Too late
Laura stepped out of the obstetricians office looking utterly baffled. She stared at the paper once more: Pregnancy 7 to 8 weeks. How on earth did that happen? How did I not notice a thing? she mused, trudging to her car. Did I forget my birthcontrol pill? What now give birth? Im fortythree, for heavens sake!
She drove home lost in thought. At a red light she didnt even realise the traffic had started to creep forward until the driver behind her blared the horn.
Inside her flat, Laura threw herself into the usual housework, trying to drown the buzzing in her head.
A little while after lunch Milly dropped by for a quick catchup.
Mum, Ive got a surprise for you! she declared, plopping herself at the kitchen table.
Spill it, love, dont keep me waiting, Laura said, eyes bright with curiosity.
Mum, James has proposed and I said yes! Milly beamed, grin as wide as the Thames.
Oh, Milly, my darling girl, congratulations! Laura choked up, pulling her daughter into a hug.
James was exactly the sort of bloke Laura liked: smart, driven, balanced, ambitiously modest, wellmannered and politely welloff for a twentyfiveyearold whod long been on his own. He and Milly had been together for almost three years, and Laura had seen time and again that his intentions were sincere.
So, whens the wedding? Laura asked, pouring hot tea into two mugs.
We havent set a date yet, Milly shrugged. Probably next summer.
Will you tell dad? Laura pressed, eyes locked on her daughter.
I dont know honestly, I dont even want to, Milly confessed, frowning.
Dont be ridiculous, Laura scolded gently. Hes your father, he loves you. I get that youre angry, but people split up all the time thats no excuse to cut him out of your life. Ive forgiven him, and you should too. No hard feelings, and invite him to the wedding!
Mum, how can you be so so forgiving? Milly snapped, heat rising. He left you for another woman! He spent a whole year flirting behind your back with his secretary! You actually forgave him?
Sweetheart, Simon and I were together for twentytwo years. We raised you a clever, gorgeous girl. Those were happy years, and Ill always be grateful to him for that. But then he fell for someone else.
Your heart cant be ordered around, Laura tried to explain. What was I supposed to do? Throw a tantrum, smash the dishes? Hide my hurt? Hate him forever? All because his feelings cooled? Its absurd, Milly, dont you see?
No, Mum, I dont get it, Milly shook her head. If James ever did something like that to me, Id Id I dont even know what Id do!
Laura stopped arguing a fiery Milly would never be swayed. Youth simply sees things differently.
After Milly left, Laura returned to the kitchen, washed the dishes, and pulled a frozen roast from the freezer. Her mind kept wandering back to the surprise pregnancy, and she wrestled with what to do next. Giving birth at her age, and without a husband, felt terrifying, yet the idea of becoming a mother again, of caring for someone, thrilled her.
She rummaged through a highup shelf and fetched an old photo album of Millys childhood. She flipped through pictures of a tiny Milly in a onesie, grinning at her granny, then a slightly older Milly in a pretty dress at the town park, where shed once fallen from a swing and gotten a thin, almost invisible scar on her knee. Another showed Milly as a firstgrader, bouquet in hand, standing beside her dad Simon, who looked very serious.
There was a teenage Milly dressed as the Snow Queen for a school Christmas show, wearing a glittery silver dress and a rabbitfur stole Laura had sewn herself after three sleepless nights at the sewing machine. The result had been, she thought, glorious.
A sunny beach photo caught her eye a family shot of Laura, Simon, and a grownup Milly on a Cornish shore, all bronzed and laughing.
A pang of sadness washed over Laura. She had always believed her family was the strongest on the planet. Simon and she had once been inseparable, sharing plans, dreams, a whole life together. Years passed, Milly grew, her successes piled up, Simons career climbed, they finally built a house, bought a car, and travelled. Laura opened a boutique dressmaking studio, fulfilling a longheld dream. It seemed nothing could ever end.
Only one shadow lingered: after Milly, Laura could never carry another pregnancy to term. Shed suffered a miscarriage early on, then a second one that made it to fourteen weeks before doctors discovered severe fetal abnormalities. The pregnancy was terminated, and after a night of tears in a hospital ward, Laura decided she would never try again.
Looking back, she saw the irony. Once shed had youth, a loving husband, stability, and a burning desire for another child. Yet fate now served her an unexpected pregnancy as a cruel joke.
When Simon announced he was leaving, it wasnt a shock. Laura had long suspected an affair, but Simon brushed it off as her overactive imagination. She panicked at first, launching a fullblown campaign to win him back, even suggesting couples therapy which Simon flatout refused, calling it a waste of time. She tried everything from hearttoheart talks to a homegrown striptease, to no avail. A month ago Simon packed his bags, filed for divorce, and Laura finally accepted it was over. Their final, painful conversation left her reeling.
She never understood what Simon had found in Olivia, his new secretary a young woman a shade older than Milly, with siliconeenhanced lips, marathon lashes, and a plunging neckline that made Laura cringe. Shed asked Simon to replace Olivia, but he shrugged it off:
Laura, I dont care what she looks like. Shes efficient, not stupid. I cant be hunting for a new employee now; the business is a mess enough as it is.
Laura sensed Olivia wasnt the brilliant asset Simon claimed. Later she discovered hed been right to worry Olivia was more of a distraction than a help. Realising Simon had swapped his wife for a silicone doll cut deep, but life had to go on.
Simon left Laura a modest twobed flat in the city and moved with Olivia to a country house. The thought of a stranger now living where their happy memories once stood infuriated Laura. Shed agreed to stay in the city for work and because Milly and James lived nearby, but the ache lingered.
The next day, a Saturday, Laura visited her old friend Nora, a mate from the days when their children were in the same nursery. Nora greeted her with a bottle of whisky.
Lets have a cheeky fiftyml nip, Lara. Ive cooked a roast, perfect with a dram! Nora winked, pulling out glasses.
Thanks, Nora, but Ill pass. Im on medication, Laura replied, smiling weakly.
Oh? What, the pills? Nora asked, eyebrows raised.
Nothing, love, Im pregnant, Laura said, gesturing to her round belly.
Noras eyes widened. Right, you and Simon split, yeah? Any new fling?
Never! This child is Simons, from that one night we had a couple of months back candles, wine, lacey nightgown and that was it, Laura explained, drawing a circle in the air.
Good grief, youre a proper mess! Nora laughed, shaking her head. What are you planning to do?
I honestly have no idea. I just heard the news yesterday and Im still in shock.
Honestly, love, youre already half a century old. Raising a child solo at your age isnt easy. Unless youre after child support maybe youre lucky Milly could be getting married soon, you might have grandkids soon enough. Honestly, I wouldnt risk it.
Laura sighed. Youre right, its late.
She said goodbye to Nora and drove to Millys place.
Hey, Mum! Milly called as Laura arrived. Come in. Want a coffee?
No thanks, Milly, I just need to talk, Laura said, looking for a private moment. Is James home?
Hes at his parents, helping with a renovation, Milly replied.
Laura confessed her pregnancy.
Mum, do you actually want this baby? Milly asked.
Yes, I do, Laura whispered, but Im terrified.
What did the doctor say? Milly pressed.
He says everythings fine, the babys developing well. I lost two children in my twenties and never got a proper explanation. Im scared of repeating that, especially at my age. The internet is full of horror stories you wouldnt believe!
Listen, you need solid medical checks, not Google. Nowadays many women have healthy births after forty. If youre fit, why not? Milly encouraged.
Laura nodded. Maybe youre right. Ill give it a go.
Just remember, the choice is yours. Well support you, whatever you decide. Tell dad? Milly asked.
No, Im not doing that.
The talk with Milly steadied Laura a little. Doctors found no serious health issues, and she decided to keep the baby. She mused whether she should tell Simon. Whats the point? He doesnt need another child, she thought. Shed only seen him twice since the split hed come to collect a few items from the flat.
Half a year later, Simon suddenly turned up at Lauras studio.
Lara, Im here because I cant find the house documents. They must be with you. I called, you didnt answer. I went to the city flat but couldnt get in. Did you change the locks? he asked, eyes darting away from her swollen belly.
I did, Laura answered calmly. What did you think, Id let you wander in whenever you felt like it? Weve settled that, and I have no papers to hand over.
Seems youve been busy, Simon smirked. Got married, have you?
No, Simon, I havent and I wont. My life isnt your business. Ive got work, Ive got a baby soon, so Im busy.
Simon muttered something as he left. He returned to his office, the image of Lauras round belly looping in his mind. Wonder how far along shes Could she really be moving on so fast?
Just then Olivia strutted into his office, highheeled and demanding.
Darling, Im starving, lets hit the restaurant! she purred, flopping onto the edge of his desk.
Later, Olivia, Im busy, Simon replied, eyes glued to his screen.
Come on, Simon! Cant you put the work aside for me? she whined.
Go on alone if you must, he said lightly.
Olivia huffed out, and Simon went back to his spreadsheets, his thoughts drifting far from numbers.
When Laura gave birth, Milly, James, Nora and a few of Lauras seamstresses were there. James cradled the newborn in a skyblue blanket, eyes wide.
Oh my God, hes tiny! Im scared to even hold him! he whispered, gently rocking the infant.
Hes absolutely gorgeous, looks just like you, Mum, Milly cooed, gazing at her baby brother.
Just like you, just like you! Laura laughed, delighted.
Back home, Laura found the bedroom transformed into a nursery: colourful garlands, balloons, and a big banner over the cot reading Happy Birthday, Harry! (thats what Laura had decided to call her son).
Harry was born healthy, and Laura felt on top of the world. Days flew by with baby duties, and Milly often popped in to watch Harry or to stroll with him in the nearby park, giving Laura a breather.
Look at you, Milly already a motherintraining! Laura teased as she watched her daughter juggle the two kids. Soon youll be having your own kids, and youll already know the ropes!
I love it! Milly replied, winking at James.
A few months later the doorbell rang. Simon stood on the doorstep, a bouquet in hand.
Hello, Laura, he said, extending the flowers, which Laura ignored.
Hello, Simon. What brings you here? she asked coolly, arms crossed.
I know Harry is my son. Nina, your friend, spilled the beans.
And even if thats true, what does it matter now? Laura replied.
Please, Laura, I was a fool. I realised what Ive done. I want to raise our son together. Will you take me back? Simon pleaded, eyes guilty.
Laura stared at her exhusband, remembering how a year ago she would have given anything for those words. Now they meant nothing. No, Simon. Youve thought of this too late. Dont come back. She stepped aside and slammed the door shut, locking it.
But I have a right to see my son! Simon shouted, pounding on the door.
He turned up a few more times, trying to intercept Laura in the park with the pram, begging for forgiveness, for a fresh start. Laura stayed firm. At Milly and Jamess wedding, Simon appeared just long enough to hand over a generous gift of £5,000 and then vanished.
Later, through mutual friends, Laura learned Simon had married Olivia, only for that marriage to crumble after a few months when she left him for someone else.
And life, as it always does, kept moving onward.
