Page 75 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Twenty-Three

Liv

After a month, as ifon cue, come week twelve of my pregnancy and the first week of winter, the morning sickness eases.Thank God.

With the knowledge I’m about to shift into the second trimester, I have to face Gareth.Soon.

So far, I’ve been able to hide it, but I want to protect myself that little bit longer. I worry that the moment it’s common knowledge at school, it’ll fuel Paula’s gossip.How far along is she? Who’s the father?

I’m not ready for the questions, but Gareth needs to know I won’t be able to make the end of the school year. With a due date of nineteen December, it’s likely I’ll have to finish a few weeks beforehand. Maybe a month? How long do women work up until their baby is due? I have no idea about any of this stuff.

I lock the classroom and make my way to the staff kitchen to grab my lunch containers. The lemony scent of dishwashing liquid hangs in the air. Nat is by the sink, draining the bubbles, the room otherwise deserted.

“Hey,” I say on an exhale.

Nat turns and smiles. “There you are,” she beams. “How’s things.”

My eyes automatically sweep to her stomach, which is growing by the day, as if she’s smuggled a basketball beneath her shirt. Being seven weeks ahead of me, she’s about halfway.

My hands instinctively move to my belly. It’s nowhere near round; more like I’ve been eating myself stupid for weeks and it’s caught up with me. “I have so many questions,” I blurt out.

She laughs then pouts, drawing me into her arms. “Oh, babe.” She releases me and curls her hand over my shoulder. Her long glittery earrings sparkle as they catch the sunlight streaming in. “Carter’s doing a gig tonight, and I’m planning a night on the couch with a Rom-Com. Why don’t you come over? Bring your jammies?”

God, it sounds perfect. “I would love that. Thank you.”

I’m so blessed to have found a friend like Nat here. I love this woman. “I’ll bring ice cream.”

Walking to the carpark, Nat’s arm linked with mine, hope springs in my heart. It’s all gonna be okay.

***

“There’s been somethingI’ve been meaning to tell you,” Nat says, interrupting the pivotal moment inSleeping in Seattlewhen Sam finally meets Annie at the top of the Empire State building.

Goosebumps flood over my skin as Sam and Annie lock eyes. I swipe away my tears. I don’t know why she thought a Rom-Com would be a good idea. We’ve both been crying at the littlest things. And Jonah, losing his mum... I should have told her it wasn’t ideal, but in a way I’m glad I didn’t. The tears have been cathartic.

“What’ve you been meaning to tell me?” I ask after taking my time responding.

“You know that night we went out for Cheryl’s retirement?”

I swallow hard. “Yeah.” How could I forget. The night I told Jerry why we can’t be together. I crushed him. I know it.

“Jerry came back looking for you.”

Say what now?

“When?”

“Not long after you left.”

“He did?”

She nods and finishes the last of her ice cream before placing her bowl on the coffee table.

“W-what did he say?”

She shrugs one shoulder. “He wanted to talk to you. I shut him down and told him to give you space. You were pretty upset when you left.”

Even after discovering the truth, he wanted to talk to me? Why?

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