She pulled back. “How’s Kate?”

He took one of her bags and they started walking. “She’s okay.”

“The baby?”

“Is okay too.”

“Thank goodness.”

“Bree and I spent a couple of hours with her this morning. I don’t fully understand the condition she has but the doctors reckon it can be managed.”

“I want to see her.”

“I’ll take you straight there.”

Natalie found her case and Milt took it and her to the four-wheel drive. They were out of the carpark and on the road to the city before he broke the silence between them.

“You are all right, aren’t you, Nat?”

The question surprised her. “What do you mean?”

“Physically. It’s just that the girls were worried we…well…they thought perhaps you were hiding something to do with the tests and, to be honest, they got me a bit edgy. I thought you would tell me if there was but after you left I began to wonder too.”

“I am perfectly f…well. I’ve done a lot of walking and swimming and I feel so much fitter. I’m tired now from the travel but I’m okay.” She felt a pang of guilt. “The girls weren’t too worried about me, were they?”

“They missed you.” He grinned, teeth clenched. “I did my best but…well, it’s you they turn to when things are bothering them. I can’t believe Kate kept the baby news to herself. You didn’t have any idea she could be pregnant?”

Natalie shook her head. “I thought she was a bit peaky before I left but she’d always said they weren’t having kids.”

“She was feeling unwell and went to the doctor.” Lines creased Milt’s forehead. “It was a surprise and…she hasn’t told Sean about it. She says she doesn’t want the baby.”

Natalie’s heart broke for her daughter.

Milt shook his head. “I know this has been a setback but when she first got the news, well, I don’t understand how she wasn’t excited.”

“I can.” There’d been a time, it was hard to imagine it now, when Natalie hadn’t wanted children. “I know exactly how she feels.”

“You do?”

“I didn’t yearn for babies, Milt. I liked our lives the way they were. Babies were expected of me.” She gave a brief thought to the old book then banished it. “I wish I’d known.”

“Kate was adamant she wanted to wait until you came home to tell you. Only Bree and Laura know besides me.”

“How are they? I’ve been getting the odd text but not much news.”

“They’re both fine.”

Natalie pursed her lips. There was that code word again.

“We’re going to be grandparents, Nat.” He grinned and turned into the hospital carpark.