The Midwife's Christmas Baby. Kate Hardy

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      ‘It must be difficult for you, being in this situation,’ she said.

      That was an understatement. She didn’t know anything about the memories it was bringing back, and right at the moment it wasn’t something he wanted to share. ‘It’s not exactly a picnic for you, either,’ he said, trying to see it from her point of view. ‘All I need to do is to get my head round this properly.’ All. He was struggling enough with that. ‘But it’s worse for you because you get all the morning sickness and what have you as well.’

      ‘Thanks for reminding me,’ she said dryly.

      ‘Ella, I want to be there for you and the baby.’

      ‘I understand that. But it doesn’t give you the right to push me around.’

      He hadn’t been trying to push her around, but he didn’t want to argue. Now was probably not the right time to ask difficult questions about the contraception issue, either. He wanted to get their relationship on a less rocky footing, first. Instead, he asked carefully, ‘So have you thought about what kind of care you want, and whether you want to book in at Teddy’s or if you’d rather go somewhere else?’

      ‘I know all the staff at Teddy’s and I know I’ll get the best care there, so it makes sense to book in to our department,’ she said. ‘Though it does mean everyone’s going to know. And at a really early stage.’

      ‘Is that a problem?’

      She looked thoughtful. ‘I guess not—I mean, everyone’s been great about Sienna. After the initial gossip, wondering who the baby’s father is.’

      ‘Would you prefer people not to know I’m the baby’s father?’

      ‘I don’t want people thinking I slept with you to get an advantage at work.’

      He smiled. ‘Ella, nobody would ever think that of you. You work hard enough for two people as it is.’ He paused. ‘What about a scan?’

      ‘I already know I’m about seven weeks.’

      ‘Which is about the right time for a dating scan—not that I disbelieve you on the dates, just...’

      She nodded. ‘Though it’ll mean people will know now, not later on.’

      ‘Yes, and they’ll cut you a bit of slack—this is the stage where you’re likely to feel really tired and need a break.’

      ‘I’ll still be part of the team, and being pregnant doesn’t alter that.’

      Why was she being so difficult about this? ‘I’m not saying that you’re not part of the team—just that maybe you could cut back a bit on your shifts for a while.’

      Her face darkened. ‘No.’

      ‘Ella—’

      ‘I said before, please don’t push me around. You’re not my keeper, Oliver.’

      ‘I know. I’m just trying to do what’s best for you.’

      ‘Because I’m not bright enough to know what’s best for me?’

      ‘No, of course not.’ He didn’t get why she was being so prickly. ‘Ella, is there something you’re not telling me?’

      ‘How do you mean?’

      ‘You and me—we’ve always got on well. Until—well.’ He didn’t want to embarrass her by putting it into words.

      But she clearly wanted to face it head-on. ‘Until we slept together.’

      ‘I feel guilty about that. You’re not the sort who does one-night stands—and I took your virginity.’

      ‘Which isn’t an issue.’

      ‘It is for me.’

      She looked confused. ‘Why?’

      ‘Because it makes me feel dishonourable.’

      She scoffed. ‘Oh, get over yourself, Oliver. What are you, the Lord of the Manor?’

      Not far off it. But he needed to get back on reasonable terms with her before he dropped that particular bombshell. ‘I’m sorry. I did warn you I’d mess up on the control freakery stuff.’

      ‘I guess. And maybe I need to cut you some slack, too—but how would you feel if I suggested you cut back on your shifts, just because you’ll have a baby in seven months’ time?’

      He nodded. ‘I get it.’

      She rubbed her stomach reflectively. ‘So is there a new girlfriend who might not be very happy to hear the news?’

      ‘No, there isn’t.’ And the question stung. ‘Do you really think I’m that shallow?’

      ‘No, but you never seem to date anyone for long.’

      ‘Strictly speaking, I didn’t actually date you,’ he pointed out. ‘We both got carried away, that night.’

      ‘I guess.’ She paused. ‘So why do you avoid proper relationships?’

      Something else he didn’t want to discuss. ‘Let’s just say I’ve been a bit burned in the past.’

      ‘And you’re still brooding over it enough not to give someone else a chance? She must’ve hurt you a lot.’

      ‘Yes. She did,’ he admitted.

      ‘I’m sorry that you got hurt. But I’m nothing like the usual women you date.’

      ‘Usual?’

      She grimaced. ‘I haven’t been gossiping about you. But the hospital grapevine says you pick women who look like models, women from a much posher background than mine.’

      He stared at her. ‘You think I’m a snob?’

      ‘No. You treat all our mums the same, whether they’re ordinary women or royalty or celebs,’ she said. ‘I guess what I’m saying is I’m me, so don’t go thinking I’ll be like her.’

      ‘You’re not like her.’ He trusted Ella, for a start. Professionally. But letting her into his heart would take a lot longer. Justine had left him with a lot of baggage.

      Though he really didn’t want to talk to Ella about Justine right now. Especially given their circumstances. How did you tell someone who was expecting your baby that you’d been here before—but the baby hadn’t been yours? She’d start reading all kinds of things into that and what he might be thinking now, and he was having a hard time explaining it to himself; he certainly couldn’t explain his feelings to her. Wanting to change the subject, he asked, ‘What about you?’

      Her eyes widened. ‘You seriously think I’d date someone else when I’m pregnant with your baby?’

      He winced. ‘That sounds bad. I mean... СКАЧАТЬ