Paddington Children's Hospital Complete Collection. Kate Hardy

ended the call because there was another major incident occurring, but this time it was with her heart.

      It wasn’t just that he deserved to be there.

      He would be the one she would call on if anything was wrong.

      It would be Dominic’s voice she would need if their baby was ill, or hot, or fussing.

      Glen seemed to think it was possible but she didn’t know how to let him into the baby’s life without revealing how she really felt.

      Yet, he did deserve to be there.

      And so, before she could talk herself out of it she sent a hurried text.

      Can you come to the ultrasound?

      She hit Send and then panicked because that sounded too needy, and then started to write another.

      You can come to the ultrasound if you still want to.

      But that didn’t read right and so she didn’t hit Send but then she thought of him waking to the first, as he was probably asleep and would read it and think there was something wrong.

      What if there was something wrong?

      She needed him here.

      And then suddenly he was there.

      She knew, as she always did, whenever Dominic was close. He stood over her as she stared down at her phone and then she looked up. ‘You got here fast.’

      ‘I thought I’d hang around in case you changed your mind,’ Dominic said as he took a seat by her side.

      He would not rush in and scare her with his feelings. That text, asking him to be here, was enough for now.

      ‘Have you been speaking to my father?’ she accused.

      ‘Aye.’

      ‘What did you say?’ she asked, wondering if he would be vague but Dominic told her exactly.

      ‘He was talking down to a member of his staff and one of ours. I just said he was an arrogant git. That’s all.’

      ‘So how is it going to be when you see him?’ She would not admit to the family get-togethers that she dreamed might happen one day. ‘At the hospital and things.’

      ‘I’ll be civil.’ He looked over to her angered face. ‘Victoria, do you really think there are going to be many cosy get-togethers with me, him and the baby?’

      ‘No,’ she said, and she was struggling to keep her feelings in, because what he had said didn’t bode well for any chance for them.

      ‘But if they do happen,’ Dominic said, ‘then I will play the part and do the right thing, but he has to know that I know what he’s like. I will not let him inflict his bloody nature on my child nor on the mother of my child. I just served him a warning today.’

      His lips were taut and his words were clipped and Victoria nodded because deep down she knew that he was right.

      It wasn’t fear of confrontation that flooded her now; it was a wash of relief that came over her, though she tried not to show it. Finally there was someone in her corner where there never had been before, and even if he was there just to guard their child she was very glad that Dominic was on board.

      ‘Are you nervous?’ he asked.

      ‘Are you?’

      ‘Yes.’

      And they smiled because given what had happened to Dominic, and given their short history, perhaps he should be, but Dominic nudged her and they looked up at the television.

      ‘Look.’

      It was that image of them from Westbourne Grove.

      It seemed like ages ago, but it had been just a couple of weeks.

      Yet so much had changed.

      Images of the protestors outside the hospital came onto the screen.

      The fire had been a terrible day.

      It had changed so many lives, and the fight to save some of them was ongoing. Children were still desperately ill, and yet, from such a terrible event good had prevailed.

      Angela Marton was now talking about the fight to save Paddington Children’s Hospital and saying that Londoners did not want to lose the institution that brought hope to so many.

      ‘I want my baby to be born here,’ Victoria said.

      ‘Our baby,’ he corrected.

      ‘So you believe me now,’ she nudged.

      ‘Victoria, the more I know you, the more I’m amazed at the speed with which you dropped your knickers.’

      ‘Stop it!’

      ‘It’s true. That condom had probably expired.’

      ‘So why are you nervous, then?’

      ‘Because, like every other parent, I want our baby to be fine.’ He gave her a smile. ‘You do believe in fairytales.’

      ‘I don’t.’

      ‘Penny told me about the princess.’

      ‘How is Penny?’

      ‘Don’t worry about that now.’

      ‘I’m not worried,’ she lied. ‘Just tell me.’

      ‘She’s got a virus and she’s in severe heart failure.’

      She thought of Penny’s beautiful eyes taking in the lounge and she prayed, so hard, that she would one day be back there.

      ‘Do you think she’ll be okay?’

      ‘I don’t know, Victoria. She’s got a long road ahead of her.’

      ‘Victoria Christie.’

      She stood up for the radiographer when her name was called.

      ‘Come through.’

      She was shown to a little cubicle and asked to put on a gown.

      ‘Then go in and lie down, and I’ll be through shortly,’ she said.

      Victoria changed and went through to the little room and got up on the examination couch, putting a blanket over her legs.

      And Dominic sat by her side.

      The radiographer came in then and they chatted about dates and confirmed, when she had a feel of Victoria’s stomach, that indeed she did have a full bladder.

      They had a little laugh, then the radiographer’s pager went off and she said that she’d be back soon.

      They were both very quiet.

      Dominic was probably feeling sick, Victoria thought, given what had happened the last time he was in this situation.

      Dominic did not feel sick.

      Not in the least.

      He would not be demanding a DNA test.

      He knew for a fact this baby was his.

      Victoria didn’t need anyone.

      Except maybe she did.

      ‘I’m nervous.’ She just came out and said it. ‘What if there’s something wrong?’

      ‘Then we shall deal with it together.’

      He held her hand.

      Oh, she did need a handhold because it felt like silk wrapping around not just her fingers but her heart.

      She started to cry.

      ‘It will be okay,’ Dominic said, and he peeled off some tissues.

      ‘I’m just tired,’ she said. ‘It was a busy shift and I’m worried about Penny.’

      ‘I