Ill decide only after a DNA test, Jane says, her voice sharp.
I think Alice should stay with us, Victor declares firmly, two weeks after the funeral.
Alice has been living with them ever since they arranged a temporary guardianship before her mother, Janes friend, left the country. The formal arrangement is due to end in a month, and a decision must be made. Victors stern tone irritates Jane.
Is it because shes your daughter? she shouts. Admit it! I cant keep putting up with this any longer!
What am I supposed to endure, Jane? Victor asks, bewildered.
Jane and Megan have been friends since they were babies. Their mothers shared a cot in the same maternity ward, later discovering they live on neighboring streets and stroll in the same park. Consequently, the girls grew up together, attended the same nursery, the same primary school, and later enrolled at the same university.
They look alike and share similar temperaments, though Megan is a bit tougher and Jane is, as her mother often says, overly gentle.
The two hardly ever quarrel; instead, they help each other and offer support during tough times.
This friendship is a blessing, Megans mother sighs. Itll be like a sister to you.
Cherish it, Janes mother agrees. Make sure it lasts.
They value and safeguard it. When Polly shows up at the university, they dont immediately welcome her into their little circle. But Polly is tenacious, constantly tagging along, and eventually the three become inseparable. Without Polly, Megan and Jane meet more often, which makes Polly feel left out.
For a while, Polly drifts away after Megans best friend marries and moves out of town, but she later returns and the bond revives.
Jane marries at twentyfive to a promising engineer, four years her senior. Victor and Jane want children; there are no medical obstacles, yet conception eludes them. Three years into their marriage, Megan suddenly announces shes pregnant. She refuses to name the father, though Jane suspects its David, a man Megan dated for a year who vanished after a fight with her.
Ill manage on my own! Megan declares proudly. Its a shame my mother wont live to see her grandchild, but I have enough money for the baby and a nanny.
Of course, Megan, well help you! Jane says, genuinely happy for her friend.
Polly rolls her eyes, constantly reminding them that a child needs a father and that raising a baby is a massive responsibility. Only my husband should be the one to have children, she adds.
Jane and Megan exchange amused glancesPolly can be a bit of a stickler, after all.
Jane becomes Alices godmother. The little girl often visits Victor and Jane, and Victor enjoys looking after her. For a time, the couple forgets their own fertility struggles.
Six years after Alices birth, Megan meets the man of her dreams: Arthur, handsome, intelligent, kind, and caring.
Its just not meant to be, Megan sighs.
Why not? Jane asks, startled.
Maybe hes married, Polly jokes. Or his mother is a hawkeyed queen.
Its not like that! Megan defends him. Arthur was married, but they split years ago. He has no children and doesnt keep in touch with his ex. Elizabeth, his mother, is the sweetest woman you could meet.
What then? Jane presses.
Hes being posted abroad for an important assignment, Megan says, regretful.
Great, another lost fiancé, Polly sneers.
Jane gives Polly a reproachful look and makes a grim face.
Doesnt he want you to come with him? she asks Megan.
Yes, he does. Hes urging me, but we cant take Alice with us. She still has to start school, and she doesnt speak the language here. Shed be lost.
Sam understands everything, doesnt push me too hard, but hes clearly upset.
What? Youd trade your daughter for a man? Polly snaps again.
No, Megan sighs, weary.
The next day Jane sits down with Victor to discuss adopting Alice.
We cant let Megan miss this chance, she explains. Alice is like family to us.
I get it, I get it, Victor chuckles. Im not opposed. Does Megan agree?
Im not sure yet, Jane admits, then adds, Youre still the best husband in the world. She leans into him tightly.
Megan initially hesitates, then agrees to the plan.
Ill send money, she promises Jane.
Dont patronise me, Victor retorts, waving it off.
They part with tears, promising to stay in daily contact. Alice quickly adjusts to life with her godmother, knowing her mother will return soon.
During one video call, Polly drops by, wine bottle in hand, complaining about a suitor who refuses to marry or father at least two children.
You treat her like a lifeless sack, helping her while she mocks you, Polly, a little tipsy, blurts out.
What are you talking about? Jane asks, genuinely puzzled.
About Megan, Polly says. Shes my friend, but shes cunning, a real troublemaker.
Polly, either speak clearly or shut up.
Fine! Megans husbands child is Alice, so Victors fine with her staying. Hed never want a strangers child in his house!
Did you have a few glasses too many, or are you just drunk? Jane snaps. Stop the nonsense.
Oh, I could leave right now, but that doesnt change the truth! Polly declares, standing and exiting without another word.
What, why did your friend leave so fast? Victor asks, putting the little girl to bed, having missed the whole argument.
Secrets have never existed between them, so Jane tells Victor everything.
Some people need to cut back on drinking, he shrugs. Honestly, Polly has always been the third wheeljealous and shortsighted. I never understood how you became friends with her.
Its the first time Victor openly criticises Polly, and Jane believes him, though a tiny doubt creeps in. She remembers how often Victor met Megan without her. He always welcomed Pollys visits, yet now hes fussing over Alice.
Megan notices Janes mood shift, though Jane tries to act normally. Polly, however, never provides proof of any betrayaljust her accusations.
Ive already told you everything! Open your eyes and youll see, Polly snaps, ending the conversation.
Jane starts watching Alice closely, noticing the childs laugh, the way she holds a spoon, and her love of chocolate with nutsall reminiscent of Victor. She even sees a sparkle in Alices eyes that matches his. The suspicion gnaws at her, and she increasingly watches the bond between her goddaughter and husband with a sour eye.
Jane and Victor start arguing over trivial matters. Victor, clueless about the growing tension, once suggests she see a doctor.
They go three days without speaking. Then a terrible news arrives: Megan and Arthur are involved in a car crash. Arthur sustains serious injuries, and Megan dies instantly.
Jane and Victor pour countless pounds and nerves into arranging Megans burial back in England. During those dark days, Jane almost forgets her suspicions, but they return as the grief eases.
I think Alice should stay with us, Victor says firmly, two weeks after the funeral.
Alice has been living with them ever since the temporary guardianship was set up before her mothers departure. The arrangement is set to end in a month, and they must decide. Victors firm tone again irritates Jane.
Is it because shes your daughter? she shouts. Admit it! I cant keep tolerating this!
What am I supposed to endure, Jane? Victor asks, surprised. Did you really believe that Polly? He mutters, thinking shes a foolish woman and that theyve both forgotten this nonsense.
No, what are you even talking about? There was nothing between Megan and me, and there never could have been!
Youll have to prove it, Jane snaps, teeth clenched. Ill decide only after a DNA test.
Victor, still caring for Alice, agrees to the test. The results show he is not Alices biological father. The shame burns Jane, but she never slanders Megan publicly. She silently asks for forgiveness in the memory of her friend for the rest of her days.
Alice stays with them. Jane cuts off contact with Polly, uttering every harsh thought she has about her. Victor pretends nothing happened, preferring not to dwell on the past, especially now that his wife is finally pregnant.
