‘I didn’t mean that.’ He took a sip of champagne and she watched his lips touch the rim of the glass. ‘When are you going back to England?’
‘I thought I’d try and stay out here for a while longer.’
‘I thought your visa was for a year.’
‘I can fly out and come back again.’
He looked at her eyes, dark and creamy. ‘Like fly to New York.’ ‘If the offer’s open.’
Suddenly he looked awkward.‘You know I can’t make any promises about what happens next, but if you do go back to London, it’s just a seven-hour flight to JFK.’
‘Round the corner, then.’
‘It’s better than Australia.’
She turn to face him and looked directly in his eyes.
‘I think I’m pregnant,’ she said, unable to keep it inside her any longer.
The words seemed to hang in the air between them.
‘Are you sure?’ he said, his voice calm and measured. Grace felt a pang of disappointment and pushed it aside. What had she expected? ‘Oh darling, that’s wonderful!’?
‘I did a test,’ she said quietly.
He puffed out his cheeks. ‘Fuck.’
Grace gave a little bitter laugh.‘It’s not exactly what I had planned either, Gabe.’
He glanced back and touched her leg. ‘Sorry, sorry, I’m not thinking straight, I didn’t mean how it sounded. It’s just it’s all a bit of a shock.’
‘For me too, Gabe. I wasn’t even sure I should tell you, what with you going back to New York, even if you are staying in Port Douglas a bit longer.’
‘Have you made a doctor’s appointment?’
Grace shook her head. ‘I only did the pregnancy test before I came out.’
‘So it’s not definite?’
‘I suppose not.’
He glanced down at her stomach, as if he expected her to have a bump there already. ‘I’m surprised you came to the party,’ he said.
‘Caro forced me. Besides, I couldn’t miss out on seeing David Robb’s teeth close up, could I?’
He gave a little laugh, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
‘You’re right, I should go,’ replied Grace.
He took her elbow. ‘Don’t be stupid. I’m coming with you. We can go to the doctor together in the morning.’
‘But it’s your wrap party.’
‘I’ve been to enough parties,’ he said, taking her hand and leading her out of the house.
When Grace woke, sunlight was streaming through the louvred windows and Gabe’s side of the bed was empty. Panicking, she turned over, her fingers finding a note on the pillow.
‘Breakfast with the producer. Can we go to the doctor’s this afternoon? Gabriel. PS Caro’s left for the boat already. She says she’ll make your excuses.’