Ninni felt sick again. The doctor handed her a few leaflets to take home and gave her a friendly pat on the hand. ‘Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the world, whatever you choose. Although I should tell you that getting pregnant doesn’t get easier as you get older.’

It was such an absurd statement that Ninni burst into tears.

The doctor patted her on the hand again. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Tell you what, go home, sleep on it, then come back in a few days and we’ll talk it over when you’re a bit more used to the idea. By then you will have loads of questions. For the morning sickness, get some fresh ginger and make a brew. It will help. I’m also going to give you a list of things you should do, in case you decide to keep it.’

‘I drank half a glass of really horrible red wine a few days ago, and at least two or three beers. Will that … could that do any damage to …?’ Ninni bit her lip. She couldn’t get her mouth to say baby.

‘I doubt it. The risk is higher the more you drink. Do you smoke?’

Ninni shook her head. ‘No, never have.’

‘Good. Listen, you’re young and healthy. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a good pregnancy and a healthy baby at the end of it. Promise me that you’ll consider all your options.’

She followed Ninni out and gave her a quick hug. ‘Good luck, and please come back in a day or two.’

Ninni stood still outside the doctor’s surgery for a few minutes, more dizzy than ever. This is beyond horrible, she thought.

She found her way to Haraldsgaten and sank down on one of the benches in the small park in front of Hotel Saga. Her knees felt impossibly weak and her head was spinning out of control.

Now what? She didn’t want to tell Jack about this. It was obviously not his baby. Then there was Karl. She didn’t want to tell him either. Oh, God, she thought. Do I have to tell him if I decide to keep it? That will tie me to him for ever.

The ramifications made her nauseous and dizzy. She pushed Karl out of her mind as much as possible.

Thank God Jack is in London. It will give me a few days to figure out what to do. Until then, perhaps I can sit here and not move, Ninni thought. Until it passes. Until I’m not pregnant any more or until I wake up from this nightmare.

***

Jack paused outside the restaurant where he had worked for the last decade. He had been gone for a few weeks and it felt as if he had been gone for years.

London was so hot, he felt as if the air was sticking to him. And yet he stood still, staring at the restaurant front with its exclusive look. The only guests who could afford to eat in there were people who didn’t care what the bill said at the end of a meal.