She was breathless by the time she’d climbed the stairs leading to Jeremy’s rooms but even so she didn’t pause before raising her small hand and rapping at his door. She knew he was in, she could hear movement in there.

Seconds later the door opened and there he stood, all dressed up and clearly ready to go out.

He looked momentarily shocked, but smiling quickly he told her, ‘Oh, Ivy, what a shame. I was just about to go out. Another story to report, you know how it is.’

Ignoring his words she pushed past him and once inside she turned to face him.

‘If you’ve come to tell me off about not meeting you last night I can explain I—’

‘I haven’t come about that,’ she told him, her eyes never leaving his face. ‘Well … not entirely.’ She faltered then but after taking a deep breath she rushed on, ‘I want us to get married, Jeremy.’

He blinked and ran his finger around the neck of his starched shirt collar. ‘Of course you do, my darling, and so do I but first I must—’

‘We can’t dilly-dally any longer. You see … the thing is … I’m having a baby … your baby!’

Jeremy clutched at the back of the nearest chair as the colour drained from his face.

‘I … I’m sorry to tell you like this but there didn’t seem an easy way so I thought I may as well just come out with it.’ She was blinking away tears now. She hadn’t expected him to be pleased at the news but she’d hoped he would take it better than this.

He stood there as if he had been turned to stone for what seemed an eternity then asked in a croaky voice, ‘Are you quite sure?’

‘Well, I ain’t had it confirmed by a doctor as yet, if that’s what yer mean but I’ve seen me mam have enough little ’uns to know the signs. I ain’t been right fer the last couple o’ weeks an’ then this mornin’ I were really sick.’

‘I see.’ He sat down heavily.

‘So? What are we goin’ to do about it?’ Ivy demanded. ‘I dare say you’ll want yer family at the weddin’. They’ll probably be surprised at the speed we’re doin’ it seein’ as I ain’t even met ’em yet but it can’t be helped.’

‘Now just hold on,’ he suddenly barked as panic set in. Oh why couldn’t I have been more bloody careful? he thought. Ivy’s face fell then and softening his voice he said, ‘It isn’t something that can be arranged overnight. I think perhaps you should visit a doctor first and get it confirmed then we’ll go from there.’

Ivy’s tears spilled over and rolled down her cheeks then. ‘All right, I will soonest ever I can but meantime I’m movin’ in here wi’ you.’

He opened his mouth to protest but she silenced him by placing her hand gently across his mouth.