May I come in, please?"
"Oh, yes, of course. Of course, come in..."
She gestured inside, flustered and nervous.

He nodded politely and stepped into the suite.
"Please, sit down, doctor." She indicated the leather wingback.

"Only if you do, Mrs. Khufu. " He cocked his head, birdlike, and gave her a little smile of encouragement.

"All right then." She smiled thinly and sat.

"Did you sleep well, Mrs. Khufu?" He seemed determined to be as polite today as he had been to the point last night.

"Yes, thank you doctor. I slept quite late indeed."

"And are you feeling better this morning?

"I am so far, although I can't have been awake more than an hour." She smiled the thin, tired smile again.

"I have some wonderful news for you, Mrs. Khufu." He beamed at her.

"Wonderful news?" She went even paler. "Do mean to tell me...?" She sat back in her chair, suddenly weak.

"Yes, indeed you are with child. Surely this is joyful news, madame?" His eyebrows raised.

"Yes. Of course, yes. Joyful news. Mon dieu." She recovered from her half-faint and her cheeks flushed again with emotion. Her hand shook as she shook his hand.

"Thank you, doctor. I appreciate your coming so quickly." She turned to the table to fumble at her pocketbook. her fingers felt numb and she fiddled with the catch for endless moments. "What do I owe you, doctor?"

"Oh, no need to worry about that just now, I will bill the hotel. Relax! You have much to think about. Your husband will be thrilled, I'm sure....if you have need of me again, here is my card..." he handed her a thick white card embossed with his name and address in gold letters "Or of course you can haev Kadira ring me any time of the day or night. Be of good cheer, madame." He patted her shoulder in a fatherly fashion. "A new life is a gift from god." He smiled at her and was gone.

Kiki slowly swung the door shut and padded back to her bed as if pulled by strings. She curled up on the luxurious duvet and stared at the wall with it's striped burgundy and cream wallpaper. She felt blank and lost- too many emotions fought for dominance inside her and she had absolutely no idea what to do next.