Dear Thing Read Online Free

bemused, at her house, Romily glanced back at her daughter in the rear-view mirror of her car and asked, ‘Posie? Why did you tell your friend that I wasn’t your real mother?’
    ‘Oh,’ said Posie, ‘we were just playing.’ She closed her eyes and settled back in her seat, as if she were going to sleep.
    Romily drove on, through the artificial light and the traffic. She switched on the radio to keep her company.

2
Sweet Things
    CLAIRE AWOKE AT twenty-five minutes past six, reached over to turn off the alarm before it sounded, and then tucked her arm back into the warmth beneath the duvet. She lay in the hollow of Ben’s embrace, his knees fitting into the bend of hers. His breath stirred the hair on the top of her head.
    She could tell when he woke up a few moments later, because his hand crept to her belly. His fingers spread out over her nightgown, seeping warmth down to where their baby slept. ‘Morning,’ he whispered. ‘Both of you.’
    Claire smiled and settled back against his chest. Her body felt so alive. ‘What’ve you got today?’ she asked.
    ‘I’ve got lunch with the Kahns and then I’m taking them for a walk-through of the site. Then, as it’s Valentine’s Day, I might take my wife out to dinner, if she’s willing.’
    ‘I’m willing. I have to go into school this morning to do some marking.’
    ‘During half-term? You should be lazing around in bed. Only time in your life you’ve got a good excuse.’
    ‘Then I’ve got a shower this afternoon for Lacey.’
    He tightened his arms around her. ‘It’ll be yours next.’
    ‘My mother doesn’t approve of them. She says they’re an American habit.’
    ‘Your mother will never know.’ He nuzzled her neck. ‘I love you. I think you’re amazing.’
    ‘I love you too.’ She turned around in his arms and ran both her hands up his chest. Even after years of marriage she marvelled at his size, the strength of him. How he could make her feel safe and cherished. He pulled her closer.
    ‘Seems like we should do something so it doesn’t feel like this baby was conceived in a test tube,’ he murmured. He kissed her, and then drew back. ‘Claire?’
    ‘I don’t want to hurt the baby.’
    ‘Dr Wilson said it was all right, as long as we were careful.’
    ‘I don’t think I would be able to relax.’
    He didn’t frown or turn away, he didn’t do anything but keep on holding her, but Claire said, quickly, ‘I know it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to have a normal sex life, to make love whenever we want to. I miss it, too. But just a little bit longer, Ben.’
    ‘Yes. It’s better to be safe.’ He kissed her forehead, then got up from the bed and pulled on his dressing-gown. ‘Let’s ask the doctor again when we see her next time.’
    ‘I’m sure it will be fine, very soon.’
    ‘Ah well, you know what they say about anticipation heightening the appetite. Stay there, I’ll get you a hot water with lemon.’
    ‘Thanks,’ said Claire. He left the bedroom and Claire settled back onto the pillows.
    ‘Do you have children?’
    Claire shifted slightly on Lacey’s sofa to face the woman who was talking to her. She didn’t know most of the womenin the room. Two of them were from school – Lacey had just started teaching geography last year, ironically to cover another teacher’s maternity leave – but the others were Lacey’s friends or family. All of the guests had been seated around the room according to birth sign; it was supposed to help break the ice and help them get to know each other.
    ‘No,’ she answered, doing her best to put on a gracious smile, as she always did when asked this question by someone who didn’t know. Today, it was a lot easier.
    ‘No wonder your skin is so gorgeous! All that sleep.’ The woman leaned forward. She had straightened hair and blue circles under her eyes. ‘Tell me – do you get to go to restaurants?’
    ‘Sometimes.’
    The woman let out a long stream of a sigh.