“Good timing,” Cleo says, with a sinister smile. “Isn’t that right Rosa-pee?”
The room stills, with all heads turning to Rosie.
What. The.Fuck?How did she find out?
“What are you talking about?” Andrea asks.
Rosie shifts underneath me pushing my hand away. I take the hint and return to my seat. I refuse to look at Cleo, keeping all my focus on the woman next to me.
She takes a deep breath and faces her parents, angling her body away from her sister. “I’m pregnant.”
She releases it in a rushed breath, shoving her shoulders back and sitting up straighter.
When I told my mum, she shrieked and cried and I couldn’t get her to shut up. When Rosie tells hers…nothing.
Andrea’s mouth hangs open as she processes.
“How did you find out?” Rosie asks her sister, barely turning her head to address her.
“Nanny’s care home rang to congratulateme,” she snickers, as if this is all one big joke. “She must have gotten confused, or maybe she just forgot. You know what she’s like nowadays.” She shrugs her shoulders as she flips her hair again.
I grind my teeth at the comment.
Terry clears his throat, his eyes shining. Before he can say anything, Andrea barks, “Are you serious?”
Rosie flinches ever so slightly but doesn’t reply.
“How could you be so—so irresponsible?” Andrea snaps, “Are you going tokeep it?”
“Yes,” Rosie says sharply. “Yes, I’m keeping my baby.”
I clench my jaw, wanting more than anything to jump in and bulldoze, but also wanting Rosie to lead this.
“Plus, that window has passed. I’m due in February.”
“February,” Andrea shrieks and I wince as the sound pierces my eardrums. “It’s October! This is ridiculous, you’re having a baby infive monthsand you didn’t even tell your own mother? I can’t believe this, Rosalie. Why didn’t you say anything?”
Rosie shifts ready to open her reply but her mother cuts her off.
“How have you let this happen? Are you going to raise it here? In a one bedroom flat that you’re renting?”
“You’re acting like that’s never been done before.”
“You’re not even married for God’s sake, what were youthinking?” Andrea asks, her voice pitching further upwards. “Who’s the father?”
“Don’t be surprised if it’s a turkey baster and a man in a van,” Cleo giggles behind her hand.
“That’s enough,” I bellow, rising to my feet.
The chair slides back with a screech as four pairs of eyes jump to mine in surprise. “I’ve had enough of this. I appreciate this is a shock which is why we were going to share our news in our own time.” I glare at Cleo, “But if you can’t process this news respectfully and quietly, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“You’rethe father?” Cleo sputters in disbelief.
I glare at her, almost ready to sayduh. Are these peoplewell? “Yes, and it’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”
I cross to the door holding it open and gesturing for them to make use of it.
I watch in stony silence as they slowly rise to their feet.
