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‘It sounds lovely,’ her mother said. ‘And very Christmassy …’

‘It is,’ Sophie said, as her parents exchanged glances of amazement that she’d attended such a festive celebration.

‘I’m glad you had a good time, and I’m sorry about the truck,’ her father said. ‘What’s wrong with it?’

‘I hit a huge pothole and the wheel buckled. My neighbour’s giving me a lift back into town tomorrow, and the garage will sort it out once they’re able to tow it.’

‘I hope they do it before Christmas,’ her mum said.

‘So do I, because I’m expecting a full house of guests.’Sophie crossed her fingers, because she’d be in trouble if her pickup was off the road for more than a day. She’d have to hire a replacement, which would cost a bomb,ifthere was a vehicle available in the holiday season. ‘The local garage is good. They’ll fix it as a priority, I’m sure.’ She sounded way more confident than she felt. ‘So how are you?’ she asked. ‘Everything OK?’

Again her parents looked at each other in a way that made Sophie worry there was something going on.

‘Yes. Everything is fine. We’re all fine, as are your brother and the kids.’

‘But …’ Sophie murmured, sensing there was something they weren’t telling her.

‘We’ve agonised over this. I don’t want to spoil your Christmas – or your festivities – especially when it sounds like you’ve had such a lovely evening.’

Her heart raced. ‘What is it, Mum?’

‘I’m not sure I should say now – I don’t want to spoil things and upset you. It’s so nice seeing you more like your old self again,’ her mum said.

‘I’ll be fine, but you have to tell me now. I’ll be more worried if you don’t,’ Sophie persuaded her.

Her mum took a deep breath. ‘It’s Ben and Naomi. They’re expecting a baby.’

Sophie’s jaw hit the floor and her stomach churned. ‘Expecting whose baby?’ she said, slightly hysterically. ‘Is Santa delivering it? Or the postman?’

‘Ben’s baby. Well, hers. I assume it’s his. Oh, Sophie. Wewere worried you’d react like this. I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have told you until after Christmas.’

Sophie felt icy cold and a bit sick, but most of all she was angry with herself for feeling anything at all, as far as Ben was concerned.

‘No. You did the right thing,’ she replied, her stomach churning.

Her mother held her father’s hand. ‘I’m sorry I’ve upset you. Dad told me to wait until after Christmas, but I was worried you’d see what Ben’s up to online and that he’d post about the baby, or that one of your old mates would tell you.’

‘I try not to see Ben online,’ Sophie said, still trying to process the news that the man who’d claimed it was far too soon to start a family with her had started one with her former friend, not long after Sophie had gone. ‘I un-friended and blocked Ben, but you’re right, I might have heard from one of my friends at home.’ She forced down her emotions, determined not to show her parents she was upset. ‘When did you find out?’ She was curious to know.

‘One of my art-group pals is friendly with Ben’s mother and she’d heard it from her. Apparently they’ve only just started telling people, but I knew it wouldn’t be long until you found out somehow. Naomi’s four months gone.’

‘Four?’ Sophie exclaimed.

‘Yes.’

They’d wasted no time then, Sophie thought. Eight months after she and Ben split up, Naomi must have beenpregnant. Was it planned? Or a ‘happy accident’? Sophie felt the sting of tears in her eyes and a wave of anger bearing down on her.

‘I’m so sorry. It must be a shock,’ her father said kindly.

‘Yes … I mean, no. Nothing that snake does shocks me any longer. Actually snakes are OK,’ she said, thinking back to poor old Sir Hiss curled up in his cage at the vet’s. ‘Ben’s … a slimy, lying cockroach!’

‘Your dad used some even stronger words about him, when he first heard.’

He nodded silently to show his solidarity.

‘I can imagine,’ Sophie murmured, though she couldn’t, because her gentle, quiet father rarely swore or lost his temper. She smiled at him. ‘I love you both and I’m grateful you told me first. It’s strange to hear, but we’re all moving on. Ben and Naomi clearly are, and so am I, so I don’t want you to worry that this is going to set me back.’

‘I’m so proud of you,’ her mother said. ‘And perhaps it is for the best that you’re out of the way and making a new life. I’m sorry for making you feel guilty earlier.’