Odd One Out

Dawn’s friends were all having grandchildren. When would she be so lucky?

WANTED to speak to Matthew, too.” Dawn’s husband, Pete, looked apologetic as he put down the phone.

“Sorry, love. He rang off before I could stop him.”

She sighed and leaned back in the sun lounger, letting the warmth of the summer morning melt over her.

“Well, as long as he’s OK.”

Pete didn’t reply. Dawn glanced at him. He was avoiding her gaze, adjusting his sunglasses and pulling a cap over his thinning hair.

“Pete, he’s all right, isn’t he?”

“Yes, love. He’s fine.”

Matthew was their younger child, although even he was nearly thirty. Sara, their elder child, was already thirty-three. Dawn often wondered where all the time had gone.

“What’s going on?” she asked, sitting up and fixing her husband with a piercing look. “I know something’s happened. Spill the beans.”

Pete rubbed his chin and grimaced.

“Don’t get upset, love, but Matt’s broken up with Rachel.”

Dawn frowned and slumped back in her chair. No wonder Matthew hadn’t wanted to speak to her.

She stared moodily around their garden. A multitude of roses were basking in the sunlight, the old fruit trees rustled gently, and Pebbles, their moggy, was curled up in the shade with her kittens.

All was peaceful and settled. Why couldn’t her children settle, too?

Of course, Sara was happily married, but she’d just got another promotion and seemed no more likely to start a family now than when she’d married eight years before. As for Matthew, he’d been through one girlfriend after another.

Dawn sighed. Rachel had seemed such a nice girl and they’d been together for three years. She’d had such high hopes.

Pete grinned and took her hand.