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‘Look, I really appreciate what you did for me last weekend’ There, she said it quite norritted teeth ‘But this really isn’t any of your business and I would appreciate it if you just’ She searched for a polite way to tell him to butt out ‘Just don’t discuss it any more,’ she said a little lamely

He quirked an eyebrow ‘You seea?’

Breathe, breathe again and again It was no good ‘Butt out, Gabe!’

He put his hands up in surrender but his eyes were laughing ‘I’m sorry Business first Of course’

‘Good’ But she was unsettled What if he was right? Should she see a doctor? It was probably the first thing most women did

What if her independence hurt the baby? Polly clenched her fists; she wanted to reach down again, to cradle her stomach and innings were, aswas, she would do her best to keep it safe Do her best to love it But with thoseeyes fixed on her she wouldn’t allow herself to show any signs of softening

‘Hang on’ She couldn’t look at Gabe It felt like giving in ‘I’ to call my GP I’ll be with you as soon as I can’

She looked tired Pale, drawn and thin And vulnerable It was a good thing he was hardened against vulnerable women

‘Thanks, yes I will’ Her conversation at an end, Polly put down the phone and leant forward until her head touched the desk, her hands clasped in front of her He could see the breaths shuddering through her Slowly she straightened, pulling at the pins that held her hair in place, running her hands through the freed strands

‘I’ht now’ She so anywhere near her eyes ‘Perils of being a Rafferty They like to see us early’

‘Sounds like a benefit to ood health took it for granted He’d been like that once, heedless of his body and strength, unknohat a miracle every breath, every step, every sensation was

‘Daddy was so young when he had his stroke, they worry about blood pressure’ She was gathering her papers and phone together to put into her bag ‘I tried to put theo in I knoe need to talk about the papers We’ll just have to skip the board lunch’