Laurel was still watching Mac’s face. It was pale and shaken but he was the first to gather his thoughts. He laid a friendly hand along Pippa’s arm to prevent her hurling herself on Grady. ‘I don’t think this is the place for either of us right now, Pippa.’ He twinkled at her, as if she were one of his students come to him with a tricky problem. He hefted the rice cooker under an arm and gently turned her around.

‘I know what you’re upset about,’ he said understandingly. ‘How about I come back with you to see your mum and dad? These announcements are often easier with someone else present. I can defuse things by congratulating everyone about how wonderful the news is.’ His tone brightened as they moved together to the front door. ‘I’m sure they’ll be fine about the baby once they know. You can tell them that single parenthood’s a choice you’ve made – they knew you longed for a baby after all. They’ll love being grandparents.’

He turned and gave Grady a last painful smile, before closing the door.

Laurel stood motionless. She felt about two inches tall. To help his little brother, Mac had just risen above the blow she’d deliberately dealt him.

Grady, his voice sounding unnatural, said, ‘That rather intruded on the moment.’

Laurel looked into his dark, troubled eyes and knew he could read her answer in hers. ‘I’m so sorry you’re in the middle, Grady,’ she whispered, fumbling to put down her half-drunk champagne. ‘I love you, too, but I can’t take you away from your only family. Or make you choose them or me at Christmas or any other time. You deserve more.’ Tears welled over her lower lashes, probably beginning rivers of mascara down her cheeks. ‘Leaving here won’t make you happy.’

Her tears fell faster, dripping off her chin and making dark splotches on her dress. ‘Aunt Terri wants to come back to the village and Rea’s suggested she lives with us while her house is sold. She’s keen to help Rea with Daybreak and Daisy isn’t being bullied anymore. Rea’s begun to go out. It’s time for me to go.’ She sucked in a breath that shuddered on a sob. ‘Alone.’

Grady stood as still as an ice statue as Laurel shoved her feet into her still-damp boots and dragged on her coat, fishing her car keys from her pocket. ‘I know it’s me who’s the problem here,’ she cried helplessly, as she battled with the front door.

‘Yeah,’ he agreed dully, as he opened it for her. ‘I’m beginning to see that.’

And then she felt as if she had been punched. Hard. Right in the heart.

Chapter Twenty-One