Baby It's Cold Outside Read Free

everyone’s here.’
    â€˜Shit,’ Tansy said again. ‘Oh shit. I knew it was soon but… this Saturday?’
    Mum sprang into action.
    â€˜Take your coat off,’ she said. ‘Sit down – you must be exhausted. Can I get you a drink?’
    Tansy shrugged her gorgeous coat off and ran her fingers through her hair, which was damp from the snow. She smiled at Mum, but I got the impression she was actually close to bursting into tears.
    â€˜I could really use a glass of wine,’ she said. ‘If there’s one going?’
    â€˜Of course,’ Mum said. She turned away slightly and I watched as a glass of wine appeared in her hand. She handed it to Tansy, who took it without questioning how quickly it had arrived.
    She took a gulp, then another.
    Mum, Jamie and I were still standing up. Everyone else – Suky, Harry, Louise and Douglas, were all sitting down and we were all staring at Tansy in expectation. She realised we were all waiting for her to explain her presence and gave Jamie a weak smile.
    â€˜Jamie,’ she said. ‘I am so sorry to just arrive like this.’ She rubbed her eyes and I realised how exhausted she looked. In spite of who she was, I felt sorry for her.
    â€˜We’ve been to Edinburgh,’ Tansy went on, giving a little laugh that suggested she didn’t think it was funny. ‘I went to your house and your neighbour was so nice. She gave us a drink and she said you’d come up here. She gave me the address.’
    â€˜Mrs Wilkie,’ I muttered. She was nice as neighbours went, but now I cursed her hospitality.
    â€˜We got the train, and then a cab,’ Tansy explained. ‘But I didn’t realise how long it would take. Scotland’s bigger than I thought.’
    I looked at Jamie, but he wasn’t listening to Tansy. Actually, he barely looked at her. Instead he stared at the little boy, who was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep, his dark curls spread out on the cushion.
    â€˜The little boy,’ he said, in an odd voice. ‘Your little boy. How old is he?’
    I took his hand, knowing where he was going.
    Tansy looked at Jamie.
    â€˜He’s five,’ she said. She closed her eyes as if she was bracing herself for what Jamie would say next.
    â€˜And is he,’ Jamie started. His voice trembled. ‘Is he…’
    Tansy nodded.
    â€˜He’s your son,’ she whispered. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.’
    Jamie sat down, quickly, on a footstool. He was so pale, I was worried he was going to pass out.
    â€˜We’re going up to bed,’ Harry said. I looked at her in surprise – I’d almost forgotten she was there. Louise gave Jamie’s arm a squeeze as she went by and shot me a sympathetic smile.
    â€˜I’m going to put the kettle on,’ Mum said. She went out of the room, followed by Suky and Douglas.
    I felt sick. Jamie hadn’t said a word. Tansy was staring at him, holding her wine glass but not drinking.
    â€˜Just so we’re all sure,’ I said, my voice a bit louder than it needed to be. ‘Just so we all know exactly what’s going on here. You have turned up at my mum’s house, one week before my wedding, to tell my fiancé that he has a son? Is that it? Are there any more secrets you want to reveal, or are you going to wait until the reception?’
    Tansy put her wine glass down and stood up. She was wearing a grey jumper dress and boots and she was taller than me. She took a step towards Jamie, then stopped.
    â€˜Jamie,’ she said. ‘Honey.’
    I flinched at the endearment.
    â€˜Jamie,’ she said again. ‘I know this is difficult. If you can just let me explain.’
    He looked her straight in the eye.
    â€˜Oh you’re going to explain,’ he said. I’d never heard him quite so angry. Well, maybe once, but I didn’t like thinking about that time. ‘Talk.’
    Tansy sat down