girlyswot

'Have we got everything?' enquired Nicola.

'Presents to open, presents to give, trifle, things for the boy, coats, wellies,' counted off Nick.

'Nothing else'll fit in the car,' observed Patrick.

'Come on then. Katie, squash up, there isn't room for Jon if you insist on Dolly having her own seat. Put her on your lap, that's right. Nick, you take charge of Spade. Right, ready to go.' Nicola pulled the straining seatbelt around her swollen belly and smiled at her family.

Everyone was coming to Trennels for the largest family Christmas ever. Kay and Edwin were bringing their three. Rowan would be there with Thomas. Giles was somewhere in the Gulf so Mary had gone to her parents. Ann, of course, and Gin with, amazingly, husband and daughter in tow. Peter was home and Captain Marlow. Lawrie was in repertory over the Christmas season but she had driven down late on Christmas Eve and could stay until Boxing Day morning. And Patrick's parents were coming for lunch too.

Mrs Bertie had been in a flurry of preparation for weeks, snapping off the heads of anyone who dared ask for tasters or who stayed in the kitchen to chat. Ann had laid the table on Christmas Eve, struggling to fit twenty-four places around the huge oak table. She had put little sprigs of holly and ivy around the table and great swathes over the mantelpiece, tying them with red ribbons and fixing candles at intervals.

They each opened one present before dinner. Nicola had a pair of earrings from Patrick. Pale-pink diamonds to match her wedding ring.

'They're utterly gorgeous. Thank you so much.' She kissed him and watched him open hers. Three ancient volumes on The Art of Husbandrie, Raising Game and Pasturage and Ploughing. 'I thought you'd better start learning.'

He grinned. 'How appropriate.'

Lunch began at two o'clock and by five, the sun had set and the family were full.

'We'll have to find two more spaces next year,' remarked Ann.

Peter looked questioningly at her.

'For Nick's twins.'

'Ah, yes.'

'Actually,' Rowan blushed, 'better make that three.'

'Truly?' exclaimed Nicola. Rowan nodded. 'But how absolutely super. When?'

'June.'

Karen exchanged a meaningful glance with Edwin before adding. 'I think it will be four.'

'Karen!' Mrs Marlow looked pleased but surprised.

'Yes, well. We weren't planning to but it's happened so that's that. About the same time as Rowan, I imagine.'

'How wonderful.'

'Congratulations, Kay.'

'We-ll,' said Lawrie, half-excited and half-… defiant, thought Nicola,' as we're counting. I think you'd better make it five.'

'Lawrie!' Mrs Marlow was equally surprised, though evidently not as delighted.

'But, Lawrie…' Ann was speechless.

Ginty began to laugh. 'It's not Michael More, is it?'

Lawrie, by now bright red, bit her lip and shook her head.

'Well, well, well,' said Peter, raising his eyebrow at her.

It was too much. She burst into tears and, pushing back her chair, ran from the room.

'I thought you'd be up here.' Nicola offered a clean handkerchief. Lawrie continued to sniff into it but the racking sobs had ceased.

'How long have you known?'

'Yesterday. I was packing and counting, you know. And I realised it was eight weeks. So I got a test from the chemists and… and…'

'Alright. Don't cry. Do you know who the father is?'

She nodded.

'It's okay. You don't have to tell me. Just… it's not Michael More, is it?'

Lawrie shook her head firmly.

'Good. Have you told him? The father?'

' 'M not going to.'

'Lal, you have to. He's going to be a father… unless…' A horrible thought struck her. 'Lal, are you… you are going to…'

'I don't know. Yes, I think so. But nobody seemed very happy for me. Maybe I should just…'

'No,' said Nicola firmly. 'They will be happy. They're just a bit shocked. But nobody wants you to get rid of it. Listen, Lal, something I never told you. The first time I got pregnant I was nineteen. Patrick and I slept together once before I went away and I fell pregnant. I was alone in the middle of the ocean when I realised I was ten weeks gone. I'd never been so afraid in my life.'

'Wh…what happened?'

'I put in at Sydney as soon as I could and found a doctor who confirmed it. He offered to… to' Nicola's hands automatically went to her bump. 'But I couldn't. Anyway, two days later I started bleeding and lost the baby. But listen, Lal. Every day since, I've thought about that baby. I've watched her grow up. None of the others has made me forget her. It's been a grief I've always had. Don't add to that by knowing you could have chosen not to. Things will work out. People will help. You should tell the father. Even if you and he aren't together, the baby needs its dad.'

'Oh, Nick.' Lawrie blew her nose. 'Why do I always make such a mess of things?'

The twins joined the rest of the family in the sitting-room where present-opening had taken on the style and scale of a military operation. Rowan and Ann were armed with pen and paper, making lists of everything which had been given and by whom and were strictly enforcing the order of opening.

'Come on. You two are way behind. Here's one of yours, Lawrie. And Nick, I think that large box under the tree is yours.'

When the last scrap of paper had been collected and the small children dispatched to bed, Peter began pouring drinks for everyone.

'Everyone got something?' he asked at last. 'Good. Then I have another announcement.' He looked ready to burst. 'Fob and I are getting married.'

'Good show!' said Chas.

The others all added their congratulations. Fob sturdily accepted them all before turning to her father.

'You don't mind, do you Daddy?'

He looked poker-faced. Karen placed her hand over his and squeezed gently. Peter came to stand beside Phoebe, as if to protect her.

Edwin swallowed, and stood up to face the tall, charming, handsome, blonde Naval officer who wanted to marry his dark, chunky, taciturn daughter.

'Peter. I think I owe you an apology for allowing my temper to overcome my judgment fifteen years ago.'

Peter looked considerably taken aback but responded in kind.

'I'm sorry too for the way I behaved. It was childish and unkind.'

Edwin held out his hand and after a second, Peter shook it.