Veronica checked her watch and decided she was going to sneak out.
She said goodbye to her friends, stopping off at the bathroom before she left. She hung her bag on the toilet door, turning to leave accidentally knocked it to the floor.
She cursed and caught it before it landed. There was laughing outside the cubicle. She stood for a second as she heard talking.
"I mean. Why is it my fault that Lin is so cut up. What was I supposed to do. Go round, hold his hand and make sure he's not upset!"
She sat down on the toilet lid and listened quietly as Claire carried on.
"I've moved on. It's about time he did. I'm glad I carried on taking the pill. I never wanted to have kids with him."
Veronica sat as still as possible trying not to breathe.
Another voice she didn't recognise joined in.
"Did he really not know that you carried on taking it?"
Claire laughed.
"No. He thought we had a problem trying to conceive. I couldn't risk getting pregnant with things starting to blossom with Sam.
He was none the wiser and I got a nice selection of flowers and pampered every time my period started. So Win-Win!" She laughed loudly.
Veronica stood up and flung the door open. Both women turned and looked as the door banged.
Claire's face fell.
"Shit."
Veronica walked over and stood in front of her staring at her.
"Please tell me I didn't hear that right. Please tell me that you didn't carry on taking the pill and pretended to Lin that you couldn't get pregnant. PLEASE tell me that you haven't let him think for nearly 3 years that he might have an issue, and please to fucking god don't tell me that you would've carried on letting him think that he had a problem even now you are pregnant?"
Claire looked down at the floor sheepishly and shrugged.
"It's a good job you are pregnant Claire, because if you weren't, I would floor you right now."
She turned and walked out quickly.
Kelly got changed into some jogging bottoms and a t shirt. She looked down at her belly, only just starting to show. "I'm sorry. I can't do this.... I just can't"
She laid down on the bed. Lin's harsh words ringing round her ears.
"You think you know someone."
She had expected him to be shocked.
It wasn't planned and they both had so much going on. She felt guilty that it had even happened.
They weren't even a proper couple and she had no idea how it would work, but to be so angry. She didn't expect that. Not to the point where he couldn't even look at her, she reached for her phone and made a few calls.
Lin got back to his apartment feeling numb. He showered and scrubbed his body till it was red raw. He poured himself a whiskey and sat on the couch. How could she have done that.
How had he got it all so wrong.
Did she really think he would be ok with taking on another man's baby like that? Blended families were one thing, but this!
He tried to work out the timings. She must've slept with whoever it was pretty much the same time as him. "What if it was the same day? Who's to say she didn't sleep with him then have round two with me?"
He shook his head angrily. Surely even Kelly wouldn't be that low.
His phone rang. He rolled his eyes.
"Steve. Whatever excuse you're going to make for not telling me please save it"
"Ok, before you go off on one again please can you listen to me."
"Depends what bullshit you're going to throw at me."
"No bull, I promise."
Lin sighed.
"Ok, you've got five minutes."
"I had no idea...."
Lin laughed.
"Oh fuck off Steve...."
"I had NO IDEA. Why would I lie to you now?"
Lin sat, quietly taking it in.
Steve carried on.
"Everything makes sense now. She's not been herself for weeks. Keeps being sick and she was so nervous about seeing you. I'm so sorry Lin. You didn't deserve this."
