Chapter 7

…

The first hour of drive to Glasgow was fairly quiet, Dominic glancing over a Sam every now and again…not really sure what to say to her. He was lost in a daze when he realised that Sam was pulling the car over, he looked over as she pulled on the hand brake before jumping out of the car. He watched her from his seat as she emptied the contents of her stomach before he got out of the car and went over to where she was hunched over.

"Sam…you okay?" He asked, reaching out to touch her.

"Leave me Dominic, I'll be alright….just give me a minute. Could you get me my water from the car?"

He walked back to the car and retrieved her water bottle from the cup holder and took it back over to her.

"Thanks."

He stood over her, not really knowing what to say or what to do.

"Should I be doing something?" He asked.

"I think you've done more than enough."

She took a sip of her water before looking up at him and realised she may have sounded a little harsher than she'd intended.

"Forgive me Dominic, I've not had the best morning."

"It's fine, you said yourself…it's my fault all this. I should have stopped things between us that night instead of using your weak state to sleep with you…"

"Dominic, can we please just stop replaying that night. The damage has already been done….look, would you mind driving the rest of the way. I'm feeling a little tired and I…."

"Sure, no worries."

Sam got up and walked back to the car and got into the passengers seat as Dominic got in and began driving them the rest of the way.

…

Sheila was in the office, a stack of files waiting to be printed up but she was too pre-occupied with Dominic. She was sitting at her desk staring out the window in a daze when Effie walked in with a tea-tray for her.

"Thought you could use a break Sheila….Sheila, hello anyone in."

Sheila's head shot up when she became aware of someone else in the room to see Effie standing in front of her.

"Sorry Effie, I was miles away, what were you saying."

"I said I thought you could do with a break….everything alright Sheila."

"Oh yeah fine, just furious with Dominic that's all."

"What's he gone and done now."

"Oh nothing…well as such. He went off this morning to see a friend which apparently is more important than finding a job to repay me the money he's wasted on the flight to America."

"You know what lads are like, they never listen."

"Mmmm, you're right. Anyway I should probably get back to this lot before Sam gets back….where is she anyway?"

"Oh, she said she had a meeting with one of her investors in Glasgow…."

"Glasgow?"

"Mmm, that's what she said, left just before 8am this morning. She said she'll be back by this afternoon."

"I see."

Effie watched the curious look Sheila had on her face.

"Have I said something wrong?"

"No Effie, not at all. Thanks for the tea."

She gave Effie a warm smile before the older woman left the office.

…

Dominic pulled up outside Sam's Doctor's office and turned off the engine. Sam sat silently for a few moments just staring at the entrance.

"Sam, are we going in?"

"Just give me a minute would you."

He sat and gave her the time she needed to get herself together.

"Right…let's get this over with."

They got out of the car and heading up the stairs and rang the doorbell before entering the private surgery. Sam walked up to the reception and gave her name to the young woman behind the desk before going over to sit down beside Dominic.

"She shouldn't be too long." Sam said, quietly.

"This place must cost a fortune?"

"You pay for the best treatment Dominic."

"Look, what do we say when we get in there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well this is a high-class private surgery and I take it the Doc knows you pretty well and look around…it's all posh people in this place, I don't even feel right sitting here."

"Would you just get to the point Dominic."

"Do we say I'm the Father or not, or am I just relation who's just here for support?"

"I hadn't really thought about it."

"Well I'll go along with what ever you want."

"Samantha Hagen…."

Dominic and Sam both looked up from their discussion to see the receptionist standing up from her place behind the glass.

"Yes…"

"Dr Marlowe will see you now." She smiled.

Sam and Dominic got up and walked through the glass doors and into the room on the right. Dominic took a seat beside Sam waiting for the Doctor to arrive. Sam jumped a little when the door opened suddenly and her Doctor walked in.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Sam, I just had too….oh hello, who's this?" She asked, smiling at Dominic.

"Oh, this is…."

"I'm her Nephew." Dominic added quickly.

"Oh right, well good I…"

"No he isn't." Sam said, her voice going slightly high.

"Sam…"

"No Dominic, she's not a fool and she'll find out eventually."

"I'm sorry you two but I'm not sure what's going on here." Dr Marlowe smiled.

"Dominic said he's my Nephew to save me the embarrassment."

"Embarrassment of what?"

"He's the Father."

Sam kept her head down, unable to look up and see the possible horror on her Doctor's face.

"Sam, how long have we known one another?"

"15 years."

"Okay and in that time have I ever judged you?"

"No….no you haven't."

"So why would I judge now, I don't need to know the details of how you got pregnant, all that interests me now is the health of you and the baby….okay?"

"Thank you Hannah."

"Right well, how about you go and lie down and we'll get this ultrasound completed."

…

To Be Continued….