Page 19 of Our Secrets and Lies

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Lucy dressed in the pink jumper Tom had told her he loved on her. What he’d actually said was ‘You look beautiful in that jumper.’ Whenever she wore it, she felt happy.

Jenny helped her with her make-up. ‘Okay, you look good, fresh and healthy, not wrecked and knackered like you did half an hour ago.’

‘Thanks, Jenny.’

‘No problem, we want you looking nice when you tell him he’s about tobe a dad. He’ll need to fancy you so he doesn’t run away.’

‘Stop! I’m nervous enough already.’

‘He told you he loves you and that he’ll stand by you. It’ll be fine. Unless underneath all the niceness he has his dad’s black soul.’

Lucy slapped her sister’s arm. ‘He has none of his father’s characteristics.’

Jenny grinned. ‘I still can’t believe Dad threatened to punch him and kill him. It’skind of cool. I wish I’d seen him with his whole Bruce Willis vibe going on.’

‘He was really great.’

‘If only I’d been there – I’d have told Gabriel to go to hell and back.’

‘I’ve no doubt you would.’ Lucy smiled. ‘I’d better go or I’ll miss my bus. Wish me luck.’

‘Good luck, and make sure you snog him before you tell him about the baby thing.’

Lucy sat in the Starbucks opposite the universityand stirred two spoons of sugar into her coffee. She was exhausted and needed the caffeine and sugar rush. Tom hadn’t turned up this morning to any of the lectures. Once again, she’d humiliated herself by asking everyone if they’d seen him. No one had. She’d eventually tracked down his best friend, Andy, who said he hadn’t heard from Tom in days and was a bit worried. He said he’d drive overto Tom’s house later so he could see him face to face to make sure everything was all right.

‘Lucy?’

She looked up. Oh, God, it was Olivia, one of Tom’s really annoying friends from St Jude’s.

‘Hi, how are you?’ Olivia plonked herself down opposite Lucy. ‘I heard the news.’

Lucy blushed. ‘I’m fine.’

Olivia leant forward and, lowering her voice, said, ‘It’s pretty dramatic.’

‘Well, it’s allgoing to be fine.’

‘Are you, like, okay about it?’

‘It’s not ideal, but yes.’ Lucy smiled.

‘Poor Tom, I heard he was upset.’

Lucy bristled. ‘We both were, but it’ll all work out for the best in the end.’

‘Wow, you’re tougher than you look. I mean, Tom’s pretty great, don’t you think?’

‘Yes, I do.’

‘So why did you change your mind?’

‘Lots of reasons.’

‘Tom said it was Gabriel’s idea. Iguess Gabriel wasn’t too happy with you.’

Lucy wanted to smack Olivia. ‘I don’t really care what Gabriel thinks of me.’

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