Page 75 of The Half Sister

Getting the DNA results back won’t explain what the hell Jess is playing at, but itwillprovide unequivocal proof that Harryisn’ther dad.

31

Lauren

A text lights up the bedroom.

Bleary-eyed, Lauren instinctively turns to see if Simon is asleep, before unplugging her phone and taking it into the bathroom.

It’s just gone midnight, but she’s not yet been able to sleep – her mind too busy working over the events of the day; her body too alert to what tomorrow may bring.

Are you still up?reads the text. She doesn’t know whether to respond or how – not yet having processed what’s happened and whether or not it changes anything between them. She doesn’t suppose it should, but still there’s a sense of uneasiness.

Yes, she eventually types, as she closes the lid of the toilet and sits down.

I desperately need to talk to you.

Lauren rubs at her temple.Where are you?

In a bar and far drunker than I should be. Can you talk?

Lauren gets up and peers around the door to where Simon is snoring.Yes – what’s going on?

Well, I’ve finished work and am now doing tequila shots!

Alone?

Lauren knows there are more pertinent questions she should be asking, but now doesn’t seem the right time, and there’s not much point, seeing as Jess is probably three sheets to the wind.

No – with him! And he’s even more gorgeous than when he’s sober!

Lauren can’t help but smile.That’s because you’re not looking at him through sober eyes!she types.

We’re going back to the hotel now, texts Jess.

Lauren imagines herself in Jess’s position; the excitement of a burgeoning relationship – the anticipation of what’s to come. Simon had taken her to a romantic hotel for the night when they’d wordlessly decided to consummate their relationship. Unlike the numerous casual liaisons she’d had after Justin, when she would unhappily admit that she’d mistaken sex for love in her quest to replace him, she’d gone on four dates with Simon before they spent the night together. She wonders what had made him stand out from the rest. Was it the fact that when he looked at her, he had made her feel like she was the only woman in the world? Was it that she had felt safe, knowing he would protect her? It had been good once, so how come he can now barely bring himself to look at her at all, and he’s the only person she’s scared of?

Are you sure you want to do this?asks Lauren, her innate mothering instinct kicking in. Or maybe it’s just her attempt at making sure Jess doesn’t get sucked in the same way she had – knowing that that would be the first mistake if she did.

Do *you* think I should do this?asks Jess.

What an impossible question to answer.

You have to be sure it’s what you want.

More than anything I’ve wanted for a long time, says Jess.

Well, then do it, but please be careful.

You won’t think any less of me?

Lauren can’t believe she’d even ask.Of course not!

OK, types Jess with a sideways laughing emoji.

Night,types Lauren, before addingHave fun!But something doesn’t sit quite right. It feels as if she’s encouraging her own daughter to go and get laid. She deletes the last two words and saysSpeak to you tomorrowinstead. Because theydoneed to speak, one way or another, about what Kate had told her.

It doesn’t surprise her that Jess might have changed her name – she could have done so for myriad reasons, but she has never lied about it because it had never occurred to Lauren to ask. Why would she? Jess was well within her rights to do whatever she wanted. Lauren can’t pretend to understand how it must feel to live eighteen years as one person, only to find out you’re someone completely different. The ancestry, history and bloodline that Jess thought had bound her to those around her had been severed in the most brutal fashion.

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