“Why didn’t you say, I’d have come with you?”
“I know you would but if I wasn’t taking Seb to join me, I had to do it alone, babe - you understand?”
“Of course I do - Na would have been exactly the same. He would be. Oh christ. So is everything alright?”
“They think so at the moment. I had a scan and I’m only early - 7 weeks’ish.”
She nods, listening to me, her face a mish mash of scrunching and frowning in all the right places.
“We went out last night and I was all set to tell Seb, just get it all there in the open and he took me to a cinema, booked out solely for us and one thing led to another and before long…”
“You were doing what got you into this position in the first place.”
“Hmmm. After that I felt too slutty to say Ta Da I’m preggers!”
“Don’t be silly - Sebastian would have been fine. God, these alpha men thrive on sex, they can’t expect you to suddenly become celibate just because you’re with child - this is 2015 for fuck’s sake. You must tell him tonight! Do you want me to have Finn - Nathan is coming to mine, but we are staying in?”
“No, thanks though - I’ll get him to bed and I’ve arranged for Seb to come round about 8.00ish.”
“I’ll watch from my window for the firework display.”
“You live 3 miles away.”
“Exactly.”
“You don’t think it will go well?”
“I know the longer you leave it, the harder it will be. I also know how controlling the Silver men are and it is going to be a constant fight for you to maintain your independence once he does know.”
“I know!” She gets me so well. “That’s what I’m worried about.”
“Oh, Lu, it would be my worst fear too - Nathan would have me wrapped in cotton wool.”
“I just feel bad that I’m pressurising him like this.”
“Really, Lu? It was his cock that created this baby too and Sebastian loves you - adores you to bits. I know it’s early days for you as a couple, but it’s not early days for you as friends - you’ve known one another forever. I think he’ll surprise you.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“Give this a chance. If it’s what you want. I’m here for you, if you need me.”
I tuck into my cupcake with gusto and finish off the rest of Abby’s as well and smile as I’m reminded of my craving for sweet things during my pregnancy with Finn. And so it starts and so the pounds creep on.
“One last thing before we go. I’ve been meaning to ask your advice on something.”
“Please tell me you’re not really a man!” she laughs in mock drawl.
“No silly!”
“Oh good I’m not sure I can take any more serious news. Fire away.”
“Do you remember I mentioned I feel like I’m being watched?” I watch her face carefully for any flicker of recognition and see none.
“WTF, Lu? Seriously? Your life’s like a bloody soap opera at the moment!”
“I know, but I’m serious Abs. I’ve had this sense that someone is watching me for weeks now, but I never see anyone. Everywhere I go, I get that awful feeling like I’m not alone, in a disturbing way - you know? But when I turn around or look out of the window, there’s nothing - no one.”
“Are you sure you’re not just overworked and now with the pregnancy, the hormones, you’ll be exhausted…?”
“I thought that too, Abs, I did, but it’s getting worse. I had it outside at The Ashton, I had it outside my house, the lounge, the kitchen and my bedroom windows - at work. It’s giving me the real creeps. Something feels very wrong.”
She winks at me to lighten the mood and chuckles. “Look, I know that Seb is running with the big players now and hey, I’ve googled the Silver brothers several times since Na and I started dating - I know, I know, sad but you know me - anyway, Sebastian is beginning to make the Society headlines, inevitable really now he’s become wealthier but he’s not a celeb and neither are you? Not yet anyway. I thought only famous people got stalkers?”
“Yeah, I suppose. I mean I’m not saying it’s a stalker. I never really thought of it, or them or whatever this fucking is, like that but it’s starting to stress me out. I think they, it, he, she, may have been in the house.”
“Oh Jesus, Lu. What makes you think that?”
“When we got back from Dubai, there was coke can in the kitchen I’d not had, like someone had been there and a plate in the sink with crumbs and I’m beginning to notice some of my things are missing.