Paula hated the way Katherine spoke of her as if she wasn’t in the room but she was busy concentrating on keeping her dinner down. Dan’s grinning face appeared in front of her. He’d obviously had a few more beers since she’d seen him last.

“Sit down,” he said.

“No…” Paula sucked in some air. Her lips began to tingle. “I’d like to go home.”

“I don’t think you should be driving, Dan,” Katherine said. “Would you like me to help?”

“No.” Dan’s reply was brusque. “We’ll be fine, thanks.”

Paula had a glimpse of Katherine’s amused smile, before they turned away.

Dan’s arm was like a weight around her shoulders as he propelled her out of the hall. She sucked in the cool night air but it didn’t help. The warmth rushed up her throat and she leaned forward and retched.

“Need some help, Dan?” A cheery male voice floated through Paula’s misery.

“No thanks, Blue.”

“Little lady can’t hold her drink, hey?”

“She’ll be right.”

There was a deep chortle and Paula heard footsteps move away.

Dan rested both his hands on her shoulders and swayed beside her. “Are you okay, Sweet Pea?”

She gasped in a breath and willed her stomach to settle.

“Can you make it to the car?” he asked.

She took another deeper breath and straightened up. The heat from her face was subsiding, along with the churning of her stomach. “I’m okay,” she mumbled.

Dan guided her to the dual cab but she was aware he wasn’t all that sure-footed.

He leaned against the passenger-side door. “Katherine’s right about one thing. I shouldn’t drive. Will you be okay to get us home?”

“Of course. I’m much better now.” Paula didn’t feel as confident as she sounded. She still didn’t like driving the dual cab. Her legs didn’t seem to reach properly even though she adjusted the seat and the gears were different to her Audi. Besides that, the conversation with Katherine had unsettled her and then the rush of nausea had left her feeling flat. All she wanted to do was sink into the seat and close her eyes.

Dan swayed again beside her. “As long as you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” Paula replied, trying to muster some strength.

She steered the bulky vehicle out into the street and tried to concentrate on the road in front of her. The conversation with Katherine replayed in her head. Did Dan really mind if their baby was a girl rather than a boy? He’d said he didn’t but maybe that wasn’t what he truly felt. Perhaps she should talk to him about it. She glanced across at her husband. It would have to be another time. They had barely reached the edge of town and he was already snoring softly beside her.

Chapter 11

CHAPTER

11