Thicker Than Soup by Kathryn Joyce Read Free Book Online

wondered, would Marje have for her circumstances?
    Finally her number was called and feeling the bulge in her handbag that was a small sample bottle she went to Dr. West’s surgery.
    â€œGood afternoon Miss Lancing, and how are we today?”
    Usually the doctor’s greeting made her want to giggle. But not today. Today, a dip of paper into her bottle and there was the evidence.
    â€œCongratulations Mrs…er Miss Lancing.” Her doctor glanced at his buff record folder then peered over his glasses. His smile had disappeared. “Er, yes. Miss Lancing.”
    â€œThank you.” Her inner woman mutinied. Thank you? How dare he look down his nose at her! But the inner girl felt the last slither of hope melt into trepidation that far outweighed indignation and clutching the leaflet he gave her, she left him to his rightousness.
    *
    She was pregnant, she didn’t know who the father was; why, she wondered, did she feel nothing. Pulling John’s baggy sweater round her shoulders she wondered why she wasn’t angry, or frightened, or weeping? Then she realised what she was. She was numb. She’d left the surgery crushed by Dr. West’s confirmation as well as by his judgement and now, with arms folded on the kitchen table she cursed her lying periods that hadn’t warned her and lowered her head to her folded arms. A draught from the future chilled and she pulled the sweater tighter; what was she going to tell John? How would he take it? And if he knew…. what happened. She thought of the child he’d already fathered… and rejected. Sitting at the table like a child a primary school refrain echoed;
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation…
And then
…if I die before I wake…
    The clunk of the front door roused her and John appeared, his cheerful voice discordant in her ears.
    â€œHi Sal. Oh good, you haven’t eaten yet. I’m starving. What do you fancy?”
    Grateful for once at his single-mindedness she saw how happy he was; happier than she’d ever known him. And she made an instant decision to postpone telling him about the baby until Seagrams had opened and was under way. Forcing a smile she didn’t feel she put her arms round him and kissed him on the cheek. “Things gone well?”
    â€œYep!” He looked at her. “You ok? You look bushed.”
    â€œMmm, I’m fine. Just a bit tired. I’d dozed off to sleep. How’s today gone?”
    â€œGreat. The decorator’s almost finished, the blinds are up, and I’ve rearranged some of the tables. It looks fab. And almost all the people I invited to the opening night have replied.” Cupboards were being opened and closed as he searched through them. “Jack from Radio Bath is coming and Alex Manning from Homewood Park Hotel is bringing his boss.” A long, blue wrapped pack of spaghetti appeared in his hand and he thrust it towards Sally. “Pasta alla Putanesca? Fast and easy or hot and spicy?”
    Sally turned away then remembered she had to be her happy, worry-free self. “Oh, fast and spicy.” Did John give her a questioning look? “I’ll er, set the table.” His enthusiasm was all-embracing and as he regaled her with plans for wine and food and people she began to believe she’d get through the week without him knowing something was amiss.
    *
    Standing by his side outside Seagrams Sally both felt and shared John’s elation. She, too, had cleaned and scrubbed and polished and set tables but it was his achievement and the pulse in his temple, his clenched hand in hers, and the brightness in his eyes gave evidence to the palpable excitement that almost overcame her one little cloud of apprehension; Diane would be coming. She’d sent a card, a white flag of peace, when she’d heard Diane had taken on The Kitchen, but it seemed there was to be no