Page 66 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Twenty

Liv

This week has beenabout taking better care of myself. Prenatal vitamins and healthy foods, that is, when I have an appetite.

As I get ready for dinner at the pub for Cheryl’s farewell, my phone lights up, alerting me to a Facetime call from Aunt Jean.

Since her visit, we’ve been in regular contact. She’s taken to my incessant questions like an excitable aunt-to-be, sending me helpful articles and recommending Apps to help track the pregnancy. At week nine, my baby is about the size of a cherry. Strangely, I find myself wanting to share this news with Jerry, but that can’t happen. I’ve lost him as a friend too.

I answer her call and position the phone against the bathroom vanity, pushing lipstick and foundation aside.

“Whoa there, Mumma,” she says and guffaws.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I pick up my mascara and apply it.

“That top and skirt look lovely. It’s just... the girls are well and truly on display.”

I glance down at the valley of my boobs popping out of the v-neckline. They’re sensitive. Have they grown? My bras are getting uncomfortable.

“You haven’t been shopping, have you?” she asks.

With a huff, I secure my large gold hoop earrings. “I haven’t had time.”

“Darling, trust me, you need to be comfortable. It’s time to buy some maternity clothes, even if it’s a few key pieces, like bras, stretchy skirts, and pants. I’d take you shopping, but I’m not sure when I’ll get a chance to come out there.”

My throat grows thick. Her offer is appreciated, but I’d always imagined doing it with someone else. “It should be Mum taking me shopping.”

“Oh sweet,” she says on an exhale. “We talked about this the other day. We all miss her. I don’t want to get into it with you again because you obviously have somewhere to be, but you need clothes, Olive.”

I’ve hit a nerve.It’s the only time she uses my full Christian name.

I groan. “Clothes cost money. I only bought a heap of clothes for work at the beginning of the year. Living on my own isn’t cheap.”

She rolls her eyes as I pick up the device and walk to the bedroom for shoes.

“Oh, we’re gonna get intothisconversation again, are we?”

I swallow hard. “No. we’re not. I just really miss her right now.”

“I know, I do too. Every day. But you know Andi would want you to have everything you need.”

Sweat beads above my top lip as heat flushes my entire body. “I need her!” The words spew from my mouth, surprising me.

“Liv—”

“I love you, Aunt Jean, but she was supposed to be here. Hold my hand, gush over being a grandma.” Tears blur my vision. “There’s so much I want to talk to her about, every single day, but I can’t do that. It’s not fair.”And it’s all my fault. She’s gone because of me.

She sighs heavily. “I know, darling. It’s not fair. Now, come on. You’ll ruin that beautiful made-up face of yours. We can talk this through another time. Please don’t do this to yourself now. Not when I can’t be there to hug you.”

After a series of deep breaths, I dab beneath my eyes with the side of my index finger. “Yeah, okay.”

“Where are you off to tonight?”

“The pub. One of the ladies in the front office is retiring to look after her husband.” Happily married for thirty-odd years, they want to make the most of what time they have left together. I’m in awe of a relationship spanning decades. I wish my parents shared that kind of love.

“Will your friend Nat be there?”

“Yes.” The other day when I shared my news with Nat, she’d asked me what my parents thought about the pregnancy. She was supportive when I said I’d lost Mum, but I didn’t go into the details. Maybe in time, I’ll feel I can share more.

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