After a well-deserved lay-in on Sunday morning, Mollie put on a nice but not overly-formal dress and went to meet her parents for lunch at a nice family restaurant, one that they often went to for birthdays, anniversaries and other such occasions. Although it was the last time they would ever see each other, it was not a sad occasion, just a loving send-off that they all enjoyed. As usual, her parents were very keen to hear about the recent parties she had catered and wanted to know all about the party she had agreed to roast at as well as the people the party was for, information that Mollie was happy to share. Throughout the meal, Mollie could not help picking up on the slightly furtive looks her mother and father gave each other and, when her mum just ordered sparkling water with a dash of lime to drink rather than sharing the bottle of wine with her and her dad, she started to suspect that they might have some important news of their own to share but it was not until they were all half-way through their desserts that they raised the subject and her suspicions were confirmed.

“So,” her mum smiled a little nervously, setting down her spoon for a moment and taking a sip of her drink, “your Dad and I have something we want to tell you too.” Her husband reached across and took her hand, rubbing it lovingly with his thumb. Her other hand went to her belly. “We hope you’ll think this is good news,” she smiled, “we certainly do! We’re expecting again!”

“Oh wow!” Mollie exclaimed, feigning surprise and resisting the urge to blurt out “I knew it!” “That’s awesome news! When did you find out?”

“Just earlier this week.” her dad smiled. “I know it’s technically a bit early to be telling people but, well…” He smiled again in a slightly apologetic tone.

“My lips are sealed!” Mollie giggled, miming pulling a zip across her mouth to seal it shut. “But seriously, that’s awesome news! So happy for you guys!”

“There’s one more thing.” Her mum exchanged furtive glances with her dad. “We know you’re not going to be around to be bothered either way really but, well, it wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t ask you and we’d really like to get your blessing on this.” Mollie cocked her head curiously, wondering what the favour they wanted to ask could possibly be. “As I know I’ve told you before,” her mum continued, “I’ve always, ever since I was a little girl, planned on calling my first daughter Mollie.”

“After your Nana’s cat!” Mollie laughed. “Yeah, I remember!”

“Well,” her mum smiled nervously, “if this one turns out to be a girl too, we were wondering if, you know, since you won’t be needing it any more…”

“You want to know if you can call her Mollie too?” Mollie asked, not feeling at all aggrieved by the idea but rather a sense of warmth and happiness that her parents were getting this opportunity for a do-over of sorts! “Of course!” she beamed. “You have my total blessing! You okay in there, MJ?” She leaned across the table to address her mum’s pregnant belly. “Just make sure you’re a red-head, okay?”

“MJ?” her dad asked with amused curiosity.

“Mollie Junior!” his adult daughter grinned back.

Monday, Mollie’s day off, was spent cleaning up her flat and packing up as much as she could to make things easier for her parents, remembering to keep out the clothes and other bits and pieces she would need for the week. She had already informed the letting agent that she would no longer be needing the property after the end of the month and had given her parents a spare set of keys so that they could come in and empty it out for her. Technically, she knew, she could have just left everything for them to sort but that didn’t seem fair, especially now that she knew her mum was expecting. Once she had done as much packing and sorting as she cared to do, she went to drop some boxes off at a charity shop, then a movie followed by a walk in the park, along the bank of the river. Taking out her phone to order a pizza once she got home, Mollie saw a message from Nora, her boss, asking if she could possibly stay late on Tuesday for a hand-over meeting, promising that food would be provided and that the over-time would be added to her final pay, With no other plans for the next day and grateful for how supportive Nora, and the company in general had been, she happily replied that it would be no problem.


To be continued...