Free The No-Kids Club by Talli Roland Page A

the longing that gripped her insides making it hard to breathe. Oh, God, how she wanted that—a child whose grin resembled her husband’s, whose laugh echoed her own. Desire mixed with determination as she thought of the literature littering her bedside table.
    If Alistair was thinking of adoption because he was worried about her, than he needn’t: she was strong enough to handle any disappointment on the road to pregnancy. Hurt and frustration wouldn’t get the better of her, like it had before. They didn’t need to consider other options, because someday soon, she’d carry their child inside her. She could feel it in her bones: this time, it would work.
    But how could she convince her husband? He always laughed at her ‘bones’, asking if she could predict the weather the next day or when the Chinese takeaway would arrive. Poppy gnawed her bottom lip as her mind turned over. Perhaps she couldn’t persuade him to buy into her prediction, but she could show him she was calm, in control, and able to tackle the emotional process once more.
    In fact, Poppy decided as she strode home, she’d prove how ready she was to move ahead by booking an appointment next week for another IVF consultation. Alistair had always overseen all the logistical details, even giving her the hormone injections when she felt squeamish. No wonder he was getting tired of the process.
    This time, she’d take on everything herself.

    ‘Thanks for coming with me to Mum’s,’ Anna said to her husband as she navigated the early Sunday-afternoon traffic on the way home. ‘Sorry lunch didn’t work—I’d no idea she’d already made plans.’ Imagine, her own mother not wanting to go out for Mother’s Day lunch!
    Anna sighed, slowing at a red light. Ever since the divorce, Mum had built up a huge circle of friends, all single women who were determined to stay that way. Every holiday, they went out to lunch as a group, providing support to those who didn’t have families . The irony was that even though Mum did have a family, she preferred to spend time with her friends. Anna and Michael had only managed to nab an hour before her mother headed off.
    Not that Michael minded leaving early. Anna had barely dragged him off the sofa in the first place, and while he and her mother weren’t on bad terms, tension floated in the air whenever they met. More than once, Mum had commented how Anna should look for a full-time job or get out of the house, subtly implying her daughter shouldn’t dote on her husband so much. Anna gritted her teeth. As if Mum was one to give relationship advice! What she and Michael really needed was more time together, not less. If only she could think of something he couldn’t turn down.
    ‘That’s all right.’ Michael glanced over and smiled. ‘But I’m starving! Do you think you could knock up that delicious beef stew for lunch?’
    Anna shoved away the hope of heading out to eat, biting back the response that Boeuf Bourguignon, or ‘that beef stew’, had to simmer for ages and wasn’t something she could throw together. ‘Sorry, no, but I might be able to do some spag bol.’ That was as much as she felt like cooking right now.
    Anna pressed down on the pedal as the light changed, wishing she could swing the wheel, turn away from home, and drive . She didn’t even care where they ended up! Just somewhere different; somewhere miles from everyday life.
    As if on cue, a huge billboard reared up in front of her. “ Discover Venice”, the lettering said over a photo of a gondola floating down a canal. Anna swallowed hard, the image filling her eyes. Venice! This had to be a sign. One of the most romantic places on earth, it was sure to give their relationship a jumpstart. Not to mention she’d been wanting to go since forever. And she could even make the trip a surprise! If everything was organised already, Michael wouldn’t say no.
    Hope and excitement jetted through her. This was exactly what they needed to get