At first it was nothing more than a bad case of indigestion, stomach cramps that kept her up for most of the night. Long enough that Lacey was tired and cranky by the time she'd struggled into her uniform and hauled herself to the diner.

'You're late, French,' Angelo, her boss, called out as she waddled past him.

The place was already packed, the breakfast rush in full swing.

'I know … I know … I'm sorry.'

He shook his head and went back to flipping pancakes. A gruff man, with slightly dubious personal hygiene, he had a temper that he used to make up for his lack of height. But he'd given Lacey a job when no one else would so she had no choice but to be grateful.

'French.'

'What?'

'There's a guy on table ten. Lena says he's freaking her out. Take over will ya?'

There were a whole heap of things you didn't have to do if you were screwing the boss … serving difficult customers being top of the list. Lacey glanced across the kitchen at the willowy red head.

'Thanks, sweetie,' Lena smiled.

Lacey grabbed the coffee pot, the mild backache catching her by surprise. Her stomach cramped again… But that might have had something to do with the man sitting by the window reading the New York Times.

'Checking up on me?' Lacey asked as she filled his mug, wishing that she had the courage to pour the hot, dark liquid over his head.

'Protecting my investment, dearie.'

But he was a customer and she had to at least attempt to remain polite. She shifted from one foot to the other, trying to ease the pressure on her swollen ankles. He took a sip of the coffee and grimaced. For some reason the thought crossed Lacey's mind that he was probably a tea man.

'What can I get you?' she asked.

'Anything that won't give me food poisoning.'

She waited for a few moments, but he was obviously serious.

'We have some great specials?' she ventured.

'I don't think I'll risk it.'

He stood, pulled a twenty out of his wallet and placed it on the table.

'Keep the change.'

She stared at the money, suddenly angry at the realisation that she had no choice but to accept his charity. Lacey pocketed the bill, even though she hated herself for doing so, for looking weak.

'Good girl,' he sneered before picking up his cane and limping away.

She didn't want to be grateful to the man. Lacey couldn't believe that he was helping her out of the goodness of his heart.

'Trouble?' Angelo asked when she got back to the kitchen.

'Nothing I can't handle,' she said.

The unpleasant encounter played on her mind as she worked through her shift, battling against exhaustion and the general feeling that all was not well.

If she made more mistakes than usual her customers were kind enough not to complain too much if their eggs were sunny side up instead of over easy. Lacey was relieved when her break finally came around and she could sit for a few minutes.

Her back was still aching, and she braced her hands against it, trying to breath through the pain.

'You okay, French?'

'Yeah … just need a minute.'

She slipped out the back door, not caring that Lena shut it behind her, hoping that fresh air would help. It didn't. The heat was oppressive. Lacey leant against the wall, in the shade of a dumpster, as she tried to catch her breath. The pain was getting worse, coming over her in waves. Something warm and wet trickled down her leg.

'Oh gods…'

This wasn't right. It was too soon. She needed to get back inside, call an ambulance, do something … anything. For some reason the door wouldn't open. Lacey rammed her fist into it again and again, bruising her knuckles. Sobbing, her breath coming in harsh pants, she slid down the wall.

'Help,' she cried out but her voice sounded strange, diminished. No one heard her. No one came.

Deep down came the realisation that unless she did something, her child was going to be born in a dirty back alley. Lacey was damned if she were going to allow that to happen. All she had to do was walk around to the front of the building. How hard could that be? She staggered to her feet, bent over against the pain that threatened to rip her stomach apart.

Pushing one foot in front of the other, Lacey made it as far as the street. Sweating, aching, she reached out to the nearest passer by only for them to back away. She stood there, alone, as the city rushed past her. Her clothes were now stained with blood. Too much blood. She couldn't go back into the diner. Not like this. Tears were streaming down her face. Why wasn't anyone stopping? Why wouldn't anyone help? Her vision darkened as she sank to her knees.

And then there was someone.

The tap of a cane. A dark suited figure. He stood over her, blocking out the sun.

'Please?' she gasped.

Arms, more gentle than she ever could have expected, were holding her. She struggled against him, at first not wanting to accept help from the man she hated, but he was stronger than she had imagined. In the end she had no choice but to submit to his embrace.

'You,' he snapped at the nearest passer by. 'Call 911!'

A crowd was gathering now, people stopping on the street, people coming out of the diner. She spotted Angelo's too red face. Somehow the only thought that crossed her mind was that he wouldn't have anyone to finish her shift. Lena wouldn't do it. The woman was watching, impassive. Lacey pressed her face against Gold, using his suit jacket to soak up her tears.

She glanced up again, noting the plethora of phones recording the scene. The man holding her growled,

'Get those idiots out of here!'

Angelo immediately started shoving his way through the crowd.

'What's happening?' she sobbed.

A hand stroked the sweat slicked hair from her forehead.

'You're having a baby, sweetheart.'

There was a hint of a smile in his voice. Lacey didn't have the chance to wonder at it, gritting her teeth against the next contraction.

'That's it,' he said, 'Just breathe.'

'No … no … Something's wrong.'

She started to fight against him again. Her instincts were telling her that she needed to get as far away from here as possible.

'Sh … sh … it's okay … it's okay … they'll be here soon.'

He sounded calm, unnaturally so. But he was also right. The sound of a siren, blue flashing lights … the next few moments were a blur. The paramedics gently eased her away from him and onto the gurney.

'Sir, are you coming?'

Lacey reached for his hand. She didn't know exactly why but it seemed important that he didn't leave her alone right now. Only when she was sure that he was with her, when his hand was clasped in hers, did Lacey let herself drift into unconsciousness.