Page 59 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Eighteen

Liv

The midday sun lightsup her short strawberry blonde curls as she opens her arms wide. In faded blue boyfriend jeans, worn burgundy Dr. Martens, and a chunky rainbow knit jumper, it’s as if I’m home.

Amongst the chaos of stalls and festival goers, I wrap my arms around Aunt Jean and kiss her rounded cheek. “I’m so glad you came.”

We hold each other for longer than normal, an indication of how much we’ve missed each other.

“God it’s good to see you, girl,” she whispers in my ear. Aunt Jean takes my hands in hers and swings them between us. The fine lines at her eyes deepen with a wide grin.

I clear my throat and shake off thoughts ofher. How similar her smile and voice is to her sister.

“It’s great to see you.” I search for the ginger mop. “Where’s Jayson?”

“He was going to come but changed his mind last minute. If I’m honest, he’s been stressing about it all week. You know how he is with crowds and being out of his routine.”

“Yeah, I know. I miss him, that’s all.” He changes so much between visits. Having just turned fourteen, he’s growing like a weed. His voice has finally broken. No longer my little cousin.

“He misses you too. I managed to organise for one of his old carers to stay with him, so it’s better this way.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah.”

We walk along a row of stalls, perusing the goodies as I catch her up on work and settling in.

“So how are things going with this ‘someone’ you’ve met?” she asks.

My heart sinks like a stone into the pit of my stomach. “You cut right to the chase, don’t you?”

Despite me dumping Jerry, he was sweet enough to send flowers yesterday. The bright bunch of assorted Gerberas are in my classroom. As beautiful as they are, I’d rather the kids get enjoyment out of them rather than take them home and stare at them, knowing what they mean.That I hurt him. This is all on me.

“It didn’t work out,” I finally admit.

She frowns. “What happened?”

“It’s complicated.”

She lays her arm around my shoulders and smooches my cheek. “Wanna chat about it?”

“No, but there’s something else I need to talk to you about.” It’s time to tell her. I saw a local doctor on Monday, followed by blood tests and have a referral for an ultrasound in a few weeks. The doctor assures me I’ll be well looked after through the Birthing Centre at Logan Falls Hospital. December nineteen I’m due. A Christmas baby is on the cards.

I grit my teeth and pray she won’t tear me apart.

“Yeah?”

I blow out a breath as saliva builds in my mouth. “I’m pregnant.”

“What?” Jean wobbles on her feet as if the ground has moved beneath her. She glances down at my stomach and frowns. “Are you sure?”

I coax her to keep walking. “Yes. I’ve been to the doctor, had a blood test.”

“How far along?”

“About eight weeks.”

A long silence stretches between us. Is she trying to do the math?

“Jean?”

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