It’s seven o’clock in the evening, and I’m completely shattered. I have never seen anything like that in my life. I had no idea it would be so—
That Suze would be so—
It took six hours altogether, which is apparently really quick. Well, all I can say is, I wouldn’t like to be one of the slow ones.
I can’t believe it. Suze has got a baby boy. A tiny, pink, snuffly baby boy. One hour old.
He’s been weighed and measured, and apparently he’s a really healthy size, considering he came early. A nurse has dressed him in the most gorgeous white and blue baby suit and a little white blanket, and now he’s lying in Suze’s arms, all curled up and scrumpled, with tufts of dark hair sticking out over his ears. The baby that Suze and Tarquin made. I almost want to cry… except I’m so elated. It’s the weirdest feeling.
I meet Suze’s eyes, and she beams euphorically. She’s been beaming ever since he was born, and I’m secretly wondering if they gave her a bit too much laughing gas.
“Isn’t he just perfect?”
“He’s perfect.” I touch his tiny fingernail. To think that’s been growing inside Suze, all this time.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” says a nurse, coming into the warm, bright room. “You must be exhausted.”
“Thanks very much,” I say gratefully, stretching out a hand.
“I meant Mum,” says the nurse, giving me an odd look.
“Oh,” I say flusteredly. “Yes, of course. Sorry.”
“It’s all right,” says Suze. “Give it to Bex. She deserves it.” She gives me an abashed smile. “Sorry I got angry with you.”
“That’s all right.” I bite my lip. “Sorry I kept saying, ‘Does it really hurt?’ ”
“No, you were great. Seriously, Bex. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Some flowers have arrived,” says a midwife, coming in. “And we’ve had a message from your husband. He’s stuck on the island for the moment because of bad weather, but he’ll be here as soon as he can.”
“Thanks,” says Suze, managing a smile. “That’s great.”
But when the midwife goes out again, her lips begin to tremble. “Bex, what am I going to do if Tarkie can’t get back? Mummy’s in Ulan Bator, and Daddy doesn’t know one end of a baby from the other… I’m going to be all on my own…”
“No, you aren’t!” I quickly put an arm round her. “I’ll look after you!”
“But don’t you have to go back to America?”
“I don’t have to go anywhere. I’ll change my flight and take more vacation days.” I give her a tight hug. “I’m staying here with you for as long as you need me, Suze, and that’s the end of it.”
“What about the wedding?”
“I don’t need to worry about the wedding any more. Suze, I’m staying with you, and that’s that.”
“Really?” Suze’s chin quivers. “Thanks, Bex.” She shifts the baby cautiously in her arms, and he gives a little snuffle. “Do you… know anything about babies?”
“You don’t have to know anything!” I say confidently. “You just have to feed them and dress them up in nice clothes and wheel them around the shops.”
“I’m not sure—”
“And anyway, just look at little Armani.” I reach into the white bundle of blanket and touch the baby’s cheek fondly.
“We’re not naming him Armani!”
“Well, whatever. He’s an angel! He must be what they call an ‘easy’ baby.”
“He is good, isn’t he?” says Suze, pleased. “He hasn’t even cried once!”
“Honestly, Suze, don’t worry.” I take a sip of tea and smile at her. “It’ll be a blast!”
FINERMAN WALLSTEIN
Attorneys at Law
Finerman House
1398 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Miss Rebecca Bloomwood
251 W. 11th Street, Apt. B
New York, NY 10014
May 6, 2002
Dear Miss Bloomwood:
Thank you for your message of April 30, and I confirm that under the fourth clause I have added the section “(f) I give and bequeath to my gorgeous godson Ernest, the sum of $1,000.”
May I draw your attention to the fact that this is the seventh amendment you have made to your will since drawing it up a month ago?
With kind regards,
Jane Cardozo
Fourteen
I STUMBLE UP THE steps of our building. Swaying slightly, I reach for my key — and, after three goes, manage to get it in the lock.