Page 113 of In at the Deep End

“Good. I’ll see you soon.”

The line went dead, and Matt lowered the phone. A moment later, it rang again, his mum’s name flashing across the screen.

Matt answered before the second ring had finished. “Mum? Is everything okay?”

She sounded a little breathless. “Beth’s fine. They moved things along because of the bleeding. She lost quite a bit of blood, but she’s doing well. They’re keeping both of them in for a few days.”

Matt let out a long whoosh of air. “And the baby?”

“Six pounds two ounces. And absolutely perfect.”

He smiled. “Boy or girl?”

“A little girl.”

He closed his eyes. I have a niece.

“Zach’s staying with Beth for the rest of today.”

Matt nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. “Do they have a name yet?”

“They’ve called her Rosie.” He could hear the smile in her voice.

“After Beth’s mum.”

“Yeah. And her middle name is Barbara.”

He could hear the emotion in Mum’s voice now.

“So today, we said goodbye to one member of the family, and welcomed another,” he murmured.

Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

“I’m coming home.”

“We’ll see you then.” He ended the call.

Life had taken a moment to remind everyone it never stopped moving.

He gazed into the lounge where Owen was now sitting on the floor beside Jamie, helping him build an elaborate wooden railway that occupied most of the rug.

He hasn’t once asked whether he should go home.

He’d simply stayed.

I haven’t even thanked him.

He went back into the lounge and Owen glanced up. “Everything all right?”

Matt nodded. “I’ve got a niece.” He joined Owen on the floor.

Owen’s whole face lit up. “Congratulations.”

“Her name’s Rosie.”

He smiled. “That’s a beautiful name.”

Matt stared at him for a long moment. “You know, I don’t think I could’ve got through today without you.”