Where Love Lies by Julie Cohen Read Free Book Online Page A

have headaches.’
    ‘But visuals? Colours, shapes, anything likethat?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Well,’ he says, frowning, ‘it’s probably nothing, but we should check a few things out. My guess is that this phantom odour could be linked to your previous migraines, but just to be on the safe side, I’m going to refer you to a neurologist for a specialist opinion.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘It’s nothing for you to worry about. Just being safe.’ He takes a form from his desk and begins towrite on it. ‘What should happen is you’ll receive a letter in two weeks or so with a date for an appointment.’
    ‘Okay.’
    ‘Meanwhile, I’m afraid I can’t give you a repeat prescription for the contraceptive pill.’
    ‘Because of a smell?’
    ‘The pill could be causing it, and there’s an association between migraines, the pill and stroke. Again, nothing to worry about, especially if we’ve caught itearly, but it’s not a risk we should take. You shouldn’t take the ones remaining in your current packet, either.’ He crumples the unsigned prescription form and tosses it in the wastepaper basket. ‘I could give you a progesterone-only pill, or we could talk about other methods.’
    I sit up straight. If the smell was a sign, this is an even stronger one. ‘No. No, that’s all right. Quinn and I were– we were talking about stopping it anyway.’
    Dr Johnson beams. ‘Now I think that is a fine idea.’
    That night, Quinn’s closest to the phone when it rings. He lifts the receiver and holds it in place with his shoulder as he’s wiping dry the dishes.
    ‘Hi, Mum.’ As always, he sounds pleased to hear her voice, even though we only saw her two days ago and we’ll see her again on Sunday. ‘Thanks. Whatnews?’
    He listens and then looks over at me. ‘My mother says that she saw Dr Johnson today in Waitrose and he told her some news. I think she expects me to know what she’s talking about.’
    My hands are wet, but I snatch the phone. ‘Molly? What did Dr Johnson tell you?’
    ‘He says you and Quinn have decided to start a family! Oh, Felicity, I’m over the moon! I’ve noticed you’ve been a little preoccupiedlately and no wonder. I haven’t said anything, but I don’t mind telling you now that I was hoping you wouldn’t put it off too long. There are so many women nowadays who start trying for a baby later and they find that they have problems. Not like when I was younger, when everyone started a family in their early twenties and before. Everything has changed, hasn’t it? Of course, that’s notto say that you’ll have any trouble. Dr Johnson says there’s no reason to worry at all, that you’re very healthy.’
    Quinn is watching me closely. He puts the tea towel down.
    ‘I don’t—’ I begin.
    ‘Derek is here too, he wants to say something.’
    Before I can interrupt, Molly has passed the phone over to Derek. ‘I’m so proud of you,’ he says to me. ‘You’ve made me very happy, love.’
    My eyes stingwith sudden tears. Quinn steps forward and puts one hand on my shoulder and holds the other out for the phone. I shake my head.
    ‘Derek, that’s – that’s really nice of you, thank you. But I didn’t think that the doctor would—I haven’t talked about it with Quinn yet.’
    ‘Talked about what yet?’ asks Quinn.
    ‘I understand,’ says Derek. ‘I just want you to know that I couldn’t imagine a better personto carry on the Wickham name than you. You’re a part of our family, and we’ll do anything we can to help.’
    ‘Baby-sitting!’ calls Molly from close by.
    ‘Okay. Thanks. Er … talk soon.’
    Quinn takes the phone from me and replaces it in its cradle. ‘What haven’t we talked about yet? What are my parents on about? It isn’t bad news, is it? Did the doctor find something wrong?’
    ‘No. No, nothing wrong.’

    ‘Why are you crying?’ With his thumb, he wipes away the tear on my cheek.
    ‘It’s not bad news. I was just … your father was being