A Friend in Knead by Judith Jackson

Author:Judith Jackson [Jackson, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunday Lake Publishing
Published: 2018-01-08T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Planning a party? Your guests will only be as relaxed as you are. If you're scurrying and worrying, chances are your guests won't feel at ease. Before they arrive, turn on the music, pour a glass of wine and remind yourself that no matter how bad it is, no party lasts forever. @askauntaggie

“What’s that?” said Melissa, who’d returned from tying up Peanut. “Alexandra is now an Alexander?”

“Alexandra is now Roger Jr. We had another ultrasound yesterday. Turns out there was a mistake with the first one.”

Harriet reached over and put her arm around Beth-Ann’s shoulder. “You looked so upset, you had me worried.”

“What was the problem?” asked Melissa. “TP?”

Beth-Ann peered at her, a confused look on her face. “TP?”

“Tiny penis? Too small to see on the ultrasound?”

Beth-Ann exhaled loudly, like she was practicing her Lamaze breathing. “Roger Jr. has a perfectly normal penis. I had my first ultrasound here in Sevenoaks. Lainey Wilmot did it. She messed up.” Beth-Ann frowned at Claire. “Isn’t Lainey related to you?”

“Hardly at all. Very distant cousin.”

“She’d just finished her training. It was the first scan she did without supervision. I went into Middlebury on Friday because that’s where my obstetrician is, and that’s when we found out. Roger is so excited. Deep down I think he wanted a boy first, but he didn’t want to admit it.” Beth-Ann shook her head and her eyes slowly traced the house and the yard. “Look at all this.” She waved her arm to encompass the pink bows and flowers, and the presents. She’s going to kill me.”

As her words hit her, Beth-Ann clutched Harriet’s arm. “Sorry, Harriet. Here I am carrying on about myself. You must be traumatised. Finding Everly like that. I can’t even imagine.”

“It was horrible, but the shock is wearing off.”

Claire looked down at her container of cupcakes. “Guess I don’t have to worry about those manly green stems.”

“Let’s do this,” said Harriet, gesturing toward the house. “Roger is right. Get it over with right off the top. The longer you wait, the worse you’ll feel.”

Beth-Ann gave her a weak smile. “Your gran is rubbing off on you. I love her column. She’s a gas. And some good advice too.”

“She’s a wonder,” agreed Harriet.

“And when you think about it,” said Melissa, as they made their way up the walk, “what’s the difference? Boy, girl. Tomato. Tomahto.”

Amy must have been watching for them because she opened the door as soon as Claire’s foot touched the bottom step. “Welcome,” she said, flashing them a tight, pasted on smile. “You’re the last ones to get here. Better late than never, I guess.”

“Cupcakes,” Claire said, passing Amy the container.

Amy peeked into the container and her smile faded slightly, but she rallied and spoke in a chipper voice. “Very pretty. So colorful. They’re almost exactly like you described them.”

“Thanks,” said Claire, sprightlier than she’d been all day. “They do have a certain boyish charm.”

Harriet squeezed Beth-Ann’s arm, willing her on.

“I’m sorry,” Beth-Ann said, in a wobbly voice, once she reached the veranda.

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