I wondered how she’d react if I said, No, until the DNA test results come through to tell me whether the father is my husband or my husband’s girlfriend’s husband. I could only imagine the silence that would follow.

Instead, I said, “Just the usual thing to do, isn’t it?”

“It’s such good news. I won’t say a word. Shall we tell people you’ve got a bug?”

I nodded. “Tell them it’s catching; that way I won’t have to see anyone.”

“How’s Harry? He must be over the moon.”

I smiled. “He just keeps saying he can’t believe it.”

“I won’t say a word to Patrick,” she said. “I’ll let Harry tell him when he’s ready.”

I agreed but as she carried on chatting, so excited by my news, I couldn’t help thinking: If the father was Tom, what would happen? I’d have to tell Harry. There was no way I would keep that from him. But what would he do?

At the thought of his reaction, at his disappointment and sadness at not having this chance to be a father, I wanted to put my head down and cry. He would leave me—I knew that. He wouldn’t be able to watch me bloom with someone else’s child. I couldn’t blame him.

CHAPTER 35

Ruby

When I saw Harry kissing Emma on their doorstep, I knew that it was all over between us. I know it sounds crazy but until that time I’d had daydreams where he’d call me and say he was so sorry. He’d tell me it was all a mistake, that he should never have let me go. In my dreams I’d put up a good resistance, but eventually he’d wear me down and we’d live happily ever after.

But when I thought of the way he leaned toward Emma and cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, just as he had with me the first time he kissed me, I knew that wasn’t the sign of a man who was coerced into staying with his wife. My daydreams were just that, an avoidance of real life. I was never going to be with Harry and that was his choice.

I brushed the tears from my face and found some resolve from somewhere. Once the house was sold, I could move away. Far away. That moment couldn’t come soon enough, but right now I had to find a job.