Hayley settled effortlessly back into her routine of office – home – office, and Friday or Saturday nights with Ellen and Mark. Just the way she liked it – easy and uncomplicated.
It had been five weeks since Hayley’s encounter at the hotel with Ian and she hadn’t heard from him again. She had nothing to say to him anyway. Occasionally, when the feelings of being cheap and slutty crept up on her she flicked them away. After all, the look on his face had been worth it.
‘I’m still shocked at what you did but I’m a bit in awe too,’ Ellen said one night as they watched a new episode of Men Behaving Badly at Hayley’s. ‘It was like you were addicted to drugs and you’re finally weaned off him.’
‘I know, god, I’m so relieved,’ Hayley said. ‘I’m finally rid of him.’ She took another handful of popcorn. ‘So … how are the plans going? Have you decided on flowers yet?’
Strangely, only Hayley seemed to exude any form of anxiety about the wedding Ellen and Mark were supposed to be organising for May the next year. Hayley thought they were so relaxed about the whole thing, she wondered if they’d show up in jeans and T-shirts. Or even remember to show up at all.
‘Oh, it’s got to be dahlias, definitely,’ Ellen said. ‘Or tulips. Probably. Something white. Or orange or purple.’
Hayley smiled. ‘Not long to go now and –’ She stopped when she saw Ellen’s face. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I got my period again,’ Ellen said softly.
‘Oh no. I’m sorry.’
‘It’s so unfair.’ Ellen slammed the remote on the sofa. ‘Shelley at work got pregnant the first month they tried and Jules did on her honeymoon.’
‘It’s only been a few months,’ Hayley said as she rubbed Ellen’s arm. ‘This time next year you’ll have a baby so let’s make sure you get a stretchy wedding dress, okay?’
As Ellen put her head on Hayley’s shoulder, Hayley wondered if she’d ever understand Ellen’s unshakable desire to have kids. In fact, she wasn’t sure she had a maternal instinct herself. While she enjoyed looking after her little nephew Lucas, and had squealed when Jackie had recently announced another baby boy would make an appearance next year, she didn’t feel the urge to have kids of her own. On occasion, she wondered if she ever would.
‘So what about you?’ Ellen said. ‘Met anyone yet?’
‘Forget it,’ Hayley said. ‘I’m too busy. Work’s nuts. Ronald gave me this contract to work on, a client in London’s buying a French company. It’s flipping complicated.’
‘You’re working long hours though, aren’t you?’ Ellen said.
‘Yeah, but I don’t care. I love it.’
‘You sure you’re okay? You look a bit tired.’
‘I am.’ Hayley laughed. ‘But don’t worry about me. Anyway, my bank account’s very grateful.’
Ellen sighed. ‘Lucky you. Mark and me were a bit strapped for cash this month but we managed in the end. And we have each other, that’s all that matters.’
Hayley didn’t say it, but she disagreed. She didn’t want to scrimp and save and ‘manage’ for the rest of her life.
‘Let me know if you ever need help, okay?’
‘God no,’ Ellen said, looking shocked. ‘Thanks, but I could never.’
On the weekend Hayley decided to go shopping for a present for her unborn nephew. Unsure what to buy, she walked around Mothercare picking up a stuffed toy here and a rattle there, before putting them down again. She was inspecting a bright yellow baby grow when she noticed a guy a few feet away from her. His skin looked like a smooth, silky latte from the Seattle Coffee Company and his dark hair coiled in tight curls. He held up a curious-looking plastic cup and turned it around, examining it from all angles, his brow deeply furrowed.
‘I think that’s part of a breast pump,’ she ventured, nodding her head towards the object in his hand.
‘Oh crap.’ He almost dropped it. ‘Whoops. I thought it was a baby cup or something but I couldn’t figure out how it would work.’ He put it on the shelf and turned towards her with a desperate look on his face. Hayley noticed his almond eyes were a beautiful shade of peridot.
‘Actually, maybe you can help me?’ he said. ‘My friends had a baby last week and I haven’t a clue what to get. Care to share your motherly wisdom?’
Hayley burst into a laugh and shook her head. ‘Me? I’m not a mum.’
‘Oh?’
‘I’m shopping for my nephew. My sister’s due in March but I need to get a head start. Last time I grabbed clothes for a nine-month old instead of a new-born.’ She grimaced. ‘If I do that again I’ll never live it down.’
Breast-pump guy laughed and Hayley admired the little dimples that appeared in his cheeks.
‘So it’s like the blind leading the blind, eh?’ he said. ‘Let’s help each other out and escape as quickly as possible, what do you think?’
Hayley smiled. ‘That sounds great. I’m Hayley, by the way.’
‘Matthew.’ They shook hands. ‘Right, where shall we start?’
They spent the next few minutes looking for suitable presents, picking up bibs and hats, bath toys and bottles.
An eager looking shop assistant bounded over. ‘Can I help you?’ she said, her broad smile revealing a large gap between her front teeth. ‘Is this your first baby?’
Matthew nudged Hayley. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘We just found out she’s pregnant.’
The assistant clapped her hands together. ‘How wonderful. When are you due?’
‘Next week,’ Hayley said solemnly. ‘It’s all been a bit of a shock.’
‘Next week? Goodness, that doesn’t leave you much time to …’ She stopped talking as Matthew and Hayley started laughing. ‘Oh you had me there for a second,’ she said with mock sternness and waved a finger at them. ‘So you’re here for presents. We have some excellent gift-sets over there. Follow me.’
‘She asked if I’m pregnant,’ Hayley whispered as the shop assistant left them alone to look through the selections. ‘I’m going on a diet. And I’m joining a gym. Today.’
‘What do you mean?’ Matthew whispered back. ‘You look great.’ He winked.
Hayley felt her cheeks go as red as a traffic light and took a sudden interest in a pack of towels, letting her hair fall in front of her face.
They both decided on a plastic chewable giraffe and Matthew chose a red and green outfit that said ‘Baby’s First Christmas’ on the front. Hayley found a blue and red velvet cot bumper with big smiling teddy bears.
As they walked out of the shop Matthew stopped and turned towards her. ‘This might be a bit forward, although we were shopping for our first child, so it should be okay.’
Hayley looked at him and raised her eyebrows. ‘What?’
‘Well, would you like to have coffee with me? You know,’ he shrugged, ‘to get over the trauma.’
She had no other plans for that afternoon so what harm could it do? It was only a coffee and he seemed nice. Actually, he seemed very nice.
‘Sure,’ she answered, nodding. ‘Why not?’
An hour and a half later, after two cups of coffee and a sticky cinnamon bun each, Matthew and Hayley exchanged phone numbers.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing you again,’ he said as he kissed her lightly on the cheek. ‘I’ll call you soon.’
On her way home Hayley stopped in to see Ellen and Mark and she told them about her encounter.
‘So what’s he like then?’ asked Mark as he folded up his paper at the kitchen table.
‘Well, he’s almost thirty, a bit taller than me and he kind of reminds me of Terence Trent D’Arby. And he’s fit.’
‘Now there’s a surprise.’ Mark rolled his eyes. ‘All your blokes have been fit.’
Hayley gave him a playful punch. ‘What do you mean, all my blokes? And I mean fit as in sporty. He used to do athletics, you know, hurdles and long-jump and stuff, until he buggered up his knee. If that hadn’t happened he may have competed for England. Now he does a lot of rowing and swimming instead.’
‘Sounds promising,’ Ellen said. ‘Hang on a sec, I’ll get some biscuits.’ She turned to Mark. ‘Do you like the tea? It’s red raspberry leaf. Helps boost fertility.’
‘Mmmm,’ Mark said, nodding enthusiastically. ‘It’s delicious, my love.’
Ellen smiled at him and went to the kitchen.
‘Oh my god,’ Mark whispered to Hayley. ‘Don’t let her convert you. Promise me you’ll stay a devout follower of the Church of English Breakfast.’
Hayley stifled a laugh as Ellen returned with a plate of chocolate digestives.
‘So, what does Matthew do for a living?’ Ellen said as she sat down again.
‘Well if you must know, Mummy,’ Hayley said, ‘he teaches science at secondary school.’ She thought for a second. ‘Actually, he’s a really nice guy.’
‘How nice?’ Ellen said with her eyebrows raised.
Hayley clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. Ellen often tried to set her up on blind dates and was always looking out for The One for Hayley. One time Hayley had obliged and gone on a date but it had been such a let-down that she’d refused to go on another. The guy in question had warts on his hands and halitosis, and she hadn’t let Ellen forget it.
‘Single?’ Mark said, crossing his arms.
‘Yeah,’ Hayley said. ‘Found out his girlfriend was cheating on him. Said he can’t understand why people do it, what with the amount of heartache it causes.’
‘He sounds too good to be true,’ Ellen said. ‘You sure he’s genuine?’
‘Believe me, if he isn’t I’ll leg it faster than Donovan Bailey.’
‘I can come with you if you see him again,’ Mark said. ‘Check him out for bad vibes only other blokes can detect.’ He put his index fingers next to his temples, mimicking antennae.
Hayley laughed. ‘Well if he calls me, I’ll let you know. But don’t hold your breath.’