‘In that case she’s probably beating off dance partners with a stick. If they have dance partners these days. Tell her I want chapter and verse tomorrow.’ Jack took in an audible breath. ‘How the hell are we supposed to get any sleep tonight, Katie?’
‘Beats me.’ Kate glanced at her watch. ‘Only half an hour to go and I pick her up.’
‘Next time I’ll do that—I hope.’
‘I hope so too, Jack.’
‘That was Daddy, worrying about his daughter, I assume,’ said Anna, handing Kate a fresh cup of coffee.
‘About tomorrow too, like me!’
‘Try not to worry, love. Knowing Jo as I do, I’m sure she’ll take it well.’
‘I just keep thinking she’ll hate me for giving her away.’
Anna put her arm round her. ‘Jo loves you far too much to do that. She’s also mature enough to understand why you felt you had to.’
When Kate arrived back at the Carey house the party had transferred to the kitchen where all the flushed, excited guests were consuming mugs of hot chocolate while they waited to be picked up. Jo was in the middle of an animated group in loud discussion over some pop band, totally unaware she was being watched, and Megan Carey laughed softly as she showed Kate into the room.
‘Someone had a really great time, by the sound of it.’
Kate grinned. ‘Not only Jo. Everyone else too.’
‘Kate!’ Jo’s eyes lit up as she turned round.
‘Hi. Did you have a good time?’
‘The best,’ said Jo simply, and with unaffected good manners thanked Megan and Jim Carey, then said her goodbyes to the group, who followed her outside to Kate’s car to wave her off.
‘Thanks again for the presents. See you Tuesday,’ shouted Leo and Josh in unison.
Jo nodded vigorously and waved until the car reached a bend which took it out of sight of the house. ‘That was such a cool party,’ she told Kate with satisfaction. ‘Great music, with a DJ, and there was a real bar. We had cocktails! Nonalcoholic,’ she added hastily.
‘I’m glad you enjoyed it, love,’ said Kate with relief.
‘Did you have a nice time with Anna? Silly question,’ added Jo with a giggle. ‘I expect you talked and drank coffee all night. Is she OK?’
‘She’s euphoric. She felt the baby move for the first time while I was there.’
‘Wow!’ said Jo, awed. ‘Did she cry?’
‘Yes, a bit,’ admitted Kate. ‘I even shed a godmotherly tear myself. Are you tired, darling?’ she asked as they arrived home.
‘I wasn’t until now,’ Jo admitted.
‘Straight up to bed then. You need some sleep.’
‘You do too, Kate; we’re partying again tomorrow,’ said Jo happily.
Kate woke up downstairs in the middle of the night, to find Joanna patting her hand.
‘Oh, darling,’ she said, shivering. ‘I’m so sorry. Did I frighten you to death?’
‘A bit. You came into my room, then sort of glided out again, so I got up to see if you were all right. You didn’t answer me so I realised you were sleepwalking. A girl in my dorm does that.’ Jo pulled a face. ‘It’s creepy, but Miss Hayes said sleepwalkers mustn’t be shocked awake, so I followed you down here before I woke you. I’ll get your dressing gown,’ she added as Kate’s teeth chattered. ‘Then I’ll make you some tea, or something.’
‘You get the dressing gown, I’ll make the tea,’ said Kate. ‘Sorry about this. It’s a stupid habit.’
‘I know. Mummy told me—shan’t be long.’ Joanna raced upstairs, and Kate pulled herself together and made for the kitchen to fill the kettle, glad to get into her dressing gown when Jo ran back with it.
‘You should go back to bed,’ she said sternly, holding it out.
Kate hugged her and promised that once she’d made their drinks she would do as she was told. Back in bed she drank her tea, then slid down under the covers, glad to get warm again while she waited for morning, knowing of old that she’d get no more sleep that night. But, to her delight, Jack rang before she got up.
‘How are you, my darling?’
‘All the better for hearing your voice, Jack,’ she assured him.
‘And how’s our daughter? God, that gives me such a kick to say that. Did Jo enjoy the party?’
‘She certainly did. I’ll leave it to her to tell you the details.’ Kate sighed. ‘Time to get up, I suppose. What are you doing right now?’
‘I’m in bed, waiting impatiently to see my two girls again.’ His voice dropped a tone. ‘I wish I had you here