Maybe this Christmas...? by Alison Roberts

Author:Alison Roberts
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Christmas: six years ago

‘CALL for you, Gemma. Outside line.’

‘Thank you.’ Gemma dumped the armload of patient notes she was carrying on the desk and reached for the phone. ‘Hi hon, how’s it going?’

There was surprised laughter on the line. ‘How did you know it was me?’

Gemma groaned. ‘I didn’t. And I didn’t think it was you, Laura. I thought it was Andy. He was going to call and let me know how Max is.’

‘Is he sick?’

‘Bit sniffly and grumpy this morning. Probably just a cold coming on but he had me up a few times in the night.’

‘Oh, no...poor you. That’s all you need when you’ve got to get up and go to work.’

‘Worse for Andy if he’s been unsettled all day. There’s no guarantee he’ll get any sleep on night shift.’

‘Poor him, too. Can’t believe he has to do a night shift on Christmas Eve.’

‘We figured it’s a small price to pay for having been able to juggle our rosters so well. Things will get easier in the new year once Max starts day care for more than one day a week.’

‘And you’ve definitely got tomorrow off? You’re not going to get called in at the last minute or something?’

‘No way. Not when we’re going to see your new kitchen in action for the first time. That Aga is going to cook the perfect turkey or there’ll be some serious questions being asked.’

Laura laughed. ‘Fingers crossed. I’m doing my best. Oh...I can’t wait, Gem. Max and Hazel are old enough to know what’s going on now. They’ll be able to play together. It’s going to be a real, family Christmas. Dream-come-true stuff...’

‘You’re not going to start crying on me, are you?’

The sniff was noisy enough to make Gemma wince. ‘No-o-o... I’m just...so happy.’

‘I will be, too, as soon as I get away from here. I’ve got a full ward round to get done first, though, so I’ll have to go.’

‘OK...but...’

‘But?’ There was an urgency in Laura’s tone that made Gemma pause. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I’m not supposed to tell you yet but...I’m going to burst if I don’t.’

‘Don’t do that. It would be messy and I have no idea how to cook turkeys.’ Gemma heard another sniff. And then a very happy sigh. Where had she heard that before?

‘Oh, my God, Laura...are you pregnant again?’

‘I think I might be. I hope so.’

‘Fingers crossed, then.’ Gemma closed her eyes as she shook her head. ‘Rather you than me.’

‘Maybe it’ll be a boy this time. So Max won’t have to play with girls all his life.’

‘Good thinking.’

‘You could always have another one...’ Laura suggested breathlessly. ‘Remember how fun it was when we both had babies at the same time?’

‘Fun? Are you kidding? It was a logistical nightmare. One that’s only just starting to get manageable. No...’ Gemma glanced at her watch. ‘I’ve got to go, Laura. I’ll see you in the morning.’

‘Are you mad at me?’

‘No, of course not. I’m delighted for you. I’m delighted that you’re going to provide a whole bunch of cousins for Max so I won’t have to feel guilty about him being an only child.

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