Page 12 of Tears of Glass

Elijah’s sister steps into the studio while Chris scampers around the new arrivals. I say new arrivals because behind Tabitha, with his face wearing its usual cynical mask is Lewis. The two people I ran from ten days ago without even a goodbye.

“What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

“I need your help.” Tabitha’s face blotches with mottled flushed spots and tears spring from her lashes.

“Okay.” I’m floored, not sure what to say or to whom. Why is there a Fairclough here? I left them behind.

“I’m pregnant.” She starts to sob, her chest heaving while my own stomach plummets. That’s why she’s here. Where do you go when you’ve messed up? You go to the one girl who’s messed up more than anyone else.

Chapter Four

I open the door to Al’s house using my key which no one comments on. Dan’s house. I need to remind myself that it’s Dan’s now.

“Are you cross...” Tabitha is still sobbing, her chest hitching up and down, “w-w-with me?”

My hand squeezes her shoulder and I edge her into the room. Lewis is silent. I’m taking this as a sign of complete shock—normally he has a fair amount of abuse for most situations.

“I’m not cross.” I give her a small smile although inside I’m pretty much thinking What the fuck! Tabitha rubs her palm against the end of her nose and shudders her shoulders. “I’m not going to lie, though,” I add, flinging my stuff on the leather sofa. “I’m surprised to see you.” In my mind I’m counting dates, weeks. Is this even possible? What did they do: meet, shag, and get knocked up?

I motion them to the kitchen where I fill the kettle and flick it on. I’m not sure how it happened, but it seems I’m now the grown up in the room. It’s a real shame I don’t know how to deal with this at all.

“I mean...” I’m almost muttering to myself. “Have you done a test?” I turn to Tabitha who doesn’t seem to be convulsing quite so hard with tears. She nods which kind of blows the late period theory out of the water. When the kettle boils, which is not quick enough for my liking, I make some tea and pass the mugs around—then I’m kind of out of distraction devices. I’m going to have to say his name.

It burns on the way up. Aching and real, it hurts to say. “Have you spoken to Elijah?”

Tabitha’s eyes flick over me when I mention his name. I’m pretty close to goddamn crying myself. “It was Eli who said I should find you.”

Say what? “Why?” I shake my head, knowing I’m being rude. “I mean, why, what’s going on?”

Tabitha steps up close and I wrap my arms around her. She might be Elijah ‘I’m Such a Douche’s’ sister, but I like her. I’m fond of her, even. Of course I’m going to help her... A fact which Elijah knows. He knew I’d never turn away a girl in need, and I’d never turn my back on Lewis.

I hold my hand up, releasing her from the tight hug I’ve squeezed her in. “Listen, one thing first, I don’t want his name mentioned here. It’s not cool to talk about him. He’s forgotten about.”

Tabitha’s lip wobbles a little, but she nods.

I carry on though because I want them to know I’m being serious. “I’m not interested in hearing anything about him. Maybe that’s childish, but I don’t care.” I squeeze her shoulder and smile. “You’re the only Fairclough I’m interested in.”

Lewis shifts uncomfortably but doesn’t say anything. I glare in his direction just to make my point clear. He holds his hands up.

“I’m not interested in your lover’s tiff. I’ve got enough going on.” He smiles ruefully, but beneath the bravado is a little boy running scared.

Two eighteen-year-olds, one knocked up, in my kitchen... who would have thought?

Okay, not my kitchen, but the same thing.

I’m just surprised this isn’t a conversation I’ve had to have before in this space, with me at the centre of it.

Happy that Elijah isn’t going to be mentioned and I’ve made my feelings known, I turn them for the lounge. “Right, tell me everything that’s happened since I left after the ball, and remember, I don’t want to hear anything about you-know-who and his stick insect wife-to-be.”

***

I’M GIVING A SMALL shake of my head and sipping my wine. The tea was no good; it was lacking that alcoholic punch I needed. “I really can’t believe this. So, you haven’t told your mum or gran?” I can’t blame them. Tabitha and Elijah’s family are some form of aristocratic gestapo.

A tear trickles down Tabitha’s cheek, and I watch, breaking a little on the inside as Lewis reaches around and wipes it away with his thumb. Two weeks ago, I thought Elijah was always going to catch my tears, too. I wish it didn’t hurt as much as it did. I pull my arm around my middle and squeeze tight to try to keep myself together. I’ve got to hold it together for them now, so it seems.

Lewis is a good kid who’s been through absolute hell. Motherless and angry, he deserves all the help he can get. As much as I hate Elijah with all the fury of hell, I know it’s why he’s sent them here. He knows I will help them. Of course I will.

“Well this isn’t my house, but I doubt Dan will mind you being here. You can stay here while we try to sort everything.”