Page 63 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Her dark hair swishes around her shoulders as she shakes her head. “Nonsense.”

“I don’t know how it can work. We were just getting to know each other. If he knew, he’d run for the hills. Me breaking it off is the best thing for both of us. I don’t get rejected, and he doesn’t have to pretend to let me down gently.”

“So, you broke it off without telling him why?”

I nod.

Her shoulders drop. “Listen, I get that it’s hard, but he’s gonna find out eventually.”

How long will I be able to hide it? I’ll have to go through my wardrobe and choose the items that’ll hide the bump until I’m ready for my secret to become common knowledge.

“Please promise me this stays between us. I don’t want my name to be on everyone’s lips. Certainly not when I’m trying to figure things out.” I’m sure it’ll happen at some point, but I’m not ready. Besides, I should wait until I’m out of the danger period before telling others.

“Mum’s the word,” she says and winks. Nat rubs between my shoulder blades and coaxes me to keep walking. I blink away tears at the mention of the M word.

What would my mother think of all this?

---