked thoughtful "I've got plenty of friends, but only two really close ones.  Matilda lives in the States now, she was the one who introduced me to Marc."  Danielle added.  Emma noticed that at this point her mouth turned into a small smile, as if remembering an affectionate moment. "And Nancy, she does live nearby but I haven't been able to get hold of her for weeks.  She's trying to get a big promotion at work." Danielle said as if needing to justify this fact to herself.  At that moment a nurse arrived and escorted them out of the waiting room, to the audible tutting of the other patients.

Emma waited on a hard plastic chair in the maternity seating area that she knew so well.  She absent-mindedly rubbed her stomach thinking of the last time she sat here when she was expecting the girls.  She had enjoyed her pregnancies, she loved all the extra attention she got from it, but knew how much hard work babies were once they came into the world.  Danielle had been shown into a private room for a consultation and examination.  Emma had thought Danielle might pass out, but didn't feel it was appropriate to offer to accompany her, given she had known her for about an hour.

Suddenly the door opened and the nurse summoned Emma in.  Emma looked around uncomfortably "Are you sure?" she asked. 

"Yes!" she heard Danielle shout.  Emma gathered her things and walked in.  Danielle was sitting in a chair, tissue in hand.  Emma stood awkwardly.  The nurse cleared her throat.

"I have tried explaining to Miss Marchant, that we need to do a scan, to see what is going on."

"And I have told the Nurse that I do not want a scan, that I am not," she looked from the nurse to Emma and swallowed hard "having it.  A baby I mean."  Emma sensed she had been called into referee, this was something she was proficient at having four, similar age children.

"We still need to know the situation."  The nurse pressed on "Even if you do decide not to go ahead with pregnancy, we would still probably need to do a scan to ascertain how many weeks you are."

"Why?  Why would you need to do that?" Danielle asked desperately looking pleadingly at Emma.  Emma opened her mouth to speak but the nurse beat her to it.

"Well, there are different ways to proceed, depending on how far along in the pregnancy you are."

"Oh." Danielle replied.  Emma was quite shocked that Danielle hadn't found this sort of information out, given that she seemed like a savvy women in all other respects.  Emma sensed Danielle had perhaps buried her head in the sand due to her medical fear.  Danielle suddenly crumpled and Emma felt a rush of empathy for her.

"It doesn't hurt, the ultrasound I mean."  Emma offered.  "I'll go in with you if you like."  Danielle nodded slowly as she tried to regain her composure.

"OK," the nurse said, a note of relief in her voice "Let me go and see if they can squeeze you in."  The nurse left closing the door gently behind her.  Emma looked out of the window, not sure what to say next when she heard Danielle speak quietly.

"Don't let me look at the screen."  Danielle looked up "Please, don't let me look at the screen, I don't want to see..." she didn't finish.

"I don't think they'll show us the screen."  Emma comforted gently.  The nurse returned with some water.

"Drink this for me and I'll take you along."  Danielle took the bottle and nodded.  Emma gathered up her scared companions designer handbag and coat for her as the nurse showed them out and along the corridor.  At the door to the ultra-sound the nurse went in handing over paperwork and speaking in hushed tones.  Danielle paused.

"I think I'm going to be sick."  Emma put down all the stuff she was holding and rubbed Danielle's back.

"Take some deep breaths, I think you're just really nervous."  Danielle closed her eyes and shakily breathed in and out.

"Come in, come in."  The Sonographer called.  They entered the darkened room.  "OK, which of you ladies am I doing?"

"This is Danielle."  Emma answered for them both gently moving Danielle towards the bed. 

"OK my love, I just need you to lift your top, and pull your bottoms down a little."  Danielle hopped onto the bed reluctantly drawing her top up as requested.  The Sonographer tucked paper towels into her clothes. "Just going to squeeze this jelly on - it might feel a bit cold."  Emma didn't think Danielle would notice, she was shaking like a leaf and had fixed her stare on the ceiling.  Emma took the seat next to the bed and suddenly felt compelled to hold Danielle's hand.  Danielle looked over to her and tried to smile but crumpled into tears.  Emma felt Danielle's grip tighten as the Sonographer started pressing around on her exposed flesh.

Emma flicked her eyes around the room.  She felt lucky, she had only ever experienced joy in these rooms.  A little fear, of course, when they said she was having a second set of twins, but the minute she saw the two little beans flying around the screen she had surged with love.  She had been able to share the most magical moment in the world with the man she loved and she suddenly felt guilty for being so grumpy with her husband of late. 

The only noise that could be heard in the room was the clicking of keys on the computer the Sonographer made every now and then.  "Well," the Sonographer said quietly "Everything seems to be fine."

"What?"  Danielle and Emma said in unison.

"What about the bleeding?  The cramps?"  Danielle questioned.  The Sonographer spoke carefully.

"It's not, uncommon, to experience those things.  Sometimes it has no reason, sometimes it can be attributed to the implantation period of the pregnancy..."  Danielle shook her head.

"Where?"  Danielle demanded.

"Where?" The Sonographer repeated confused.

"Where?  On the screen is it.  Show me."

"Danielle," Emma started.

"Let me see." Danielle asked.

"Er..." Emma flustered "I didn't think..."

"Please."  Danielle said almost pleading "Show me."

"If you're sure."

"Yes."  Danielle answered.  The Sonographer turned the monitor.  Emma saw it instantly, she had become very familiar with scans and working out what was what.  She could not stop the smile breaking out on her face.  Danielle on the other hand looked perplexed.  The Sonographer clarified for her.  Emma saw a slow look of wonder cross Danielle's face "Wow."  Danielle mustered. 

Emma knew in that moment a different women was born.  A women that wanted her baby.  And from the squeeze and smile that Danielle now gave Emma as the Sonographer continued to talk she felt a bond, a friendship beginning.  With neither women knowing how much one chance encounter would change their lives.

What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week?

It is that time of the week once again to thrust out the negative and focus on the positive with Michelle at Mummy from the Heart for :

Reasons to be Cheerful (#R2BC)

This week has been pretty action packed so without further ado, this is what has made me Cheerful this week :

* I successfully completed The BUPA Great South Run.  10 miles on a chilly, but thankfully dry morning in Portsmouth.

* The Great South Run afforded The Hubby and I a rare weekend alone together.  We caught up, laughed, and had a lovely time just the two of us.

* It is Half Term, which although manic is a pleasure. 

* A friend has asked if I could do some social media volunteer work, for the charity GRACE, which I am really excited about.

* I have also been talking to the same friend about being involved with another exciting project, but details are still top secret at the moment.

* My Sister in Law is recovering at home from her massive surgery of last week so we went and collected my beautiful 18 month old nephew to look after for a few days, to ensure she has proper peace and quiet at home.  He is adorable and it is lovely to see him and J2 at the age where they can play nicely together.

* I managed to get an instalment of Camomile Crescent written and published within a week, rather than the usual two.  The mind is in overdrive of plot lines now, for that and some other WIP I have on the go.

* Lynsey The Mother Duck blog has received a record number of views for the month, which always thrills me.

If you want to know more about the Reasons to be Cheerful blog hop and would like to check out other cheerful bods, fly over to Mummy from the Heart.

Fiction : Camomile Crescent - Sarah and Sean : Mel's Return

For the previous instalment of 'Sarah and Sean' click here

Sarah Wright stood close to her husband, Sean, with excited anticipation as she scanned the faces piling through the 'Arrivals' corridor and out into the voluminous airport.  Her 18 year old daughter, Melanie, was returning from her European adventure any moment now.  They had already received the text to say she had landed safely and now Sarah was a mere moment away from being able to embrace her daughter, whom she had missed so dearly.

"For goodness sake stand still." Sean jested.  Sarah stilled and smiled.

"Sorry, I didn't realise I was doing it again."  Sean put his solid, sturdy arm around his wife.

"You're like an over excited puppy." he said affectionately.  Sarah returned her arm around Sean and rested her head into his side.

"She's my baby - I've missed her." Sarah sighed.

"I know.  What are you going to do when she goes off to University next week?" Sean questioned.

"That's different.  She's only a car journey away and I will be able to speak to her on the telephone a lot more." Sarah answered.

"Ahhhh I see." Sean replied.  His height ensured he saw Melanie making her way through the next wave of tanned, relaxed, smiling travellers first.  She was dragging two huge cases behind her, panting.  He felt Sarah release him as she spotted their daughter and went running forward to meet her.  He watched the two most important women in his life embrace tightly with pure affection and love for one another.  He, not for the first time, thought how lucky he was to have a wife and daughter that got on so well.

Sean made his way over to Melanie as Sarah did the typical motherly thing of standing back to check her daughter over.  As he neared he heard Sarah proclaiming that Melanie "Looked amazing!" before she embracing her again.

"Hey Dad." Melanie managed to mumbled through her mothers hold.  Sarah released her, still beaming, making room for Sean to hug his daughter.  Sean had to agree, Melanie did look healthy.  He could see she had gained a little weight, to be expected given the amount of exercise she was used to in her usual day to day routine.  With the likely alcohol consumption and eating out she had probably participated in, it was inevitable.

"Sean, you take the cases."  Sarah instructed as she handed him Mel's holdall.  She linked her arm through her daughters "So, we want to hear all about it." she gushed strolling away with Mel.  Sean glanced at the two oversized and bulging cases.  He was certain when he had waved Melanie off almost 12 weeks earlier she had waddled away under the weight of a rucksack?  He was also sure that the size and weight of these cases far exceeded the European baggage allowance and he wondered how she had been able to afford the excess baggage fee.  He decided not to be a nag and bring it up yet, he didn't want to spoil the family reunion.

Melanie regaled them with stories about her travels on the car journey home, whilst responding to various text messages.  She was constantly glancing at the screen her mother noticed smiling.  Oh to be young, she thought.  Melanie spoke most animatedly when it came to her time in Italy and Sarah sensed that was the place she had fallen in love with.  Melanie had noted, rather forlornly that she wished she could have just spent the whole summer there.  Sarah suspected it was due to the fabulous shopping opportunities, especially if the contents of the trunk Melanie had asked Sarah to have shipped home for her were anything to go by.  As she had unpacked it - while Sean was at work and unaware - she had been shocked at the amount of clothes and shoes her daughter had purchased.

As they drew close to Camomile Crescent, Melanie, checking her phone again, sighed.

"That was a big sigh!" Sean laughed.

"Exhausted sigh." replied Melanie quickly putting her phone roughly away in her pocket. "Anything exciting happen on the Crescent while I was away?"

"Nothing of note." Sarah responded "That Winterbourne women," her tone dripping with disgust "Continues to think she is above everyone else.  Almost everyday I see her getting out of her car, designer bags on her arm.  She must have a warehouse in the back garden for all the clothes she buys.  And, I actually overheard her on her mobile phone a few days ago saying how depressing it was living opposite a semi-detached!  Cheeky mare.  At least they have kept their houses in keeping with the integrity of the street, unlike the renovation work she has had had done.  You would hardly know some of the houses were from the beautiful Victorian era now.  I really don't know how they have got away with it.  All flooding in with too much time and money on their hands.  I felt like saying, you shouldn't have moved here if it's below your high standards."  Melanie chuckled thinking of her own extensive walk in wardrobe.  Her mother was by no means a snob, but she hadn't minded that Camomile Crescents desirability status had gone through the roof over the last few years.  Melanie would never dare say that to her mother however.

"You should have done mum." Melanie cajouled.  She saw her dad raise his eyebrows in the rear view mirror.  Sarah continued

"Both of those families keep their homes lovely and clean and tidy.  Even that young girl, Emma, despite having four children.  I spoke to her, Emma I mean, for the first time the other day actually.  She mentioned all four kiddies have started school now, even the little girls.  They are as small as dots.  Dear little things.  I think she is at a loss as to what to do.  I told her to put her feet up for a couple of hours and enjoy it!" she laughed at her own advice. "And I spoke to that young professional couples mum."  Melanie indicated she wasn't sure who she was referring to "Number 19,"  Sarah clarified "I think the chap is an Architect, he doesn't seem to be here much and the girl is always looking immaculate.  Anyway, at first I thought she was the cleaner, and although she does do their cleaning she is the young lady's mum.  I think she called her Danielle." she mused.

Melanie was surprised her Mother had suddenly started speaking to the neighbours, she never recalled her doing so before.  Mind you, without her there over the summer she was probably looking for someone to talk to.  Melanie had never really known her mother to have many friends, outside of her dad.  Not that it had ever seemed detrimental.  Her parents lived for each other, and her.  They had always been a happy tight unit.  Her mother added "She said they work every hour God sends but they have spent a lot of money doing the house up inside.  I got the impression she didn't approve of them working so hard, but I think that is the way to do it.  Get a good education, work hard, play hard.  Enjoy your life while you are young enough to do it."  Her mother was too busy talking to notice Melanie's eyes move nervously.  As her father turned the car engine off she hoped the conversation had come to an end.

"Oh." Melanie yawned opening the car door and getting out.  She looked at her own parents detached house.  It was so British, but had always been a happy home.  A home purchased years before, thinking they themselves would have lots of children.  As it was they had only been able to have Melanie, and although she knew she was loved beyond imagination she often felt they had never really got over the fact they could have no more.  Especially her mother.  She realised how different she felt coming back as to when she had left.  So much had happened, so much had changed.  She felt like she had really grown up.  She had merely scratched the surface of details of her travels in the car.  She had so much to tell her parents and she wanted to do it in the right way.

"So," Sarah was saying as they walked up the path to their home "Dad and I were thinking we would take you out for dinner tonight, for an Italian actually." Sarah silently congratulated herself, as she unlocked the door and checked Sean was getting the luggage out of the car, on choosing Italian, given how warmly Melanie had gushed about the country.  Mothers intuition she thought.

"Oh, that would have been lovely but I am absolutely shattered." Melanie said cutting Sarah off.

"Oh.  Not to worry darling.  I did say to Dad it would only be if you wanted to."  She was a little disappointed, she thought Melanie would jump at the idea and she had been looking forward to going out for a meal as a family again, but hid it well.  "Would you rather have a takeaway?"  They had moved through into the kitchen of the house.

"Actually, no.  I would love some home cooking."  Sarah felt a surge of love for her daughter.  All those fabulous eateries abroad that she had no doubt frequented, yet it was her mothers cooking she craved.  Sarah hugged her smiling.

"Whatever you want my love.  Anything in particular?"  She moved to the fridge, to check she would be able to rustle up whatever Mel wanted.

"Yes.  Pie, mash and liquor." Melanie said matter-of-factly.  Sarah laughed.

"OK!  Pie, mash and liquor it is."  She could see how tired Melanie was looking now.  And if that was the sort of food she had been indulging in she could see how she had gained a little holiday weight.  Sarah was sure it would fall off of her once she started back with her sports.  She wasn't sure Melanie would fit into half of the designer clothes she had sent back over the course of the summer if she didn't, and knew it would devastate her.

She mentally noted that she needed to pay another lump off of the emergency credit card she had given her daughter before she went away.  She had been aware that Melanie had used it, but had been quite shocked as the bills came in at the end of each month.  Still, as long as she had been having the time of her life, that was all that mattered.  She had been able to pay quite a lot off so far anyway, without Sean being any the wiser.

Melanie had sat down at the breakfast counter and started to work through her mail.  Her face lit up as she came to a few letters, she discarded the rest and grabbed her phone.

"Just going to lay down for a bit mum!" she shouted as she ran out of the kitchen.  She heard her clomp up the stairs and the bedroom open and shut.

"Ahhhh good to have her home eh." Sean said coming into the kitchen. "Need to talk to her about all that luggage though."  Sarah hid the guilty expression on her face and quickly closed the fridge door.

"Mel wants Pie and Mash - I'll have to run to the shops!" she said quickly exiting the kitchen "Won't be long." she called as Sean heard the front door close behind her.

Upstairs, Mel fell onto her bed and breathed in the scent of the freshly laundered sheets.  As much fun as her trip had been there was nothing like your own bed she decided.  Well, unless someone special was sharing it with you, then it didn't matter because you were floating on a cloud.  She giggled childishly.  She rolled onto her back and felt for the letters she had been so happy to see.  She looked at the neat print of her name and address on the envelope.  She ran her hand over it and smiled.  She saw the envelopes were numbered one, two and three.  She opened the first one and immediately smelt his aftershave.  She put the paper to her face, her mind replaying all the special moments they had created together.

She had met Vincenzio, or Vinny as he let her call him, on her second day in Italy.  He was the Sales Assistant in the shoe shop she had stumbled across and never wanted to leave.  Whether it was because of the beautiful shoes or the beautiful boy behind the counter she would never know.  One thing she was certain of, she would never have purchased quite so many shoes if it were not for him.  She had spent hours that afternoon, trying on the shoes and discussing what they could be worn with.  He was great at visualising whole outfits and she couldn't get enough of what he said.  After she had swiped her 'emergency credit card', with a considerable amount of guilt, he had asked her if she was free for dinner that night.

She decided to do the sensible thing and suggested that she and the other two girls she was travelling with meet him and some of his friends later that evening.  Her friends had not minded one bit being taken out by handsome Italian men.  Although they didn't have the same connection as what she and Vinny had it was a fun night.  The girls were much happier to allow Mel to go out on her own with him after spending a long period of time giving him a verbal grilling on that first night.

She saw him every day after that.  Usually in the evening, he took her to every romantic restaurant he could find, they spent hours making love and exploring every inch of each other.  She felt she had never been so utterly consumed by another person.  She wondered if she was in an amazing dream.  Relationships like this didn't happen in real life, did they?

"No." her friends had said "But, you're not in a dream either.  You are a typical 'All I can talk about is my amazing, gorgeous, Italian boyfriend' pain in the backside."  They were only joking with her, and admitted they wished it had happened to them.  The day they were leaving Italy to move on with their travels he had gone with her to the airport where a tearful goodbye was exchanged.  He promised they would speak on the phone and that he would write to her.  Not in an email either, a real, good old fashioned love letter he had told her.

And he had held true to his word.  They had spoken every day on the phone.  Even when she had discovered a few weeks after leaving Italy that she was pregnant.  She hated that she had to tell him on the phone, but he had told her it was all going to be great.  They would be wonderful parents and their child would be beautiful.  He told her that because of the close relationship she had with her parents, he would move to England to be with her and support her while she undertook her University course.  Between them they would make it work.  She hadn't been able to get hold of him yesterday, which was annoying as she had wanted to go over what she was going to say to her parents one last time.  She had hoped that he might have called her already today but mused that he might still think she was not contactable.    

An idea suddenly flew into her head.  What if it was him that was not contactable? Her heart started beating faster.  What if he was on his way to the UK now to surprise her?  To be by her side and support her as she broke the big news to her parents.  Melanie got up, excitement suddenly taking away her tiredness.  She had to shower and find something nice to wear.  She went from one side of the room to the other, not really achieving anything.  She stopped took a deep breath and noticed the letters abandoned on the bed.  She decided to calm down and read them, they might have the details of his flight.

As she read the first she smiled as only the recollection of happy memories can make you.  It had been written after they had spent the night together at the beginning of the relationship.  She was pretty sure that was when she had fallen pregnant too.  It was the only occasion they hadn't used contraception.  It had been so spontaneous and passionate and romantic it hadn't entered into her head.  And now she was glad.  She was so happy to be having the baby of the man she loved.  It was going to be such a fairytale story to tell their son or daughter.  

The second had been written just after she had told him the news of the pregnancy.  It reiterated everything he had told her on the phone.  She ripped open the third, excited anticipation rolling around her stomach, but quickly noticed that it did not smell of his aftershave like the previous two.  It also didn't start with 'Amore Mio' - My Love.  What he always called her.  Her heart once again started to beat a little faster.  As she read, the bottom fell out of her world.

Reading his words she couldn't take it in.  He said now he had the time to think about things, seriously, he wasn't ready to be a father.  That it could never work, they were both so young, with so many ambitions.  He didn't want to give up his life and career in Italy.  "Career!" she spat bitterly "You're a sales assistant!".  He went on to say he had discussed it all with his parents and friends at length and they had made him really think about the commitment having a baby was, especially if she was going to be at University.  He hadn't really thought about the fact that he would be the one at home with the baby and it wasn't what he wanted.  They should realise that what they had experienced for each other was lust and the novelty value of being so mysterious to each other, not love "Not LOVE!" she repeated hardly being able to breath.  She put her hand on her chest as she tried to get air and hot tears started to blur her eyes.  The letter finished with the most hurtful thing she had ever encountered. 

"Do the right thing now Melanie, forget us having the baby, let us both return to our lives and plans and see our relationship for what it was, a holiday romance." 

Melanie sat surrounded by the letters, unmoving, staring at the carpet.  How could someone have such a change of heart from one letter to the next?  The last sentence continued to ring in her ears.  Was he asking her to terminate her pregnancy?  After they had discussed the features their baby might have.  Names.  Personality and characteristics.  That they would teach him or her both English and Italian.  How could he just switch off from that?  

At that moment she heard the front door open and shut.  She heard her parents speaking in the hall - her mother asking where she was.  Her father noting still upstairs, that it had been very quiet.  Her mother saying she would check on her.  She couldn't face her mother, she would know something was wrong the minute she walked in the room.  She dived under the duvet, taking the letters with her, covering her tear stained face and ensured some hair was visible on the pillow.  Hearing the door open she laid still and tried to keep her breathing as rhythmic as possible.  Not easy mid-breakdown.  Her mother only glanced over her and stroked the top of her hair once.

"Goodnight sweetheart." she whispered creeping to close the curtains and back out of the room, shutting the door.  Melanie lay under the duvet crying, with her hand on her abdomen.  On her baby for a long time.  Finally exhaustion really did set in and she fell into a fitful sleep.  It was early morning when she awoke and immediately realised something.  The letter had been set several days previously.  She had spoken to him on the phone numerous times since then.  Her heart dropped even further.  He had kept up the loving pretence to her on phone knowing that he had sent that letter.  Knowing that he was going to abandon her.  He had lied so effortlessly.  She felt as if she had been kicked off of the top of a great cliff top and she was free falling and now she had smashed into the bottom on the rocks.  

She couldn't move.  She couldn't comprehend the situation.  She couldn't...she threw the duvet cover back suddenly consumed by anger.  She wasn't having this.  She snatched up her mobile phone, speed dialling his number.  It went straight to answer phone.  She did this several times before leaving many vicious messages, followed by sobbing ones.  Eventually his mailbox refused to save any more.

Once she had vented her frustration at an automated machine, she came to a realisation.  This was her situation and the day was still dawning.  Time wasn't standing still, as she so desperately wanted it too.  She was 18 and pregnant.  By a man who didn't want to know.  By a man she had known a matter of weeks.  By a man who, other than a mobile number, she had no other contact for.  He had never taken her to his home, they had always stayed in her hotel room.  Short of flying back to Italy and trying to find him at work she didn't know where to start.  And to do that required money, of which she now had virtually none of.  The enormity of the situation started to close in on her and she sudden felt hot.  She needed to get out for some fresh air.  Rummaging in her luggage she found a pair of jeans and jumper, slipping into some flat pumps she didn't even brush her hair.  She opened her door and hurried down the stairs.  As she reached the bottom her mother called out to her from the kitchen.  Startled she turned briefly, locking eyes with her mother for a mere second.

"Melanie?"  Her mother asked quizzically "What's wrong?" concern rising in her voice.  Melanie could not reply.  She ran up the hallway and tried to open the door.  It opened as far as the chain would allow and came to an abrupt holt.  Flustered she shut it and fumbled to slide the metal link across.  "Melanie!" her mother called nearing "Melanie, stop my love."  She turned at hearing the term she associated with Vincenzio "Amore Mio"

"Leave me alone!" Melanie screamed "Just leave me alone!" yanking open the front door she ran out of the house and down the path.  She glanced up the road and saw the young couple her mother had been babbling on about the day before.  The girl was lifting luggage out of the boot of their flashy car whilst the man stood yawning and stretching.  She decided to go the other way and hastily made off along the road with her mother calling desperately after her.  Sean came out of the house shortly behind Sarah and guided her back indoors to the stares of the couple up the road.

Camomile Crescent is an on going series.  For all previous parts please click here.

What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week?

I believe, weeks where you may struggle - for whatever reason be it emotionally, physically, because you are under the weather - whatever, it is all the more important to sit and have a think about the positives that have happened during the week.

I have had a bit of a low spell of late so it has done me good thinking about the good going on in our life.  So linking up with Michelle from 'Mummy from the Heart' here are my 

Reasons to be Cheerful : 

* The Hubby went for an interview this week and got offered a role.  If he does well in the first few months, fingers crossed, he'll be made permanent by Christmas.  This is a massive relief, and if he does get the go-ahead at Christmas, that will be an even bigger one.

* Another relief for our family is that my sister in law has finally had an operation she has been waiting two years for.  My sister in law suffered with a very rare condition during pregnancy called Gigantomastia (severe hyptrophy of the breasts - basically this meant that from when she fell pregnant her breasts did not stop growing) which left her requiring massive reconstructive surgery.  She has now had the surgery and begins her healing period, hopefully this will be an end to what has been a traumatic and uncomfortable couple of years.

* The weekend of the BUPA Great South Run is almost here.  My parents are looking after the children so that the Hubby and I can go to Portsmouth on our own.  Three child-free nights sleep lie ahead (might be disrupted by The Hubby's snoring but I will have to dig out my ear plugs).  Two nights in a lovely hotel, just the two of us in the lovely old Naval town.  The run is on Sunday (and I believe is being aired on Channel 5) so not only do we get a break but I get to experience a big race too.  We are also hoping to be able to catch up with my cousin in Southampton who just recently got engaged.

* J2, although being a little under the weather this week has been really rather amicable and I have managed to get some writing done.  In fact the next instalment of Camomile Crescent is written which gives me good opportunity to edit and re-work it - almost unheard of.  It has also meant I have been able to get some house work and ironing done here and there which all helps with feeling more in control.

* I have managed to get a date in the diary to see two of the girls (both expecting babies at the end of the year) who I used to work with.  We hardly get to meet up due to work and they live quite a distance from where I do, but with them both going on Maternity Leave soon it has been made possible.  Roll on November.

* J2 and I did some more baking from Jo Wheatley's 'Passion for Baking' book.  We tried out the Oat and Raisin cookies.  All I can say is we had better not make them too often or I am going to be the size of a house because they are so unbelievably delicious.  Even the first batch that I over-baked, although crunchy instead of chewy still have an amazing flavour.  All bow down to Jo.

* I was published as a guest post on the Pregnancy and Parenting website Wriggly Rascals this week.  Click here to see my post about Messy Play.

If you need more inspiration to make you think of your positives, hop over to the Reasons to be Cheerful blog hop.

FICTION : Camomile Crescent - Danielle & Marc

For the previous instalment of 'Danielle and Marc' click here


Danielle strummed her perfect French manicured nails rhythmically on the arm of the sofa.  Her mobile phone sat poised next to her.  She stared into dark depths of the original Victorian fireplace glancing, occasionally, at the screen of her phone.  She knew she wouldn't miss the call, the ringer was set to the loudest it could be, but she couldn't help checking just in case.

She had been sat in the same place for about an hour, dressed immaculately, and ready to go.  She had been unable to sleep.  Marc was due home from his latest business trip to the States and she had never been so anxious to get the call to say she should leave to collect him from the airport.

She had discovered she was pregnant two days earlier.  She had been called for a routine Cervical Screening.  Due to her busy schedule it had been sometime since she had actually booked the appointment and she remembered they would ask her when her last period had been.  She was shocked to see it was about three months previously.  This did not alarm her at first, she had carried her contraceptive pill over a couple of times, due to travelling and busy events for work.  Even so, she did realise that she had taken the break this time, so she should have technically had, or be having her period. 

Again this had not phased her, she conceded that since she had messed with her body clock, quite considerably, it might just be confused and decided to continue with her next packet of contraception, normally, for a couple of months to allow her body to adjust.  The snooty nurse had frowned at her when she explained what had happened.  She had felt herself redden as she was made to feel like a chastised school girl.  The nurse finished her lecture about misuse of the contraceptive pill with words that felt like bullets.

"We had better do a pregnancy test."

"What?  Why?"  Danielle had snapped.

"Just to be sure." the nurse replied wheeling her chair across the floor to a large unit of trays.  Rummaging around in one she produced a wrapped test and small instruction leaflet.

"I'm not pregnant - surely I will be super protected because I haven't had a break."  Danielle tried to quip.

"Better to be safe than sorry.  I am not happy to carry out a screening until you have taken the test or had your next period."  This nurse was no nonsense, Danielle could tell.  She sighed, it had taken multiple changes of bookings to get this appointment fitted in, she couldn't face trying to juggle another one.  She took the test, rolling her eyes. 

"Fine, where do I need to go."  she asked curtly, making a show of straightening her expensive charcoal pencil skirt with her free hand.

"Along the corridor, on the left." the nurse replied not looking up from the forms she was completing.  "I'll leave it up to you if you want to find out the results in private or if you want to come back here and wait." she stated, glancing up as Danielle reached the door.

Danielle smiled tightly "Thanks." she said closing the door "I know what the result will be though." she muttered to herself as she hurried along the dimly lit corridor.  She found the toilet cubicle vacant and locked the door behind her.  She read the instructions, balanced them on the small sink and unwrapped the pregnancy test.  As she sat down to urinate on the tester she decided she actually felt quite affronted by the nurse and the dressing down she had given her.  Next time she would go private she thought, Marc was always saying she was crazy using the NHS when she had private health care at her fingertips. 

Standing up she cursed as she noticed she had wet her own hand as well as the testing stick.  She looked around for somewhere to put it down but found a lack of ledges "Well I am not holding it between my teeth." she griped and it took her several attempts to get it to balance on the sink.  As she flushed, she turned to use the wash basin and knocked it on the floor.  She tutted and soaped her hands.  At least there was a mirror she thought studying her skin and eyebrows.  She felt tired and it was showing.  She was going to start using a night-cream she decided.  Her eyes caught sight of her nails as she moved them over her cheeks.  She would ring her beauty therapist and ask for an early morning appointment for before she started work.  She would book in for a full body massage at the weekend as well, maybe Marc would even want one with her she considered.  Yes, a complete relaxation weekend for just the two of them was in order.

The thought of Marc made her smile.  He had been away for several weeks but he would be home in a few days.  She had suggested the idea of a holiday to him and he had said they could discuss it when he returned.  She was hoping that they might be able to take a longer break than normal and perhaps try one of the Caribbean islands.  Really splash out.  She could not wait to sink her bare feet into some hot, white sand rather than uncomfortable designer shoes.  As she was daydreaming, she realised that the few minutes needed for the test develop must have passed.  She bent down and picked the test up off of the floor.

Flicking her hair back she turned the test over.  Two lines clearly stared back at her.  She felt panic rising.  "OK" she mumbled "Is two lines positive or negative?" she thought she knew but she had to be wrong, she had only read the instructions briefly she reassured herself.  Grabbing them up out of the wet sink she scanned the small black print:

The tester will show one blue line as a test line.  This indicates that the tester is working.  If you see a second blue line, this indicates a positive result.  If only the test line is visable, the test is negative.

Danielle suddenly felt hot and sat heavily on the lid of the toilet.  Two lines was a positive result?  She looked again at the tester.  Well, it was certainly showing two.  There was no mistaking that.  She looked away quickly, like if she couldn't see it, then it wouldn't be true.  She sat trying to think of any possible way she could have fallen pregnant.  Marc had hardly been here for the last six months so it was damn well against the odds of happening she thought bitterly. 

She wasn't sure how long she had been sitting on the toilet, but she suddenly realised she needed to return to the nurses room.  She stood and glanced in the mirror.  She couldn't remove the pale, ashen look she now sported.  Taking a deep breath she unlocked the door and found her nurse waiting patiently outside.  Seeing her, she burst into tears.  The nurse put her arm around her and guided her back to the privacy of the medical room.

Together they had tried to guess how far along she was.  Danielle had recalled the week when she had severe food poisoning and how sick she had been.  Despite this Marc had been going away on business and had made quite a show when she had said she wasn't sure she felt up to their usual goodbye sex session.  As he had stomped about upstairs she had felt guilty and given in, after all she would regret it in a few days when she was feeling better she was sure.

The nurse had suggested that this was mostly likely when it happened.  She informed Danielle that vomiting could reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill.  She had noted that the instructions, available in every packet, clearly stated that in the case of illness other forms of contraception should be used.  At seeing Danielles face crumple again she said it was surprising at how many women was not aware of this.  The nurse had given Danielle some literature about all the options available. 

"I know what I need to do."  Danielle started.  The nurse put up her hand.

"Danielle, you need to go home and think about things.  Talk to your partner.  Really give the situation some thought."  Danielle nodded but knew there would be no discussion needed on the matter.  Marc would pay for her to go private so she could get things sorted quickly she presumed.

After thanking the nurse, she left the surgery and been surprised to find it was dark outside.  She had not realised how long she had been in the surgery.  She drove her bright red sporty two-seater home without her mind on the road.  When she pulled up outside 19 Camomile Crescent she couldn't remember the journey.  She decided the sooner this was sorted the better. 

The next day she had gone for her early nail appointment and been so busy at work she didn't have time to think about it all.  At least now she knew what was making her feel under par and she wouldn't be feeling like it for much longer.  She would be back on top form at work and maybe have the energy to stamp on a few of those back stabbing colleagues who were not on her side when she needed them lately. 

On the other hand the thought of having to go into medical institution made her feel extra sick.  As it was now.  Sat at home waiting for Marc to call.  She wasn't looking forward to telling him she had messed up with the contraception.  He would be tired and ratty from his long day, followed by the flight.  She hoped everything had gone smoothly, otherwise she might not even be able to talk to him about it until tomorrow.

At that moment her mobile belted out its all too familiar ring tone.  Marc.  She picked it up and took a deep breath "Hi!" she answered enthusiastically "Great!  OK, can't wait to see you!  Love you! Be there soon!"  She ended the call and realised she was shaking.  Had she been too perky?  Had she covered the news of 'I am pregnant with your child.' sufficiently? 

She shook her head, he would have been too preoccupied with getting off of the flight to have noticed anything, they only spoke for a matter of seconds.  If she wasn't driving she would have made herself a drink to calm her down a bit.  Even though it was only 7am.  It wasn't all bad nerves she decided, there was the excited anticipation of seeing the man she loved after weeks apart mixed in. 

She slipped her black patent four inch heels back on, wincing slightly.  She grabbed her car key from the 'key bowl' in the hallway.  Then she remembered herself and swapped it for Marc's.  He had a new swanky four door Saloon.  As she never knew if he was bringing anything back from his apartment in New York she thought it was for the best.  He was so annoyed with her last time as they had to try and cram everything in the tiny space her car afforded.

She hoped he was in a better mood than on that occasion.

It didn't take her long to reach the airport and as it was still early she navigated her way to the pick up area quickly.  She got out of the car, her stomach more swirling than ever, and took a deep breath of fresh air to try and help with the nausea.  She soon saw the familiar shape of Marc making his way to the automatic doors and she scurried over to greet him.  He was still wearing his suit and shirt from his day at the New York office and she thought he looked tired, but swarve.  If they had decided to have children she would have hoped they would have his height and jet black hair - not that it was ever going to happen.  They had made that decision early on in the relationship. 

Danielle threw her arms around his waist and sunk her head into his chest, taking in the familiar aftershave.  She had missed him.  He held her tight and kissed the top of her head as she clung on tight.  She looked up to him.

"I am so glad you are home."

"Me too."  He replied "I need a decent cup of tea."  Danielle laughed.  She was sure when he got to the States he said the same about coffee.  They made there way to the car.  "I'll drive if you want." he said as he watched Danielle open the boot and struggle to put his luggage in.  She stuttered, worried that if she was a passenger the car would make her even more sick.  She needed something to keep her mind focused.

"No, no." she interjected "You've had a long day."  He shrugged yawning and opened the passenger door.

"Whatever you want sweetheart."  Danielle decided to tell him as soon as they set off, she wanted to get it over with and then when they got home he could cuddle her in bed and tell her it was all going to be OK.  She didn't mind if they spent the whole of Saturday having a duvet day.

"So, we need to talk about," she paused, toying with how to word it "some things."

"Yeah," Marc replied settling his seat back and closing his eyes "I've got a mad schedule coming up that I need to go through with you.  I don't think I will be able to fit a holiday in at the moment."  Danielle deflated, she had hoped he might be around for a couple of weeks, she was going to need him.  And a holiday.  "I've got to go off to Ireland for a couple of days tomorrow." He continued "Then I will be back for a day, maybe two, then back to the States for a couple of weeks."

"Again!"  Danielle startled.  She hadn't meant for her reaction to slip out, but he was in the UK less and less.  Marc opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Sorry Danielle, you know how it is.  The US Client needs me in person and things are really picking up out there."  She sighed. 

"I know.  I would just like you here a bit more."  He moved his hand across to her leg and rubbed it gently "Just be grateful for what we do have.  Remember we are doing all of this work now for a better life in the future.  When we are in our forties life will be one long holiday."  She was getting a little sick of hearing the same statement but turned and forced a smile.

"So," she began again "We need to talk about something."  Marc had laid back again.

"Hmmmm" he replied.

"I, er, I.  I found something out while you were away."

"Hmmmm" he responded again

"I'm pregnant." she kept her focus on the road and could feel Marc had frozen.  He sat up, pulling the chair back into a sitting position.

"What the..." he began. 

"I know."  Danielle cut in "I was stunned too.  I went for my cervical screening, the nurse insisted I do a test and Bam, it came up positive!" she was talking too fast, she knew.

"I've barely been here Danielle." She didn't like his tone so explained about the contraceptive loophole after stomach sickness. 

"Have you booked in to deal with it?" he asked her in a tone usually directed at his Personal Assistant. 

"Not yet, I wanted to tell you first." Danielle started but was cut off.

"Well, you better do it first thing in the morning.  Go private, they'll be able to do it straight away.  Pay whatever you need."  Although she knew that would be their decision she was taken aback by his frank attitude.  She opened her mouth but nothing came out.  "Hopefully it'll be done by the time I get back from Ireland eh."  He leaned the chair back again, crossing his arms over his chest and closing his eyes. 

Danielle continued to look ahead feeling irked that he hadn't even asked how she was feeling.  Especially when he knew she had such a fear of anything medically related.  She wanted him to be there to support her.  She wouldn't be able to go on her own and she really did not want to have to tell her Mother.  She would have to call Emily, one of her oldest friends and see if she could stand in.  On the other hand, Danielle mused, he had actually taken the news better than she had anticipated and hadn't gone on a rant which finalised with laying the blame at her door.

As they pulled up outside of their house, Danielle realised how tired she felt and was looking forward to falling into bed.  They paused at the door to unlock it.  As they fiddled with the keys a disturbance along the road caught their eye.  One of their neighbours, Danielle believed the females name was Sarah, was shouting at a young women who was walking rapidly away from her.  A large man came out of the house and ushered her back in.

"A domestic argument - on Cam Crescent?"  Marc said sarcastically "I didn't think that sort of behaviour was allowed."  He sniggered at his own joke as Danielle finally got all the locks open.  As they entered their immaculate Victorian home, Marc did what he always did "Make us a decent cuppa darling will you?"  Danielle kicked her heels off.  Nothing changes, she thought.  Although that wasn't a bad thing, she didn't want it to.

"Course, I'll bring it up."  She watched him disappear up the stairs.  She entered the kitchen flipping the kettle switch.  That was the first time she started to feel a small amount of cramping in her lower abdomen.  It wasn't unbearable but it wasn't comfortable.  She had been in desperate need of the toilet since she had arrived at the airport so went to the bathroom hoping it would relieve it.  As she heard the kettle whistle, she stood and thought she noticed a little pink discolouring.  Her heart started to beat a little quicker.

"Are you getting the tea from China?" she heard Marc call.  She used another piece of tissue but found nothing.  She frowned.  "Danielle?" she heard him call. 

"Coming!" she replied.  She had to get that appointment booked in, she needed her life to go back to normal.

All previous instalments of Camomile Crescent can be found on my Fiction Page.