He eased his arm out from around her shoulders and carefully slid off the bed. Then there was her comment that Uncle Gerald had said something. Perhaps he knew about the will. He had been a good friend of Dan’s grandfather and father.

In the kitchen Dan left the light off, flicked on the kettle and sat with his hands holding his head. There seemed no end to the troubles that confronted him. Ted’s news had been a shock but Dan almost felt jealous of his friend who’d made such a hard decision but at least knew what the future held.

Thank goodness Paula’s health wasn’t an issue at the moment. He wanted to share all this with her and he hated breaking her trust by keeping another secret but it would be unfair to unload on her now. The blood pressure thing had really rattled her. The kettle clicked off behind him but he ignored it. The light from the half moon illuminated the side garden and the paddocks beyond. Dan stared into the gloomy night. He felt like he was spiralling down a plughole with no hope of rescue.

He gripped his head tighter. Somehow there was a way out of this mess; he just had to find it.

Chapter 28

CHAPTER

28

“What a beautiful sunset.” Cuddled comfortably beside Dan on the front porch of Sandy Beach Cottage, Paula looked across the sand to the flat calm sea and the clouds hovering above the horizon. The whole scene was reflecting the pink rays of the setting sun. She took another lick of her ice-cream. Even that looked pink. “It’s a pity we can’t stay longer.”

Dan’s arm was wrapped around her and his large hand rested on her tummy, to feel the baby which had been kicking furiously for several minutes.

“That midfielder in there would like to be out here enjoying the beach.” He chuckled.

“Speaking of which,” Paula sat up and reached for the book beside her, “what do you think about naming our son Brady?”

“As in the Brady Bunch?” He grimaced.

“If you don’t like my suggestions you’d better start thinking of some yourself.”

“I said the naming was up to you.”

“That’s a cop-out.” Paula turned to look at him. For the last four days she had been reading out names and he hadn’t liked any of them but wouldn’t be drawn to come up with any ideas himself. “You have to be more helpful.”

Dan patted her tummy. “I am sure when we see this little guy or girl, we will know exactly what to call it.” He stood up. “How about we take a stroll then get an early night. We have to leave first thing tomorrow.”

“You haven’t forgotten we’re calling in at the hospital to see about the birthing classes?”