My life, my baby

ears

O skeptical abo

'though admittedly I'd love to be proven wro

curly black hair was wrapped in a towel. As she pulled clothes out of her wardrobe she chatt

couple of times a week, whether at the hospital canteen, a coffee shop

he following morning. Kylie had got off early from her shift at the hospital to pack and Alora had popped around to finalise a few deta

the last minute thanks to Kylie's position as an accident and emergency consultant and Alora

lar in many ways and v

oken up?' Alora checked that Kylie's

ne for a month

ven going to t

r moving to Yorkshire

hat's what

thought for a second and remembered that Miguel was taking French less

family there would have to be a good reason, but if Miguel really wanted to,

s to be the one to compromise,' Ky

on't

yed the dating gam

uel and I only ma

our age, Alora. Men might say that they don't mind independent working women and, o

point. 'Look at Miguel- I work, he gave up teaching and sta

'Well you and Miguel are a very rare

I'm really luck

d other things to do on her mind when she s

ra said. referring to Kylie's

'm hoping to squeeze in a little once the conference closes. There's a m

eige walls, carpet and curtains and wi

went to Kylie's wardrobe an

hese in

walk

to her friend's luggage. 'Talk about shades of grey -that'

t going on a holiday. I shan't even see the beach,' Kylie pointed out. 'I w

February

now y

ten years sin

and took out his photo. Kylie kept it in there,' it was close enough that she could look at it any time and removed enough not to

found it t

Kylie admitted. It was what had really caused the end of her relati

r, Kylie,' Alora s

ask. it's one

so sensitive to people's reaction when they s

a said, and her words confirmed to Kylie that she was very

e

ly eyes and felt his little fingers curve around their

was the ha

ary and she'd be a

's birth and also

with me?' Kylie asked, and

eed this photo to rem

ilty living him

e, then,' Alora said. '

er most precious possession, and because she was going to start crying Kylie change

No

in her bag. 'I knew that I should have ju

broderie anglaise halter-neck with a flowing skirt was a b

his wa

inen pants and a coloured t

ie enough f

ou get there that worries me. With those cloth

intention,' Kylie said

light's not

ed in to get my hair b

s they were twice a week. Kylie always washed it he

aved

ie did a few last minute things. 'You ar

't get away. Hamish isn't back till tomorrow and Mike is covering for me this

going to take

and I'm going to celebrate by decorating my bedroom. I can't wait to turn i

n amazing job w

drive to work at night, which meant, if Kylie was on call, that she had to stay at the hospital. Yes, perhaps she could have

second love-Knocking down walls, plastering and painting. The house had

a warmth to the house. A false wall in the lounge had been removed to reveal a fireplace and the once -

once you've decor

down the sink. ' Initially that was the plan, but now

Bu

oing it up bit by bit.

you've still got the

her head. 'I'll get s

locked up and Alora looked

nd two neglected flower beds, and the back garden, Alora knew, was a small str

smiled. 'I hav

goodbye on

ch of a chance to gossip at the christening. 'I'll come over to yours after the conference.

ime. 'ooh, I might make it home in time to give them their bath before

u might find yourself some sexy Sp

ence?' Kylie laughed. ' I don't t

s waiter, with co

h, pl

anage a love life, then write down a few fl

want to consider attending,' Kylie in a dry voice. 'Sexual health. You,

t kylie. She wanted to pick up an imaginary sledgehammer of her own and kn

brilliant about a on

ead. She really didn't have time to s

lives and whether he leaves the toilet seat up or is going to support you in your career and all that stuff, because you're not l

Miguel know

grinned. 'Miguel still thinks he w