Page 102 of Wife After Wife

“Well, they say bad things come in threes. Fire away.”

“They aren’t bad things, darling, I just worry about you. I met HelenWorthington in town last week, and she told me Percy North’s getting married. I wasn’t sure if you knew?”

Ana had hardly thought of Percy recently. “That’s nice, Mum. I’m pleased for him.”

“No regrets? I was fond of Percy.”

“Lucky escape!” said Ana’s father, appearing with Harry in the kitchen doorway. Their cheeks were ruddy after their walk back from the Henry VIII.

“I concur,” said Harry. “North was not worthy of such a prize.” He kissed Ana, and she wafted the air, saying, “Pooh, beer.”

“Obsequious chap, always insisted on calling me Sir Tom.”

“That’s because you scared him, Dad.”

“The best man won, eh, Harry?” said Tom, clapping him on the shoulder.

“All’s fair in love and war.” Harry winked at Ana.

The men went to hang up their coats.

“What did Harry mean by that?”

Ana wasn’t going to tell her mother the truth. She hardly wanted to acknowledge it herself. “Just the usual dick-waving stuff, Mum.”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” And then she let out a loud snort. “Oh, gosh, that’s funny. I’ve never heard that expression before. But seriously, darling, as soon as you hold your own child in your arms, you’ll understand why I worry about you. It doesn’t stop when they leave home. I’m sure Harry loves you very much, but just be careful. And if youcansee your way to getting in touch with Merry, well, you’d make your mum very happy.”

Ana dropped the final sprout into the saucepan and wrapped her mother in a hug. “I’ll try, Mum, I promise.”

Harry

September 1997

The intriguing thing about babies, Harry thought, as he returned his day-old daughter’s intense gaze, was that at the very start of their lives, there was something ancient about them. He’d felt it before, with Maria. For that first day or two, it was like meeting an old soul in a brand-new body. A knowingness in their eyes, like they’d lived before, like they knew you. And then it was gone.

He remembered Katie saying it was because their eyes couldn’t focus properly, they were making a huge effort to see and understand the blurry image filling their vision. That was why it was like having your soul searched. She was probably right. But when Harry stroked Elizabeth’s cheek and said, “Hello there,” it felt uncannily like he was greeting a long-lost loved one.

Ana smiled at them from her hospital bed. “A boy next time, maybe.”

“Don’t be daft, I couldn’t be happier.”

“She looks so much like you.”

“You mean she’s ginger.”

“Golden-haired. I thought maybe we should shorten her name to Eliza, otherwise it’s going to be confusing, with my mum.”

“Eliza. I like it. Happy with that?” he said to the little bundle.

She continued to gaze at him, a slight frown on her tiny face.

“She says it’s fine by her.”

“Katie sent flowers,” Ana said. “And... so did Merry.”

“Merry? Does this mean the olive branch has been accepted?”

“I’m hoping so. I don’t think she’s ready to see you yet, but she’s invited Elizabeth—Eliza—and me up to stay.”