Hot Revenge Box Set 4

Michael

“I’m pregnant.”

Charlotte’s mother chews at a lip as Beth holds her hand. “I… I thought I couldn’t… I thought I was too old. I’m forty-eight for God’s sake… When Larry was here, I didn’t… I mean… we didn’t…” She splutters to a halt and sits staring at her fingertips, picking at one thumbnail with the other. “You must think I’m stupid, letting something like this happen...” She slants eyes toward Charlotte… “… Again.”

“I see.” I glance over towards James, still framed in the doorway, now gazing up at the ceiling, grimacing as he rubs the back of his neck.

“Interesting news, James,” I say, twisting in my seat to face him. Out of Mitch’s line-of-sight, I eye-point her, waving palms downwards…

Cool it…

Moving as though the earth might just cave in under me, I pull up a chair, sit by my ‘mother-in-law’. “In the first place, Mitch, I don’t think you’re stupid. I can understand why…”

Choose your words…

“… why you might not have believed there was an issue. Secondly, for the avoidance of doubt, you are not old.”

Her mouth opens and closes but nothing comes out.

“So…” I glance down at the pregnancy tester, and its blue line. I prise her hand from Beth’s, sandwiching it between my own. “So…how do you feel about it, Mitch?”

She raises emerald eyes to me, so like those of her daughter’s. But they’re glossy and fluid.

James, apparently recovering his composure, joins us, snaking out a long arm to pull up a chair and sit with us. In soft tones, he says, “… Um… An… interesting situation… Are you… happy about this, Mitch?”

Her voice chokes. “I’ve not gotten that far. I only knew for certain half an hour ago. I still can’t believe it… Oh, God…” Shuddering, she tugs free of me, dropping her face into her hands. “What am I going to do?”

her right hand from her cheek, he squeezes the fingers between his own, then

her pupils are black pinpricks stabbed through jade. “What do you think Larry will

I share a look,

Unlikely as it might seem, Larry Klempner’s ring is on your finger. I seriously

the ring, screwing it around the finger. “Do you think it was

air. “Well, I’m blowed if I know what else it could be.

ring in circles, around and around

from what we know of him, over a period lasting decades, it’s the only

James Hmmms agreement.

wrong with someone, you have the answer on to set it

expected parenthood to

parenthood. That first time we saw him, in prison still, after he realised he

she bites her

“I’m sure.”

to James, who nods agreement.

“… Jenny’s twenty-six. She’ll have a baby

press a forefinger to the back of the

breathing shudders,

you want this baby? Whatever you decide, everyone here… I know without asking that James agrees…” James nods vigorously… “ … And I am happy to speak for Richard too… “ Now Beth nods… “… Everyone here

Mitch blinks hard…

Breathes…

Calms…

She splutters… “Him… Her… Whatever...