Laura stepped out of the GPs office feeling completely bewildered. She unfolded the paper and read it again: Pregnancy 7 to 8 weeks. How on earth did that happen? How could I have missed it? she thought, heading to her car. Did I forget a pill? What am I supposed to do now? Have a baby? Im 43, for heavens sake
She drove home lost in thought. At a traffic light she didnt even notice the cars inching forward until the driver behind her blared the horn.
Back in her flat, Laura tried to distract herself with chores. After lunch her daughter Poppy popped in for a quick visit and to share the latest news.
Mum, Ive got a surprise for you! Poppy chirped, settling at the kitchen table.
Come on, spill it, dont keep me waiting, Laura said, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Poppy, Sam has proposed! her daughter announced, beaming. And I said yes!
Congratulations, love! Im so happy for you, Laura said, tears welling as she pulled Poppy into a hug.
Sam was exactly the kind of bloke Laura had hoped for smart, driven, steady, a bit ambitious but not overthetop, polite and welleducated. He earned a decent salary for a 25yearold and had long been on his own financially. He and Poppy had been together for almost three years, and Laura had seen plenty of proof that he was serious about her.
So, whens the wedding? Laura asked, pouring hot tea into mugs.
Dont know yet, Poppy shrugged. We havent sorted it. Probably next summer.
Will you tell Dad? Laura asked, watching her daughter closely.
I dont think so, Poppy frowned. Honestly, I dont even want to
Lauras tone softened. You cant do that, love. Hes your father, he still cares about you. I get that youre hurt, but people split up thats no reason to cut him off. I forgave him, and you should too. Dont hold a grudge, and invite him to the wedding, okay?
Mom, how can you be so calm about this? Poppy snapped. He left you for someone else, and you forgave him? He was having an affair with his secretary for a whole year! How could you possibly forgive that?
Laura took a breath. Simon and I were together for twentytwo years. We raised you, turned you into a clever, beautiful woman. Those were good years, and Im grateful to him for that. But then he fell in love with someone else. You cant force your heart to feel a certain way What was I supposed to do? Throw a tantrum, slam dishes? Keep the resentment? Hate him forever? All because his feelings cooled? It sounds absurd, doesnt it?
No, Mum, I dont get it, Poppy said, shaking her head. If Sam did something like that to me, Id Id I dont even know what Id do!
Laura didnt argue. She knew a fiery Poppy wouldnt see her point; generations think differently, after all.
After seeing Poppy out, Laura returned to the kitchen, washed the dishes, and pulled a piece of meat from the freezer for dinner. She kept turning over the news of her unexpected pregnancy, wondering what to do. Having a baby at her age, and on her own, was frightening, yet she also craved the feeling of being a mother again, of caring for someone, of walking that hardbutjoyful road once more.
She opened a photo album from the loft and lingered over pictures of Poppy as a baby: little in a onesie, smiling up at Grandmas face. Then a shot of her a bit older in a pretty dress at the park gate the day she fell off a swing, got a tiny stitch on her knee, and a barelyvisible scar that still lingered. Another photo from her firstgrade day, clutching a bouquet with Simon and her brother Sam, looking all grownup.
A teenage Poppy in a school play, playing Snow Girl, with a homemade silver dress and rabbitfur coat Laura had sewn herself after three nights at the sewing machine. The result was stunning.
A family picture on a beach in Spain, all tanned and laughing, with the sea behind them. Laura felt a pang of sadness. Shed once thought her family was the strongest, most united thing in the world. She and Simon had once been inseparable, sharing dreams and plans. Time went on, Poppy grew, bringing home trophies; Simons career took off, they bought a house, a car, travelled. Laura even opened a boutique making bridal gowns a lifelong dream fulfilled.
But there was a shadow. After Poppys birth, Laura never managed another pregnancy. The first one ended in a miscarriage; the second carried to fourteen weeks before doctors discovered severe fetal defects and had to stop it. Shed spent a sleepless night in the hospital, then decided she wasnt going to try again.
Looking back, she saw the cruel irony. Once she had youth, a loving husband, stability, and a burning desire for another child. Now, with none of that, life tossed her this surprise pregnancy like a joke.
When Simon announced he was leaving, Laura wasnt shocked. Shed suspected he had a woman on the side, but he always dismissed it as her imagination. She launched a frantic campaign to win him back, even suggesting a family therapist, which Simon flatout refused, calling it nonsense. She tried everything: hearttoheart talks, a little home striptease, the whole lot. It didnt work. A month ago Simon packed his bags and left, then filed for divorce. Laura finally accepted it was over after a long, painful conversation.
She never understood what had drawn Simon to his new secretary, a young woman a shade older than Poppy, with silicone lips, long dolleyelashes and a plunging Vneck. Laura had asked him to replace her countless times, but he brushed it off: Lara, I dont care how she looks, shes efficient, I cant afford to lose her now. He kept insisting she was fine. Laura sensed there was something more personal, and later she turned out to be right.
It hurt to realise Simon had swapped his wife for a silicone doll, tearing apart years of building. Yet she had to move on. Simon left her the city twobed flat she still lived in, while he moved with his lover to a country house. It gnawed at her that a stranger now occupied the place where theyd once been happy, where Poppys childhood memories lived. Laura had agreed to stay in the city for work and because Poppy and Sam lived nearby, but the feeling lingered.
The next day, a weekend, Laura dropped by her old friend Ellen theyd known each other since the kids were in the same nursery. Ellen was thrilled to see Laura, put out a bottle of whisky.
Lets have a nip, Lara, fifty millilitres each. Ive got a roast ready, perfect with a dram, Ellen winked, pulling out two glasses.
Thanks, Ellen, but I cant, Laura said. Im pregnant.
Ellens eyebrows rose. Right, you and Simon split, huh? Or have you already got a lover? she teased.
No, Ellen! Its Simons child, from a onenight thing a couple of months ago. Candles, wine, lacey nightdress and then its happened, Laura explained, gesturing to her belly.
Ellen shook her head. Oh, love, thats a lot. Youre already in your fifties, and youre on your own. Raising a baby alone is tough. You might want to think about maintenance payments maybe youll have grandkids soon if Poppy marries. Id be careful if I were you.
Laura sighed, Youre probably right, its late. Ellens words echoed her own doubts.
She said goodbye and drove to Poppys flat.
Hey, Mum, come in! Want coffee? Poppy called.
No thanks, love, I just need a chat. Is Sam home? Laura asked, hoping for a private moment.
Hes at his parents, helping with some repairs, Poppy replied.
Laura took a breath and told her about the pregnancy.
Mum, do you actually want this baby? Poppy asked.
I do, really. Im just scared, Laura whispered.
What did the doctor say?
He says everything looks fine, the babys developing well. Ive lost two kids before, never knew why. The doctors werent great, maybe, but now Im terrified of going through that again. Im over forty, they say its risky, the baby could have problems. Ive read horror stories online, you wouldnt believe!
Poppy reached out. Mum, you need solid medical checks, not internet forums. Lots of women have babies after forty now, its not unheard of. If youre healthy, why not?
Laura nodded. Maybe youre right. Ill think about it.
Whatever you decide, well support you, okay? Youre not alone, Poppy said. Tell Dad?
No, I dont want to.
The talk gave Laura a little boost. The doctors found nothing serious, and she decided to keep the baby. She wondered whether to tell Simon, but felt he didnt need to know she wasnt his, after all. Their meetings were now just a few quick handovers of a box of things. Six months later Simon showed up at her boutique unexpectedly.
Lara, Im here for the house papers. I cant find them, think theyre with you. I called, you didnt answer, I tried the flat, cant get in. Did you change the locks? he asked, eyes darting to her rounded belly.
Yes, I changed them. What did you think, you could just waltz back in? Laura replied coolly. Weve long since settled that.
Looks like you havent wasted any time, huh? Got married? Simon smirked.
No, Simon, and Im not planning to, Laura snapped. My life isnt your business, Ive got work, no time for gossip.
He muttered something as he left. He kept thinking about the baby, wondering about the timeline, imagining a new life with Laura.
Later, his secretary Olga strutted into his office, demanding a lunch break. He brushed her off, telling her to eat alone if she wanted. She left pouting.
A few weeks later, Lauras baby, Thomas, was born healthy. He was swaddled in a blue blanket, and Sam held him gently, marveling at how tiny he was.
Look at him, hes a little thing! Sam whispered, cradling the infant.
Hes gorgeous, just like you, Mum, Poppy cooed, eyes shining.
Laura laughed, Exactly, hes got your cheekbones!
When they got home, Laura gasped at the surprise: Poppy and Sam had turned one of the rooms into a nursery, hanging bright garlands, balloons, and a big banner over the cot that read Happy Birthday, Thomas!
Laura felt pure joy. Days flew by with baby duties. Poppy often came over, playing with Thomas or taking him to the nearby park so Laura could rest.
See, Poppy? Youre getting a taste of motherhood already, Laura teased. One day youll have your own kids, and youll be a pro by then!
Its brilliant! Poppy replied, grinning at Sam.
A couple of months later, there was a knock at the door. Simon stood there with a bouquet.
Hello, Laura, he said, offering the flowers.
Laura didnt take them.
What brings you here? she asked, arms crossed.
I know Thomas is my son. Nikki, your friend, mentioned it, Simon said.
And even if thats true, does it matter now? Laura replied.
Please, Lara, Im sorry. I was a fool. I want to be part of his life. Will you let me?
Laura thought of the man whod once promised forever, the words shed given up on a year ago. She remembered an old saying: He who cheats once will cheat again.
No, Simon. Its too late. Dont come back, she said firmly, stepping back and slamming the door, locking it.
Let me see my son! he shouted, pounding on the door.
He kept turning up, trying to catch Laura when she walked with the pram, begging for forgiveness, for a fresh start. Laura stayed firm. At Poppy and Sams wedding, Simon showed up just long enough to hand over a generous cash gift and then left.
Later she learned hed married Olga, but that marriage lasted only a few months before she walked out.
And thats where things stand now.
