“It proves nothing,” Gina declared.

“What do you mean? He had a bag of baby goods from a small, pricey boutique,” Fenny scorned.

“So maybe he knows someone who’s had or is having a baby,” Gina shrugged.

“Well he’s never mentioned anything to me,” Fenny huffed, getting to her feet.

“Where are you going?” Gina sighed.

“To investigate further,” Fenny announced, grabbing her bag.

“You’re insane,” Gina breathed as she grabbed her bag and hurried to catch up with Fenny.

They crossed the road and entered the small boutique. Fenny grabbed Gina’s arm and dragged her behind a rack of romper suits.

“Go and ask the woman what he bought,” she whispered.

“You do it. You’re the one that’s paranoid,” Gina cussed, “and you’re an improviser.”

“Please,” Fenny begged.

Gina let out a heavy sigh as she looked at the pathetic look on Fenny’s face. “Oh, ok.” She dodged the various prams, piles of diapers and toys to get to the counter. The middle-aged woman behind it was folding bibs and gave Gina a broad smile.

“Can I help you?” asked the woman.

“I think so,” Gina smiled politely. “There was a man that was just in here, his wife’s just had a baby and we don’t want to buy the same thing he already has. You couldn’t tell us what he bought could you?”

The woman fiddled with her wedding ring a moment. “I shouldn’t really, but because it’s a special occasion…” she perked and grabbed a book from under the counter.

Fenny waited nervously, pretending to be interested in the store’s contents.

“Have you got a little one?” a voice piped up.

Fenny turned to see a woman about her age, with long blonde hair and sporting a casual top and jeans, with a baby on her hip. “No, I don’t,” she replied.

“You’re lucky, this one was a mistake,” the woman perked as the baby took her finger.

“What’s her name?” Fenny asked, noting that the pink-clad child was obviously a girl, or a very pretty boy.

“Lilly,” the woman said proudly as her phone began to ring. “Could you?” she asked, holding Lilly out to Fenny.

“Ah sure,” Fenny said uncomfortably, taking the baby as the woman answered her phone. Lilly gave her a broad smile and giggled at her glasses. “You’re kinda cute,” she mused.

Then Fenny noticed something. She sniffed several times and felt a chill run down her spine. That smell that had been mixed in with Brad’s aftershave – it was baby powder.

Gina returned to see Fenny uncomfortably holding the child. “Never go undercover as a mother,” she mused. “Give her to me.”

Fenny looked at Gina oddly. If Fenny couldn’t fake being a mother, how would Gina go?

“Well, did you find out?” Fenny asked as she handed Lilly to Gina.

“Of course I did,” Gina said, smiling at Lilly and making her giggle.

“Well?” Fenny asked, sounding more impatient than she had intended.

“Aren’t you an adorable thing,” Gina cooed, lifting Lilly above her head, Lilly laughed out loud.

“Gina,” Fenny hissed.

“Sorry,” Gina chirped and let Lilly rest in her arms. “He bought a toy monkey, a couple of rompers, and a bunny rug.”

Fenny stood wringing her hands. “I knew it, I knew it was his baby.”

“The rompers were pink, as was the bunny rug. He is not the father of Ritza’s baby. How many times do I have to tell you?” Gina scorned.

“His clothes smell of baby powder,” Fenny mumbled.

“Thank you for looking after Lilly,” the woman cut in.

“Oh no problem, she’s gorgeous,” Gina smiled and handed the child back to her mother. “Come on, let’s go home,” she added and grabbed Fenny’s arm to drag her shocked body from the boutique.

Paul yawned as he wandered into Gina’s bedroom. He could have gone to his own apartment, but he figured if he stayed at Gina’s, Greg couldn’t come back. Speaking of which, the bed was going to need changing before he was sleeping in it. Sure, he’d slept in filth before – cockroach infested filth. But there was no way in hell he was sleeping somewhere Greg’s bodily juices had been.

He disappeared into the hall and rummaged through the linen cupboard for some clean sheets, then set about changing the bed. It didn’t take him too long and he only swore twice: once when he completely stuffed up the quilt, and the second, when he tripped over the dirty sheets and stumbled into a lamp. Once satisfied, Paul stripped down to his boxers and slid into bed. He snuggled into the one pillow he hadn’t put a clean pillowcase on, because it smelt of Gina’s shampoo and he found it strangely comforting.

“I’m telling you, his clothes smell of baby powder,” Fenny huffed as she marched into the apartment.

“I still think you’re paranoid,” Gina sighed, falling onto the couch.

“I don’t know anymore,” Fenny grunted as she flumped into an armchair.

“Well, talk to him about it,” Gina scorned.

“Have you ever tried to get a straight answer from an improviser?” Fenny huffed.

“I’ve got straight answers from politicians, mate,” Gina chided.

Fenny let out another grunt and then looked over at Gina. “Since when did Gina Coleman have a motherly side?” she asked.

“I have nieces and nephews, and Paul acts like a five-year-old half the time,” Gina smiled.

“I’m shocked, you have a heart after all,” Fenny teased.

“Hey, I’ve proved I have a heart. Remember last time I was here? Spent the whole time getting you and Braddles together,” Gina said poignantly.

“Don’t suppose you could do it again, could you?” Fenny breathed.

Gina sat up and tilted her head as she looked at Fenny. “Everything will be fine, Fenella. Just stop running through bloody conspiracy theories in your head.”

“I’m so crap,” Fenny over exaggerated as she slipped down in the armchair and covered her face with a cushion.

Gina lay curled on the couch watching some cheesy late night TV; she was in her pajamas and snuggled under a blanket. Fenny had gone to bed hours earlier, exhausted from her own mental anguish. Gina wasn’t in the least bit tired, and was cursing jet lag. She sat up when she heard the key in the lock and Brad started to sneak in, then stopped.

“Gina,” he gasped.

“Hey Braddles,” Gina perked as he wandered over and plonked himself next to her on the couch.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, shocked.

“Greg,” she breathed.

“What about Greg?” Brad queried.

“He kinda left his wife and turned up on my doorstep,” Gina said bluntly. She was getting fed up of telling the story.

“He left his wife? Jesus, he never said,” Brad breathed.

“No, I doubt it’s something he really wants to share,” Gina sarced.

“What about things with Paul?” Brad asked warmly.

“They were going fine until I got scared and left,” Gina half laughed. “I’m a bit fucked up at the moment.”

“I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end,” Brad smiled and comfortingly squeezed her hand.

“Speaking of that, what the hell are you up to?” Gina asked.

“What? Nothing,” Brad flustered.

“Bullshit, we saw you coming out of a posh baby boutique,” Gina cussed.

“Oh, that. The makeup girl had a baby,” Brad perked.

Gina looked at him suspiciously. She didn’t believe him for a moment. She’d seen enough liars to know the difference. “Brad, I don’t know what’s going on, but Fen is really hurting right now. She thinks you’re rejecting her, man.”

“I don’t mean to, I’ve just been so busy,” Brad sighed.

“You do still love her, don’t you?” Gina asked.

“Of course I do, I adore her,” Brad replied sternly.

“Then go in there and tell her,” Gina ordered.

Brad looked at Gina bemused. “Yes ma’am,” he perked and planted a friendly kiss on her forehead.

“Stupid man,” Gina mumbled as she watched Brad disappear into the bedroom.

As usual, Fenny woke as Brad entered the bedroom. She listened as he unzipped his jeans and chucked them in a corner, his shirt fell to the floor and he crawled into bed. She was surprised to feel him snuggle into her, his arms sliding around her and pulling her close.

“You awake?” he breathed and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. She might have feigned sleep had her heart not been beating so fast. She turned over and snuggled into him, their legs entwining, and one hand over the “Fenny” tattoo. He planted another kiss on her forehead.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so busy,” he whispered.

“So you should be,” Fenny whispered back.

“Have I told you I love you recently?” Brad asked.

“Not enough,” Fenny replied as his arms held her tighter.

“Well I do, I love you more than my career, my favorite underwear, and everything else that I’m too tired to think of,” Brad cooed.

Fenny let a giggle escape and propped herself up on one elbow to look at Brad properly. “Can you promise me one thing?”

“Anything,” Brad smiled.

“Be here when I wake up,” Fenny breathed.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Brad whispered as he pulled her into a kiss. For the first time in weeks, Fenny felt he actually meant it, and when they parted she rested her head on his shoulder and they were soon asleep.