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Back A Bumpy Year Save as PDF
Chapters (49)
  1. Cover
  2. Also by Olivia Spooner
  3. A BUMPY YEAR
  4. Copyright
  5. Contents
  6. Dedication
  7. 1
  8. 2
  9. 3
  10. 4
  11. 5
  12. 6
  13. 7
  14. 8
  15. 9
  16. 10
  17. 11
  18. 12
  19. 13
  20. 14
  21. 15
  22. 16
  23. 17
  24. 18
  25. 19
  26. 20
  27. 21
  28. 22
  29. 23
  30. 24
  31. 25
  32. 26
  33. 27
  34. 28
  35. 29
  36. 30
  37. 31
  38. 32
  39. 33
  40. 34
  41. 35
  42. 36
  43. 37
  44. 38
  45. 39
  46. 40
  47. Acknowledgements
  48. About the Author
  49. An Invitation from the Publisher

As I’m cleaning up the dishes, I think about Scott’s message. I’m not sure how comfortable I am with him buying a present for the baby. If it’s something expensive or – even worse – hideous, I’m going to find it excruciating. Also, I’m nervous about seeing him again, mainly because it’ll remind me of that kiss in Tokyo and the strange moment the day he helped out, when he was standing so close and I wanted to…

My phone beeps and I snatch it off the table. It’s a text message from Pete asking if he can take me out for lunch. I should probably ask him if he wants to come to the zoo, but I was looking forward to it being just the three of us. A chance for me to get to know Will and Tilly, and hopefully for us to relax in each other’s company – maybe even feel like we’re family.

I quickly text Pete back saying I’ll be busy for the day and suggest we have dinner out instead. He responds immediately with one word – perfect – followed by three heart emojis. Since when did Pete start using them? He’s always complained they were “stupid and juvenile”. I stare at the pink hearts for a long time, trying to figure out how they make me feel, and fail to come up with an answer.

When it’s time to go, I head to my car, sit for a few seconds, then message Scott to say I’ll be home from 4 p.m. if he wants to stop by. The moment I hit “Send”, I want to take it back.

27

“Sorry,” I call as I spy Will and Tilly waiting by the entrance.

The traffic was worse than expected and I’m over ten minutes late. I hate being late to anything and have secretly taken pride in always being early. Until now.

“No worries, Trish,” says Will as I approach. “We’ve only been here a few minutes.”

“Oh, thank goodness.” I smile and consider giving them a quick hug but can’t quite bring myself to take the plunge.

“We bought you a ticket,” Tilly says, holding one out to me.

Her smile is brighter than the sun.

“You did? Thanks, I can’t wait,” I say. “Haven’t been to the zoo in years.”

Tilly slips her hand in mine. “I come here all the time,” she says proudly. “I can show you where to go.”

“Fantastic!” I may be overdoing my attempt at enthusiasm.

Will raises his eyebrows. “Looks like you’ve got your own private tour guide there, Trish.”

“Lucky me,” I say as Tilly drags me towards the revolving gates leading inside. “I hope there are some otters – they’re my favourite.”

Tilly stops abruptly and turns to me wide-eyed. “They’re my favourite, too,” she gasps.

“Really?”