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This is what happens when feelings are given space This disaster!

He was the worst possible person she could have let her guard doith The very worst She’d thought he et in touch with her—but, no There had been nothing He’d have had another whole troupe of women in his bed since then

Would he even acknowledge that this had happened? He had been extremely careful with contraception She had been reassured when he’d taken care of it so well because she knew she couldn’t afford to get pregnant She couldn’t be a mother

She put her hand out into the space that swam around her Seconds, days, years suddenly spun ahead of her, showing her a different world that she could never in her worst nightined would be hers

‘Let et you some leaflets We can talk about options’

She couldn’t talk about options There were no options He would have to take responsibility and let her get on with her life There was only that She couldn’t mother anyone She couldn’t and wouldn’t do that

She breathed in, filling her lungs with air, willing her legs to be still, praying for the strength to stay calm and cope Focus

She stood up ‘So, just to be clear,’ she said slowly ‘I aa any dae You’re sure of that?’

‘Your body will start to change during pregnancy, but you’ll get all the help and advice you need’

Her body would change? Her body was her only weapon in this world She needed it to work

Her throat closed over a neave of fear

Focus Focus, she told herself, refusing to let it wash her away You’ve come so far You’re nearly there It’s just like those early calls to Munore the rest or it’ll pull you down