Chapter 21 – Left

I rushed to visit Isobel after school and was heading down the hospital corridor when I heard shouting and crying from near her rooms so I moved faster and burst into her room. Isobel was being pawed over by a tall dark-haired man, but she didn't seem to mind much.

"Isobel?" I asked.

She pulled her mouth from his, as he squatted next to the chair she was seated in, his arms about her shoulders. "Louisa! Oh this is fantastic! You remember Paul? Paul Hardesty?"

I didn't really but tried to sound like I did. "Oh sure, hi!" I waved sheepishly.

"Louisa Glasson, right?" the man said and let Isobel go, then rushed over and crushed me in a bear hug. "So nice to see you again."

I had a very vague recognition of seeing the man, perhaps once, for all of two or three minutes, long ago. "Didn't know you were coming… to see Isobel… and the baby."

"Oh, yeah, yeah. When Izzie called Saturday I dropped everything and got out here. Got in late last night, didn't I luv?"

Isobel (he called her Izzie?) smiled. "Bit of a surprise."

Or a shock? "So, Paul, you've come to see the baby," I said blankly. "Just swooped in from London, is it?"

"Aye! When she called about the babe I just had to come…"

Isobel looked up brightly. "Paul and I…" she reached out for his hand, "we're going to get back together."

"Oh, right. That is nice. Good for you!" I bit my tongue before I said more. Isobel had said how the man had rushed away when she revealed she was pregnant by him. Then he took up with another girl.

Paul smiled at me. "My luck, you know. I've been trying to talk to Izzie but she wouldn't answer my calls… well, you can just imagine how keen I've been to see her; what with the baby and all."

I looked at Isobel and her eyes asked me to 'play nice.' "I'm happy for both of you," I replied.

Isobel tugged at Paul's hand. "Louisa, this is all so sudden, but you know how things can go at times? You could have knocked me over with a feather when he waltzed in."

I looked hard at Isobel, her face was almost sickeningly pleased that Paul was here, although he had dumped her for months. I guess she must be desperate or hormonal.

'Now Louisa,' said my nagging voice, 'give Isobel credit for having some sense! She'll need help and money and Paul is well employed. Didn't she say so last week?'

I counted days mentally. Yeah she told me only a few days ago and it was true. Now Isobel was all agog about the guy? I had a sneaking suspicion that from the way she was looking in awe at Paul, and he at her, that within three months she'd be up the duff. I sighed. Well, her funeral.

"I'm happy for you both, and little David too." I told them, and tried to make it sound like I meant it.

"Thank you, Louisa," said the man. He turned a charming smile to Isobel. "So, luv, what say I go and get the car?" He left the room in a hurry.

"What? You're being discharged?" I was astounded.

Isobel ducked her head. "I meant to call you; let you know, but here you are. Paul's booked a hotel down the way. We'll stay there for a few days and then back to London. He's got a really nice flat there and his mum and sisters live nearby, so I'll have plenty of help with the baby."

"If you think that's for the best," I muttered under my breath.

"What's that Louisa?" she asked.

I painted on a fake smile. "Nothing."

"All such a rush is Paul - his whole family is that way. Always on the spur of the moment, but I like planning." She ran her hand along the Moses basket where the baby lay asleep. "Well, usually," she laughed.

That made me chuckle too.

"Louisa, come here."

I walked over and she stood and gave me a hug. "Sorry this is all so sudden; the baby, Paul showing up, and…"

"It's ok, Isobel." I held my friend tightly for a moment. "Is this what you want, Isobel?"

She bit her lip and her eyes grew wet. "It'll work out. Paul just panicked back then. Men do that, you know."

Women too, I'd found out. "For your sake, I hope so." I kissed her cheek.

"We're just a bit off with men aren't we? Both of us; all things considered? So how are you doing?"

"Gosh, I'm fine. Really."

"No second thoughts?"

I chewed my lip before answering. "No… well, maybe a few." One was that maybe I should not have gone to bed with Martin.

"Naw! I think you should have shagged him a lot more, then you'd still be with him!' yelled my internal nag.

I tried to force a smile back to my face, but my handbag started twisting, almost by itself – a nervous habit. The smile failed and I started to bite my lips.

Isobel brushed hair from my face and patted my cheek.. "You'll do fine, Louisa. If I know you, you're made of steel."

"I hope so," I told her and hugged her tightly.

Paul found us like that when he came back with a nurse to complete the hospital checkout. So I pretty much stood in the background while forms where signed, pamphlets handed over, and general instructions given. I helped Paul load the rental car with Isobel's things, including her suitcase which I brought from the pub yesterday.

"Thanks for caring for my Izzie," said Paul.

"My pleasure," I said. "She's a lovely girl and you have an awfully cute baby."

"Aye, you're right. I want you to know… I was a total arse to leave her like that. I've seen the error of my ways. She'll never want for nothing; I promise."

I squeezed his arm. "I'm sure you'll do your best," I lied. I didn't trust him from all the dirt Isobel had passed on to me over the last few months.

I stood and waved as they drove off, my ears ringing with promises of phone calls, emails and visits. Somehow I knew that good intentions would suffer from middle-of-the night feedings and learning how to be a mum and partner.

"Bye!" I called to them and waved myself silly as they drove away.

A nurse's aide stood there holding the wheelchair which they'd insisted Isobel ride in. The woman sighed wearily.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Nothing. Friend of theirs?"

"Yes, hers. Why?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "I've seen this happen before. The poor mum out to here," she indicated a pregnant belly with her hands, "all alone, then the man shows up all hearts and flowers." She shook her head sadly. "I'll bet in four or five months, she'll be on her own, with that young'un to raise herself - all alone." She peered at her watch. "Oh, my break time! See you."

"Bye," I called to her as the woman walked back inside. I turned to catch a glimpse of Isobel as the car went down the drive, but she didn't look back, as I waved, so I was left all alone standing on the hospital portico, feeling quite deserted.