The Best Mistake by Emily O'Beirne

Author:Emily O'Beirne [O'Beirne, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ylva Publishing
Published: 2023-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

The next weekend, Ava and Miho sat on a wooden bench, protected by the sweeping shade of the trees that lined the park.

Miho took a deep breath and leaned back against the seat, smiling up at the broad, dancing leaves. “Thank you for making me come out for a walk. You’re right. Fresh air and sunshine help.”

“Me and a thousand Victorian governesses cannot be wrong.” Ava tucked her arm through her friend’s. Miho still looked tired, but perhaps it was just seeing her outdoors, in the harsh truth of sunlight. “You’re too pale.”

Miho smiled and rested one foot on the pram wheel. “Levi says that too, when he comes home.”

“Well, he’s right.”

“Don’t tell him you agree. He enjoys being right too much. Anyway, I’m just a little sleep deprived.”

“I’ve heard rumours that these infant people can do that to you. Are you getting better at resting when she sleeps?”

“A little, but it’s tricky, sleeping in short stints.” Miho sighed. “It never quite feels like enough.”

“And is Levi still having to travel?”

Miho nodded. “It’s only a few days at a time, though.”

“If you need any help when he’s away, please ask me.”

“Thank you.” Miho squeezed Ava arm.

A crowd of elderly tourists strolled up the path, cameras in hand. Two women smiled indulgently in the pram’s direction. The little cloth bundle inside was shifting. A small sound escaped. Not sad, just awake. Ava peered into the pram.

“You can hold her if you like.”

Ava grinned and reached in. “I was hoping you’d say that.” Mitsuko was so tiny that her back nestled within Ava’s hand span. Her face had become her own now, all button nose and wide mouth, instead of that generic newborn look. “She’s a sweetheart.”

“I’ve noticed that people say she’s cute in this voice, like they’re really saying she’s actually cute.” Miho contemplated a spill of something on her sweater. “So I figure they must mean it.”

“Well, I do.”

“If you get tired of holding her, give her to me.”

“I’m fine. She’s fine.” How would Ava ever get sick of her? “Do you think you’d have another?”

“I’d like her to have a sibling. Someone to be close to, like you and Josh. I always envied you two having each other.”

Ava smiled down at Mitsuko. Josh would have got such a kick out of meeting this little one.

“But knowing my luck, they’d argue all day instead.”

“Josh and I argued a lot when we were kids.” Ava chuckled at the memory of a meltdown over the last ice cream in the freezer. Josh, ever the softie, had split it with Ava in the end. “But it was worth it.”

“Well, ask me about doing childbirth again when I’ve had more sleep.”

Ava laughed. “Sure.” In her lap, Mitsuko stared up at the flickering canopy of trees. “Did I tell you that my mum has organised a family thing for Josh’s anniversary? She wants to scatter his ashes this year.”

“Where?”

“The beach near where we spent some summers, where they live now.” Ava sighed. “Last year, I went all the way up there, and they never said anything to mark it.

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