The Cactus

by Sarah Haywood

When my father sidled up to her desk one day and asked whether she would like to go for afternoon tea with him, she felt like a character in one of the silly romantic novels she continued to devour until the end of her life.

He did more than that. Much more.

What it boils down to is knowing that women are equal to men, and living that knowledge. It’s about ensuring that that equality is recognized in the home, in the workplace, in public life. And it’s about acknowledging that we all—women and men—are strong sometimes, weak sometimes, coolheaded sometimes, emotional sometimes, right sometimes, wrong sometimes. Locking away your feelings and vulnerabilities has got nothing at all to do with it. That’s something else entirely.”

wrong sometimes. Locking away your feelings and vulnerabilities has got nothing at all to do with it. That’s something else entirely.”

Feminist

Unexpectedly, he moved toward me with his arms open, and I allowed him to hold me in the sort of awkward festive embrace that is hard to avoid at this time of year. I can’t pretend it was comfortable. My bump was, of course, an obstacle.

Romance?

Rob absentmindedly held my hand as we walked away from Liz and Lizzie’s house. There was no need; I’m neither a child nor an invalid. It was a frosty night, though, and I had no gloves, so I didn’t protest.

Smidge of romance

“Only you,” he said. I have no idea what he meant.

What does that mean!?!?

Strange, I know, but I found I was becoming accustomed to his company.

Strange, indeed

I suppose I should come clean. I’ve actually started to enjoy talking to Rob, looking forward to it, even. On the nights he hasn’t rung, it’s felt as if something was missing. Peculiar, I know.

Unknown romance!!

“By the way,” she added, as I was about to leave, “I never asked. What’re you having?” I hesitated. Why not? “A daughter,” I said. “I’m going to have a daughter.”

* excited hand gestures *

My aunt was my mother and my mother was my aunt; my father wasn’t related to me at all.

What the beans!? Never expected this!

And waking the next morning, finding his warm body molded to the back of my own, and his arm draped across my bump, it was—well, it wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

How sweet

“Just yes.”

I close my eyes. Then I hear a high-pitched squeak, and another.

They had me in the first half