Free THE DREAM CHILD by Emma Daniels Page A

still loved her.
    For some reason Sophie felt the need to justify herself, so she added; “He left me because we couldn’t have any children. I for one would have kept on trying, but he’d had enough, so he gave me my marching orders.”
    Adding that had the desired effect of turning the frown into sympathy.
    “Oh, I can understand that very well. James and I tried for years and lost seven before we were finally able to have Victor. For the entire pregnancy I was terrified of the same thing happening. The doctor sewed him in and put me to bed, because I kept delivering too early.”
    “I had a few miscarriages too, but probably for different reasons. You’re lucky you got there in the end, but I think my time has just about run out,” Sophie admitted.
    “Why, you’re not that old, are you?” Janice asked.
    “Almost thirty-six.”
    “You look no more than thirty,” Janice complimented.
    “Thanks,” Sophie murmured. She felt more like forty at the moment.
    “All the movie stars are having babies well into their forties. Plenty of time, my dear,” Janice went on.
    Sophie shook her head. “My ex and I went through IVF and the doctors there told us that the chance of a successful pregnancy after forty was next to none, and even after thirty-six they decrease sharply.”
    “Is that true? Well, I’m glad we all started young in my day then,” Janice remarked.
    “You really wanted a baby, didn’t you?” Vera said sympathetically.
    “I think most women do.”
    “Oh there’s plenty who don’t, from what I’ve heard,” Janice said.
    “I think a lot of the time its circumstances that lead a woman in that direction, and then they’ll just say they were never interested to make it easier to bear,” Sophie said. She hadn’t reached that stage yet, wondering why she was discussing these issues with virtual strangers now.
    But then she remembered some of the deep and meaningful conversations she’d had with her bead buddies, as they sat working on their various projects. Somehow craft brought out people’s problems, and sometimes it even helped to ease the pain, as they tried to help one another out.
    “Hmm, you’ve brought up some really interesting issues,” Janice remarked. “Not just beading class, but also psychology class.”
    “Ah, that’s the door bell. It’s probably my son back to take you home,” Vera said. “Which means I’d better hurry up and finish this necklace.”
    Sure enough, Vic entered the room a few minutes later. He was still wearing his leather jacket and looked windblown and ruddy-cheeked.
    “Still not finished,” he remarked on seeing Sophie and Vera with their heads bowed over their work.
    ‘No, too much time spent chatting. Would you like a cup of tea? You look like you’ve been out in the cold for too long,” Janice suggested.
    “Thanks. That would be nice,” he replied, sitting down at the end of the table covered in boxes of beads and other assorted goodies.
    ‘I’ll get it just as soon as I have this…oh damn,” Vera muttered as a jump ring flipped across the table.
    “No, you just stay there and finish your necklace. I know where everything is,’ Janice said, getting up to leave the room.
    Victor picked the tiny ring up and handed it to Sophie. His hands did feel rather chilly as his fingers brushed against hers.
    “Where did you go?” she asked, as she handed the ring back to Vera.
    “Just a bit of a hike through the national park.”
    “For him a bit of a hike is a three hour trek. He tried to take me on one once, Never again,” Vera muttered.
    Vic merely laughed. “Do you like bush-walking Sophie?”
    “I’ve done a bit, years ago. I have to admit I’m probably not fit enough for three hour treks… That’s it. You’ve done it. Your necklace is finished.”
    Vera held it up against the light.
    “It’s beautiful, Mum,” Vic said.
    “Yes, it is,” Sophie agreed.
    Vera studied it for a moment longer and then said; “Yes I’m very happy