Miranda – A New Beginning

Chapter 4

AT THE FLAT

The silence is deafening. After several minutes, Mike is the first to speak.

Mike – "Are you definitely…um.."

Miranda – "Yes."

Mike – "And what are you planning to do?"

Miranda – "I've spoken to my doctor; they'll request an early scan. The appointment should come through in the next few weeks. They'll be able to tell exactly how many weeks the baby is. Then we'll know one way or the other."

Mike – "Ok. But, Miranda, if the baby is mine, I will support you every step of the way… if you let me."

Miranda – "Thank you Mike, that means a lot."

Mike – "Right, I'll leave the two of you to talk. Call me when you have any news Miranda."

Mike leaves.

Gary – "I'd better be going too."

Miranda – "Oh. Ok."

Gary leaves.

The enormity of the situation engulfs Miranda and as the door slams behind Gary, she breaks down and cries bitterly.

Stevie enters.

Stevie – "Oh, Miranda! What happened?"

Miranda – "Stevie, it was awful. Well, actually, Mike was really lovely about it, but Gary just left. He hates me, and I know he'll never forgive me."

Stevie hugs Miranda and then makes her a cup of tea.

Miranda – "Thank you."

Stevie – "Give Gary some time Miranda, he was a complete idiot about commitment until very recently. The idea of having a baby is going to take some time to sink in. Especially as he doesn't know if it's his or Mike's."

Miranda – "I know. But it hurts Stevie."

Stevie – "Try to be strong. In a couple of weeks you'll have your scan and then you'll know."

FOUR WEEKS LATER – AT THE FLAT

Miranda hasn't seen Gary since the night she told him and Mike about the baby. She hasn't tried to call him, and she hasn't been to the restaurant. He hasn't been in contact.

Stevie arrives.

Stevie – "Ready?"

Miranda – "Yep. All set. I feel like I've drunk an entire bath and I'm already bursting for a wee!"

Stevie –"Well, get used to it! My mum said when she was pregnant with me, I spent the last five months resting on her bladder!"

Miranda – "Don't give the baby ideas!"

Stevie – "Ok, let's go then."

Stevie and Miranda leave for the hospital scan appointment.

AT THE HOSPITAL

Stevie and Miranda enter the waiting room.

Stevie – "I saw Gary yesterday."

Miranda – "Oh."

Stevie – "I'm sorry Miranda, but I did mention that you were coming here today."

Miranda – "Well, he's not here, so I guess he didn't want to take the hint."

Stevie – "No."

Miranda – "How was he?"

Stevie – "Um, ok… actually, he was a mess. Why don't you go over there later and talk to him?"

Miranda – "I'm going to have to talk to him anyway Stevie, because after this scan I'll know if the baby is his or Mike's. But I don't think I even have a preference at the moment. Does that sound terrible?"

Stevie – "No. I understand what you mean."

Stevie and Miranda have been in the waiting room for nearly twenty minutes.

Miranda – "I'm really bursting now!"

Stevie – "Read a magazine, it will take your mind off it."

Stevie and Miranda are soon engrossed in Ideal Home and Closer. They don't hear the door open.

Gary walks in.

Gary – "Miranda."

Miranda – "Gary!"

Stevie – "I'll just go and get a coffee."

Stevie leaves.

Gary sits down.

Gary – "I want to be there for the scan."

Miranda – "Ok."

They wait in silence for a couple of minutes. The nurse enters and calls Miranda for her scan.