Chapter 15

Wes’ Secret

The girls found they couldn’t eat many of the chocolates because of all the chocolate treats the day before. Instead Hally went downstairs and prepared a plate of sandwiches which she put on a tray with some savoury snacks. Mum and dad were in the kitchen, Granddad too, with Nathan, supervising his tea and eating sandwiches themselves. Usually on Sunday, the family had a roast with Granddad and then tea in the evening, but today Nathan’s football match had disrupted their normal routine so instead, mum had served a cold buffet lunch.

“You look a lot more cheerful”

Mum said to her with a smile. She hated seeing her daughter miserable, it always made her feel low too.

“Yes I am.”

Was all Hally said back but with a broad smile that said so much more.

“Teenagers.”

Granddad said with a smirk. Hally planted a kiss on top of his head as she headed back to her room.

After Corrinne and Clia left that evening Hally went into the lounge where her parents were cuddled up on the sofa. Granddad had also gone home. She tucked her feet underneath her in an armchair and hugged a cushion like it was a teddy bear.

“How is he?”

Hally asked her parents. They knew straightaway whom she was referring to.

“Oh, some days he’s like his old self but others I find him just sitting staring out of the window at the garden.”

Mum told her.

“They say time heals, but mum and dad were together for such a long time, I don’t think he will ever truly heal.”

She continued a slight catch to her voice. Dad pulled her to him more tightly and kissed her cheek.

“It will get better for him darling, especially with you there to help him. And of course we will do all we can too.”

Hally watched her parents, love radiating from them and a tiny fantasy flashed through her mind. Her and Wes sitting snuggled on their own sofa, a child tucked up safely in bed. She felt herself begin to blush at the thought and tried to cover it up by rubbing her eyes and putting on a fake yawn.

“You alright Tink?”

Dad asked.

“Yes thanks dad. Just a bit tired, yesterday was a long day. Actually I think I’ll go to bed now, I don’t want to be nodding off in class. The teachers won’t like that.”

She gave a little giggle and stood, stretching as she rose from the chair. She kissed both her parents goodnight and made her way upstairs.

Nathan was being difficult and mum was trying to get him ready for school. Then it was Hally trying to feed him his breakfast and Wes sitting across the table drinking coffee and reading a newspaper. Nathan was her child and mum was nowhere. She was still fifteen but somehow Nathan was her son. It all seemed perfectly normal. She felt something move and looked down, her swollen belly was shifting, the baby was kicking. There was a bang as Nathan knocked his cereal bowl onto the floor and Hally woke up. Relief flooded through her as the dream faded and she realised the bang was her little brother pulling his bedroom door shut.

Hally climbed out of bed and pulled on her dressing gown. It was still slightly dark outside, the winter hanging on. She looked out into the garden and saw frost covering the lawn, the weekend signs of spring pushed back. For a moment she simply looked, letting the dream wash over her and wondering what if anything it meant. Could she really see herself and Wes together for that long.

“Oh I hope so.”

She said out loud. Then turning from the wintery scene outside she began to ready herself for school, which seemed very strange after the dream.

Corrinne and Clia met Hally at their usual spot, the pavements white and the air crisp. A watery winter sunshine was trying to force its way out and as the girls chatted and made their way to school it finally won and shone brightly. So by the time they reached the school gates the frost was already beginning to melt. Hally had given her friends a detailed account of the dream and all three had spent the journey offering up meanings.

“Well I think it means you two are going to get married and have loads of children.”

Corrinne said matter of factly. They all laughed, but inside Hally was thinking exactly the same thing, or rather she was wishing that it would be that way. She hadn’t heard from Wes since his text the previous day, but he had said he would see her today so she put her worries aside.

The school morning was as normal as it could be, registration, assembly, first lesson, break then a double before lunch. The last lesson had been Maths, so Hally and Clia went to Corrinne’s Maths room and met her there. They all three made their way to the dining hall as it was still too cold to sit outside to eat their lunch. They found a table that was occupied by two year seven girls who gave them a frightened look and shoved the lids on their lunch boxes preparing to get up and leave.

“It’s ok. Stay there, we are just going to sit at this end.”

Hally told them gently. They gave her a shy smile and re-opened their lunch boxes and continued eating and chatting.

“Were we ever that small?”

Clia quietly asked the other two.

“I suppose we must have been.”

Hally replied.

“It seems so long ago doesn’t it?”

Corrinne said.

“Mmmm…and this is our final official year. Weird isn’t it?”

Clia said pensively.

“Do you think we will miss it? You know if we go to college rather than sixth form.”

Corrinne asked.

“I won’t.”

Hally stated.

“I mean it’s a great school and we all know some really nice people here, but well, for me too much bad stuff over the years. I think I need the change.”

“So you’re definitely going to college then?”

Corrinne asked her a note of fear in her voice that Hally noticed immediately.

“Um…I think so, but well I don’t want to be anywhere you two aren’t. So, well we don’t have to decide now anyway.”

Hally replied. Corrinne smiled her warm caring smile that Hally loved so much.

“Well I know I am going wherever you two go. I really don’t think it matters if it’s sixth form or college.”

Clia nodded.

“Me too.”

They smiled at each other and tucked into their lunch, swapping and sharing as usual.

“Hi babe.”

A voice very recognisable came from behind Hally. She turned and saw Wes standing with a smile on his face.

“Hi.”

She said back, her heart racing with joy. He leaned over her and gave her a peck. They were not supposed to do this in the dining room so he did it quickly before a lunch time supervisor could pounce on him. Then sitting by her side he took a bite from her sandwich.

“Mmmm… your mum makes lovely sandwiches.”

He said.

“Actually I make them myself. She has enough to do getting Natty’s lunch together.”

Wes grinned.

“Oh well in that case, maybe they’re not so good.”

Hally took a little swing at him and they all laughed. Then Hally noticed the year seven girls were staring at Wes in open admiration and she whispered to him.

“Looks like you have a little fan club.”

Wes looked up and blushed which made Hally, Corrinne and Clia laugh and the year seven girls to hurriedly look away.

After lunch Wes walked some of the way to their lessons with them then headed off to his business studies class. He promised to wait for Hally after school and walk her home as he didn’t have to work. Hally’s last lesson was English, they were reading Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and Hally loved it. Mr Austin had set them written tasks alongside the reading of the play and Hally thoroughly enjoyed the work. Mr Austin had quietly asked how she was getting on with everything and she was able to tell him honestly that she was doing well.

Wes was waiting in the corridor as promised at the end of the lesson. Without asking he took her bag from her and threw it over his shoulder with his own backpack. Clia smiled cheekily and piled her own bag onto him too, Corrinne then followed suit. Wes grinned and pretended to be weighed down.

“What, so I’m a pack horse now am I?”

He said good naturedly. The girls laughed and Hally lifting her head in a haughty fashion looked down her nose at him and said.

“Why of course man servant. Do you complaineth?”

The corridor suddenly filled with loud laughter from all of them, Wes dropping the school bags as he bent over creased with laughter. The girls had tears running from their eyes as Mr Austin came out of his classroom to see what was going on. His raised eyebrows asking the unspoken question.

“It’s…it’s…ok Sir, Hally just got all Shakespearian on us.”

Corrinne told him through her tears of laughter. Mr Austin looked at them in complete confusion, as an adult he simply could not relate to the joke, so instead he just smiled, nodded and said.

“Oh good.”

Then turned back to his classroom. This of course gave cause for more laughter which slowly subsided as they all finally managed to exit the building.

As the four walked away from the school Hally felt too relaxed and comfortable to worry about anything between her and Wes. He had his arm over her shoulder and was chatting normally to her, Corrinne and Clia.

“So, Scott thought a flow chart was something to do with plumbing…”

Wes told them, which they all found amusing.

“Well what’s he doing A level business studies for then?”

Corrinne asked quite indignantly.

“Haven’t you been listening Corrie?”

Wes asked her gently.

“Well, I was kind of off in a little daydream.”

She replied with a grin. They all laughed and Hally went on to explain what Wes had been talking about.

“Scott Andrews, you know, the little guy with learning difficulties. He somehow found his way into Wes’ class and sat at the back thinking he was in his vocational study group.”

“Oh I get you now. Poor guy what happened?”

Hally gave a deep sigh and smiled at her friend patiently explaining further.

“Mrs Bates, the special needs teaching assistant?….You know her?”

Corrinne’s frown became a huge smile.

“Oh Yeah!”

Hally giggled.

“The penny drops. Well she tracked him down eventually and took him to his own lesson.”

Corrinne, smiling brightly replied.

“All’s well that ends well.”

Clia burst out laughing.

“Corrinne, what is it with you today. Sweetie what planet are you on?”

Corrinne looked at all of them with a wide innocent expression.

“Planet Gregg.”

She simply stated.

Hally and Clia linked their arms through hers and with Wes with his arm still over Hally’s shoulder they clumsily plodded on home.

The early morning sunshine had stayed and now the sky was completely blue and cloudless. Corrinne and Clia went their way as normal and Wes and Hally continued on to Hally’s house. The rest of the trek home was filled with chat about the rest of their school day and especially about Corrinne.

“She really has got it bad for Gregg hasn’t she?”

Wes said to Hally.

“Yes, even though she has other friends at school, she never hangs out with anyone except Clia and me. And since she’s an only child I think she’s sometimes lonely at home. I mean her parents dote on her and her mum has only really gone back to work in like this past two years, and that’s still only part time, so she’s mostly at home when Corrie gets in, but I suppose it’s not the same.”

Wes nodded in understanding.

“I know where she’s coming from. I spent most of my life as an only child and even though I had loads of mates it wasn’t the same.”

“Bet you were the popular one at school, with the popular group, girls scrambling to get you to go out with them.”

Hally stated without any malice in her voice.

“Well…I suppose I was…”

Wes pulled her to him with a wide smile.

“But…I grew up and now I have all I want.”

Hally felt like she was walking on cloud nine as they arrived at her house and walked in the back door.

Mum was at the sink rinsing potatoes and Nathan was playing at the table with an action figure, his homework book open by his side. Hally leaned over to see what her little brother should be doing and saw a list of words that he was obviously meant to be learning how to spell. Mum turned, drying her hands at the same time.

“Hi you two, how was your day?”

Hally and Wes both answered that everything had gone well and then mum said.

“Nathan, put that toy away and look at those words.”

“Awww…but…”

He complained.

“No buts, this is the second week you have not learnt your spellings.”

She gave him a very serious frown but as Hally looked at her she smiled as she turned away from her son. Hally knew mum wasn’t really cross with him but could act that way and it worked. Nathan trying to show protest plonked his toy down and picked up his pencil.

“I don’t know this one.”

He mumbled. Hally took off her coat and draped it over a chair then sat next to her little brother.

“I think I’ll get off home if that’s alright Hally?”

Wes said. Hally smiled up at him.

“Ok, call me later please.”

Wes leaned down and kissed her.

“Yuk!”

Came loudly from Nathan and Wes laughed ruffling his hair as he turned and left Hally to her task.

“So, let’s see how you can remember this word.”

She told Nathan.

Wes called later that evening and they spent an hour on the phone chatting about nothing in particular. Clia had phoned earlier and told Hally that Rhys, Gregg and she were meeting up at Corrinne’s and would she and Wes be coming too. However, Wes explained that his parents had to go out and he had to babysit Ellie. Hally felt a little peeved by this as it would be the first time her two friends had spent the evening with their boyfriends as a foursome. So far, they had managed to either spend time as couples or the whole six had got together. But she pushed her feelings aside and told herself she was being selfish. Just because Wes couldn’t be with her didn’t mean her friends couldn’t enjoy a night as a foursome.

However, as much as she tried, she felt left out. What would they be doing? Would they be curled up watching television? No, more likely sitting in Corrinne’s bedroom talking about all sorts of things. Things her and her two friends always talked about.

Folded into an armchair with her head buried in ‘Macbeth’ Hally tired to concentrate on the text. But it kept escaping her and she found herself reading the same lines over and over and not taking them in. Her parents were in the study chatting online to friends so she felt very alone. She knew her feelings were somewhat irrational, but she couldn’t shake the deep fear that again invaded her; that the knot that held her, Corrinne and Clia was slipping. She could not imagine her life without that connection. Memories flooded through her. They had all been through many things together, their parents were friends, they had spent birthdays together since they were tiny. They had been on days out together, and oh so many other memories that she couldn’t track them in her brain. She felt overloaded as she laid the book down and put her hands over her face rubbing to relieve the tension that had crept over her.

Hally picked up the television remote control and flipped through the menu to try and find something that she would be able to concentrate on. She had completely given up on Shakespeare, it was too complicated for her tonight as thoughts of Corrinne and Clia jabbed at her mind. She found a police drama and watched for a few minutes, soon realising she had no idea what was going on. She flipped to a movie, a simple romantic story, but that made her feel miserable. She turned to a documentary about an endangered species of animal but even though the African landscape was captivating, the narration went over her head. Nothing could take away her thoughts and she felt irritable and tense, unable to settle. Just as she thought she might as well go to bed, there was a knock on the back door. She stood up and went into the kitchen. Looking through the glass from the outside in were Corrinne and Clia. For a weird moment Hally believed she was imagining them. Then she thought somehow she had conjured them there and stood staring in disbelief. The girls looked at her mouthing silently to open the door. Hally pulled herself together and yanked open the door.

“We couldn’t leave you by yourself.”

Clia announced as she came in.

“But what about the boys?”

Hally asked feeling very guilty.

“We spent a bit of time with them, so they can’t complain. But Hals, we never see them like, just us two and them two. It’s either us three together, or us six together, or well you know when we get them by ourselves. It just didn’t feel right. No we should be here. You be we be, we be you be”

Corrinne told her so sincerely, Hally felt tears bubbling up. Hally pulled her friends into a hug and though she still felt guilty was genuinely happy that her friends had come to see her.

“So were they annoyed?”

Hally asked tentatively.

“No actually. They just said it was ok. I thought Rhys was going to be mad, but he was his normal self and told us they should probably do some studying anyway, ‘cos they’ve got some building assignment to get on with for college.”

Clia told her. So feeling a lot happier, Hally and her friends moved into the lounge for their usual girlie chat.

Before Hally realised, February had ended and March had begun. Spring had really taken a hold now and flowers were peeking up everywhere. Bright yellow daffodils, colourful crocuses, pure white snow drops, a variety of pansies and tiny purple grape hyacinths all swayed in the March breeze. School mornings were less irksome as the sun was bright and the temperature mild. However school work was becoming much more difficult with various course work dates close. Wes was having to spend as much time as possible studying for his exams, working and spending time with Hally.

Because of this Hally insisted that he take two or three nights a week and just stay at home. He hadn’t liked the idea, but she was determined to make sure she wasn’t going to be the cause of him failing his exams again. She also hadn’t broached the subject of his previous exam failure or questioned him about the girl he had lost his virginity to and he hadn’t offered that information. However she resolved that those questions would one day be asked and she would get answers. Some of her reluctance to ask was down to not being sure she really wanted to know. She was worried that she would find out something that would change what she had with Wes and she wasn’t sure she could risk that. However, the questions still nagged at the back of her mind and she knew that sometime soon she would have to raise them.

One Friday evening late in March, Hally stood in front of her bedroom mirror checking her makeup and outfit. Wes was taking her out that evening for a meal as a special treat because he told her he had neglected her so much lately. She had protested that he had done nothing of the sort but he insisted. So, feeling very pleased and hopeful that the night out would be full of romance; Hally had consulted with Corrinne and Clia about what she should wear. She settled on one of Corrinne’s dresses which was new and which Corrinne had not worn. At first Hally refused saying Corrinne should at least wear it before she did, but her friend brushed that off with.

“No you wear it. I only bought it because mum had seen it in the shop and wanted me to have it. I mean I do like it, it’s lovely, but we both know it will look better on you than me. Actually that’s what went through my mind when I bought it.”

So without further argument, Hally accepted the loan of the dress and now looking in the mirror was very pleased that she had.

Wes was due to pick her up at seven thirty and so Hally went downstairs just after seven to wait. Mum and dad were in the kitchen watching Nathan play in the garden through the window. They stood side by side, each holding a cup of coffee smiling together as Nathan bounced around on a space hopper. They both turned as she came in.

“You look so lovely. So grown up.”

Mum said to her with a tiny catch in her voice.

“Yes you do Tink. It’s hard to believe that you are still so young.”

Dad said quite seriously. Hally beamed at her parents pulling a chair away from the table and sitting down.

“What’s Natty up to?”

Hally enquired as mum giggled.

“He’s just bounced himself off and landed on the grass.”

Mum replied. Dad laughed out loud.

“Now he’s stamping his foot because every time he tries to get back on, the thing springs out of his way.”

Hally stood and moved next to her parents, giggling at Nathan’s antics. Finally her little brother tossed aside the toy and plodded to the back door. He came in sulking and mumbling.

“Don’t want that nomore. It don’t like me.”

“Anymore and doesn’t like me.”

Mum corrected.

“Doesn’t like me then.”

He said screwing up his face.

“Oh well, bath time then.”

Dad said with a grin, knowing full well what the reaction would be.

“No…no… I’m still playing out.”

Nathan rapidly replied and whipped around and trotted back to the garden, grabbing the space hopper and jumping back on making them all laugh.

“What time is Wes coming?”

Mum asked through her giggles. Hally looked up at the kitchen clock.

“Should be here soon.”

She said.

“Do you want a drink while you wait?”

Dad offered.

“Mmmm…. A nice glass of red I think.”

Hally replied cheekily.

“Yeah in about two and a bit years.”

Dad replied just as cheekily. They laughed together and Hally said.

“Actually a cup of tea would be nice.”

Dad moved across the kitchen and switched the kettle on dropping a teabag into a mug. Hally glanced up at the clock and saw it was just seven thirty and felt tiny bubbles of anticipation building inside her. She always got excited when she was seeing Wes and more so when they were going out, it made her feel grown up.

Dad placed a mug of steaming tea in front of her and turned back to the window with mum. Hally wrapped her hands around the mug feeling the warmth from the beverage. She let it cool slightly before sipping as the last thing she needed was a burnt tongue to go into a restaurant with.

“He’s late.”

She murmured to herself not realising she had spoken out loud.

“Only a little bit.”

Dad replied.

“Oh… did I say that out loud?”

She said blushing. Dad nodded.

“It’s just, well he’s never late actually, not even a tiny bit.”

Hally replied worriedly.

“Baby, don’t worry, Wes has never yet let you down.”

Dad told her, coming over and squeezing her shoulder. Hally leaned against her father’s hand and sighed.

“I know, just being daft.”

A half hour later Hally was worried. Again she took her phone out of her bag and checked it was switched on. Again she opened messages, but there were no new ones. Again she typed in a quick message.

wes where are you

Again she pressed send and waited but there was still no reply. Something was wrong, she knew it and her parents knew it. They had finally coaxed Nathan in and dad was up supervising his bath. Mum was now sitting at the table with Hally trying to keep her calm. She placed the landline handset in front of her daughter and quietly said.

“Phone him Hally.”

Hally was twiddling her fingers.

“What if he’s just not coming? What if he’s broken up with me and can’t face telling me?”

She was close to tears and panic was evident in her voice. Mum took her hands, stilling them and gently told her.

“Baby, he wouldn’t do that. Now phone.”

Mum released her hands and shaking badly Hally tried to press the buttons on the handset. It took three attempts to put in the right number and seemed forever before it connected and began to ring. On and on it went with no answer. Hally hung up and pressed the number again to be sure she had got it right. Again ring, ring over and over with never an answer. Tears readily falling Hally hung up again and laid the phone down.

“No one is there.”

She sobbed dejectedly. Then it hit her with a suddenness that rocked her like an earthquake. Why wasn’t there someone there? Ellie would be in bed, so either Wes or one of his parents would be at home.

“Oh my God! What if he’s had an accident or something? I mean there’s always someone at home ‘cos of Ellie. If they’re all out, something’s happened.”

Her voice was rising to near a scream and mum quickly stood up and put her arms around her trying to comfort as much as was possible.

“Baby, baby, sh…don’t jump to conclusions. Do you know any of his parents’ mobile numbers?”

Hally shook her head. She had never ever thought she would need to know. Now she realised she should have asked for them. Dad came into the kitchen with Nathan trailing behind in his pyjamas and dressing gown.

“What’smatta Hally?”

Nathan asked seeing his sister’s tears. Mum didn’t have the heart to correct his speech this time. Dad took Nathan and sitting down lifted him onto his lap.

“Hally’s just a bit upset now Nathan ok? Do you want some milk and biscuits?”

Nathan glanced up at his dad nodding quickly. So dad stood and put his son on the chair and went to fetch a large colourful glass and filled it with milk. He came back with a plate of chocolate biscuits and placed both in front of the child, lifting him back onto his lap.

It was ten past eight and Hally and her family still sat waiting at the kitchen table. Nathan had partly grasped the gravity of the situation and sat on his father’s lap munching biscuits and gulping his milk but without fidgeting or asking questions. Mum had pulled her chair as close to Hally’s as she could and was quietly trying to comfort her daughter. Hally was repeatedly alternating between the landline and Wes’ mobile without getting an answer from either. Finally with mascara streaks down her cheeks she dejectedly laid down both phones and sat with her head down. She had worn herself out crying.

“The girls.”

She whispered. Mum looked at her.

“What about them baby?”

“I should have thought, Gregg or Rhys must have Michael’s number, they work for him.”

Hally grabbed her mobile and rang Clia first. It took a little while for her to answer and she was about to give up when she heard her friend’s voice.

“Hi Hals…”

She got no further. Quickly and with desperation in her voice Hally cut in.

“Is Rhys with you?”

“He’s on his way. Hally what’s wrong?”

Clia had obviously caught the note in Hally’s voice.

“I’ll call you later, for now I have to ring Corrinne.”

Before Clia could reply Hally hung up and pressed the speed dial for Corrinne. She answered immediately.

“Hi…”

But also got no further.

“Is Gregg with you please?”

In her own mind Hally realised the word ’please’ was not just an act of politeness it was a plea.

“Yes, he’s here…”

Again Hally cut across.

“Could you put him on, it’s really important.”

Corrinne didn’t hesitate or ask any more questions. She knew Hally too well to know when she was serious. Gregg came on the phone and Hally verbally sighed.

“Oh Gregg, do you have Wes’ dad’s mobile number please?”

“Hold on, let me get my phone.”

He replied. The few seconds of waiting felt like hours to Hally but finally Gregg was back on reading out the number.

“Thanks Gregg, look tell Corrie I’m sorry I can’t talk I’ll call her later and explain.”

She didn’t wait for a reply but hurriedly hung up and rapidly punched in the number Gregg had given her for Wes’ dad. At first Hally thought he wasn’t going to answer either, but after several rings Michael spoke.

“Hello.”

Just one word. Hally suddenly felt very afraid but managed to speak.

“Michael it’s Hally where’s Wes?”

It was all she could think to ask.

“Hally, we are all at the hospital.”

He said very quietly and with worry evident in his voice. Fear flooded through her and she felt the blood drain from her face. Mum grabbed her hand tightly and dad leaned forward still holding Nathan.

“Why?”

Hally said in a very tiny voice, so much so she wasn’t sure Michael had even heard her.

“It’s Ellie Hally, she’s very poorly.”

Michael told her his voice trembling with emotion. Hally couldn’t react; relief washed over her like a tidal wave rapidly replaced with a sick feeling which completely enveloped her.

“Oh my God. I…can I come over please?”

Her parents sat still, frowning but not interrupting, knowing their daughter would explain when she could. There was a moments silence then Hally said so simply.

“Please Michael.”

Again she waited and finally the tiniest of smiles broke through the lines of fear on her face.

“Thank you.”

Was all she said and hung up. She turned to her parents, pushed back her chair and stood at the same time telling them what she knew.

“I’ll drive you Hally.”

Dad said passing Nathan to his wife and reaching for his keys on top of the fridge. Hally hadn’t even thought about how she was getting to the hospital until dad said this. She felt disjointed, in shock, fear for the toddler passing through her in waves, but with a guilty nagging at the back of her mind. Why hadn’t Wes at least texted her?

With dad at her side Hally made her way through the doors to the main reception desk at the Colingford General Hospital. A smartly dressed woman smiled at her and asked if she needed help. Hally stuttered and stumbled her words and finally dad took control and explained why they were there. The woman tapped a keyboard and then gave them directions to the paediatric department. The hospital was busy as they made their way along corridors and as they neared their destination noticed the walls were brightly decorated with posters and pictures.

The paediatric department had its own reception and again they explained to a receptionist and again waited whilst she tapped her keyboard. From there they were directed to an intensive care ward but were unable to gain entry as the door was security coded. A nurse answered the buzzer and dad again explained what they were doing there. She told them to wait. After a few minutes Michael came through the door and led them to a family room. Kate was waiting inside and stood up and gave Hally a short hug.

“What’s wrong with Ellie?”

Hally asked at the same time wondering where Wes was.

“They think it might be meningitis.”

Kate replied holding back her tears. Hally put a hand over her mouth and dad put an arm around her shoulder. Tentatively and trying to be sensitive too Hally quietly asked.

“Where’s Wes?”

Both his parents looked at each other. Then Michael said.

“He’s in with Ellie…giving us a break.”

There was something in the way he spoke that gave Hally a feeling that she wasn’t being told everything.

“Can I see him…and Ellie?”

She asked without any confidence in her voice at all. Again Wes’ parents glanced at one another making a silent decision. Kate nodded and Michael said.

“Ok I’ll take you through.”

Hally sighed and dad told her he would wait for her in the family room. Michael led her towards a side room and explained how she had to wash her hands and use alcohol gel before she could go in. A stupidly unintentional thought jumped into her mind. ‘I can have alcohol on my hands but I can’t drink it.’ She pushed it out of the way as she pushed open the door to the room.

Wes had his back to the door holding Ellie’s tiny hand. The little girl had tubes coming from her nose and a bag hung from a frame nearby, a tube leading to an IV drip going into her arm. There were little patches attached to her small body sending information to a monitor that bleeped constantly and all sorts of other equipment around the room. Wes looked over his shoulder and gave a start, his face paling visibly.

“Hally…what are you doing here?”

Hally thought this was a very strange question, wasn’t the answer obvious?

“Well…when you didn’t come round or call or anything I got worried and well…I found out about Ellie.”

She told him. He looked at her, but there was something in his look that just wasn’t the Wes she knew.

“I’m sorry Hally I should have let you know.”

It was said without any real conviction and Hally had the awful feeling that something was going over her head.

“It’s ok Wes, you had your sister to think about.”

Hally said softly hoping he would notice her concern. However Wes only glanced at her then laid his head down on the toddler’s tiny hand that he was still grasping. Hally didn’t get it. If Nathan was this ill she would be out of her mind too, but she didn’t think she would just blank out Wes. If anything she thought she would need him there to prop her up and get her through it. She moved over to his side and placed a hand on his head, gently stroking his hair. Then in a very weak voice she said.

“Have I done something wrong Wes?”

He didn’t reply at first, just a slight movement of his head indicating no. Then he looked up at her pain written across his face.

“You shouldn’t be here Hally.”

Hally stepped back, his words burning like fire, as she stammered.

“Wh…wh..at..why?”

Wes turned and looked up at her never letting go of Ellie’s hand.

“I didn’t want to have to tell you like this.”

He said, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Tell me what?”

Hally asked close to tears herself, fear clutching her heart like a vice. Wes looked away, brushing soft dark curls away from the tiny girl’s face. The toddler lay in the middle of the bed strapped to the monitors; the only sign she was alive her rapid breathing and the bleeping machine. Hally had to ask again.

“Tell me what Wes?”

He didn’t look at her so she moved to the other side of the bed where she could see his face and waited. He glanced up at her then away again, and with his eyes downcast and in a very flat voice said.

“Ellie is not my sister. She’s my daughter.”

Hally couldn’t move. Shock flooded through her body and she felt like the world was rocking backwards and forwards. A tumultuous explosion of disbelief went through her, this was a really bad joke, but Wes wasn’t looking at her. She couldn’t speak, could barely breathe, her stomach rolled like she was on a roller coaster, but this was no theme park, and still Wes didn’t or wouldn’t look at her. She wanted to scream at him, to shout and demand to know why he was doing this to her, but she couldn’t do any of that. She was in an intensive care hospital room where a little baby girl lay fighting for her life, and all the while her life had just collapsed.

Hally stumbled into the family room, dad standing immediately when he saw her chalk white face, Michael and Kate heading for the door believing something had changed in Ellie’s condition. Dad took her into his arms and she folded like tissue paper on a breeze.

“Baby what’s happened, is it Ellie?”

All Hally could do was shake her head no. Words were lodged in the back of her throat, her tongue felt swollen and unresponsive, she couldn’t tell her father what she desperately wanted to. Dad gently forced her into a chair and poured her ice cold water from a tank near the wall. Handing her the small cup, he helped her sip the contents brushing her hair away from her face. She began to shiver uncontrollably and dad realised she was most certainly in a state of shock. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her.

“Hally, baby what’s happened?”

Hally shook her head as if trying to dislodge something caught in her hair and finally managed a whisper.

“Da..da…daddy…c.c.could..y.you..t.t.take.m.me..h.h.home.”

She tried standing and wobbled against her father. He held her up and gently led her towards the door. As they reached it, it opened and Michael and Kate came back in. They saw the state Hally was in and Kate opened her mouth to speak but dad shook his head.

“I don’t know what’s going on but I’m taking her home.”

He told Wes’ parents firmly and without waiting for a reply, all but carried Hally out of the hospital.

During the drive home, dad kept giving Hally curious little glances but didn’t ask any questions. As he had helped her into the car she told him she wanted to explain everything but wanted to wait until they were home and mum was there too. Dad was very worried about her but agreed to her wishes and drove in silence. He had the heater on high but could see his daughter still visibly shaking. He had wanted to phone his wife and warn her but Hally wouldn’t let him go until she was settled in the car and then all she wanted him to do was drive straight home.

Mum sat anxiously waiting at the kitchen table when dad and Hally came through the door. As soon as she saw her husband practically carrying their daughter she leapt up and came to Hally’s side. Together, Hally’s parents led her into the lounge and settled her on the sofa. Mum disappeared but returned quickly with Hally’s duvet. She kneeled in front of her child and removed her shoes, then wrapped her in the duvet, dad sitting by her side hugging her closely.

“What’s happened?”

Mum asked. Dad shrugged and slightly shook his head.

“We had to go to intensive care and Wes was with his little sister, so his dad took Hally through and after quite a while she came out in this state of shock. She said she wanted to tell us together.”

Mum sat down on the other side of Hally and pulled her close, holding her head against her shoulder.

“Baby, do you want to tell us?”

Hally nodded into her mother’s shoulder tears soaking into her mum’s top. Then her voice quivering she blurted out.

“Ellie is Wes’.”

Mum looked at dad and he frowned, realisation dawning on both their faces. Dad opened his mouth in a silent ‘Oh!’. Mum held her daughter tightly, anger bubbling inside her but holding it in for Hally’s sake.

“Hally, are you saying Ellie is Wes’ daughter?”

Mum asked keeping her own feelings masked. Hally nodded without speaking.

“And you had no idea before?”

Dad asked, realising he had been completely tactless when his wife glared at him.

“Sorry Tink that was a stupid thing to say.”

He quickly added before Hally could reply.

“Mum could you help me get undressed?”

Hally mumbled and completely out of context to the subject. Mum leaned forward and gave her a loving smile.

“Of course baby. And dad will make you a hot drink.”

Back on the sofa wrapped up in her nightwear and duvet Hally sipped hot coffee with her parents either side of her. She had finally stopped shivering and shaking and felt a little calmer. Many things were going through her mind but the one burning question she voiced to her parents was.

“Should I have guessed?”

“I really don’t see how you could have.”

Mum answered her truthfully.

“It’s not like you spend a lot of time round there, or even with Ellie. I mean Wes is here so often.”

Dad told her trying to give her comfort. Still, her mind kept nagging that she should have seen signs. She was angry with herself for not spotting them and even more angry with Wes for keeping this enormous secret for so long.

Hally sat with her parents until nearly midnight. She had talked and talked about the times she had met Ellie, few though they were. How she called Wes Pappy Es and Michael Pappy Ikle and his mother’s explanation for this. Was that a sign? She talked about the way Wes had spoken when Ellie had been sick with a tummy bug. Was that a sign? She told her parents she had believed Wes wholeheartedly when he spoke about being an only child for so long. And she told her parents how she just realised she had never ever heard Wes refer to Ellie as his sister. Should she have known then? Guessed? Tuned in? None of it was fair nor straightforward.

“How could he do this to me mum?”

Hally cried.

“I would like to know that too my angel.”

Mum replied.

“So would I.”

Dad added.

By the time Hally finally went to bed that night it was getting on for one in the morning. She hadn’t heard from Wes at all nor his parents and felt as if she was being punished for something but had no idea what. She had sent brief messages to both Corrinne and Clia telling them she really needed them to come round early the next day. They sent messages back that they would be there as soon as they got up. This was the only consolation to what had turned out to be one of the worst days in Hally’s life so far.

Hally believed she would not sleep at all and expected to be tossing and turning for the rest of the night. However, whether through complete exhaustion or just her own mind switching off, she managed to fall into a deep sleep until about six. For the first few seconds of being awake, Hally’s world was as it always had been. Then reality flooded in and the memories of the previous day bombarded her with pain. She turned her head into the pillow but her sorrow went so deep that tears wouldn’t come. Wes, her wonderful boyfriend that wanted to be only with her was gone from her life, at least that’s how she saw the situation; she couldn’t even begin to imagine how things could be as they were. He hadn’t even called her, texted her, ok, Ellie was very ill, but surely he could have at least sent her a quick message saying something.

Hally dragged herself out of bed and quietly made her way downstairs. She had tried to go back to sleep but Wes’ face as she had last seen him kept swimming in front of her every time she closed her eyes; so she had given up. The house was quiet as she made her way to the kitchen. She knew it wouldn’t be that way for long, her parents would be up soon and so would Nathan who never seemed to sleep later than seven even at the weekend. She stood at the window waiting for the kettle to boil watching the birds pecking around the lawn. The sky was overcast and heavy looking like her heart felt. The click of the kettle switching off diverted her attention from the garden and she turned to pour water onto a teabag. Her phone which was in her dressing gown pocket chirped an incoming message making her jump. Hot water spilled onto her hand and she gave a squeal of pain. She quickly turned on the cold tap and let the water run over the angry red welt that had already appeared on the fleshy part of her hand near her thumb. The water eased the soreness a little and she left it to run as she took her phone out of her pocket with her other hand. Her heart began to race as she saw a message from Wes and quickly opened it.

i need to see you i need to explain xxx

Awkwardly and unsuccessfully Hally tried to tap a reply with one hand, so she laid her phone down and pulled her scalded hand from underneath the cold water. Almost immediately the soreness returned but she ignored it as she wrote a single word back.

when

She pressed send and waited. She heard a gently rushing noise and at first couldn’t determine its origin, then she realised she had left the tap running. As she turned it off she also realised that she hadn’t even asked about Ellie. Guiltily she quickly wrote another message.

how is ellie

And as she pressed send her phone beeped notifying her of an incoming message.

now

Was all the message said. Hally’s breath caught in her throat. She desperately wanted to see him, but was unsure of how she would react when she did. She wasn’t even sure how she felt at that moment.

“Are you going to drink that?”

Hally was so startled her phone jumped out of her hand and for a few seconds a comic act of weird juggling went on. Luckily she was able to stop the phone falling into the sink and holding it tightly turned to her mum who had just come into the kitchen.

“Umm…drink what?”

Hally managed to mumble as her heart began to settle to its normal rhythm.

“Your tea baby.”

Mum replied gently.

“Oh… I forgot…I spilt hot water on my hand and then Wes texted me.”

Hally replied in a flat voice. She still wasn’t quite with it.

“Oh darling let me see.”

Mum said as she came over and gently took Hally’s hand examining the burn.

“Mmm… doesn’t look like it’s going to blister. Did you run it under cold water?”

Hally nodded and looked up into her mum’s eyes.

“He wants to see me now.”

She stated.

“But?”

Mum replied.

“Mum, I don’t know what I’m going to say to him, or even how to react when I see him.”

Hally said tears beginning to flow down her cheeks. Mum pulled her into a hug and said.

“Baby, first you need to be sure that you do want to see him now. The rest you will discover when you do.”

Hally clung to her mum, quietly sobbing.

“Do…you… think I should see him?”

She asked hoping her mum would be able to tell her what to do as she was so unsure.

“Well, it might be best to get it all sorted out now. You know waiting could just make it harder.”

Hally nodded into her mum’s shoulder still holding on tightly. There was a bang from behind and both looked up to see Nathan rubbing his elbow.

“Ouch! Who put that chair there?”

He exclaimed sulkily. Hally stood back a little ready to let her mother tend to her brother, but mum didn’t let go immediately. Instead she turned her head and said to her son.

“It has always been there Nathan. You need to be a bit more careful or you’re going to really hurt yourself.”

Holding out his arm Nathan screwed up his face and looked at mum with wide eyes. Then in his sweetest voice he said.

“Mummy could you rub it please? It really hurts.”

Hally’s heart melted, her own problems pushed aside for a moment. Before mum could respond to Nathan Hally moved to her brother and knelt down.

“Come here Natty, let me rub it.”

Nathan wasn’t particular about whose attention he was getting so long as someone eased the bump on his elbow, so he leaned into Hally and let her look at the spot where it hurt. A small red mark had appeared that would most likely become a bruise later and Hally gently moved her thumb across it. It only took a few seconds before Nathan was happy again.

“Sbetter.”

He beamed hopping onto a chair to wait for his breakfast. Hally’s phone went off again and she saw another one word message.

well

Mum raised her eyebrows questioningly. Hally tapped in ‘ok’ and pressed send.

“I’ve said ok. Do you think that’s right?”

Mum nodded as she placed a glass of juice in front of Nathan who took no notice of his sister’s and mum’s conversation. Food was the only thing on his mind.

Wes arrived in record time. Hally was still in her nightwear and both her parents were now in the kitchen. Dad wasn’t too keen on Wes coming round but didn’t voice his opinion too strongly. In his heart he knew Hally had to get a full explanation, but he was very angry with Wes for hurting his daughter. He felt like Wes had betrayed his entire family as they were all very fond of him. It was like a slap in the face. Whilst Hally had gone to the bathroom, mum had told her husband that she felt the same, but that they had to try and stay out of it, that Hally would let them know if she wanted them to get more involved. Reluctantly dad agreed and so he sat quietly when Wes arrived.

As usual Wes came to the back door and mum let him in. He looked embarrassed and very nervous as he said hello. Mum tried a small smile but dad just nodded without speaking. Hally gave him a pained look and indicated he follow her to the lounge. As they entered the room, Wes tried to put his arms around her but she moved away from him and sat in an armchair. Never before had they sat in the room on separate seats. Wes lowered his arms and his head and dejectedly dropped onto the sofa.

“Would you sit with me?”

He asked in a voice that trembled. Hally felt her heart pound but resolved to keep her distance. She didn’t want his charm and strong loving arms to cloud what was inevitably going to be a difficult time, so she shook her head. Wes sighed deeply. Hally sat looking straight at him and was finally able to speak.

“So how is Ellie?”

Was all she could say. Wes looked up and replied, his voice still wobbly.

“She’s out of danger. It wasn’t meningitis, luckily, but she does have a serious virus, so they’re keeping her in. Her temperature has dropped a bit but it’s not back to normal yet. Mum and dad are still at the hospital.”

Hally felt a degree of strength begin inside and when she spoke her voice was clear and steady.

“So, shouldn’t you be there too then?”

Wes placed his hands over his face and then Hally noticed his shoulders were shaking. Then she heard him sobbing and suddenly his whole body was shaking uncontrollably. Hally couldn’t leave him by himself. All the times he had held her through so many painful times, been there to comfort and protect her. Now, whatever happened in their future, she still loved him and he needed her comfort. Quietly she moved to the sofa and sat next to him, pulling him to her. He came without resistance and leaned into her, wrapping his arms tightly around her. She held him as he cried stroking his hair and letting it slide through her fingers.

Some time went by as they sat in silence, Wes crying in Hally’s arms. Gradually his sobs began to subside and his shaking steadied. He clung to Hally as though he were drowning at sea and she was his life preserver as his tears eased and lessened to occasional sobs. Finally Hally shifted her weight and Wes sat up a little straighter. Hally reached for the box of tissues that was on a nearby side table and handed them to him. Wes pulled a wad from the box and held them to his red and puffy face. He tried not to look at Hally, embarrassment evident in his eyes. She saw his discomfort and spoke for the first time in what seemed like hours.

“It’s ok to cry Wes.”

Wes could only nod, his breath coming in odd little gasps as his body recovered from the long spell of tears.

“I’ll get you some water.”

She told him standing. He held her hand and shook his head so she lowered herself back to the sofa.

“It’s..I’m..don’t…go”

He stuttered. He pressed more tissues to his face and then took a very deep breath.

“Hally you must hate me.”

He managed quite clearly. Hally shook her head but he still had his face covered and couldn’t see her. So she said

“I don’t hate you Wes. I’m hurt and confused and very angry and I don’t know what to say, but I don’t hate you.”

Wes screwed the tissues into a ball in his hand and looked at her with eyes still gleaming with unshed tears.

“I so wanted to tell you. A long time ago, but I just couldn’t. I just kept thinking one day soon. Stupidly imagining that you would just smile your beautiful smile and tell me it was fine, so what if I had a daughter? It wouldn’t affect our relationship. God how dumb could I be? I mean of course it would be a shock no matter when I told you. But I had hoped to break it to you in a way that perhaps wouldn’t freak you out and then you would get used to it.”

Wes was squeezing the ball of tissues in his hand. Hally placed her own hand over his and stilled the fidgeting.

“Tell me everything now please?”

She whispered gently. Wes took another deep breath, leaned back against the cushions and closed his eyes for a moment. Then he looked at her and began.

“I was just sixteen, so was my girlfriend. She was a bit older than me.”

Wes paused, already struggling to explain. Hally shifted on the sofa.

“Look, I’m going to get us some drinks and tell my parents that we are going to need some time, ok? So you stay here (she held out her hand) and give me those tissues, and work out how you are going to tell me.”

Without waiting for a reply Hally stood up and left the room. Mum and dad were still in the kitchen and looked up expectantly when she came in.

“I’m ok. I’m just getting us some coffee, I’ll tell you everything later. Wes is pretty upset and we have only just got started. I think it’s going to take quite a while.”

Hally told them busying herself with mugs and coffee. Dad frowned.

“Huh…he’s upset…”

“Colin, leave them to it.”

Mum told him gently and he didn’t say anymore. Hally gave her father a desperate look and seeing the strain on his daughter’s face he came over and kissed her cheek.

“Ok angel. I won’t say another word. We will just be here if you need us.”

Hally smiled gratefully at her dad and poured hot water into the mugs, then carrying them carefully she returned to the lounge.

Wes was again leaning back against the cushions with his eyes closed. He looked worn out, the puffiness around his eyes mixed with dark circles from lack of sleep made him look ill. Hally set the mugs down and he opened his eyes and gave her a little smile. Tucking her feet under her, Hally sat next to him waiting for him to begin what she knew was going to be long story. Wes reached for his coffee but changed his mind, not wanting even the simple act of drinking to delay what he had to tell her. So instead he turned to face her and began.

“We had been going out for a long time. I was only thirteen when we first met. She had moved and just started at my school. Like you said before, I was part of the popular crowd and this girl, Sophie, was gorgeous and slotted right in with the popular girls.”

Hally felt fear grip her heart. This girl was everything she despised in a girl, someone she just knew was vain, could get any boy she wanted and would dump when she’d had enough. She hated her without even knowing her for she had captured Wes’ heart, taken everything she could from him and left him. How could he ever feel like that about her? However she didn’t voice any of this as he continued.

“All the way through we had an on/off relationship. She kept getting all stroppy if I even spoke to another girl yet she was ok with flirting with any and all the guys. I broke up with her a few times but she would come crying back with how sorry she was and how much she loved me. I was a sucker and head over heels and couldn’t see how manipulative she was.”

Hally sighed, feeling a little sorry for the young Wes. She had seen the popular girls at school do exactly the same to boys. Dana and Penny and their crowd had especially been like that in years eight and nine, now things were very different. Wes continued.

“Of course at that age we couldn’t really go out. I mean we went to the cinema and cafés and hung out in the parks with our crowd. Mostly we spent time at either my house or hers. Her parents were a bit strange, they didn’t have a lot to do with her but they spoilt her. She had an older brother but he was out most of the time. When they had her they were over the moon at getting a girl but seemed to just ply her with stuff and not love.”

Hally gave him a scathing look.

“I’m not defending her, really, I’m just telling you what it was like.”

Hally relaxed a little.

“Sorry.”

She said sheepishly. Wes gave her a smile that melted her heart but didn’t let him see this in her expression.

“She had new clothes all of the time, not like Corrinne does, I mean she demanded them. And she had to have matching shoes and bag with every outfit. She had really expensive makeup and used to get her nails done at a fancy nail place and her hair done at the top salon in Oxford. Honestly, I don’t know why I put up with it all. I didn’t have loads of money yet she would always expect me to pay when we went out. One time I bought her this perfume for her birthday, and she looked at the box and didn’t even open it because it wasn’t the latest celebrity perfume. That was one time I broke up with her. Then she came sobbing back saying she was so sorry and the present was lovely. I stupidly took her back, but you know, she never did open that perfume.”

Wes sighed then picked up his mug of coffee, sipped it but put it down as it had gone cold.

“Do you want some fresh?”

He shook his head, not wanting anything to interrupt them

“Well when she was at my house she was all sweet and lightness. I’ve always had a good relationship with my parents and we can talk quite openly, but well, I was a young teenager with a big ego. I didn’t want to tell my parents or let them see how she treated me. Do you understand Hally?”

She thought she could see his point. It must have been hard for a boy like him, popular with the crowd, probably the dominant one of his peers, feeling used and manipulated by his girlfriend. How could he tell his parents otherwise? So she nodded that she did understand and he carried on.

“Well they thought she was wonderful. She would come in and give my mum a hug, make dad a cup of tea and chat about all sorts. She never showed her shallowness ever, when my parents were around. I don’t know if it was deliberate or whether she just enjoyed the attention she got from them, (a sad frown crossed his face and he paused) I think maybe it was deliberate, but still I stayed with her.”

Wes took a deep breath and took Hally’s hand raising it to his lips and kissing it lightly. She didn’t resist this time.

“Go on.”

She encouraged. She already had a million questions but they could wait.

“Well I suppose being with her became a habit. Some of our friends had paired up, her new best friend had got together with my closest mate, so we kind of drifted through the next couple of years. She was very forward and pushy, always going on about how sexy she looked and how so many lads gave her ‘come on’ looks where ever she went. I wasn’t comfortable with the whole sex stuff. I mean, you know we did stuff, touching and kissing, but I wasn’t ready to go the whole way. She used to take the mickey out of me, she even told her friend once that I couldn’t get it up ”

Wes blushed with embarrassment and humiliation and Hally felt a powerful surge of pure hatred for the girl who had stolen his heart and then destroyed it. She took both his hands and squeezed them tightly.

“Oh Wes. That’s just so horrible. How could anyone do that?”

Wes gave her a loving smile and shrugged.

“Well, again stupid idiot me just let it go. But it got to me so I started getting a bit more, you know close. We got near to going all the way a few times, but it was difficult. It was always at her house and her parents were always home. Then it was my birthday, she was already sixteen. We had been out, a whole group of us. We had been to a pizza place then the park for a bit, but it was too cold to stay out for long. So me and her, we went back to her house and for once her mum and dad were out. She started snogging me as soon as we got in the door and putting her hands down my jeans. I got… well I don’t have to tell you what I got…but we ended up on the lounge floor. She took off her jeans and underwear and pulled me on top of her. I didn’t even get my own jeans off, she tugged them down and without even thinking it happened.”

Wes took his hands out of Hally’s and covered his face, tears dripping between his fingers. Hally sat motionless unable to give him comfort for she didn’t know what he was crying for at that point.

“Wes…what is it?”

With his face still covered he mumbled through his sobs.

“It was awful. It was over and done with in an instant. We had barely started when I… well you know…came…”

The last word was little more than a whisper, but he carried on.

“Sophie started laughing. ‘What was that?’ she asked me. I couldn’t look at her. but I managed to ask her what she meant. She laughed again and told me it was feeble and couldn’t I have just waited a bit. I didn’t know what to say. I managed to get up and pull my jeans up without having to look at her. She got dressed and stood up looking in the mirror, fluffing her hair and wiping at her smudged makeup. Without even looking at me she told me it had been a waste of time. I had been so quick that she hadn’t even had time to get properly worked up herself. I tried to apologise but she put her hand up in front of me. I won’t ever forget what she said then and how she said it.”

Wes stopped, took his hands from his face and with tears glistening on his cheeks faced Hally and said.

“She said. ‘Wesley you are such a loser.’ Just like that with a look of distaste on her face, then ‘You better get yourself sorted. That was the worst sex I have ever had.’ I just stood there. It took a few seconds for it to sink in. When had she done it before. I somehow managed to ask that and she gave me such a contemptuous look and told me it was the times we broke up. At first that didn’t register, when we broke up it was like two or three days at a time, and then it did sink in. She had said times, not just once before and my mind sort of went into turbo speed, we had broken up several times so did that mean she had been with someone else every time?”

Wes’ pain and humiliation was tangible to Hally. She unfolded her feet and stood up repositioning herself on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and held her like his life depended on it. She held his head in her hands and kissed the top of his head. Anger and hatred for Sophie filling her soul.

“You don’t have to tell me anymore right now.”

She whispered to him. He pulled back and looked into her face.

“Yes I do. I need you to know everything.”

Hally nodded and let him continue.

“I knew then that it had to be over. All the times she had been a bitch and we had broken up I had let her come back to me. But this was too much. Not only did I realise what a really nasty person she was; but finding out that she had cheated on me many times was the limit. I mean I know we technically broke up, but to me it was still cheating. So, at first I couldn’t speak. Then I got angry and told her I never wanted to see her again. I told her she was an evil bitch and that it wouldn’t do her any good to come running back this time because it was over. Do you know what she did?”

Wes asked Hally indignantly. Hally shook her head and Wes continued.

“She had the absolute nerve to turn away from me and say ‘Whatever’. I stormed out of her house and walked and walked until I was so cold and tired. I finally went home and when I got there my parents were waiting. Mum gave me a worried look and asked where I had been. I was confused ‘cos I wasn’t late in but then she told me Sophie had phoned in floods of tears. She told my parents we had a row and I had stormed out. That she didn’t really know what it was about, something little that she’d said and I over-reacted to. I was actually lost for words. Mum made me a hot drink and asked me to tell her about it. Finally I knew I could talk to her about all of it, to both of them. So we sat down and I poured out everything. It was really difficult, especially about the sex stuff, but they listened without comment until I finished. They were both stunned. Sophie had duped all of us and they were hurt too. They blamed themselves for being so taken in, but I managed to convince them it wasn’t their fault. They both hugged me and told me they would help me as much as possible to get through it.”

Wes again took a break and again Hally asked if he wanted another drink. His voice had become husky through crying and talking and so he agreed, but told her he only wanted water. Hally went to the kitchen and found a note from mum saying they had taken Nathan to football training and were then going to the shops, and that Corrinne and Clia had come round and she had told them to call back later. Hally looked at the clock and saw it was already past nine. She hadn’t realised how long she and Wes had been in the lounge and then she remembered texting the girls asking them to come round early. She went back to Wes and explained about the note and that she had to text Corrinne and Clia and let them know what was going on. Wes gave her a worried look.

“Oh not everything, not yet, just that we are talking.”

He gave her a relieved look as she quickly keyed in the message and sent it each of her friends.

so sorry i know i said come early but wes came round and we really need to talk promise to tell you all later love you xxxx

She then settled herself back on his lap and after a long drink of water he carried on.

“So anyway. I kept away from Sophie. At first she tried the old ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it’ stuff, but I wasn’t interested. Then she turned it around and started telling her friends I had dumped her straight after having sex with her. Of course they believed her and in a way it was true, and for a while I got a lot of flak from them. I told my close friends exactly what had happened and they were with me, even the girls I was close to, so it didn’t really cause me much trouble. In some ways I was relieved it was finally properly over. It was like I could breathe again and I realised that for so long I had been under this girl’s control. Anyway everything seemed to settle down, it was quite nice being single and just hanging out with my mates. Then about four months later Sophie and her parents came round my house one evening. Mum and dad didn’t want to let them in; but they were all indignant and stating what they had to discuss could not be done on the doorstep. So my parents took them through to our lounge. They didn’t offer seats or drinks just let them stand in the middle of the room. Mum and dad stood either side of me and dad said. ‘Well?’ Sophie’s mum crossed her arms in front of her and lifted her shoulders as though no one had ever dared speak to her like that before. Sophie’s dad puffed out his chest, pointed at me and said ‘He got our little girl pregnant’”

Wes’ voice shook at the memory and he drained the water from the glass. Hally felt the shock of the news as if she was actually there and she shivered in reaction to it. Wes rubbed her shoulders aware of how it all sounded to her. It took a few moments before he was able to carry on. Then with another deep breath he said.

“We just all stood there. It was like a freeze frame in drama, like someone would appear and start asking students what feelings were going through so and so’s mind at that point. Mum was the first to speak and honestly, it would have been funny if it hadn’t been so damn serious. She pulled herself up as tall as she could get and well you know, being so short anyway, well she lifted her chin and said straight out. ‘Your so called little girl got herself pregnant. She’s been at it like a rabbit with half the boys in town, so she should know how to use contraception by now.’ Sophie’s parents reacted like they were one person, or rather like a fish. Their mouths opened and closed exactly at the same time like they were gasping for air, but they couldn’t speak. I don’t think anyone had ever made a derogatory remark about their daughter.”

Wes smiled a real smile for the first time since she had seen him at the hospital. It lifted her spirits too and as she looked at him imagining the scene she gave a little giggle. Wes joined in and briefly they laughed together, almost as though nothing was in between them. Then it was over and Wes got back to telling Hally about his past.

“Well they stood like that for some time and then dad piped up with ‘Anyway, how does she know it’s even our son’s?’ I hadn’t thought of that, but of course after what she’d told me it wasn’t exactly an unreasonable question. But it was Sophie who answered. She pressed herself close to her father and in a little girl voice said. ‘Daddy, that’s a lie. I only did it with him ‘cos he said he’d break up with me if I didn’t. Of course it is his, I had my period just before we did, you know, and since he dumped me straight after, well. And I’ve been too upset to even think about any other boys.’ Her dad patted her arm and told her it was all ok they believed everything she said. They completely overlooked what my mum had said about the other boys. Well my mum and dad were furious; I didn’t know what to say and just stood there like a plank. Her mum noticed this and pointed at me again and said. ‘I see he has nothing to say for himself. So what are you going to do about this mess?’ Before I even got the chance to answer mum stepped up to Sophie’s mum and looked right up at her. She jabbed her finger towards Sophie’s mum and in a really quiet but angry voice said. ‘Don’t you point at my son. He’s not going to do anything until she (indicating Sophie) has had this child and we get a paternity test. Then if it is his, he will take responsibility then.’ Sophie’s mum was shocked into silence. I mean mum might be little but she can pack a punch without raising her voice or hand.”

Again Wes smiled, love for his mother showing in the way he spoke of her. Hally was very glad that he had parents he could rely on just as she had and began to get an understanding of the situation they had all found themselves in. It didn’t alleviate the hurt and anger at Wes for keeping all this from her, but she was beginning to see why he had.

“So what happened after that?”

Hally prompted. Wes gave her a little squeeze.

“Well Sophie’s mum looked down at mum and haughtily announced ‘If she has it’. Then she took Sophie’s hand like she was a little girl and headed for the door, her dad following. Mum followed them and shut the door before any of them could say any more. Then we all sort of sat down and took deep breaths. I was in as much shock as mum and dad and for a while none of us spoke. Then dad got up and went into the kitchen. He came back with three bottles of lager, he handed one to mum and held the other out for me. He said ‘I know you’re not old enough, but one will be alright.’ Then for a little while we just sat quietly and sipped. Of course I had to say something and the only thing that came out was I’m sorry. Mum came straight over to me and hugged me. She said ‘Darling you have made a very big mistake, a stupid big mistake, but whatever happens your dad and I will support you.’ Well that just made me cry and then we were both crying and hugging and then dad came over and put his arms round both of us.”

Hally could imagine the scene at Wes’ home. It sounded like the many times her own parents had hugged and cried with her, giving her support and comfort. She stayed silent, waiting whilst Wes took a break from telling his past and just remembering it. She didn’t have to wait long before he was ready to tell her more.

“We didn’t see or hear from Sophie or her family for months. There was the obvious gossip at school, some of her friends going round telling anyone who would hear that I had got her pregnant and then dumped her. I got quite a lot of stick over that. I told my close friends the truth and they sided with me, but school became really difficult. Sophie had gathered quite a large group of girlfriends and they definitely had it in for me. Sophie herself wasn’t even at school, someone said her parents had taken her out and brought in a home tutor. By that, me mum and dad sort of guessed that she was carrying on with the pregnancy. Anyway, exam time came round, and things eased a bit because we were not in school all of the time. So I had a chance to get on with my revision and sit my GCSEs without being hassled so much. It was actually a relief to take the exams because I didn’t have to see these girls all of the time and be subjected to their bitching.”

Hally made a huffing sound and Wes looked at her.

“What?”

He asked. She gave him a little frown.

“Wes you were being bullied, why didn’t you say something to your teachers?”

Wes looked at her confused.

“You know I never looked at it like that. I mean I hated the constant comments and name calling, but never considered I was being bullied by them. I just sort of tried to block it out and get on with each day.”

Hally took his hands and held them. She looked deep into his eyes reading the pain he had endured and completely understanding how it had felt. Though circumstances were very different, she herself knew only too well what it was like to have to live almost day by day wishing some people would just disappear. She also knew that the type of bullying they had both suffered was the most difficult for schools to deal with. Low level but constant name calling, jeering, teasing and ridicule. Never physical, but the mental torture went deeper than any punch or slap could. Now sitting on his lap she knew that it was because of their own inner strengths and the love and support from their families, that they were both able to come through fairly unscathed, but there were still some scars.

“I know exactly what you mean.”

Hally told him and for a moment there was nothing between them and they smiled at each other. Then Wes became serious again and continued.

“So, the exams were finally over and those of us hoping to go into sixth form had to spend a bit more time at school than those who didn’t. Luckily for me, Sophie’s gang all wanted to go to college to do hairdressing, or beauty or nails, which meant none of them would be in school anymore. Wow what a relief, at last I thought things were getting back to normal. I suppose then I didn’t even think about the baby, I didn’t even know when it was due. Well the holidays started and we had a week in Spain ‘cos dad had a big job starting and he could only take one week off. Then when we got back, actually it was the morning after, there was a knock on the door and it was Sophie’s parents. She wasn’t with them, but the baby was. Mum had answered the door and when she called out to dad and me, her voice, well we thought something had happened to her. We both rushed to her and saw it was Sophie’s parents. They stood there with a pram and a huge bag. Her dad just looked at us and then stated without any emotion at all. ‘Well it’s a girl. Here she is. All you need is in the bag. She’s a week old and we haven’t had her registered yet, we’ll leave that to you. But you should know that in two weeks time we are emigrating to Australia, the whole family and we won’t be back, nor do we want anything to do with your daughter (he looked right at me). Sophie wants to forget this whole business. In the bag is also a signed letter from our solicitor relinquishing any and all rights and responsibility to the child.’ Then they just left, turned round and walked away leaving the baby asleep in her pram.”

Hally was speechless. She couldn’t believe how anyone, especially a mother and her parents could just walk away from a new born baby without showing the slightest sign of emotion. They had treated the child like an object, something that could just be disposed of, like an old sofa that someone was giving away. Hally could not comprehend how Wes and his parents must have felt.

“We were all flabbergasted, completely shocked at the callousness of what they had done. Mum was the first to recover and told dad to pick up the bag and got me to help lift the pram into the house. I didn’t know how to react, what to say, or what to do. I didn’t even know if the baby was mine. At that point there was just a tiny baby with no name and it seemed no parents. It was almost like you see on the news where a baby gets left and the mother’s done a runner. But obviously this time, the father was probably present. Anyway, the baby was still asleep and looked as though she had at least been looked after. Mum went through the bag and found bottles and sterilizer, baby milk, nappies and clothes and various other bits and pieces. She also found the letter. Dad turned to me and said ‘Well son, first we get a paternity test then go from there.’ I still couldn’t speak. Mum put her arm around me and said ‘Wes this is all going to be ok. If she’s yours we will work this out as a family.’ So at that moment all I could do was nod and look at the tiny baby in the pram not knowing what to believe.”

There was a sound from the kitchen and Hally realised that her parents were home and that she was also still wearing her nightwear. The morning had virtually passed without notice, Wes talking and her listening intently. Hally stood and went into the kitchen to see her parents leaving Wes in the lounge. Mum was putting shopping away and dad was as usual struggling to remove muddy football clothes from Nathan. Mum glanced up.

“Everything ok?”

She asked, noticing Hally still in her dressing gown. Hally nodded.

“We are still talking. It is a very long and complicated story and I will tell you everything as soon as I can.”

Mum smiled and said.

“Do you want me to bring some sandwiches and drinks in a bit?”

Hally realised she hadn’t eaten and thought Wes probably hadn’t either.

“Thanks mum that would be great.”

She gave her mum a kiss on the cheek and returned to the lounge to Wes who gave her a worried and almost frightened look.

“They hate me don’t they?”

He said almost in tears again. Hally sat back on his lap and brushed his hair away from his face.

“No they don’t. They were angry and concerned for me, but mum’s bringing us some food and drinks in a little while. She wouldn’t do that if she didn’t care.”

Wes leaned into her and closed his eyes resting for a while. There was a knock on the door and mum came in with a tray, on it two mugs and a plate of chocolate biscuits.

“I’ll get the sandwiches in a minute.”

She said with a gentle smile. Hally and Wes both thanked her and she returned to the kitchen.

“See, she’s fine.”

Hally told him. He gave her a tiny smile but didn’t look very reassured. So, tugging lightly at his hair she said.

“Look Wes, my parents will be ok with whatever I decide. They will be there for me and offer me advice, which I usually take because it’s usually what I’m sort of thinking anyway.”

Wes gave her a very anxious look.

“What do you mean whatever you decide? Are you thinking of breaking up with me?”

He was on the verge of tears and Hally realised she had said the completely wrong thing.

“Oh Wes I didn’t mean it like that. I mean I have a lot to think about, you know all you’re telling me.”

He nodded dejectedly.

“Well I’d better tell you the rest then.”

“Look, I have to go to the loo and I think I’d like to get out of my night clothes. So let’s take a break, mum will bring the sandwiches in bit.”

Wes looked terrified.

“You’re going to leave me on my own? Won’t your dad come in here and make mince meat out of me?”

Hally stifled a giggle.

“No he won’t. Don’t be daft. Look I’ll go and tell them where I am and that you need a catnap, actually you look like you do. Then I’ll be back. You know how fast I can get ready.”

Reluctantly Wes let her go and she disappeared into the kitchen. He leaned back into the comfort of the sofa and closed his eyes. He was very tired and almost immediately he dropped into sleep. Hally on the other hand felt wide awake as she let the hot shower flow over her. She intended to keep her word and quickly dried off and dressed, dragging a comb hastily through her hair. She trotted downstairs and back into the lounge. Mum had already been in and left a tray of very tasty looking sandwiches. Wes was where she had left him, but was sound asleep. For a few minutes she just watched him. He looked peaceful and handsome and her heart swelled to bursting point at the love she felt for him. But she felt afraid and she trembled for nothing could ever be the same. Placing her hand on his shoulder, Hally gently shook him awake. He blinked at her, at first confused about where he was, then he sat up quickly.

“Oh. I suppose I actually did drop off.”

He mumbled rubbing his face. Hally could see he was still worn out, but knew they needed to get everything out in the open now.

“Mum brought sandwiches.”

She said, pointing to the second tray on the coffee table. There were also two cans of cola there too. Wes leaned forward taking a plate and a handful of sandwiches. He bit into one with relish and smiling said.

“Mmmm your mum makes really nice sandwiches.”

Hally smiled wistfully. Wes had said very nearly the exact same thing just a few short weeks ago, yet now it seemed a lifetime ago when everything was perfect and she didn’t know about Ellie. But that was a false perfect, she thought, and with a crushing feeling she felt tears well up in her eyes. She put her sandwich down, unable to eat anymore, the bite she had taken almost getting stuck. Wes noticed the change in her and put down his own plate.

“Hally babe, what is it?”

The tears bubbled over and flowed down her cheeks. Wes tried to put his arm around her but she put out her hand to stop him. He looked at her, grave concern etched into his face. He couldn’t do anything to help her, to soothe her.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…”

She sobbed. Wes reached for her again and this time she let him pull her to him sobbing into his shoulder.

“Everything… is… different now. It was all so good…I…thought…I…it was perfect…now none of it was real”

Wes held her and his own voice trembling said.

“I know Hally and I am so sorry. But please don’t ever think it’s not real. What we have is very real. What I feel for you will not change. I know I should have told you a long time ago, to give you the chance to decide what you wanted to do about it. Now please, let me tell you the rest and maybe then you can at least forgive me a little and see that I am still the same person.”

Still sobbing, Hally nodded. Wes handed her the tissues and her plate of sandwiches. She took both and after drying her eyes, sat back and nibbled at her partly eaten sandwich. Wes swallowed and took a deep breath.

“So, mum took time off work and they paid for a paternity test, which came back confirming she was mine, so at least Sophie had told the truth about that. Together we chose her name and with some legal advice got her registered. It was very difficult for me. I was sixteen going on seventeen and was a father. Mum gave up work all together to look after Ellie full time and I felt very guilty about that. But they wanted me to carry on with my studies. But right then, school was not high on my list. The more time I spent with Ellie the more I knew I loved her. She was just a normal baby, doing all the stuff babies do, but she was mine and I adored her. I had never in my wildest dreams thought about having a baby, my life had been all about hanging out with my mates; getting good exam results and probably going on to uni. Now all that had changed. But there were problems too. Even though Sophie’s friends were no longer at school they were still about. I knew a lot of people right across the city and so did my parents and even though we weren’t ashamed of what had happened, some people did make our lives difficult. Then the following spring I failed my first year’s exams and that’s when mum and dad sat me down and suggested we think about moving away and starting fresh. It was a lot to take in. I had lived in Oxford all my life, my dad ran his business from there and we all had a large circle of friends. But they were very sure that none of it mattered. They wanted a settled life for me and Ellie and mostly they wanted me to be able to have a life with new friends who wouldn’t judge me because of my past. So, they looked into moving and found this town. We visited quite a few times and checked out everything from school for me, how dad’s business would work, medical facilities and pre-school and other things for Ellie. It was never our intention to make anyone believe that Ellie was my sister, nor to keep her parentage hidden. Mum and dad just didn’t want to broadcast it for my sake. They wanted me to have as normal a life as possible. Of course we now realise that was going to be impossible. I had no idea that I was going to meet you and fall for you.(He blushed deeply and Hally’s heart skipped a beat at his words) I had no idea that I would find such a wonderful group of friends and be so readily accepted and now I just hope I haven’t ruined every…every…thing.”

Wes’ words trailed off into tears and his whole body began to shudder. The plate he was holding slipped off his lap onto the floor, the remains of a sandwich falling apart spilling ham and lettuce onto the carpet. Hally sat motionless for a moment, then she quietly put her own plate on the table and reached for him. He came readily into her arms clinging to her and she clung back as desperate for comfort as he was. Tears now flowed down Hally’s cheeks too and for some time the only sound was Wes’ deep sobbing and Hally’s soft crying.