Baby Be Mine

right to know!’
    ‘Did you tell her about Barney?’ My eyes open wide as I look at my parents.
    ‘No, no, no,’ Mum hastily replies.
    ‘What about Barney?’ Susan chips in, her eyes darting between Mum and me.
    ‘Nothing,’ we both say simultaneously.
    ‘I only told her that Johnny was coming for a visit,’ Mum quickly explains. ‘That the two of you were still friends.’
    ‘Why would you do that?’ I cry.
    ‘Why shouldn’t she? She’s my mother!’ Susan erupts.
    ‘Because you and Tony would probably turn up on the doorstep unannounced and uninvited! And . . . surprise! Here you are!’
    ‘I don’t see what the fuss is all about,’ she replies, now slightly guiltily. Tony helps himself to another glass of red wine and takes a massive gulp. He’s good at getting through booze when he hasn’t paid for it.
    ‘Well, you’re not going to meet him, if that’s what you’ve planned,’ I say furiously. ‘There’s no way in hell I’m bringing him back here now.’
    Susan slams her hand on the table, making everyone jump. ‘You are such a bitch!’
    I glare at everyone and storm inside to my bedroom, desperately wanting to slam the door, but not enough to warrant waking my son.
    I can’t believe this! Why? Why did my mum tell them about Johnny? Of course they were going to be here in a shot! I still remember how pissed off Susan was with me for not getting Tony a signed copy of Johnny’s album – she didn’t care one iota that I’d lost my job and that I was miserable.
    What on earth is Johnny going to think?

 
  Chapter 21  
    I take Barney with me the following day to collect Johnny. I’m quite certain that, knowing my luck, Miss Bitchy on reception won’t be working today, so I’m surprised when we go inside to see her sitting there. She glances up and sees me, then goes back to clicking away at her computer. I walk up to the desk. She ignores me.
    It suddenly occurs to me that she’s playing a computer game. Quick as a flash I lean over the desk and peer at her screen. She is! She’s playing Solitaire!
    ‘Aha!’ I say triumphantly as she quickly closes the window. ‘I knew it!’
    ‘Can I help you?’ She tries to put on a front, but I’ve totally caught her off guard.
    ‘Here to see Johnny,’ I reply, grinning like a crazy lady. I’m so delighted to have caught her out that it’s put me at ease.
    ‘Johnny?’
    She’s playing dumb again.
    ‘Look,’ I say, putting Barney down on the floor. ‘Are you going to call him, or am I?’
    ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ There’s no conviction to her behaviour this time, though. She’s starting to doubt herself.
    I pull out my phone and dial Johnny’s number. A couple of rings in, my heart starts beating faster with adrenalin – it would totally take the wind out of my sails if he didn’t answer. The receptionist raises one catty eyebrow, then, praise the Lord . . .
    ‘Nutmeg,’ he says.
    ‘Get your butt down here,’ I reply.
    Miss Bitchy’s mouth falls open.
    ‘Are you here already?’ Johnny asks me.
    ‘Yep. In reception.’
    ‘Why didn’t reception call me, then?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ I say, turning to look at the girl. I peer closely at her nametag. The print is tiny – what use is that? ‘Jeannette asked me to call you myself.’
    ‘I didn’t!’ she squawks. ‘I didn’t ask you to call!’
    ‘Shh.’ I put my hand up to silence her.
    ‘Want to come up?’ Johnny says. ‘I’m in the penthouse suite.’
    ‘Penthouse suite,’ I repeat out loud, flashing Jeannette a sarcastic smile.
    ‘I’m not dressed yet,’ Johnny drawls.
    ‘We’ll be there in a sec,’ I say brightly. ‘But put your pants on first, Johnny, I don’t want to see you naked.’
    I snap my phone shut, cutting off the sound of him chuckling.
    ‘Been there, done that.’ I raise one eyebrow at Jeannette, then almost clap my hand over my mouth when I realise what I’ve just said.
    ‘Come on, Barney.’ I try to keep my cool.
    Jeannette leaps to her feet. ‘I’ll take you.’
    ‘No, no, no,’ I say sweetly. ‘You’ve already been so helpful, and you’re clearly very busy.’ I give her computer a pointed look and then spin around on my heels and lead Barney to the lift.
    Johnny opens the door to us. He’s wearing jeans, but no shirt.
    ‘I thought I told you to get dressed.’
    ‘You told me to put my pants on.’
    ‘Hmm.’
    ‘Which I did,’ he adds with a grin. ‘Hello, Barney!’ he