Chapters (48)
- Cover
- Praise
- About the Author
- Also by Tricia Stringer
- Title Page
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Author’s Note
- Acknowledgements
- Excerpt
- One
“Good heavens no, I’ll turn into a cup of tea. I thought we could plan what we’ll have for dinner tonight. Do it together.”
Laura bent to open the dishwasher. “That’s a great idea, thanks.”
Thirty-Five
Thirty-Five
Kate lay still as the release of sleep slipped away. She’d been dreaming she was home but the stiff sheets with the crunch of the plastic underneath told her immediately she was still in hospital. She opened her eyes. The room was only dimly lit and her mum was sitting near the window reading a book in a shaft of late-afternoon sunshine. She looked up as Kate stirred.
“Hello, sleepy head.”
Kate stretched. “I can’t believe how much I want to sleep.”
“Listen to your body.” Natalie came over to the bed and brushed some hair from Kate’s face. “And talk about how you feel.”
Kate wriggled up in the bed. “Did you have post-natal depression, Mum?”
“It was hardly talked about in my day but I definitely had something.”
“I can’t imagine you being a mess. I haven’t even had the baby yet and look at me. You’re so strong.”
Natalie smiled and shook her head. “There are people who can help these days. I had your gran. She was supportive in practical ways.”
“What about Dad?”
“I didn’t really tell him how I felt. I thought if I told him I wasn’t coping…well, it’s silly and all long ago now. We need to focus on you.” Natalie placed a hand on Kate’s cheek. “I know it’s not always easy but you should talk to Sean about how you feel and get him to tell you what he’s thinking.”
There was a soft tap on the door. They both looked up and Kate’s heart gave an extra thump as her husband stepped into the room.
“What are you doing here?” she squeaked. When she’d called him he’d said he’d be there the next morning.
“That’s a nice welcome.” He strode to the bed and wrapped her in a gentle hug. “I left the truck at your parents’ place and brought your car.”
Kate nestled against him, relieved and anxious at the same time.
“You made good time then,” Natalie said.
“Hello, Natalie.” He grinned and released Kate. “Let’s just say I got here as fast as I could.”
Kate watched as her mum went round the bed, hugged her husband and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“I’m glad you’re here. I’ll head off now.”
Kate gave Natalie a pleading look. She wasn’t ready to face the talk she knew she and Sean had to have. “You don’t have to rush away, do you?”