But when I go out to the hall and pick up my phone fromwhere I’d dropped it on the table, the caller ID doesn’t say Tadhg.It says someone I wasn’t expecting.
And I’m so surprised I accidentally answer the call.
‘Oh shit!’I fumble with the screen, trying to hang up again.
‘Laura?Laura?Are you okay?Um, it’s Dave.’
‘I know,’ I say.I lean back against the wall and close my eyes.I feel very weary all of a sudden.It’s so weird, hearing his once-familiar voice after so long.But I can’t hang up now.‘Your name came up.’
‘Oh, right.I thought you might have …’
Deleted him from my contacts?Maybe I should have.
‘Why are you calling, Dave?’I say.‘Did you finally find my passport?It’s okay, I reported it lost months ago.I’ve got a new one.’
‘No, it’s not that,’ he says.
‘What is it then?I have to go in a minute,’ I lie.
‘I’m guessing you know about me and Liz,’ he says.
‘Yeah, I do,’ I say warily.What is going on?Why on earth is he ringing me about this?
‘Well.’He clears his throat.‘I thought I should tell you we’re engaged.’
I’m shocked but, I’m pleasantly surprised to discover, I’m not particularly upset.I don’t feel jealous or bitter.A bit hurt at how quickly I’ve been replaced as his fiancée, yes.I mean, I have my pride.But I realise I wouldn’t trade places with her for anything on earth.Wow, I really wouldn’t.I feel proud of myself!I genuinely have moved on.
‘Oh,’ I say.‘Congratulations.Okay, I’d better go.’
‘No, wait!’he says.‘There’s something else.’
And when he says that, Iknow.I don’t know how, but I do.I know exactly what he’s going to say.And this time I really,reallydon’t want to hear it.
‘Liz is pregnant,’ says Dave.‘We’re having a baby.’
A wave of nausea hits me.I grab onto the coat stand to stop myself sliding down the wall to the ground.
‘I thought I should ring you and tell you directly,’ he says.
I don’t say anything.
‘Laura?Are you still there?’
For a moment I physicallycan’tsay anything.
‘Are you okay?Laura?’
‘Why?’I say eventually.
‘Um, sorry?’says Dave.‘Why what?’
‘Why did you think you should tell me directly?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Did you ring me because telling me over the phone would makeyoufeel better?Because you think it’s the brave thing, therightthing to do?’
‘Well … it is, isn’t it?’
