Behind Suzanne, he could see Chris with the twins standing one either side of Lucinda, supporting her unsteady steps, as she walked towards him. He had been right about the cry, as he could see that wrapped in a towel was a new-born baby. Their child.

'I did it by myself!' Lucinda was smiling, that look of all good mothers. 'Chris and the twins helped and madam here, of course. You were wrong Chris, I didn't need any doctor!' She offered the baby towards the father. 'Here! Hold your daughter!'

'I'd better not!' He indicated his arm. 'That bastard, Russ broke my arm. I think we had all better get to the hospital.' Tears were now flowing down his cheeks. 'This is going to be a very strange birthday! For both of us!'

'But there's one thing we must do first. Sin hold the baby!' Gingerly, the left-handed twin took charge, whilst Lucinda grabbed Chris and walked as fast as she could towards the ring. 'Have you got the contract?'

'Yes! You told me to have one with me at all times!'

All of them then looked on in astonishment as Lucinda threw a bucket of water over Russ and as he came to, she ever-so politely persuaded him to sign.

Copyright 1999 by Ewart Higgins