Unintended

“I think I will be able to. Now I’m away from Manchester, moving on is a lot easier.”

“I’m pleased to hear it.” For the first time, I thought I could hear a smile in his tone. “Good luck with everything, Ash, and if you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to call.”

“Thank you,” I said again.

We said our goodbyes and I ended the call, still staring at the screen. I couldn’t believe the outcome had been so good. Dermot Walsh was damn good at his job.

Standing up, needing to move, I scrolled through my contacts to find Evie’s number and gave her a call. I’d already pressed the button before I realised she would be working. I always tried not to call her between nine and five, just in case she was with clients, or already on the phone.

I was about to hang up again but she answered right away. “Hey, Ash.”

The brightness in her voice sounded a bit forced, letting me know she still wasn’t okay. I would have called her later, regardless of whether I had news for her. Maybe I should have called that morning, just to check on her, but I didn’t want to hound her. Even when I’d been at my lowest, she’d never bothered me. She’d called every day, but only once, unless I let her know I needed to talk more. I wanted to do the same for her.

“Hey. How are you doing?” I asked.

“Urgh,” she groaned. “I’m okay, I guess. Any word on the hearing?”

“Yes!” I couldn’t keep the happiness out of my tone. “She got four weeks in jail, followed by a year on probation.”

There was a pause. “Not long enough,” Evie said. “Not for what she did to you. But it is more than expected.”

“I think she deserves more than that too, but since I thought she would get nothing, I’m okay with it.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear she didn’t get away with what she did.”

It all seemed like so long ago. In reality, it was only around three months ago when Natalie had come home drunk and I’d wanted my life to end. So much had changed in such a short time. I had re-located, got two new jobs I loved, and I had some friends. Of course, Evie was the closest, but I’d hung out with Nick once or twice, and Evie and I had been to his and Keely’s house a few times too. It was more than I’d had in a long time, and it made so much difference.

“So, really,” I said. “How are you?”

I began pacing the room as I waited for her answer. After a while, she said, “I went to see my doctor today. I wanted to get checked over and arrange an appointment at the hospital for a scan. I should get a letter through in a few days, so until then, I have to wait.”

“Have you told anyone else yet?”

“Not yet. But I have made some decisions.” She sighed. “I’m not going to tell Jay until after the first scan. I’ve thought about it a lot. I hardly slept last night. But I don’t want to tell him anything until I’m certain the baby is okay. It’s bad enough that I have to worry about it, but I don’t think he needs to as well.”

I wondered for a moment how I felt about that. If Natalie was pregnant… urgh. I actually shuddered at the idea. But if she was and she didn’t tell me right away, how would I feel?

It was a different situation though. Evie actually liked her ex. Even if she didn’t love him anymore, I could understand why she wanted to spare him any possible stress.

“What about your mum?” I asked.

“Same as Jay. I will tell her once I know if the baby is fine, but after I tell Jay. I think that’s fair.”

Seemed fair to me.

“And I’m going to tell Keely… soon,” she went on. “I can’t go to the scan on my own, so I have to tell her. I need her with me.”

Something jabbed at me when she said that. Not that I didn’t think Keely should be there with her, I’d just hoped maybe she would let me be there for her too.

“Yeah,” I said. “Good idea. She’ll want to be there with you.”

There was a short pause, then Evie said, “Ash?”

“Yeah?”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t need you too.”

Her reassurance made me want to sigh like a lovesick schoolboy. Instead, I said, “I’ll always be here for you, Evie.”