But another, nagging part of her brain kept reminding her that it was the secrecy and the lies that had been the worst when the truth had come out about her mother’s affair. And the lies she’d told after that—the ones that had given her dad hope again and made him defend her mother to strangers. It was the broken trust that had been the hardest thing to fix.
Cal’s family had spent generations pretending to be perfect, while behind closed doors they’d behaved however they’d pleased, whomever it had hurt. Was she wrong to be worried that Cal was just carrying on the tradition he’d claimed to hate?
‘When are we going to tell Daisy and Ryan?’ she asked suddenly, as another couple were led into the scanning room.
Beside her, Cal started, looking up from the Mother and Baby magazine he was flicking through.
‘Uh... I don’t know. I guess it depends what you want to happen in September.’
Of course. By September—just a few weeks away now—she’d be gone from Lengroth. If she didn’t want to she’d never have to see Cal or the kids again. They’d never know about their half-brother or sister. She knew for certain that Cal would never tell them if she chose to go.
Nobody would know. The scandal would be contained. Sure, she’d still be an unwed mother, but that was nothing these days. She could even claim she’d chosen it—gone to a sperm bank and picked a donor. One with dark hair and amber eyes.
She could tell whatever lies she wanted. But she knew the truth always came out in the end.
‘I want Daisy and Ryan to be part of their half-brother or half-sister’s life,’ she said firmly. ‘And that means telling them the truth.’
How that would work back home in Hertfordshire... Well, maybe it was time to move on, anyway. Move away from home and out of the shadow of her mother’s scandal. Her father was doing so well these days—she was sure he’d be fine.
Of course, telling Daisy and Ryan also meant that Cal would be a part of her life, Heather realised. For ever.
She wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about that. Half of her was cheering, because she couldn’t imagine not having him around. The rest of her was wondering how on earth they’d manage it without falling into bed eventually.
But maybe—just maybe—that would be okay. Maybe eventually the risk of scandal would pass and nobody would care. They just had to wait it out.
‘I don’t want to rush it,’ Cal said finally. ‘They’ve been through so much and we’re finally making progress. They’re relaxing, opening up to me and letting me in. And Daisy hasn’t thrown anything out of the window at people in weeks—not since that stupid rubber duck you carried in on your first day.’
Heather smiled at the memory. When she’d seen that duck bobbing along in the moat she’d had no idea where it would lead her.
‘I guess I just don’t want to ruin all our hard work, right before they leave for school,’ Cal said, with a sigh.
‘You’re still planning on sending them away, then?’ Heather asked.
Cal looked at her, surprised. ‘Of course. It’s the best thing for their education.’
‘Right...’ But was it the best thing for their lives? Just when she’d thought Cal was making real progress...
‘Heather Reid?’ a nurse called, and they both stood up.
‘Ready for this?’ Cal asked, and Heather nodded.
‘I think so.’
Suddenly he grabbed her hand. ‘Heather... I really am so sorry my brother dragged you into all this. I know this can’t be how you dreamed about doing this, with me here at your side. But I am here, for whatever you need.’
‘I know.’
Heather smiled gently as she realised the truth. Maybe this wasn’t what she’d planned for her life, and it wasn’t what she’d have chosen if she’d been given a choice. But she’d have been wrong.
Because right now there was no one else she wanted with her except Cal. And that terrified her almost as much as the prospect of becoming a mother did.
‘Come on. Let’s go see this baby.’
* * *
‘Now, Daddy, if you’d like to come and sit on this side, please?’ the technician asked, oblivious to the confusion she’d thrown up inside Cal.