BREAKING POINT

“I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby” she broke out huskily and added before Audrey could speak “I saw a doctor. She confirmed it”

“My dear poor Penny” Audrey said, her voice a mixture of sympathy and disbelief. “My poor darling. But surely, Jeremy….”

“I haven’t told him yet” Penny broke in. “I’m afraid Audrey. I’m afraid he will… Well, he will be awfully upset and then he will feel like he has to marry me”

“I should hope so” was Audrey’s brisk comment. “Good heavens, Penny, you keep that man wrapped in cotton wool. Let him do some of the worrying. He should be upset, and he will most certainly have to marry you”

“I wouldn’t let him” Penny said immediately. “I couldn’t bear him to marry me under protest. It isn’t enough. I only want him to want marriage if he wants it. Too… Unconditionally… I don’t want him to marry me now because he feels obligated to”

Audrey looked at Penny’s bent head, her eyes at once compassionate and incredulous. She rose quickly and went across to the bed, sitting down beside the younger girl and taking hold of her hands.

“Isn’t Jeremy really in love with you?” she asked quietly.

Penny bit her lip.

“Oh, I don’t know Audrey” she cried. “Sometimes I’m sure he is. Most of the time really, but I think he’s afraid of being tied down, of domestic responsibilities.

“Then he should collect such responsibilities” Audrey retorted, feeling that she could willingly shoot Jeremy if he should come into the room.

“It isn’t his fault” Penny defended him. “I asked him to share the flat with ne”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Sharing a flat doesn’t mean you have to make a baby” Audrey said with a grimace. “He asked you to share his bed, I presume”

“Oh don’t. Please don’t” Penny begged, almost in tears. “It all sounds so awful when you talk about it like that”

“I’m sorry Penny” Audrey said more gently. “Stick to your rose colored spectacles. I only hope they are unbreakable. Let’s just be practical Penny, if the worst comes to worse, what are you going to do?”

Penny was silent for a few seconds before she replied. “I don’t know. I will have to tell Jeremy, I suppose. It will all depend on how he receives the news. But I won’t let him marry me unless he really wants to. Neither of us could be happy that way. I’d rather face things alone”

“Penny, you are crazy. Think about what this means. Think of all the people involved”

“There would only be myself” Penny replied. “I wouldn’t tell my uncle and aunt. I would go somewhere where nobody knows me. Fortunately I’m married… My identity card and so on… They are all under Mrs Hampson. It wouldn’t be so difficult”

“And the child?” Audrey questioned, her eyes dark with worry.

“I will tell just tell him that his father isn’t around” Penny said. “And it’s not like I would be lying. It would be the truth if Jeremy doesn’t want us”

“On the other hand, Penny, these things do come out” Audrey said. “Usually when you least want them to. What about the baby’s needs”

“I can always make money” Penny cried. “At least the financial side won’t worry me”

“Don’t you think every child needs a father?” Audrey asked. “Don’t you think that you and Jeremy, who are after all responsible, should be the ones to take care of this child… Together?”

“Is any child happy in an unhappy home?” Penny countered swiftly

“Joey didn’t see eye to eye with our parents and they weren’t happy” Audrey told her friend. “But we did not know it until we were grown up. Then it did not seem to matter much”

“Oh Audrey, don’t go on please” Penny cried. “I can’t bear it. I’ve been so terribly worried”

Penny recognized the note of hysteria in Penny’s voice and stood up briskly.

“We are jumping our fences before we know there are any” she said. “Let’s leave all this until we are certain about Jeremy’s reaction”

Tears sprang to Penny’s eyes, but she managed to smile through them.

“You sound just like aunt Ann” she said weakly. “But thank you for the ‘we’ Audrey. You are indeed a wonderful friend”

“Nonsense” said Audrey. “Now come along downstairs, Penny. My stew will be overcooked”

“I will be down in a moment” Penny said. “Don’t wait for me”

Tactfully, Audrey left her alone to wash away traces of her tears. When at last she went downstairs, Penny showed no signs of her distress “.

Penny wondered if Audrey had said anything about this to Joey, but she could not tell for their conversation remained impersonal. Dinner over, Penny followed Audrey into the kitchen to help her with the washing up, but Joey preceded her.

“You go and rest” he said. “This is my job. One of the few things I can do around the house.

” No really, I want to ” Penny protested, but Joey remained adamant.

“Guests must do as they are told” he said firmly, but with a smile in his eyes. “Be a good girl and sit quietly in the room until we come back”

“Run along, Penny” Audrey said laughing. “Joey wants to show off his good nature, so don’t deprive him of his one chance”

Joey gave Audrey a plateful flip with the tea cloth he was already holding in readiness and Penny noted again that close relationship between them. They might tease each other, make jokes at each other’s expense, but underlying was a deep respect and affection.

Sitting alone by the fire, Penny allowed herself to relax. Only then did she realize the full extent of her fatigue. She decided to call Jeremy before she fell asleep and after talking to him and letting him know she was finally with Audrey, she closed her eyes. They felt hot and tired. An increasing drowsiness overcame her. She struggled against the desire to give way to it, but before Audrey and Joey returned, she was fast asleep

Having finished the washing up, Audrey went upstairs and Joey entered the sitting room alone. At first he thought Penny was resting, but when she did not stir he took a step closer and saw that she sleeping. A strange emotion came overcame him… A strong protective emotion that he had hitherto felt only for small, sick children. It was so overpowering that he felt his heart contract and he sat down quickly opposite her as if he had been hit suddenly behind the knees.