Michael

The kitchen seems as good a place as any to wait. Given the endless supply of tea and coffee needed, why go anywhere else?

Charlotte sits by the fire. “It’s going to feel funny having a brother for Cara.”

“Not exactly a brother,” says her mother. Mitch is on a knitting spree again, this time, a small blue hat.

Charlotte ponders. “True, but Adam will feel like a brother, won’t he.”

James puts a bottle of Cava in the fridge. “Something to celebrate with,” he says.

“We’ll need more than one…” I say... “… And… it’s Richard we’re talking about. I’ll pop across to the hotel and get some champagne.” He opens his mouth to protest and I hold up warding hands. “I know, it’s the same, but Richard would prefer it. And it’s his and Beth’s day. Why don’t you make sure we have plenty of ice for the bucket.”

“You’re right.” James lifts the lid of the freezer, rummaging inside.

“…Then you could make a pot of tea to take upstairs. If you give Richard any more coffee, they’ll be scraping him off the ceiling.”

James tugs out a bag of ice cubes. “Yes, there’s plenty.” He sucks at his cheeks. “Never thought I’d be so nervous on behalf of someone’s else’s child being born.”

lays her knitting on her lap. “Scared someone might think you have a heart,

she simply chuckles and lifts her needles again,

breath, heading for the hob. “So, who wants tea? Who

the upper floor, the wail of new lungs being tested out for the

*****

Klempner

a little slower

Timezone?

morning there. Perhaps I’ve rung too

the line clicks and connects. “Good morning, sir.” Hickman’s tone is polite but

thinking. I should have

of bed. You caught me making coffee.”

things over

murmur of anything amiss. If there had been, naturally I would have contacted you

“Mitch?”

Kimberley is missing you, sir. She spends a lot of time staring

my daughter and

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