Best Laid Plans Read Online Free Page B

it’s time.’
    She knew she had to be patient. People started their families later these days. Mike was only thirty-four and more importantly Monique was not yet thirty so there were no worries yet about biological clock-ticking. It was such a relief that she and Monique got on so well and they often popped into each other’s homes for a coffee and a chat. In fact although she did not care to admit it, she got on much better with her daughter-in-law than her own daughter.
    ‘It’s their decision whether or not they have a baby, not ours. You wouldn’t have liked it if my mum had put pressure on us, would you?’
    She had been pregnant straight off, the month following their wedding, so that argument did not carry any weight but she saw from Frank’s tone that the subject was closed. He was right. It was none of her business and she had to stay out of it.
    She moved the stool out of the way.
    ‘All ready,’ she said. ‘Do you want to do the honours?’
    They had had the fairy lights for years, lights that were bundled unceremoniously into the box and stuffed back inthe attic year after year.
    ‘Are we taking bets on whether they work or not this year? It’ll be a miracle if they do.’ He was poised over the switch, smiling.
    ‘Just get on with it,’ she urged, crossing her fingers as he started the daft countdown in a faux American accent as if he was in the control room at Cape Canaveral, after which the tree lights flickered immediately into life. They shared a smile at that and a warm feeling ignited in her, too. Like any other couple, they had their ups and downs but it wasn’t all bad.
    ‘Thank God for that. I told you we didn’t need to buy new ones. It’s a complete waste of money. Those will last us for years yet.’
    ‘You tight so and so,’ she said, laughing, though, as she said it. It was a relief to laugh because now, with the tree up, the fickle lights on, the cards despatched, the presents bought, she could concentrate on the final preparations for her guests.
    ‘Sit down for a minute,’ Frank said, showing uncharacteristic concern suddenly. ‘You look like death.’
    ‘Thanks for that,’ she said tartly. ‘That’s just what a girl needs to hear.’
    ‘You haven’t stopped today. Does it always have to be such a panic?’
    ‘I’m not panicking,’ she told him. ‘Everything’s under control. I’ve just got a few last minute groceries to get on Monday and everything else is being delivered. It’s all in hand.’
    ‘There’ll be far too much as usual. We’ll be living on leftovers for a fortnight afterwards.’
    ‘That’s Christmas for you,’ she said, determined to be cheerful. ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way although you’ll have to watch what you eat this year. You’ve got to look after your blood pressure.’
    ‘I’ll have what I want and to hell with it. Pegging outafter a good dinner can’t be such a bad way to go.’
    ‘Don’t joke.’
    ‘Who says I’m joking?’ He was sitting in the chair opposite, tapping agitated fingers on the arm. He had changed since the scare and not for the better; the terseness that had always been there under the surface suddenly much worse. It was understandable because he was stressed; worried because the illness had taken him by surprise although it shouldn’t have, not with his family history. She was reminded of her mother’s gloomy forecast when she had first introduced him into her family.
    ‘Does he have moods?’ her mother had asked, yet another nail in the coffin so far as she was concerned. ‘You really have to watch a man with moods, darling. They can be tiresome.’
    In love, in that blissful state, she was in no mood for any criticism of her man and in that age-old tradition her parents’ opposition made her all the more resolved to marry him. Now she had to admit that her mother had been right and Frank’s down moods were beginning to affect her too.
    ‘It’ll be a nice family Christmas,’ he said,