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“Well . . .” Emily glances at her fiancé. “Ally and I are expecting a baby.”
“Oh, that’s just wonderful!” Maw exclaims.
Cat squeals, clapping and delightedly hugging the pair. “I’m going to be an auntie! You two have made me so happy. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Everyone else joins in with the congratulations, the room erupting with excited chatter. Only Grace stands back, not hurrying to embrace Ally and Emily, but then she, like me, already knew.
Actually, wait a minute, where’s Jamie? No sooner do I wonder this than he reappears, carrying a bottle of champagne. “This calls for a proper celebration,” he declares.
Ally eyes the bottle suspiciously. “That’s our most expensive wine. Are you buying that as a gift for us all, or is the hotel paying for it?”
“Shh!” Jamie shakes his head. “Always worrying about money, and you’d got so much better recently. Just relax and enjoy the moment.”
“The hotel’s paying for it, then,” Ally mutters.
Lewis and Cat fetch champagne flutes, then Jamie pops the bottle and fills the glasses. He passes them out, except to Emily, of course. When he tries to give one to Grace, she refuses.
“I’m doing a detox, but I’ll take something soft. Give me whatever Emily’s going to have.”
“Oh, go on!” Jamie encourages. “Your best friend is pregnant. That deserves a toast. Diets and health kicks can wait.”
“I’d really rather not.”
“Grace, you never turn down bubbly!” Emily laughs. “Don’t tell me you’re pregnant too?”
It’s obviously a joke, and yet Grace freezes like a deer caught in headlights. Emily’s smile falters, and all conversation trails off as everyone notices how flustered Grace is getting.
“No,” she says, far too late. “I’m not pregnant.” But her eyes well with tears. “I . . . I have to go. I’m so sorry.”
She makes a hasty exit. David hurries after her, followed by a very confused Emily. A heavy silence settles over the room.
“Fuck,” Jamie says eventually. “She’s definitely pregnant.”
Most eyes turn to me.
“What? Why are you all looking at me?”
“Aidan,” Ally murmurs, “you were the first person Grace had slept with in a long, long time. And . . . I don’t know that she’s been with anyone since.”
“Shit.” My blood runs cold. But . . . we used a condom. Surely . . . ?
I gulp. “You don’t think . . .”
“Son?” Maw’s mouth hangs open.
I don’t have any words.
“Well, we can’t drink to Emily if she’s not here, so here’s a new toast instead.” Jamie holds his flute aloft. “To Aidan, on the occasion of his thirtieth birthday, and on learning he’s to be a father!”
No one else raises their glass. Ally thumps his brother.
I’m too stunned to react. This cannot be happening.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
AIDAN
I’ve left the hotel and gone across the road to Maw’s. I needed a bit of space from everyone.
