Page 3 of Our Secrets and Lies

Tears sprang into her eyes. ‘No, God, no. I just … I …’

Tom’s face darkened. ‘What? Just spit it out. For Christ’s sake, Lucy, if you want to break up,just say so. Don’t avoidme like some child and pretend you’re busy. Judging by your reaction when I tried to kiss you, you obviously don’t want to be with me any more so just say so.’

Lucy could no longer hold back the tears, which flowed down her cheeks. ‘No, Tom.’ She reached up and kissed him. ‘I don’t want to break up with you. I just have some stuff going on.’

‘What stuff?’

‘Personalstuff.’

‘So talk to me. I might be able to help. Isn’t that what couples do? Talk to each other?’

Lucy shook her head. God, this was so hard. She hadn’t expected to get so emotional and now she was blowing it. She had to get away from him but also make him understand she still wanted to be with him. She tried to calm down. ‘You’re right, but it’s just kind of private. I can’t talk about it.’

‘Are you sick? You look very pale – are you okay?’

‘I’m fine,’ she managed to croak.

‘Are your parents okay? Is it your sister? What is it? Stop blocking me out – talk to me.’

‘I can’t. Just leave it, Tom. Just leave me,’ Lucy snapped. She had to get away before she broke and told him the truth.

‘Fuck this.’ Tom took a step back. ‘It’s obvious you don’t want to be with me. You can’t even lookme in the eye. So I reckon you’ve done the dirt. I just wish you’d had the balls to tell me. I expected more from you, Lucy. I thought we had something special. Obviously I was wrong.’ He turned and walked away.

‘STOP!’ Lucy shouted. ‘Please stop. It’s nothing like that. I love you.’

‘What?’ Tom turned back.

Lucy hadn’t expected that to come out of her mouth. She was losing all control, butshe did love him. ‘I love you, Tom,and I want to be with you and I’ve never even looked at another boy.’

‘So then what is it? Tell me!’ Tom pleaded. ‘I need to know so I can believe you.’ He wiped a tear from her cheek. ‘I promise to help you with whatever your problem is. Trust me, Lucy.’

Lucy finally allowed herself to look into those beautiful green eyes. She could trust him. He was Tom,her Tom. He’d help her.

‘I’m pregnant.’

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