The Midwife's Christmas Baby. Kate Hardy

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ

      ‘Cleaning my flat,’ she said, ‘as it’s my day off. And I really ought to do a bit of Christmas shopping. I’m a bit behind, this year.’

      ‘Are you busy in the evening?’ he asked.

      ‘Why?’

      ‘Because my parents are having a cocktail party.’ He looked awkward. ‘I wondered if you’d like to come with me.’

      He wanted her to meet his parents?

      Ella stared at him in surprise. ‘Are you sure? I mean... They didn’t invite me.’

      ‘They have now. I asked if I could bring you.’

      So he’d already talked to his family about her? Had he told them about the baby, despite the fact he’d suggested she shouldn’t tell anyone until she was past the first trimester?

      She pushed down the rising panic. Cocktail party, he’d said. She didn’t know anyone who actually held cocktail parties. She knew that Oliver had quite a posh accent. But how posh exactly were they? Would she fit in?

      As if he’d guessed what she was thinking, he said, ‘It’s not a big deal. Just a drinks party they hold every year before Christmas.’

      It was an annual event? That sounded even scarier. ‘It sounds a little bit fancy,’ she said.

      Oliver’s face shuttered. ‘All right. So you don’t want to meet my family.’

      She shook her head. ‘No, that’s not what I meant, Oliver. I was just thinking that it sounds like quite a big party and your parents will be busy. Wouldn’t it be better if I met them at something a bit quieter and more low-key rather than a big event?’ And something she could escape from more easily. ‘Like, I don’t know, meeting at a café in town for a cup of tea?’

      ‘It’s probably better,’ he said, ‘if there are a lot of people there.’

      That sounded ominous. Did that mean he thought they were going to hate her, especially when they found out about the baby? Or did they already know about the baby and they weren’t pleased?

      Clearly her worries showed in her face because he said, ‘What I mean is that my family can be a little bit pushy—I guess that’s where I get my overbearing streak. I think the first time you meet them will be better if they’re a bit diluted. They’re the problem, not you.’

      That didn’t calm Ella’s worries in the slightest. Particularly as she knew that her own family would welcome Oliver warmly when she introduced him to them. They’d draw him straight into the middle of things and treat him as if they’d known him for years and years. Her father had already said they wanted to welcome him to the family.

      Clearly Oliver’s family was very different, and she’d have to tread very carefully.

      ‘Have you told them about the baby?’ she asked.

      ‘Not yet.’

      ‘Because they won’t approve of me?’ The question burst out before she could stop it.

      ‘Because,’ he said, ‘it’s still early days. I’d prefer to wait until you’re safely through the first trimester before we tell my family about the baby.’

      That was sensible; though it made her feel guilty that everyone in the department already knew. It felt wrong to be sharing this with their colleagues and not Oliver’s family, especially as she’d already shared the news with her own family. But how could she explain that? ‘OK.’ She paused. ‘So what do I wear? If it’s a big cocktail party...’

      ‘I’ll buy you a dress,’ Oliver said.

      She frowned. ‘No—and that’s not why I asked. Is the dress I wore to the masked ball suitable?’

      ‘Yes, but I can b—’ he began.

      ‘No,’ she cut in. ‘You really don’t need to buy me a dress, Oliver. It’s a total waste to buy something you’re only ever going to wear to one thing.’

      He sighed. ‘I’m being bossy again?’

      She nodded.

      ‘Got it,’ he said. ‘Will you allow me to drive you to the party?’

      ‘Yes, but only because you know the way.’

      ‘All right.’ His grey eyes were unreadable. ‘I’ll pick you up tomorrow, then.’

      ‘What time do I need to be ready?’

      ‘The party starts at half-past seven, and it takes about an hour to get there. So I’ll pick you up at half-past six.’

      ‘I’ll be ready. Should I have dinner first?’

      ‘There will be nibbles there—but yes, I’d say grab a sandwich or something before I pick you up,’ Oliver said.

      Ella noticed that he didn’t suggest eating together first, and pushed down the feeling of hurt. After all, she’d already accused him of being bossy. He’d probably thought she’d bite his head off if he suggested it. ‘All right. I’ll see you tomorrow then.’

      She watched him walk out of the door. Had he just asked her on a date of sorts? Was he thinking about trying to make a go of things between them, and introducing her to his family was the first step? Or was this some kind of test she needed to pass?

      ‘You’re overthinking it, you numpty,’ she told herself crossly. She knew Oliver didn’t play games. He was simply introducing her to his family. Not as the mother of his child, but as... She didn’t quite know what as, but it was most likely he’d say she was his colleague or maybe his friend. And then, when he’d worked out how his family reacted to her, he’d find the right way to break the news about the baby. It was nothing to worry about.

      ‘We’re going to be just fine,’ she said, resting her hand where her bump wasn’t even visible yet. ‘If they don’t like us—well, that’s their problem, and we’ll deal with it if and when we have to.’

      Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

      Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

      Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

      Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам СКАЧАТЬ