Page 83 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

‘We can’t change anything about that night,’ said Adam, his voice low. ‘But we—’

A loud screeching noise interrupted him. Over his shoulder, Clare saw the lights on the baby monitor flashing all the way up to max, her mouth went dry. Turn it off, Clare willed Skye. Move away from the monitor.

‘What was that?’ Adam said, his ears pricked.

‘I don’t know,’ said Clare. ‘A cat maybe?’

‘It must be stuck somewhere.’ He got up and walked around the edge of the balcony, looking below for signs of an animal in distress. ‘I can’t see anything.’

Ivy squealed with laughter; it sounded as if she and Skye were having fun. Auntie Skye, Clare thought absently, the unexpected bonus of this summer’s trip to Salcombe.

Adam stood still and strained to listen. ‘It’s coming from over there.’ He pointed to the patio doors, just as Skye’s voice came through as clear as a bell.

‘Shush-sh-sh. We’ll go down and see Mummy in a minute, sweetie.’

Adam crossed the patio in three short strides, picked up the baby monitor and looked at her, puzzled. ‘Mummy?’

Her heart pounded; this wasn’t how she’d planned it. Not that there was a plan, but if she’d had time to formulate one, it wouldn’t have been this.

Clare licked her dry lips. ‘That’s me.’

‘You’re Mummy?’ His face was unreadable.

‘Yes, I’ve been busy since we last met.’ She nodded, guilt flooding through her as she watched Adam process what she’d said. ‘I had a baby.’

He smiled stoically. ‘Congratulations. That’s brilliant news, Sask–– I mean Clare.’

‘Thank you.’ She gave a shaky laugh. ‘It came as a bit of a shock, but she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’

‘She? A daughter?’ Adam’s eyes softened. ‘It never occurred to me that … Of course, I mean, it’s been a long time since we met, of course you’ve moved on. We all have; I dated someone for a while myself. Not that that’s relevant. Look, I should go. I hope me turning up like this hasn’t been embarrassing for you. He’s not here, is he?’

‘Who?’

‘Your new man, the baby’s father?’

‘Oh him? Um, no, he’s not in the house, no.’ Technically Ivy’s father was outside on the patio, so not a complete lie, but certainly disingenuous of her. She had a terrible feeling that her face was scarlet. ‘Would you like to meet her?’

Adam paused and ruffled his hair for a second. ‘I’d better get going, actually.’

The strength of her disappointment took her by surprise. ‘Right. Of course. Not everyone is a fan of babies.’

‘It’s not that, I just—’ He stooped to kiss her cheek. ‘You’ve moved on and I’m happy for you, Clare, and I’m glad we got a chance to meet again.’

‘Adam?’ She bit her lip. She couldn’t let him go. Not with so much still unsaid between them. ‘Do you think we could meet up again?’

He took a step back and looked at her warily. ‘Is that wise?’

‘As a friend, I mean. Especially now I’ve broken my arm. I’m going to be really bored stuck in the house. If you’re going to be around for a while …?’ She held her breath; praying he said yes.

He gave her a twisted smile. ‘Sure, why not. Give me your number and I’ll give you mine.’

‘Great,’ she smiled with relief, as he swiped his phone screen. ‘It’s Clare Marriott, two Rs and two Ts.’

Chapter Twenty-Three

Liz

As soon as Liz was sure that Clare could handle Adam without her being there, she collected her bag and slipped out of the front door. After the last hour of conversation with her god-daughters, her brain felt as if it might explode. The urge to escape from the house for a while and untangle her thoughts was too strong to ignore.