Autumn to summer in Penny Lane

February - A sudden surprise, part one

Quietly Caitlin took her cup of coffee and a large chocolate muffin to the nearby table seat. Glancing through the window out towards Allerton road there was a grim, grey sky. It didn't talk of rain but of winter in it's prime. Damp, cold, and drab.

Musing to herself, Caitlin took a sip of coffee as she surveyed the muffin. Smiling wryly to herself it was hardly anything to worry about gaining weight by eating a treat. All of a sudden her mind threw her back to nearly an hour ago with the frightening speed of a jet fighter plane being put through it's paces.

'I can confirm,' said Doctor Jinyu as she sat back down behind her desk 'that you are pregnant.'

Caitlin had just finished fixing her Rapido blouse back into place with the startled look of someone who has had a huge bucket of water being thrown over her.

'Oh right,' Caitlin stammered as she tried to recover like a punch drunk boxer receiving another blow to the head.

Temporally a pause broke into the examination room. Doctor Jinyu was experienced enough to know an unexpected pregnancy but even so it was always hard on what to say next. If Caitlin had yelled 'yes,' whilst doing a lap of honour then it was straight forward. Even a happy smile made it easy as to what was the next steps.

'Was it something that you were planning?'

'God, no.' Caitlin said absent minded. 'I mean, well we use protection so it's a bit of a bolt out of the blue.'

'I know it's a lot to take in right now but I am here to help in any way that I can.'

Another pause.

'What happens next?'

'That depends on what you want to do. Is the pregnancy something that you want?'

'Not really,' Caitlin grimaced. 'But I can't consider a termination.'

'Okay. As I say it is a lot take in. I'll arrange pre-natal care and ultra-scans. In the meantime I am always happy to talk. Does the Father know?'

'Not yet,' Caitlin said slowly. 'But I will tell him.'

Time threw Caitlin back into the Costa coffee shop up in Allerton road as she contemplated her next move. Another sip of coffee and then swiping the screen of her mobile phone. Pausing, Caitlin could hardly text Calam or leave a message on his mobile.

'Oh, hi Calam. I've just been the Doctor's and guess what? I'm pregnant! LOL!!! Anyway can you pick up some milk and peanut butter from Tesco's? Caitlin XXXX.'

No, she was going to have do it after this shift. The only question was where and when. Maybe home was best but it certainly couldn't be allowed to drag. Furthermore she had to keep this to herself for the time being.

The flight to Geneva

As the engine droned monotonously, Caitlin could feel the surge of her head aching badly as she instantly regretted telling Vanessa her baby news.

'So, I will be an Aunty?' Vanessa smiled manically and gleefully clapped her hands. Already she envisaged days out and playing with a baby Caitlin or a Firvig as she wickedly told her BFF.

'Just keep it to yourself,' Caitlin hissed. 'I haven't told Calam yet.'

A sudden surge of pride overwhelmed Vanessa that Caitlin had to confide in her before telling Calam. So much so that she had to give Caitlin a warm hug.

'What the hell is going on?'

'Caitlin is pregnant. Isn't that good news?'

There was a bite of the lip from a furious Caitlin as Vanessa giggled and muttered an half arsed apology.