Chapter 7

As her daughter returned to the kitchen having ran straight to the bathroom as soon as she got in the door, Kate toyed with the idea of been polite and not overstepping the mark or just asking outright. As Duffy took a seat, making a face at the cup of tea placed in front of her, Kate decided what the hell. Why break the habit of a lifetime?

"How far along are you then?" Her eyes shot up to her mum utterly shocked by the question, obviously that was the last thing she expected her to come out with. Despite trying her best she struggled to muster anything as a reply, eventually only managing "Excuse me?!"

"Oh come on Lisa. I've started suspecting last week. I'm guessing by how emotional you've been lately it wasn't planned?" She let out a single laugh but not for humour.

"Well couldn't you have told me? I only found out the other day." Raising her eyebrows at her she shook her head.

"Lisa surely as a nurse and a mother of two already you suspected before now?" blinking quickly she wasn't going to allow herself to cry again.

"No. Anyway that's sort of what I want to talk to you about. Can you pick up the kids from school today?" Her features had creased in confusion, not understanding where Lisa was going with this.

"Of course, why?" unable to even look at her mum, instead she plays with her wedding ring whilst wondering why she still had it on.

"And keep them at least overnight?" Her heart began to beat a little faster, now worried.

"Lisa? What's going on? Have you not told Andrew? Surely he's not going to react that badly?" Scoffing she lets out another single laugh.

"Too bloody right I haven't told him." taking in a deep breath she knew this wasn't going to down well "It's not Andrews baby." Almost dropping the cup of tea her mouth drops as she demands her daughter to repeat what she just said. Surely she heard that wrong?

"No heard me right mum. It's not Andrews." Finally finding the strength to look up the shock and fury at her actions were written all over her face. Although Duffy knew all too well that part of her anger would be purely because her mother was going to become Church gossip when all this sordid drama came out.

"Bloody hell Lisa! I thought you'd know better than that or at least have the sense to use protection for crying out loud!" Forgetting who she was talking too her answer was automatic and defensive.

"We did!" Remembering who she was with she lowers her voice "Well I'm pretty sure we did...I was drunk." trailing off she didn't wish to get into a detailed conversation with her mum about that. It wasn't something she needed to know.

"Oh god it gets better. Come on you might as well deal the last blow. Who's the father? Please tell me you know his name." Outraged at the thought she nearly bites but did she really have any right to?

"Of course I do!" Running her hands through her hair she really didn't want to tell her so much so that she wondered how she was going to tell Andrew any of this. But then she cared more about what her mum thought of her than her husband, soon to be ex. Something in the look she held make Kate suspect she already knew what name was going to be given and as time went on and Lisa was still not offering up the answer she decided to guess. Right or wrong it would lead to the truth.

"It's Charlie isn't it?" Still struggling to find any words she simply nods in reply. Somewhat surprised at just how well her mum could read her. Expecting her mum to go into a rant about it all she lowers her head, not wishing to hear it so to say her next speech was unexpected was an understatement. "Well at least there's some good news in all this mess."

"What?!"

"Lisa I'm not a fool. Ever since you took Charlie round here for Christmas dinner all those years ago I've been willing you both to get a grip and get together but of course you married that idiot husband of yours and he married what's her name. Don't get me wrong I'm furious that you could be so destructive and foolish but if you had to do it I'm glad it's with Charlie." Sitting back, returning to her tea she gives Lisa a few minutes to offer up a reply but when she wasn't forthcoming, in too much shock, she continues. "You know how I feel about Andrew after his affair or affairs but it doesn't make what you've done right. I wish you just had the strength to leave him years ago." Placing her head in her hands, still forcing her tears not to fall she blinks quickly to keep them at bay.

"Believe me mum. I wish I had too."

Some hours later she finally felt a little more human and had managed to eat toast, not a lot but it was better than nothing. Her mum had the kids, giving them some excuse that Duffy and Andrew both were working really late due to an accident. She hated lying to the kids but it would all come out soon enough. If she could save them even a few hours of pain then she would. Glancing up at the clock he was late and part of her hoped he wouldn't come home and instead had gone to his mistresses house, purely to ease her own guilt. Of course she knew all to well that he'd have just been caught up with a patient or accident. Regardless at how bold he could be with his affair he never went round if anyone in the house was sick more so herself. Finally giving up pacing around the living room she takes a seat wondering how on earth he managed to deal with the guilt of cheating for so long. But then maybe he didn't feel guilty for all she knew he was going to be relieved at them finally giving up on their marriage. Jumping to her feet as she heard the front door open and shut she forces herself to meet him at the door. Something in his eyes told her he wasn't in a good mood. Oh as if she needed this to be any more difficult. He looks her up and down but doesn't greet her in any way. Her voice was shaky, nerves getting the better of her.

"We need to talk..." His eyes were still furious, to the point she realised he knew more than she thought. He practically spat his reply.

"Too bloody right we do. I think you have something to tell me..." Staring at him she hoped he was talking about something else. Who on earth could have told him?