Unintended

She let out a short, humourless laugh. “No. I have to tell him I’m pregnant, but I don’t want anything more than for him to be a part of his baby’s life.”

I didn’t expect to feel so much relief from those words, but it wouldn’t last long. In spite of what she’d said, she must have still had some feelings for him or this would never have happened. Maybe when she got further through the pregnancy, she’d realise she wanted him back.

The thought clawed at me, like knives cutting me from the inside, but if tha

t was what she wanted, I’d support her.

I’d have supported her through anything.

But I couldn’t help hoping that it wouldn’t come to that.

When I left Evie’s that night, I felt empty. Lonely.

I’d kind of wanted to ask her if I could stay, to sleep in the room that had been mine, just so she knew I was there, but that would have been stupid. She didn’t need me. She probably wanted to be alone so she could think.

Sleep didn’t come easily to me that night, as I thought about Evie, and the upcoming hearing. Initially, Evie had offered to go to the hearing so she could see what was happening, but after Natalie had flipped out after seeing her outside the flat, we’d both decided that was not a good idea. Evie didn’t want to be near her, and I wanted Natalie around her even less now Evie was pregnant.

I still couldn’t get my head around that.

I was glad I had work to do, because I would have driven myself crazy if I’d had nothing to do all day. I was working on a review of the very album I’d given Evie for her birthday, and I had some strong opinions on it.

Chaos In The Courtyard hadn’t been without their problems, but it seemed to have only made them stronger, and that went for their music too. The new album was awesome, and listening to it over and over while I wrote about it helped keep my mind off reality.

I got the call from my lawyer after three that afternoon, and I took a deep breath before answering from my desk in the living room.

“Hello,” I said, my voice coming out as an un-manly squeak, and I coughed to clear it away.

“Hi, Ash.” Dermot Walsh’s voice was as steady as ever. I’d never once been able to tell whether he had good or bad news for me. “How are you?”

“Good, thanks. How did it go?”

There was a short pause, and then he said, “Better than I expected. Natalie was sentenced to four weeks in prison, and she will be on probation for a year after.”

Wow. Four weeks in prison. No hair dye. No getting her nails done. No clubbing.

“I really thought she would just go on probation,” I said, leaning back in my chair.

“I think everyone did.”

“How did she take it?”

“As you’d expect. She played the apologetic part very well, but when the verdict was given, the mask slipped when she started kicking at the police as she was taken away.”

I wasn’t surprised at all.

“There is one more thing,” Dermot said.

“What is it?” I asked nervously.

“Natalie’s parents approached me once it was over. They asked if they would be able to get your contact information.” My blood ran cold. What the hell for? They hated me. “Of course, I told them I couldn’t give out that information without your permission. So, they gave me their information instead. They said they would like to either see you while they’re in Manchester, or speak to you on the phone. They want to apologise for their daughter’s behaviour.”

I barked out a laugh. “Thanks, but no thanks. There’s nothing they could say that I want to hear. They always treated me as if I was bad for her. I don’t believe they want to apologise at all.”

“They did seem mortified when they heard everything she did, so I think they were being genuine, but I can understand why you wouldn’t want to speak to them. I will dispose of their contact details.”

“Thank you. And thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”

“You’re welcome. This was a great result for both of us. I only hope you can move on from all of this now.”