James
She sits by me, pushing a coffee mug my way.
“Thanks.” Then I take a good look at her….
Something’s changed….
…. She’s happier….
Ah…. Yes….
I drink my coffee and wait for her to volunteer what I think…. what I am almost sure…. is coming.
“Um….”
“Ah-ha?”
“I thought I should tell you. I’m not pregnant.”
As I thought….
I take her hand, kiss the fingers. “Good. I’m glad. I know it was worrying you.”
She nods into her coffee. “I do feel better now.”
I rub my thumb over the fingers, noticing the roughness of the skin. Charlotte has ‘working hands’ and I’m conscious that it embarrasses her sometimes.
When this is all over, I’ll ask Beth to take her to a spa or beauty centre. Get her to pamper herself a bit.
I’m less sanguine about her nails. She doesn’t normally bite them, bu
