off and climb into your pyjamas. You need an early night tonight if you’re partying tomorrow.’
It was hard to know who was the more tense when Kate delivered Joanna to the Carey house the following evening. Music was thumping from a barn decorated with fairy lights and a large streamer wishing Josh and Leo a happy birthday, and Jo took in a deep breath as the two boys raced towards her, their eyes snapping with excitement as she handed them the parcels she’d taken ages to pack earlier.
‘Hi,’ they said in unison as they tore away the paper. ‘Great! Just what we wanted—thanks a lot.’ They handed the presents to their mother and grabbed Jo’s arm. ‘Leave your coat with Mum and come on, it’s party time!’
With anxious eyes Kate watched her ewe lamb run with the twins towards the lights and music, then turned to smile ruefully at their mother.
Megan Carey patted her hand. ‘She’ll have a great time. Don’t worry; the others are a nice crowd of kids and Jim and Ben are on hand to keep a discreet eye on things.’
Kate thanked her warmly, told her she was at the Maitland house if needed and, with a last glance towards the barn, waved at Ben at his post on the door and went to join Anna.
As usual Anna’s company was a calming influence as Kate reported on the previous evening.
‘He seems to be calling in quite a lot lately. Are you still just good friends?’
‘Jack wants more than that.’
‘Of course he does—he’s a man!’ Anna looked at her curiously. ‘Does he want to marry you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you want to marry him?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then what’s stopping you—?’ Anna breathed in sharply and put a hand on her stomach, her eyes wide.
Kate jumped to her feet in alarm. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing at all.’ A beatific smile spread over Anna’s face. ‘I think my baby just said hello for the first time.’
Kate hugged her. ‘How lovely! Isn’t it the most wonderful feeling—?’ She bit her lip and stood back, colour rushing into her face as Anna stared at her in silent, wide-eyed question. Kate sat down abruptly and took in a deep breath. ‘It’s all going to come out tomorrow, anyway, so I’ll tell you first, Anna. I remember exactly how it feels to be pregnant because, although she doesn’t know it yet, Joanna is my daughter, not my niece.’
Anna gave a screech and pulled Kate into her arms, tears pouring down her face as she held her close for a long, emotional interval. ‘Sorry, sorry!’ she said at last. ‘It’s hormones. But you must know about that. For heaven’s sake don’t leave me in suspense, love—’ She stopped dead and moved back to peer into Kate’s face, swallowing hard. ‘Oh, my God, it’s Jack, isn’t it? He’s her father.’
Kate sat with her on the sofa and told her story with as little drama as possible, but by the end of it both of them were in tears again. ‘So tomorrow, after Easter Sunday lunch at Mill House,’ Kate finished thickly, ‘Jack and I are going to make a clean breast of it and throw ourselves on our daughter’s mercy. Funny, really,’ she added, sniffing, ‘I’ve kept my secret all these years, and now I’ve told my story three times in one week.’
‘Three times?’
‘Jack’s father.’
‘Oh,of course.’ Anna blew out her cheeks. ‘Poor man. He must have thought he was seeing a ghost if Jo looks that much like his wife.’
‘She does. Margaret Logan had dark curling hair like Jack’s, but otherwise it could have been Jo in the photograph. When I saw it the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.’
‘I bet they did.’ Anna let out a deep breath. ‘It’s a pity you’re driving Jo home. You could do with a stiff drink. I know I could. But, since neither of us can indulge, let’s have some coffee.’
In the end Kate made the coffee because Anna was in such a daze after the revelations that she couldn’t concentrate enough to operate the machine. She was still talking about Jo when Kate’s phone interrupted the flow.
‘Joanna!’ Kate spilt some coffee as she grabbed the phone, then blew out her cheeks in relief. ‘Oh, Jack, thank God. I thought something was wrong with Jo.’
‘Why?’ he demanded. ‘Didn’t she want to go to the party?’
‘She wanted to so much I just hope she isn’t disappointed.’
‘She won’t be. She’s probably having the time of her life. How did she look?’