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  Cara stole a glance across the table. Both his parents were stony-faced. Lauren started to shake her head. ‘I don’t think you understand, Shane. We are very happy for you both. We want you to have everything you dreamed about on your special day. But understand that as our only son and heir to the business, this wedding is about us just as much as it is about you,’ she finished, eyeing them both directly.

  Gene nodded in agreement. ‘Yes. Shane, your mother is absolutely right. Don’t forget that this wedding will also be about your mother and me welcoming Cara as our daughter into our family. Some silly little ceremony is not going to cut it. You simply do not have a choice in the matter. The social order demands that this wedding represent our standing,’ he said officiously.

  Cara couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Social order demands? Their standing? No choice? What the bloody hell was going on?

  Shane snorted his disagreement. ‘Social order? In this country? You mean the back-scratching and the palm-greasing that all your business buddies in the golden circle get up to? Social order my foot. Cara and I want nothing to do with any of that bullshit. We’re going to get married the way we want to. End of story.’

  If Cara could have crawled under that table at that moment, she would have. Instead, she sat there frozen. Never had she heard Shane speak that way to his parents’ faces. He might as well have stood up and slapped them.

  ‘Shane Richardson, I have never—’ Lauren fanned herself with her datebook as if she was in danger of fainting and, unless Cara was mistaken, she was starting to tear up. This was a shock – she hadn’t been aware that Shane’s mother had tear ducts. ‘How can you be so selfish?’ Lauren gasped.

  ‘Selfish? Me? Mother, are you listening to yourself? We’ve told you three if not four times what we want and you are dismissing it. You just said our wedding is about you! It’s certainly not Cara and me who are being selfish. We have thanked you for your generous offer to pay, but we have declined. That should be the end of it.’

  Cara looked around and noticed that their table was getting curious looks from nearby diners. This was turning into a disaster and she realised quickly that she needed to try and smooth the waters.

  ‘Lauren, Gene, we really appreciate your generosity, but honestly, we’ve both been to many large weddings over the years, and we’re very sure it’s not what we want. We really would prefer a low-key affair,’ Cara said, smiling. ‘I understand your confusion – my mother was the same this morning when I outlined our plans to her. Shane and I really could not justify someone going into debt because of our wedding.’

  Lauren sniffed. ‘My dear, we would not be going into debt. Maybe your parents would have to do so, but I assure you we would not. We are doing this because we love you and care about you, out of the goodness of our hearts, and you are throwing this generosity in our faces.’

  Cara’s anger flared, first at the cheap shot against her family, and then for Lauren’s attempt at making herself a martyr. How did she and Shane suddenly become the bad guys in this situation?

  Gene threw his napkin down on the table and stood up. He extracted a hundred-euro note from his wallet and threw it on the table.

  ‘Oh for God’s sakes, Father—’ Shane began.

  ‘I have completely lost my appetite. Lauren, let’s go,’ Gene said sharply. ‘I’ll make my apologies on the way out. I’m sure they’ll understand,’ he continued, referring to the restaurant’s proprietors, who were evidently friends. Then he turned his attention back to Cara and Shane. ‘Let me just say I have never been more offended. Son, please know that while we are very happy for you, we certainly are not happy with your behaviour this evening.’

  Lauren too stood up, and without a word followed her husband downstairs, leaving Cara and Shane staring at each other in shocked silence.

  Chapter 8

  It was Sunday morning and Heidi could barely contain her excitement. She just couldn’t wait to get to her mother and father’s house, make her big announcement and allow the showering of love and praise to begin.

  She had struggled to keep her news to herself for the past few days, and had to elbow Paul when he’d almost let it slip on the phone to his own mother the other day.

  There would no ‘letting slip’ this news, especially not when Heidi wasn’t there in person to see the look on people’s faces.

  But now, it was finally time to face her family and she just couldn’t wait to get in the car and drive the short distance across town to the Clancy house.

  Paul was being just fantastic since he’d learned the good news. He’d already insisted on going to get the brakes checked on the jeep, as well as an oil change, engine tune, and four new tyres. He insisted that they couldn’t be too careful if Heidi was going to be in the jeep, whether driving it or as a passenger.

  Now, reapplying her Armani make-up to give her skin a dewy ‘glowing’ sheen, Heidi straightened her clothes and headed out front, where Paul was already waiting in the jeep.

  Seeing her approach, Heidi’s husband dutifully jumped out and rushed to her side. While she was only just over six weeks gone, she had already mastered the art of the pregnant waddle, and whenever she moved, she made sure to place a protective hand over her non-existent bump, shielding her unborn child from invisible hazards that could potentially pop up from anywhere.

  Paul put an arm around his wife and helped her walk down the steps of their front porch. ‘How are you feeling, sweetheart?’ he asked. ‘Everything OK with you and the little one?’

  Heidi raised her chin and nodded quickly. ‘Fine. But Paul, I didn’t appreciate you leaving the breakfast dishes out this morning for me to deal with. I can’t bend down to the dishwasher, honey. I can’t lift anything, and I shouldn’t be moving around so much anyway.’

  Heidi settled herself in the car. She wondered what her mother’s reaction would be like, and imagined how excited all of her family would be when she told them. While it was true that her child wouldn’t be the first Clancy grandchild – Ben had beaten her to that, she thought sourly – it would be the first borne by one of the Clancy girls, which made a huge difference.

  ‘Here we are, love,’ Paul cooed a few minutes later, pulling up outside the house. ‘Are you ready?’

  Heidi looked up at her parents’ house. It was a simple, unassuming three-bed semi-detached with a garage conversion. It was the home they’d all grown up in, the only house her parents had ever owned.

  She did think that Betty and Mick could do with modernising the place, and had offered many times to share the benefit of her natural flair for interior design, but it seemed they were happy enough with the way it was. Well, she would definitely have to instruct them on proper baby-proofing procedures. Too many sharp edges in this house, not to mention, steep, steep stairs. There was no way her baby was going to be under that roof, until Betty and Mick had every electrical outlet secured and every edge on every table covered with those sponge-like protectors they sold in stores.

  ‘I’m ready,’ she told Paul, who duly hurried round the car and opened the door for her. Heidi extended a hand for assistance as if she was dismounting on to the red carpet for the Academy Awards. Paul gingerly helped her, handling her as if she was a delicate, antique glass vase.

  ‘Did you remember to use the hand sanitiser after the steering wheel? Who knows where some dirty mechanic’s hands have been,’ she said grudgingly as she looked at her own hand, almost as if she expected it to be crawling with germs. ‘I can’t be getting sick, you know.’

  ‘Yes, yes, of course I used the hand sanitiser,’ Paul confirmed. He patted her gently on the arm. ‘No need to be nervous, honey. This is going to be fun.’

  Heidi looked at him. She was nervous. She exhaled a breath she didn’t even know she’d been holding, and smiled at her husband, all at once grateful for having him. He knew her so well and understood her better than anyone else.

  Taking tentative steps up the pathway to her parents’ house, she could al
ready hear everyone inside, and felt gratified that she’d scheduled them to be half an hour late so that she and Paul would be the last to arrive. This way, her grand entrance would be witnessed by all of them.

  As they reached the front door, Heidi took a moment to smooth down her shirt and flick back her hair. She wondered if her family would just know. She was sure that she was glowing, as if she was radiating pregnancy. Almost like she was a beacon of childbearing beauty. She felt like Eileithyia, the Greek goddess of childbirth. She was a vessel.

  Paul knocked briefly before pushing open the front door, which had been left unlocked for the visitors. Heidi moved slowly, almost forgetting to waddle, but then she remembered herself as she entered her parents’ living room.

  Yes, everyone else was already there – her mother, father, Cara and Shane, and Ben and Kim and her little nieces. Much to her dismay her parents didn’t seem to notice her entrance – her mother was too busy hugging Cara and then Shane before buzzing around Kim, and her father was shaking Shane's hand and then her brother’s, while patting both men on the back. Typical – somehow Cara always managed to steal the limelight. It had been the same growing up and despite being the baby of the family, Heidi had always instinctively known that her elder sister had always been her parents’ favourite. Cara was the one who’d always done well in school, at sports and then eventually at university. Heidi hadn’t bothered going to uni; by then she’d long since given up trying to keep pace with Cara’s lengthy list of achievements. Her parents had done their best to make up for such obvious favouritism by showering her with affection, but there was still no denying that she would always be second to their precious Cara. And that hurt.

  But this time, Heidi had managed to do something Cara hadn’t yet managed to do: provide her parents with a Clancy grandchild.

  There was palpable excitement in the room, and Heidi couldn’t figure out why. Was it possible that some of them already knew about her news? But that was impossible – she hadn’t said a word since finding out, and Paul knew he was sworn to secrecy. Unless something had slipped out . . . She glanced at her husband, but he too was taking in the scene with a look of confusion on his face. No, he wouldn’t have slipped. Besides, he rarely spoke on the phone to her family. Unless someone called the house and he picked up, Paul’s interaction with her family was usually confined to events like this.

  She continued to take in the scene in front of her with some confusion. They all looked so cheery, jubilant almost. How could they know?

  But wait – no – there was something wrong with all of this, Heidi realised then. They hadn't yet said hello to her. None of them were even looking in her direction. They hadn't even acknowledged her presence yet. In fact she didn’t think they’d even noticed her arrival.

  ‘Ahem,’ she coughed.

  Not a single person turned in her direction.

  ‘AHEM!’

  Still nothing.

  ‘Excuse me!’ she called out finally, at the top of her lungs. The chatter across the room subsided and, finally, some of them noticed she was there.

  ‘Heidi, hello. Sorry, I didn’t see you come in.’ Kim grinned. ‘So much going on here. How are you?’

  ‘Hi.’ Heidi coolly returned her sister-in-law’s greeting.

  ‘Hello there!’ Betty rushed forward and encircled her youngest daughter in a fond embrace that Heidi guessed was way too rough. She would need to tell them all soon. She couldn’t be jostled about like this; it wasn’t good for the baby.

  ‘Mum, don’t,’ she said, trying to back away from her mother.

  Betty frowned. ‘What’s the matter pet?

  ‘Well . . .’ Heidi paused dramatically and smiled. ‘Seeing as you’re all here, I have something to—’

  ‘Aunt Heidi, Aunt Heidi,’ her niece Olivia sang out, ‘Aunt Cara’s getting married and Mummy is going to have another baby!’ The little girl cheered as she jumped up and down.

  Heidi almost choked. Cara, married? And what was that about . . . a baby?

  ‘I’m sorry sweetie?’ she replied hoarsely, pretending she hadn’t heard.

  ‘Oh Liv, let your aunt get in the door first,’ Kim chided. ‘Sorry Heidi, no secrets with this one!’ she laughed, and Heidi glared at her sister-in-law.

  ‘It is indeed a double celebration!’ Betty exclaimed. ‘Yes, Cara and Shane are engaged.’ She beamed at Cara. ‘I know you wanted to tell everyone face to face yourself but . . . love, show Heidi your ring!’

  Cara smiled shyly and extended her left hand towards Heidi.

  Sure enough, there was a sparkling diamond ring on the third finger of her left hand. A nice ring too, she realised, breaking out in a mild sweat.

  ‘It happened the other night Heidi, and yes, Shane and I are engaged. I would have phoned but I thought it would be nicer to tell everyone together in person today.’

  ‘Isn’t it great news?’ her dad urged when Heidi remained silent. ‘And then another Clancy grandchild on the way too,’ Mick added, shaking his head. ‘I just can’t believe it.’

  Heidi was about to start crying. Her shoulders started to shake and she tried to fight back a sob. This was supposed to be her day, it was supposed be all about her big news.

  For once.

  She glanced across the room at her sister-in-law. Kim looked perfectly relaxed and carefree, tickling Lindsay and tossing the little girl up and down in exaggerated jumps. She didn’t seem pregnant at all, and if she was she certainly wasn’t being careful enough.

  ‘You’re pregnant again?’ she asked Kim in a small voice. She had had no idea Kim and Ben were hoping to add to their family. If she’d had known that, then of course she’d have made sure she and Paul got there first . . .

  Kim grinned. ‘I know, a bit of a surprise for us too, to be honest. But it’s great news, and I’m feeling fine so far – touch wood.’

  ‘No fear of you from what I saw over lunch the other day!’ Cara laughed. ‘Already she’s using the old eating for two excuse.’

  Heidi was so disappointed she could barely move. None of them cared about her, or her news. They only cared about Cara and Kim. What’s worse is that they had all obviously been talking to each other about everything that was going on before today. Cara seemed to know all about Kim’s pregnancy and knowing her sister, Kim would have been the first person she told about her engagement. Heidi was wounded afresh. The two of them were thick as thieves and rarely included her in their outings. Of course they had so much in common too didn’t they? Both career-obsessed and selfish to the last.

  Damn. Now, Heidi was sorry she hadn’t phoned up her mum and dad to tell them about her pregnancy immediately after she’d found out.

  She looked at Cara, who had the usual self-satisfied expression on her face; she looked thrilled to be the centre of attention as always.

  Heidi felt ill. Now the day was completely tarnished. None of this was turning out like she planned, far from it.

  ‘Heidi? Are you going to congratulate Cara and Kim?’ her father asked, having noticed that she’d barely uttered a word.

  No, she damn well wasn’t. Not at least until she got some congratulations sent her way first.

  ‘Actually, I have some news myself,’ she said, raising her chin once again and trying to regain her posture. She looked at Paul. Yes, she would include him in the announcement. It was more than she could say about the other women in the family, who as usual had made it all about them alone. ‘Rather, Paul and I have some news.’

  Her husband smiled, and gently put a supportive arm around her shoulders.

  ‘Oh. What is it?’ her mother asked, pausing a little.

  ‘We are going to have a baby. Our first baby,’ she reinforced, as if anyone had questioned whether this was their first or fourteenth.

  ‘Oh my goodness! Oh Heidi!’ Betty rushed forward once again and threw her arms around her youngest daughter, pulling Paul into her embrace at the same time. ‘Oh I can’t believe this. So much good news in this fami
ly these days! We are all so lucky!’

  Heidi pushed away. ‘Please Mum, you have to be careful, you can’t be so rough with me.’

  ‘Oh for heaven’s sakes sweetheart,’ Betty laughed happily. ‘I think I know what you can and cannot do when you are pregnant.’ She enveloped her daughter in another hug.

  ‘Yes I know it can feel bit like that, especially with your first, but really, you’re not breakable,’ Kim added, and Heidi looked daggers at her.

  ‘I’m six weeks, Kim. The early days are especially delicate,’ she informed her.

  Kim waved a hand. ‘Seriously, don’t stress about it. Most women wouldn’t even know at this stage, and babies are hardy.’

  ‘Kim’s right, love,’ Betty agreed. ‘Women have been having babies for thousands of years, there’s no need to be fragile.’

  Heidi reminded herself that this sort of attitude was exactly what you’d expect from Kim. She breathed a sigh of relief when Paul stepped forward to take a protective stance in front of his wife. ‘Well Kim,’ he said, ‘Heidi and I are taking a different approach. We’d rather she took things easy and I’ll do my best to make sure she does.’

  Kim chuckled. ‘Oh, right. Ben!’ she called out to her husband, laughing, ‘you’re on piggyback duty for the next few months.’

  Heidi’s brother joined in with the laughter and she glared at him too. She couldn’t believe that Ben bought into Kim’s carelessness. What kind of a mother was she?

  ‘It’s great news Heidi, congratulations. We’re thrilled for you,’ Cara put in then, evidently trying to break the tension. Her attention diverted momentarily from Kim, Heidi was momentarily grateful for the fact that it had been Cara to make the concession and congratulate her first.

  She raised a small smile. ‘Yes, congratulations to you too, and you Shane. But weddings are a lot of work you know, you have so much planning to do. Still,’ she added with a sigh, ‘at least you can spread the plans out over a year or so, and can set your own schedule. You can’t do that with a baby; you only have so much time.’