The Surgeon's Miracle Baby. Carol Marinelli

holiday fling,’ Louise insisted, despite the fact Maggie wasn’t disputing what she said, despite the evidence to the contrary, despite Daniel telling her face to face that it had been just that. ‘Those four weeks we were together were the closest I’ve ever been to another person, and Daniel can deny it all he likes but I know that at the time he felt it, too. I just don’t know why he suddenly changed his mind.’

      ‘Look, all you can do here is watch out for yourself. Frankly, I’m all for telling him. If he doesn’t want to offer emotional support then slug him for the financial. After all, he can afford it and you do need the money.’

      ‘I don’t,’ Louise insisted. ‘I’ve got three months’ work pencilled in, I’m doing fine.’

      ‘Are you?’ Maggie checked. ‘You’ve got a pile of bills stuffed behind the microwave—’

      ‘As soon as I get paid, they’ll be gone,’ Louise swiftly retorted, but Maggie just stared. ‘And I’m going to start looking for a place this weekend.’ She felt a twinge at the thought of not living with Maggie any more, but while their small flat was fine for two single girls living a carefree existence, it wasn’t suitable for raising a child and had only ever been a stopgap for her. ‘In a few weeks things will be fine. Fine,’ she said again, as if by repeating it she was somehow assuring it would all happen.

      ‘Declan’s dad is a consultant surgeon,’ Maggie said softly. ‘He’s raking it in.’

      ‘I know,’ Louise gulped, ‘and sometimes it terrifies me. Sometimes I think I should take him for everything he’s worth because Declan deserves it.’

      ‘And other times?’ Maggie pushed gently.

      ‘I look at my parents—their marriage ended because of a brief affair my father had six months before he met my mum. Every month a fight broke out when it was time for Dad to pay his maintenance—’

      ‘Louise—’ Maggie attempted, but Louise stopped her right there.

      ‘Daniel and I were together for four weeks,’ Louise said. ‘I don’t want him paying for his mistake for the rest of his life, the way my dad did.’

      ‘Even if you have to?’

      ‘That’s the difference.’ Ignoring her wine, Louise stood up, wandered over to the tiny kitchenette and flicked on the kettle. ‘I don’t see it as a mistake. Yes, Daniel may be a consultant, but clearly he didn’t think I’d make a very good consultant’s wife. This is about so much more than money.’

      ‘What if he asks you out now?’

      ‘As if!’ Louise scoffed. ‘And even if he did, there’s no way I’d go.’

      ‘Why not?’

      Louise thought for a moment before answering. ‘Because I can’t imagine trying to fill him in on the last year of my life and somehow managing to omit the fact that Declan’s his.’

      ‘Would it be the end of the world if he found out?’

      ‘The end of his world probably. He doesn’t want children.’

      ‘But he’s got one! And if things don’t work out between the two of you, at the very least you know he’s a decent guy and you’ll have some financial support. Louise, lies catch up in the end and you’re living with a time bomb. A cute one at that.’

      ‘Well, it isn’t going to happen. According to Daniel, I’m a single mother, which is hardly an upcoming young consultant’s ideal date.’

      ‘Don’t be so sure!’ Never one to miss an opportunity, Maggie picked up Louise’s still full glass. ‘There’s a lot of unfinished business there—for both of you.’