The Man I Didn't Marry by Anna Bell

Author:Anna Bell [Bell, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

It’s not only Max and his lack of memory that have been keeping me busy in my maternity leave, but my new mummy friends too. Especially with their worrying about the impending birth of their watermelons – it turns out that string exercise we did in the first class has been giving Helen and Polly nightmares and, short of me exposing my lady bits to them, it’s hard to reassure them that it’s going to be OK. Of course, Anneka isn’t worried as she’s having an elective C-section. Instead she’s channelling her worry into whether or not her little one will get into the highly exclusive nursery that they’re on the waiting list for.

Even though I’m the only one officially on maternity leave – thanks to Anneka not working, Helen using up her flexi-time and Polly taking an early lunch – we’ve managed to meet up for a mid-morning Monday coffee in the café in the arts centre.

‘I just keep looking at Toby’s head and I’m sure it’s abnormally big. Maybe it’s just that his hairline’s receding and it’s deceptive, but still,’ says Helen, putting her card back in her wallet. ‘I’m thinking of taking some selfies just to remember the old girl by, as I can’t see how she’s ever going to be the same again.’

I pat Helen on the arm and laugh.

‘Just spare a thought for what’s going to happen to Ellie’s after having two,’ says Anneka.

‘Hmm, thanks for that,’ I say, thinking it’s the least of my worries. ‘Don’t forget that our lovely husbands will be at our side with their demands for an extra stitch.’

‘That bloody extra stitch. If Toby so much as opens his mouth to make that joke that’s where that extra stitch is bloody going.’

Anneka picks up her drink from the end of the counter and turns to us before she goes to get us a table.

‘Just think, this is the first of many coffee mornings, ladies,’ she says, tutting at another couple of women who were making a beeline for the sofas in the corner. She pushes her bump out and gives them a look and they wisely choose another table.

‘Yes, but I’m guessing that the “many more” won’t be this relaxing,’ says Helen. ‘And this will probably be one of the last times we’re going to be able to have conversations where we can all follow what’s going on.’

‘Come on, it’s not going to be that bad,’ says Polly with a laugh. ‘Is it?’

Helen raises an eyebrow. ‘I can count on one hand the number of serious conversations I’ve had with most of my girlfriends since they’ve had kids. In those first few years they’re always so exhausted or distracted. Oh, no offence, Ellie.’

‘None taken. You’re right, it’s a struggle to do anything when Sasha’s around and when she’s not I’m usually mentally drained from running around after her or working. But that’s the bonus of Max being signed off work – I get to swan off and leave Sasha with him when I’m meeting you guys.

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