Three days had passed since Assumpta took the test and things had relatively gone back to normal, Peter and Assumpta only saw each other in passing or when he called in for the occasional pint and she had seen neither hide nor hair of Leo.

"Assumpta, do you mind if I take Kieran upstairs while he's sleeping, I am sick of Brendan Kearney moaning about him being in the pub." Niamh said cradling her tot.

"Sure, but the man does have a point, he spends all day with the school kids, he comes in here for a wee bit of peace and quiet. Why don't you take up your da's offer of a babysitter?"

"I know, and I should do really but Ambrose is far too stubborn, he thinks dad see us a charity case. Anyway, I'll get him settled and he won't be any bother, will you my darling?"

Once baby Kieran was fast asleep in Assumpta's bedroom, Niamh went to use the bathroom before the evening rush began.

While washing her hands her eyes fell to the overflowing bin in the corner of the room. Assumpta can be so messy, she thought, throwing away her tissue. As the crumpled paper bounced into the container she noticed a pink box poking its way to the top. She recognised it from when she had taken a pregnancy test herself. Maybe that's why Leo left so suddenly, she thought as she took it out of the bin and opened it. Peering inside she clearly saw two pink lines. There was no doubt about it, Assumpta Fitzgerald was definitely pregnant.

"You've been up there a long time."

"Well we are hardly busy, are we," she said sharply, indicating at the empty bar.

"Yeah well everyone will be on their way home from work. Anyway what's got into you?"

"Assumpta, when were you going to tell me?" she asked thrusting the box in her best friend's hand.

"Oh that, you had no right to go through my rubbish."

"Maybe not, is that why Leo left?"

Assumpta flushed: "Leo doesn't know and it can stay that way, he doesn't need to know about it.

"Assumpta, it is his baby too."

How wrong was she? Her friend thought. "He doesn't need to know because I am not keeping it, I found a clinic on the other side of Kildargen, I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon. Two o'clock. I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anybody else about this." She warned, rage flooding in her eyes.

"Assumpta, have you thought this through? How long have you known, shouldn't you at least tell Leo what you plan to do?"

"I have thought about it nonstop for days, Niamh. Leo didn't want children he was happy muddling along on his own, so what's the point in telling him."

"He might change his mind," the brunette tried.

"No my mind's made up."

"Well, let me come with you, hold your hand, like."

"Thanks Niamh but if it is all the same, this is something I need to do by myself." As she spoke Assumpta felt scared for the first time since she had graduated from university.

"Well if you are sure, the offer is there," she smiled.

"Thanks," the other woman said as she bowed her head.