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“Thank you,” she said, giving it a final sniff to check it wasn’t going to set off her nausea. Nothing. In fact, she was definitely hungry and looking forward to eating.

It was the perfect comfort food and she ate the whole thing.

“That was so good,” she said to Dylan.

“There’s more if you want seconds,” he offered.

“Go on then.”

Dylan got up and served them both another bowlful.

“I think the iron supplement is beginning to work, by the way,” Lucy said. “I’m definitely feeling less dizzy.”

“That’s brilliant,” Dylan replied. “I’ve been researching the best general prenatal vitamins for you as well. Some of the ones you can buy in the chemist are just rubbish.”

Lucy felt warm and cared for as she watched Dylan take another mouthful of food. He was so thoughtful and, she had to admit, all the indications were there that he would make a great father. There were certainly worse people to be having a baby with.

She’d seen him doing lovely things for people before, but had never been subject to it herself. Had never allowed herself to be subject to it, she realised. She’d pushed away his friendship, focusing on the fact that she believed he was a certain way and therefore couldn’t be trusted, just like her ex, and she hadn’t been fair. She hadn’t judged Dylan on his own actions, or if she had, it was only on a select few that she’d given her own meaning to. She was glad she was finally getting the chance to see the real him.

Chapter 11

“You’re still OK with me coming in for the scan, aren’t you?” Dylan checked as he drove them to the hospital the following day.

“Yes, of course. I said you could,” Lucy said.

“Yes, but are you comfortable with it?”

“Yeah, sorry, I’m just a bit nervous,” Lucy admitted. “I’ll feel better when I know everything’s fine with the baby.”

They were there in plenty of time and sat down next to each other in the antenatal department waiting room.

“Don’t forget to make sure you have a full bladder,” the receptionist reminded Lucy, “so the sonographer can get a nice clear image.”

Lucy dutifully helped herself to a cup of water from the dispenser.

Forty-five minutes and six more little cups of water, and Lucy was just about ready to have to call time on the whole full bladder idea. She sat with her legs crossed and her foot tapping on the floor.

Dylan was struggling to suppress his laughter. She glared at him.

“What? I told you not to have that last glass of water,” he said.

“I didn’t want to mess up the scan.”

“I know,” he said, gently. “I’m sure they’ll call you in soon.”

“They’d better or I’m in that bathroom,” Lucy replied.

Thankfully, the sonographer came out and called Lucy’s name.

Lucy and Dylan followed the woman into the ultrasound room.

“Hop on the bed,” the sonographer said with a smile. “Let’s take a look at this baby.”

Lucy climbed up and lay down.

“This will feel a little chilly,” the sonographer said, as she squirted the jelly onto Lucy’s stomach.

Lucy looked over at Dylan, and he gave her a distinctly wobbly smile in return. Nothing like his usual confident grin he flashed around. Lucy’s own nerves went into overdrive in response.