The Marriage Act(28)

‘It’s okay.’ Jeffrey smiled. ‘I’m sure Beccy’s not going to tell me anything I’ve not already learned.’

They smiled nervously as they made their way to queue at the counter.

Jeffrey waited until they were out of earshot before he spoke again. ‘I did want to say what an incredible thing you’re doing. They’re very lucky.’

‘Thank you,’ Beccy replied.

‘What was it about their profile that made you pick them?’

‘It was their photo to begin with, which sounds really shallow, doesn’t it?’

‘No, not at all,’ said Jeffrey. It was the same reason he had volunteered to work with them.

‘They looked really happy together,’ Beccy continued. ‘You could see it in their eyes that they were made for each another.’

‘So were you surprised when they told you they’d been put on Level Two?’

‘They didn’t say anything at first because they didn’t want to worry me, but I knew something was off. They were talking to each other differently . . . like they were choosing their words more carefully. I thought they’d had an argument.’

‘Do they argue much?’

‘Oh no, that’s not what I meant. It’s just their way, taking the piss out of each other. Then I thought perhaps they’d changed their minds about the surrogacy thing or about wanting to team up with me and didn’t know how to tell me.’

‘I assume it doesn’t worry you that you might be getting pregnant for a couple whose marriage is at risk?’

‘No,’ Beccy said confidently. ‘Once you get to know the guys like I know them, you’ll realize it’s a big misunderstanding.’

‘That’s good to hear. I don’t like to judge couples solely on what I’ve heard in recordings.’

‘Why, what did you hear . . . ?’

‘I’m sure they will make great dads. Luca seems particularly keen, doesn’t he? A little more than Noah perhaps?’

‘No, they’re both really up for it.’

‘I’m sure Noah will be on board more once they’re taken off Level Two. However, Beccy, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask if you’ve considered what might happen if they are placed on Level Three?’

‘But they won’t be,’ she said. ‘Noah promised that he’ll make you see that.’

He’ll make me, will he? thought Jeffrey. He remained quiet to unnerve her.

‘What . . . what will happen if they are Levelled up?’ she asked eventually.

‘A court may decide to divorce them and they’ll be encouraged to find more suitable partners.’

Beccy shifted in her chair, as if this was the first time she had given it serious consideration.

‘And what if I’m pregnant? I’ve been taking the fertility drugs and we’re supposed to do the first donor egg transfer in a month. Will you know by then if they’re safe?’

‘You might want to hold fire. I’m sorry. I wish I could offer you some reassurance but every couple is different. And to answer your question, under the terms of your surrogacy agreement, if a marriage is dissolved before a child is born to a surrogate who is not blood-related to the child, then the child, in theory, could be put up for adoption.’

‘But Luca would be the biological father. It would go to him.’

‘It’s up to the court’s discretion whether a child is better off with a single parent or a married couple. And please be assured there are many approved couples out there desperate to adopt a newborn.’

‘I couldn’t give the baby up to strangers!’

‘You could apply to keep it yourself, of course.’

‘Me? I don’t want another baby. I have two of my own; I don’t want one that isn’t related to me or my husband.’

‘Look, you’re probably right and this is all one huge misunderstanding. I’m just offering you the facts. It’s up to you how – or if – you want to proceed with the surrogacy process.’

A deflated Beccy sank into her seat as Noah and Luca returned with drinks and pastries. It was Noah who first noted her shift in mood.

‘Is everything okay?’ he asked.

‘It’s fine,’ said Beccy and offered a half-smile. But the way she barely nibbled her croissant left Jeffrey in no doubt that she had lost her appetite for more than just her pastry.

Slowly, he was dissembling everything they had built.





STORY: MP for Newcastle Stefan Galbraith resigned last night after it was revealed he had been cheating on his wife with three different women.

Galbraith, 37, who sits on the Government’s Ethics committee, made a brief statement apologizing and claiming he had made an error in judgement.

His affairs were exposed by members of Freedom for All, which has vowed to take to task all Government supporters of the Marriage Act for hypocrisy.





22


Corrine




Corrine’s heart raced so fast she thought it might rupture as the hand that grabbed her shoulder spun her around.

The light from her phone shone directly into a pair of distinctive bright-blue eyes, ‘David!’ she gasped. ‘Are you trying to send me to an early grave?’