Ronnie left school early on account of being 'ill'. She couldn't face Joel, Roxy or Mrs Langly in that stuffy old car not today. As she walked home she decided to take a short cut through the park, as she wondered slowly though park she tried to clear her head. It was a dry but extremely cold day. Her daydream was broken by the sound of laughter she turned to see what was going on and smiled at the scene unfolding in front of her, a woman was chasing after a little boy he couldn't have been more then 2, they both giggled as they ran. Ronnie's smile widened and for a minute forgot all about her problems. She looked at her watch, it was 11.30. She hoped it would just be her mum at home, maybe she could tell her she was pregnant, maybe everything would be alright,maybe...
As she neared her house she got really nervous. She let herself in with her key and walked towards the kitchen she saw her mum there. As she entered the room she was certain she was going to tell her.
"Mum?" Ronnie whispered.
Glenda spun around when she heard her daughter.
"Ronnie, what are you doing here?" Glenda asked concerned.
"Mum I need to t..."Ronnie started before being interrupted by Archie who was sitting at the table.
"What's wrong with you now Veronica?!" Archie demanded angrily
Ronnie glared at Archie.
"Don't speak to her like that!" Glenda shouted at Archie.
"I'll speak to her what ever way I like" Archie spat back.
As this began escalating into a huge argument Ronnie left the kitchen without being noticed. She went up to her room closing the door behind her. She went and lay on her bed, she was so scared there was no one she could turn to, she put her hand on her still flat stomach and cried. Ronnie worked out that she was 3 months pregnant, although she knew she had this little person inside her she still felt so lonely.
* * *
A month and a half had passed since Ronnie had taken the test. Her stomach was swollen to the size of a small football, she was petrified someone would notice it, everyday she wore baggy jumpers, she'd stretched her school jumper to the limit but her bump was still hidden quite well. She hadn't spoken to Joel since the day she said she'd walk home by herself, she was afraid to speak to him. She was almost 5 months pregnant and nobody knew.
Ronnie was sat in her room looking at her bump she stroked it up and down. She was even more afraid now then she'd been when she first realised she was pregnant because now she couldn't ignore it any more, it was happening, happening to her and happening now.
"Ronnie?" Glenda called knocking at her daughters door.
Ronnie quickly pulled on a jumper distinguishing her bump before answering her mother.
"Come in"
Glenda let herself into Ronnie's room and sat beside her on the bed.
"Ronnie? Are you OK?" Glenda asked.
Ronnie looked at her mother, every inch of her wanted to speak the truth and get it over with but yet again she bit her tongue.
"Yes, Yes I'm fine, why? Ronnie lied
"You've just been very quiet lately, you've not been yourself" Glenda said lifting Ronnie's chin with her hands.
Ronnie didn't answer she stood up and willed herself not to cry.
"Oh Sweetie, I know this divorce is hard to handle, but it'll be done with soon, I promise!...How about me and you go out for lunch when you get your school holidays, just the two of us, we can make a day of it?" Glenda asked
Holding back tears Ronnie replied,
"That sounds great mum."
* * *
It was the 2nd week of March and half term had just started. Roxy was away for the week at some sports camp, which meant it was Ronnie and her parents who were at home all week. Ronnie lay in bed her hand resting protectively on her bump. She was going out for the day with her mum tomorrow so today she needed all the rest she could get.
