Page 147 of The Surrender

I stop, forcing Jude to a stop too, his face a map of worried lines. “A bit of pee just came out.” I drop his hand and hurry back through the bedroom to the bathroom, groaning when I lower to the seat, just that change of position moving me from not needing a wee at all to being desperate.

“Want one of these?” Jude waves a nappy from the doorway on a grin.

“Stop it,” I grumble.

“Want some clean knickers?”

“Please.”

He disappears and returns moments later with a pair, holding them at his nose. “Smell clean.”

“Sicko,” I tease, taking them and shimmying them on as Jude holds my elbow. “Okay, I’m ready. Don’t make me laugh.”

He chuckles, leading me back out.

This time, we make it down to the Library Bar without any accidents, although when my mother hugs me, I fear the force of it might squeeze some more pee out.

“Look at you,” she gushes, holding tight.

Jude makes his way around everyone saying his hellos, finishing with Grandma. She’s the biggest Jude fan of all. I smile over Mum’s shoulder as she practically yanks him down to the chair next to her and sniffs him.

“Grandma,” I yell. She does that every time—sniffs him before she glowers at me. She knew about Jude before she even knew about him.

“How are you feeling?” Mum asks, breaking away and handing me over to Dad.

“Heavy,” I quip. “Hey, Dad.”

“I’ve been thinking,” he says as he hugs me around my giant stomach.

“Oh God.”

“About names.”

I peek at Clark and Rachel, who both give me looks to suggest they’ve had this already. “What about names?”

“You need something strong. Give the kid the best chance.”

“Okay, Dad.” I won’t ask him for suggestions.

Jude comes to save me, bringing his brothers too, making all the introductions, since it’s the first time my family and friends have had the pleasure of the other Harrison boys.

“Well,” Charley says, joining me. “More mercy needed.” She sticks her tongue in her cheek as she takes in Jude’s brothers. “Was there something magical in the air whenever their mum and dad screwed?”

I choke on nothing, laughing. And another bit of pee escapes. “Fuck,” I hiss.

“Pissed yourself?” Charley asks. “Get used to it. After two, you’ll never want to laugh, cough, or sneeze ever again.”

I indicate to Jude that I’m popping upstairs again, and he shakes his head, mouthing, “Again?”

I pout and leave, hurrying back up to our apartment, or going as fast as I can. I change, pop a spare pair of knickers in my purse, and go back down. Abbie’s coming through the doors as I reach the bottom of the stairs, looking a bit flustered. “Hey,” I say. “What’s up?”

She looks to the ceiling. “Hightower is running late. Something about a work emergency.”

“Oh, well, that’s okay. At least you’re here.” I link arms with her and start walking us to the Library Bar. “Everything going okay with him?” They’ve been dating for record time.

Abbie smiles, but it’s tight, telling me there’s something. “Want to have lunch next week?” she asks.

Oh dear. Maybe not so well. “Sure, if I’m still here. Everything okay?”