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‘Is that non-negotiable?’

Conor nodded ‘I thought it was But that was before the baby announcement Of course it’d now be up for discussion’ He paused ‘Could you ever considerto Ireland?’

‘Since I’ve been intent on hiding away these past two years I hadn’t thought about es to be contemplated’ Why not up sticks and head to the northern he to stay here for Even better, no one in Ireland would know her history, would chase her with ca from fraud to investment funds A move out of New Zealand could work in her favour ‘You never fully explained what brought you Down Under’

‘I wanted a change’

‘From what?’

‘My fa her?

‘Thought you adored them’

Conor leapt to his feet, stared around the lounge and sank back down ‘I do All of them But it’s like happy fahtful little offspring I was overwhelmed’

‘You’re not telling ’ See? Knew not to trust him completely

‘Whether I return home or decide to stay in New Zealand or move to Australia, I won’t shirk my responsibilities, Tamara’ A non-answer if ever she’d heard one

It didn’t bode well for trusting hi a parent isn’t all about responsibilities Where’s the enjoy serious?’ Where had that come from? No idea, but now that she’d voiced it she kneas true Already she was sticking up for her child, like a good mum should

Hear that, Mum?

Maybe Conor understood the truth because his h for a s one, but she’d take it as a good sign, a thawing of the chill filling the roo her skin uncomfortable

Then he threw another curve ball, and she was back at the beginning ‘What are you hoping for fro there for our’ He choked ‘Our child’ Reality was sinking in deeper and deeper It was there in his eyes, face, and the way his hands tightened around themselves

‘I hadn’t got very far with that Nor hat I’o’

‘You can always do that later’

Her eyes did a roll ‘Sure And spend all those hours studying or training you warned me about away from my child? Never’

‘You’re not in this alone’

Good to know ‘Expand on that if you can’

‘I can’t give you specifics yet Like you, it’s still too new to have all the answers, but know that if I’ to be a dad then I want a full-time role in my child’s life’ At last Conor leant back in his recliner, looking h her door As though reality was finally falling into line ‘Obviously thatyou hatever you decide to do’

Truly? She ran the words through herwaved at her Either Conor was very good at hiding his true thoughts or Or heona doctor Having a child when I never thought it possible is a far better option anyway’ An opportunity to fill some of those empty spaces within her Some of those spaces could be for Conor too

No, they could not

‘You said quite happy Not good enough, Tamara You deserve better, lots better’ Then he sla hair, shiny black locks weaving between his fingers

And her fingers stretched, like she needed to feel that hair on her skin Instead she growled, ‘It isn’t the life I’d planned on, and while that’s not too bad, how I arrived at all this is’

Apart froht with you

‘You’re letting onethe rest of us with the sa to you Especially not me’