26

Two weeks later Penny waited in the consultancy room of the fancy Harley Street clinic with her sister.

‘I can’t believe there might be a baby in here,’ Clementine said.

‘Don’t,’ Penny said, whispering. ‘It probably won’t happen first time. Let’s not get excited. Just – go steady.’ Penny surprised herself at being the level-headed one in the situation. Normally it was Clementine who kept everyone calm.

Penny had no idea what the doctor was going to say. Clementine had been excitable for the past two weeks, even though she’d tried to hide it.

Penny’s phone vibrated in her bag. Out of habit she reached for it – it hadn’t even crossed her mind that now was the time for it to be on silent.

‘FRANCESCO,’ it said.

‘Are you doing it?’ he said, as soon as she’d answered. ‘What’s happening?’

He’d asked if Penny wanted him there, but she hadn’t. This was for her and her sister. They’d entered into this together, and Penny wanted the appointments to be made up of just them, too.

‘We’re just waiting for the doctor to come back into the room,’ she said.

‘Put me on speaker!’

‘Okay. But don’t say anything.’

‘I promise,’ he replied.

The doctor returned and sat in the chair opposite them. Penny’s phone with Francesco on the line was resting face-up on the desk between the sisters and her white coat.

‘Well,’ she said. ‘I am very pleased to tell you that you are pregnant, Clementine. Penny, you’re going to be a mother.’

Penny’s mouth fell wide open and Clementine launched herself on her sister.

‘I knew it!’ she said. ‘I could just feel it. I knew it!’

‘You’re having a baby,’ the doctor said.

‘I’m having a baby?’ Penny said.

From the phone, on the table, Francesco’s voice loomed large.

‘Shit! Penny! You’re having a baby!’

Penny pulled away from her sister’s embrace. ‘How is this possible?’ she said. ‘Nobody ever gets pregnant the first time.’

The doctor smiled. ‘Well, it was a forty-four per cent chance since you fertilized your eggs so young.’

‘But chance isn’t ever on my side,’ said Penny. ‘I didn’t think this would happen.’ She was shell-shocked, her whole body tense.

Clementine beamed. ‘I’ve felt so sick these past two days. And my boobs already feel bigger. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but … I think we can believe this, Pen.’

‘I’m going to be a mama,’ Penny said, smiling.

‘You’re going to be the best mama,’ Clementine said, going in for another hug.

‘I’m so happy for you, Penny!’ came Francesco’s voice, still on speakerphone. ‘This is exactly what you wanted! And you deserve it all!’

26

Epilogue