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He poured water into her glass, his eyes concentrating only on that, his face registering nothing other than patience But it wasn’t patience that she wanted to see She needed reassurance She needed action

‘I’ as you understand that I’ I’m here for one reason only and that’s to discuss next steps’

He put his glass down slowly ‘All right If that’s the way you want to play it I can’t force you All I’ a lot of each other if we don’t take our ti to do’

‘You think forcing s to make a difference to the outcome?’

‘I wouldn’t dreareat But I assume you’ll want to eat and that you’ll at least stay untilThere’s loads of space here, and you’ll need to rest in’

The steepled hands, the patient, soothing voice again

Instantly her hackles rose

‘Please don’t patronisein your condition I’ve survived the past feeeks of this pregnancy being sick in toilets, without your help, so I think I’m well aware of what I do and don’t need’

The silence hich he met her sharp words sat heavy and still

‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ he said finally ‘I should have realised It’s not just conant that you’ve had to cope with It’s all the physical things too I’ve got a lot to learn’

She looked sharply at him This was not what she had expected At all

‘Don’t worry—the physical things only relate to the woman You’re quite safe’

‘OK, Ruby,’ he said, obviously sing down on a chuckle ‘I know that I’nancy I was only trying to say that I want to be part of this with you, and to do that I need to find out more about it That’s all’