LITMIR.BIZ

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how are you? How’s Nathan?’ I say, to change the subject, making a mental note to invest in a new coat with a large hood, or a snood, or, better still, a balaclava, to shield my face whenever I’m outside my flat or Carrington’s from now on. I don’t want any more random pictures of me turning up online.

      ‘All good here. I haven’t had the dreaded morning sickness for days now. And Nathan is such a sweetheart, you know he’s getting very good at foot massage.’

      ‘Aw, that’s lovely. Are your feet getting very swollen?’

      ‘Oh no, it’s way too early for all that, but he likes to feel involved. And he was thrilled to bits when the first scan appointment arrived.’

      ‘Oooh, how exciting – when is it?’

      ‘Monday … in a couple of weeks’ time. I can’t wait. It’s in the morning at the hospital and then we’re going for lunch afterwards, followed by a pay-per-view session at the private clinic. Jenny went a few days ago and said it’s fantastic. They even let her set up a Skype call from her laptop so that Tony could see the baby on the plasma screen, all the way from Helmand.’

      ‘Wow. It’s incredible what they can do these days,’ I say, feeling really happy for Sam, and sad for Jenny that she doesn’t have Tony here with her at such a special time.

      ‘And I’m sure I felt the baby moving around. Maybe I’m more pregnant than I originally thought. It said in the baby book that it’s around sixteen weeks for the first kick, if I’m lucky, but sometimes later for a first timer like me.’

      ‘Oh my God, that’s amazing,’ I say, thrilled for her. ‘What did it feel like?’

      ‘Tickly. Like popcorn popping in a microwave,’ she says, her voice sounding soft and bubbly.

      ‘Well, that makes sense. She is baking inside your tummy, I guess.’ We both laugh.

      ‘True. And I like that analogy. Aw, my little cupcake,’ Sam says, and there’s a short silence while I imagine her rubbing her stomach lovingly. ‘Going back to KCTV – you’ll never guess what Kelly also asked me last night?’ She pauses. ‘Only how I felt about being filmed in labour!’

      ‘Whaaaat? Nooo!’

      ‘Exactly. I said no way. End of. Not even discussing it – that was after I asked how she even knew I was pregnant, of course.’

      ‘I didn’t breathe a word, I swear,’ I quickly tell her.

      ‘Oh, I know hun. Kelly told me she just knew, has a knack for guessing these things, apparently. Reckons she has psychic powers inherited from her great aunt or something. More like she heard on the Carrington’s grapevine that I’d been puking in the staff loo.’

      ‘Well, she does seem to know everything that’s going on; it’s probably all there on those little TV monitors she loves so much.’

      ‘Talking of Aunty Mary’s – I’m not having mine broadcast to a film crew. Ew. Hideous. I mean, I love watching One Born Every Minute, but it doesn’t mean I want a starring role in it.’

      ‘They could always put one of those blurry things over your bits,’ I suggest, and we both crack up.

      ‘Oh stop it, or you’ll make me need the loo again. I can’t stop going at the moment,’ Sam manages in between wheezes.

      ‘Oh dear. Anyway, the baby isn’t even due before Kelly Cooper Come Instore ends,’ I laugh, relishing in the banter that makes me feel just like I did before everything changed, and it’s nice. Normal. There’s a lot to be said for anonymity. If I go down the FHM route, I’ll never be anonymous again.’

      ‘She said it could be part of her next show!’

      ‘The one in the hotel?’ I ask, wondering how that will work.

      ‘What do you mean?’

      ‘Oh, I overheard Kelly talking to someone about a hotel with underground parking – presumed it was for her next show,’ I say, wondering if Eddie knows.

      ‘Sounds intriguing, but no, she didn’t mention any of that. And Nathan was outraged when I told him. Said Kelly is a sensationalist and will stop at nothing to garner publicity and notoriety with her reality TV shows.’

      ‘Well, he has got a very good point – her setting me up with Dan like that, and without any warning.’

      ‘Talking of which, how was it, being with him? Stir up any lustful feelings?’ Sam says, adopting a sultry voice now.

      ‘It was OK,’ I say evasively.

      ‘Bet it was better than just OK. He’s hot. And he plays guitar – that’s just sexy as … ’ she teases.

      ‘Weell, I’d be lying if I said my heart hadn’t skipped a bit. Just a teeny-tiny bit.’

      ‘I knew it!’ she screams. ‘Go on … ’

      ‘All right, but on one condition.’

      ‘OK.’

      ‘You understand that just because I want Tom back, doesn’t mean I’m immune to other men, does it?’

      ‘Of course not, you’re a typical twenty-something woman, not a nun! Stop worrying. I’m not going to think any less of you for fancying Dan, or even going on a date with him, not after Tom’s “knight in white jodhpurs” performance on the TV screen the other night.’ She huffs. ‘I’m not being funny, Georgie, but he must have known you would watch the show. To be honest, it doesn’t look very good, does it?’

      ‘No, I suppose not.’

      ‘Good, because I’m still sure you’ll sort everything out when he comes back, but in the meantime, why shouldn’t you have a bit of fun? He obviously is.’

      ‘Well, there was a moment.’

      ‘Oooh, what kind of moment?’

      ‘The kind where, after the photos were done, Dan was waiting for me and asked if I fancied getting together some time; that he’d heard about me breaking up with Tom, from Kelly I reckon … ’

      ‘See, she really does know everything,’ Sam sniffs.

      ‘True. And I know she’s a bit bonkers, but I can’t help liking her. She has a serious side, too, and seems to want the best for me.’

      ‘Good. So tell me more about Dan.’

      ‘Well, we chatted a bit and he seems like a really nice guy. Not flashy or full of himself, given how famous he is. He was really down-to-earth.

      ‘Aw, that’s nice. When are you going out with him then?’

      ‘Steady on, I still want Tom. And if I’m honest, seeing him with Valentina just made me want him even more. I was a stubborn idiot that day in his office, and I think he was too.’

      ‘Fair enough. For what it’s worth, I think you have a point, but you don’t want to miss out on a date with Dan Kilby. Tom will keep, especially if you two are meant to be together. Remember that old adage … if you love someone, let them go, they’ll come back, and all that. Plus, it will do him good to have a bit of competition.’

      ‘Maybe. Anyway, I told Dan I’d think about it.’

      ‘Whaat?’ Sam is outraged. ‘Georgie, please tell me you’re joking and that you didn’t really tell Dan Kilby – the man of many girls’ dreams, that you would think about going on a date with him.’

      ‘Well, I didn’t want too look keen. Besides, I’m in demand now … didn’t you know?’ I laugh.

      ‘True, but just don’t think for too long. There’s the wrap party, remember, and a trillion women that wouldn’t mind going with Dan on their arm. Have you seen the number of “Likes” on his Facebook fan page?’

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