Libby sighed. Part of her wanted to give up and acquiesce, like she always did with her family. But what had Dylan said?You need to stop caring so much what your family think.
“Mum, I’m thirty years old and about to become a mother,” Libby said, trying to keep her voice steady. “You need to stop treating me like a disappointing child who messes everything up.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, don’t be so ridiculous,” Pauline said, rolling her eyes.
“See, this is exactly what I mean,” Libby said. “You never listen to what I have to say or what I want. You think I’mincapable of making decisions on my own and treat me like an idiot. And I’m sick and tired of it.”
“I do not think you’re incapable of making decisions. I just worry about you. You threw away a promising medical career on a foolish whim, and I don’t want to see you make the same mistake with Simon.”
“It wasn’t a promising medical career. I hated every second of that degree! I only stuck it out so long because I knew how much it meant to you and Dad. And I’m not going to make the same mistake and move back in with Simon because it’s what you want.”
“Quite right.”
Libby spun round at the sound of another voice. Rebecca was standing in the kitchen doorway, watching them.
“Ah, Rebecca, maybe you can talk some sense into your sister,” Pauline said. “She’s saying she’s not going to move back in with Simon, which is utter madness.”
“It’s not madness, Mum,” Libby said. “If these last three months in London have taught me anything, it’s that I’m tougher than I realized. I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but maybe I’m strong enough to have this baby on my own.”
“See what I mean?” Pauline said to Rebecca, her eyebrows shooting up in dismay. “She hasn’t got a clue. Tell her, Rebecca. Tell her she doesn’t stand a hope in hell of raising a child on her own.”
The room was quiet as they waited for Rebecca to speak. She was looking at Pauline, her brow furrowed. “Actually, Mum, I think Libby’s right.”
“What?” Libby and Pauline said in unison.
“I think Libby’s right. Simon has treated her like shit, and I think she’s probably better off doing this alone.”
Pauline’s face had gone a strange shade of purple. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, Mum. And you need to let Libby make up her own mind and support her in whatever she decides.”
Libby was so shocked, she didn’t know what to say. She had never known her sister to stick up for her like this, even when they were kids.
“I see,” Pauline said stiffly. “This is how it’s going to be, is it? My own children ganging up on me.”
“We’re not ganging up on you,” Rebecca said. “But we’re both adults now. You need to let go of the reins a bit, let us live our own lives.”
“Of course, I let you live your own lives,” Pauline hissed.
“Mum, you just insisted I cut my precious family holiday short because I found out I’m pregnant and you didn’t think France was safe for me,” Rebecca said. “And I agreed because that’s what I always do. But Libby was right a moment ago: we’re capable of making our own decisions now.”
Pauline looked between her two daughters, her mouth open, apparently too stunned to speak. In the distance, Libby could hear sounds at the front door, the click of it opening and the thud of Hector’s footsteps as he ran in. The noise seemed to startle Pauline back to reality as she turned and reached for her handbag.
“Right. Well, I know when I’m not wanted.”
“Oh, Mum, don’t be like that,” Libby said, but Pauline was already striding out of the kitchen.
“Roger, get our bags. We’re leaving!” she shouted from the hallway.
Libby looked at Rebecca. “Thank you for your support there.”
Rebecca shrugged. “I should have said it a lot sooner.”
“And congratulations on the pregnancy news too. That’s amazing.”
“It’s still very early days, so we’re not celebrating yet,” Rebecca said brusquely. Then she gave Libby a small smile. “But thanks.”
CHAPTER