“I do love you, you silly thing.” Babs reached out to squeeze Diego’s bicep. “I just think love is a private affair and I don’t want to give it an audience. I don’t need a piece of paper to seal our relationship, but I would like to live with you again.”

Diego stared at her for a while. “I think that is the most sensible thing you have ever said.”

“I’ve got more wise nuggets where that came from. Do you think you can give me a chance?”

After a little consideration, Diego said, “I do.”

“I do, too,” Babs replied.

Aaron performed an exaggerated shrug. “You guys almost did it just then.”

Carla wondered if this was really a fitting conversation for a funeral, but then she thought Bertrand would be pleased by this outcome. “It means you won’t officially become my stepmother, but you’ll be like a step-grandmother to my baby,” she told Babs.

Babs’s eyes misted over. “Oh, petal. I’d never thought of it like that.” She winked at Diego. “Perhaps I could be persuaded to make a trip down the aisle, especially if it meant a new outfit...”

He laughed and circled his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“What’s going to happen between you and Tom?” Babs asked Carla.

She placed a protective hand on her stomach. “I may have to go it alone, like Mum did.”

“Well, Suzy did a great job with you. I always said I wanted to be part of a big family. I just didn’t expect it to be like this.”

They heard someone approaching, and Jess appeared at their sides with a small hi, then she turned toward Diego. “Our lot can be pretty overwhelming but you get used to them after a while. If Carla is your daughter, it must mean we’re related in some way, too, or else I’m totally up for being adopted. There aren’t many men in our family, so others may try to grab for you, too. Be warned.”

Babs dissolved into laughter at the fear in Diego’s eyes.

Lucinda arrived in the doorway and waved her arms to get everyone’s attention. “Time to come inside, people.” She took hold of Carla’s arm as they made their way into the room that was supposed to have hosted her wedding reception.

All of Carla’s mismatched family was there together again—her ex-husband, her fiancé (if he still was her fiancé), Tom’s parents (who should have become her in-laws that morning), her newly discovered father, her potential stepmother, her aunts, sister, her beloved gran, plus lots of others. She thought she even saw Myrtle tucked away in a corner.

She’d contacted the catering company who’d changed the table decorations and napkins from floral to a pale gray. There were flowers instead of balloons, and a buffet instead of a three-course meal. Gentle music played instead of a disco, and there was lots of chatting and reminiscing among her relatives. She heard Agatha’s name passed around, followed by adjectives like inspirational and brave.

Carla looked across the room at Tom, who stood talking to his parents in the corner. She didn’t know if it was the appropriate time to introduce herself or not and felt relieved when she saw the three of them heading her way.

Tom’s father shook her hand warmly. “It’s lovely to meet you, Carla. I’m sorry for your loss—and about today.”

Tom’s mother wore a kind but guarded smile. “We thought we’d just pop in to pass on our regards. We’re not staying to eat.”

“Of course, that’s fine. Thank you for coming.”

Tom’s parents both looked at Tom for guidance on what they should do now.

“I’m going to take Mum and Dad for a drive,” he told Carla. “If that’s okay?”

“Yes, of course. Hopefully I’ll see you all soon,” she said.

“That would be lovely,” Tom’s mum said.

“Take care, love,” his dad added.

Tom gave Carla a brief peck on her cheek and left her alone.

Her heart felt like it might snap in two as she watched him through the window, walking down a gray path outside instead of down their wedding aisle. Her shoulders rounded as she took a seat. The tables had been arranged in a U shape around the outside edge of the room.

Carla noticed Aaron chatting with her relatives and she watched as he flattered and flirted and charmed, just like old times. He poured glasses of wine for them and pulled out their chairs. He went to the buffet table, where he took a tomato, cut it into quarters and popped the pieces into his mouth, one after another.

Carla sat by herself, unable to eat a thing.

After a while, Aaron came over to speak to her. “Sorry, I have to go,” he said, looking at his Rolex. “It’s been great catching up with your family.”

“They seem to enjoy your company.”

“Well, they’re only human,” he teased. He kissed her on the cheek and placed his hand on the small of her back just a couple inches too low. “If things don’t work out with you and Tom, you know where I am.”

“France? England? Canada?” she asked him, subtly wriggling away from his touch.

Aaron smiled. “Mainly England, with a few trips to Paris. Not too far away at all. I know some lovely properties if ever you’re looking to move. Diego’s been telling me his elderly parents own a few properties in Spain they might want to sell.”

Carla stared at him. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”

“Absolutely not.” He laughed. “I’ll say a quick goodbye to Jess before I go.”

Carla watched as he dipped back into the room and bowed to kiss Jess on the back of her hand.

Some things never change, she thought with a shake of her head.

Thirty-Six

Lucky

It was the date of Carla’s first scan, and she tried not to lose herself in a flashback, recalling the hush of the dark room, the image frozen on-screen and the whispers of the medical professionals as they discussed her upsetting situation. She tried not to picture her ex-husband’s eyes glistening with tears and how his lips had quivered when they’d received the bad news.

Carla turned the radio up and toured the hospital grounds looking for somewhere to park her car. All the spaces were full, adding to her heightened stress levels, and she thought she might have to drive somewhere else instead. The clock on her dashboard told her she had twenty minutes until her appointment. If she had to park somewhere off-site and then walk back to the hospital, she’d be cutting it close. She circled the parking lot once more and gripped her steering wheel, when she saw someone pulling out of a space.

A stroke of good luck, she told herself.

She deftly parked before anyone else spotted it. As she pulled on the hand brake, Carla noticed that “Lucky, Lucky Me” by Marvyn Gaye was playing on the radio.

Two. That’s two good omens so far.

“Good parking,” Diego, who was sitting beside her in the passenger seat, observed. He’d offered to accompany Carla to the hospital, and they’d left Babs, Lucinda and Jess in the bungalow bonding over fresh concepts for Logical Love. “Are you feeling okay? Would you like me to come inside with you?”

Carla tried not to hyperventilate and drank water from a bottle. The hospital had given her instructions to drink four cups before the ultrasound, to give a clearer view of the baby. “I said I’d meet Tom in the reception area. Are you sure you don’t mind waiting for me?”

“This is what fathers are for. I hope everything goes well.” Diego leaned over and gave her a hug.

It was something that still felt unusual, but also made her warm inside. “Thanks...Dad,” Carla said, trying the word on for size.