Caroline Anderson - With This Baby...

‘I don’t know. I just know I can’t lose her. She’s all I’ve got of my sister.’

She broke off, the wound still too raw, and he tsked softly.

‘Silly girl, I’m not going to take her from you. How can I? I’m not married, I live in a flat at the top of my office block with a tiny roof garden and a hell of a long drop to the street below. You’re a woman, you’ve cared for her since she was born, you live in the country in a totally safe setting. What judge in their right mind would rule in my favour?’

She closed her eyes briefly and nodded. ‘I suppose so. I was just…’

‘Panicking?’ he finished for her, his voice gentle. ‘Don’t. On the other hand, don’t expect it all your own way. My parents will want to be involved in her life as well, and they’ll want to have her to stay—there’ll be birthdays and Christmases and all sorts.’

Claire nodded again. He was right, it wouldn’t be easy, but if they were able to work together, perhaps they could dream up a solution that would help them all.

‘First things first, though,’ he said, his mouth kicking up in a wry grin. ‘There’s a strange smell coming from this little bundle of laughs, and I think she needs her auntie.’

I want to be involved with her upbringing.

Claire smiled, some of the tension easing away. ‘Time for your first nappy-changing lesson, then,’ she said, and stood up. ‘Come on.’

‘But—I can’t!’

‘Oh, you can. You’ll be amazed what you can do. And once she’s washed and changed, it’ll be time for her next feed—and then, of course, there’ll be another nappy.’

The look on Patrick’s face was priceless, and it was all Claire could do to stop from laughing out loud.

‘I’ll make the feed up,’ he said, flailing for an excuse, but she was adamant.

‘They’re all made up,’ she assured him. ‘But you can do the next lot. I promise.’

Funny, he didn’t look in the least bit grateful…

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