Friday Night June 18th
In some ways this week had been Harry's easiest work wise for ages. Nikki had called Leo at the weekend saying she was taking some 'personal time' and hadn't been in all week. Harry was doing all the work again, but at least with her gone, he didn't have to sneak about pretending not to be doing it.
He couldn't help wondering what the 'personal' time was involving and shuddered at the thought of it including any medical procedures. Thinking about it, he had surprised himself really, he had never really thought about having his own children. Not until being thrown in at the deep end of family life, the last time he was in Africa. And then from time to time he would indulge himself and wonder what any children of his would be like. His nightmare scenario was of course a mixture of his temper and her knack for finding trouble. Or her cast iron stubbornness and his social ineptitude but not every combination was that bad. Maybe that's why he had jumped at the idea of raising Henry's child, the fear that if it were part of him, it would all go wrong.
Perhaps his mother's nagging was getting to him after all. He was due for dinner again and smiled ruefully at the memory of the two of them racing round the desks and being happy, the last time he was due there.
"Hello darling, you look exhausted." his mother said.
"Yes, we've had a lot on and Nikki's been away all week." Harry answered.
"She's not been ill again has she? It wouldn't surprise me, after all she's been through. That girl does seem to have bad luck. I'm sorry I was right Harry."
"That's o.k. Mum, it's not your fault." Harry poured some wine and sat staring into it.
"There's still something else though isn't there," his mother continued.
Was he lisping again? Or did one's desire for grandchildren also come with mind reading abilities?
"We had a disagreement before she left." Harry hoped that would be enough.
"About what?" his mother asked. 'Surely' she thought 'even Harry wouldn't be dull enough to have made a move straight way?'
"Does it matter, Mum?" Harry asked.
"Well, you've obviously said or done something stupid, or you wouldn't have that expression of regret plastered all over your face!" she retorted.
"So you really want to know do you." He was tired but he could feel the anger rising. Why did his mother have this affect on him? He started pacing and between trying not to clench his fists, or remind her of his father or even lisp too much he managed to spew out. "I suspected Nikki was/is pregnant, I presented her with the evidence and a pregnancy test kit. I made only positive statements about her being a mother, and offered to help her if she wanted me to. And she took it very badly and now she's gone. Are you happy now? Or is there any other office gossip you really need to know?" Harry stopped pacing and calmed down slightly. His mother hadn't replied.
"I'm sorry Mum, I didn't mean to shout. Like you say I'm exhausted." Harry said and plopped down into his chair.
His mother sat down opposite and looked him straight in the eye.
"When you were offering to raise this baby, Harry." She paused and then continued very slowly and deliberately.
"Did you perhaps make it sound like a sensible business arrangement or did you tell her that you were head over heels in love with her and had been for years and you would do anything to be together with her, baby or not" She held his gaze. He was every inch a Cunningham and it broke her heart that although he had got his father's brilliant mind, it seemed to go hand in hand with a complete absence of romance.
There was a long pause.
"Oh mum, why do I always mess everything up?" he mumbled despondently.
"I'm sorry darling, I'm sure you'll think of a way to fix it. Just don't expect me to leave any of my money to any children you and she might raise, without them taking a paternity test first." she said.
"Mum!" Harry spluttered.
"Come on, eat, it doesn't look like you've had a decent meal since you were here last time."
Saturday Morning, June 19th
Hangover? None
Bed? Empty
Work? None that he was going to do
Run? Maybe
Mood? Uneasy.