Page 24 of Our Secrets and Lies

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Jenny was in the shop with Lucy when it happened. Mrs Prendergast was complaining about the strawberries being overripe. She’d already given out about the bread only lasting three days before going mouldy and the ham being dry.

Jenny snatched back the strawberries. ‘Well, Mrs Prendergast, maybe you’d be better off driving over to the supermarket if you’re so unhappy with everything here.’

Mrs Prendergast frowned. ‘Don’t speak to me like that, you young pup. Isn’t it bad enough your sister getting pregnant without you being rude and insolent too? Your poor father must be ashamed of you both.’

Jenny was sick of these judgemental old bitches gossiping about her sister. Who the hell were they to judge anyone? They all had their own secrets.

‘My father is incredibly proud of us,’ shesaid angrily, ‘especially Lucy, who is a genius, which is more than I can say for your thick fool of a son who is so ugly that no girl will ever go near him, even though he spends all his time in school trying to feel girls up. So you’ll be stuck looking at his disgusting face for the rest of your life.’

‘What? I never … You horrible girl. My Greg is a lovely well-brought-up boy.’

‘Greg is apervert. I could take him to court for sexual abuse – he grabbed my boobs at least three times last year. He’s the biggest loser in school. All the girls hate him and so do most of the boys.’

‘Perhaps, young lady, if you didn’t go around rollingup your school skirt and behaving like a hussy, boys would leave you alone.’

‘The best part of Greg’s day is looking at my legs. Besides, he’d try tofeel up a nun, he’s that desperate. He’s like a dog in heat. A really ugly dog that no one will ever touch.’

‘Wash out your filthy mouth,’ Mrs Prendergast hissed. ‘You’ll end up like your sister, a pregnant tramp.’

‘Don’t youevercall my sister a tramp. Lucy is the best person in the world. She made one tiny mistake. I’m sick of all you bitter old bitches spreading rumours about her. Now getout and don’t ever come back here.’

‘You’re a disgrace. You’ll both end up in the gutter.’ Mrs Prendergast slammed the door as she left.

Jenny was shaking with rage. She kicked the counter hard. ‘How dare she? I’m sick of those old biddies! I hate them all.’

‘Jenny!’ her sister exclaimed behind her.

‘No, Lucy, I’m not going to feel guilty about what I said. I will not let anyone talk aboutyou like that. It’s not right.’

‘Jenny …’

‘And Greg is a disgusting perv, although Amanda Moran actually let him feel her up and she kissed him, the blind cow. But then again, she’s got such bad acne that you can’t see much of her face any more. It’s like two eyes staring out from a pepperoni pizza.’

‘Jenny, will you shut up?’

Jenny whirled around. ‘What?’

Lucy was standing up, holding ontothe wall. Below her was a puddle of water.

‘Oh, my God! Is … Does that … Are you …?’

‘Yes, I’m in labour and it’s two weeks too early.’ Lucy was crying.

‘Sit down, I’ll get Mum.’ Jenny sprinted out of the shop,through the kitchen and out to the back garden, where her mother was hanging the washing on the line.

‘Muuuuuuum!The babies are coming!’ she roared.

Tina dropped a sheet and ran afterher daughter. Reaching Lucy first, she wrapped her arms around her. ‘It’s okay, pet.’

‘It’s too early, Mum,’ Lucy sobbed.

‘It’s fine. Twins often come early. Now, we’ll get you into the car and fly up to the hospital. It’ll be quicker than calling an ambulance.’ To Jenny she said, ‘Run up and get the red sports bag at the end of my bed. It’s got everything we need. I had a feeling they mightcome early.’

Jenny sprinted off.

Lucy laid her head on her mother’s shoulder. ‘I’m scared.’

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