Chapter Ninety-Eight

It was a rather busy morning in the Taylor-Filch household. Kelly did stop the night in the end, she had slept on the couch. There was some opposition from the rest of the household but they relented and she was allowed to stay for one night. Harriett was the first to come downstairs for she had some church duties. She did notice Kelly fast asleep on the couch and was trying not to make too much noise. Though there was only so much she could do to avoid making sound, the sound of the kettle going on woke the girl up. As she rolled over on her side.

"Sorry about that" Harriett spoke up to her.

"Don't matter...I've been here longer enough anyway, Dawn told me it was only for one night and looks like the night is up"

"Do you not want to wait for her and tell her you're leaving? She be up soon"

"No thanks, besides; I got stuff to do"

"Wow, okay...Look, I know a bit about what went on. You got anywhere to go after this at all? You're only twenty, why don't you see if your mum will take you back?" Harriett questioned with concern.

This Kelly was twenty and had nothing at all. No home or anything of the kind, surely her mother must take her back. Surely she can't hold a grudge against her own daughter forever and besides, Georgina was no longer concerned with her. Though Kelly has been so disconnected from her mother and brothers for over five years. She was nervous about going back there.

"I haven't seen her for years" Kelly explained in a trembling voice.

"If she's any heart, she will take you back. Dawn and me know better than anyone what separation does. I can drive you there if you want...I can wake up Dawn and we can take you wherever is it you need to go"

"You can drop me in Leeds if you want. I can find somewhere to go there"

"If that's what you want, I can't force you to go back. Just be careful, alright? Not everyone is as nice as me and Dawn" Harriet reminded her.

Though she did sort of cringe at her own words. She doesn't feel 'nice' but Kelly knows what she means. The type of people who would pick up vulnerable girls may want to do more than give her a couch to sleep on and a meal. Though at the end of the day, Kelly was enough to make her own mistakes. All Dawn and Harriett could do was hope she makes the right choices.

...

"He won't even pick up for me anymore" Bernice moaned; referring to Liam refusing her calls.

Gabby raised an eyebrow as she sat besides her mother. This was all Leanna's doing, she was such a spoiled princess at times. Though she was starting school again (and Gabby was starting college). So she would soon catch up with her in person and when she does see her, Gabby is willing to give it to her straight. This wasn't fair on Liam or Bernice, both of them needed to give each other a chance.

"Mum...I'm going round to see her" Gabby confessed (for she was sick of this).

"Oh Gabby, don't"

"I'm sorry mum but this is something I need to do. Leanna has no right to keep you and Liam apart. She's a total hypocrite, she's worried about you not stepping up to the mark for her brother but she's alright living with Maya's mum. This is pure spite and you know it"

"I don't see what Maya's mum got to do with it"

"Erm...Maybe because the whole reason Leanna does't want you to come back is because she thinks you're a bad mum. Yet no way can you be worse than Maya's mum, her daughter was sick in the head and erm...You have to have a little bit something wrong with you to bring that into the world"

"That's not always true, Gabby"

"They always say blame the parents, don't they? I promise I won't be as harsh to Leanna in person but I still need to talk to her. She can't keep this up forever, okay?" Gabby asked rhetorically.

She's clearly made up her mind and in all honestly, Bernice thought this might be best. Gabby could talk to Leanna at her own level. She just hoped Gabby didn't make this any worse (for she truly does want Liam back and wants their relationship to work). So with a sigh, Bernice just told her...

"Okay but please go saying anything that might ruin things"

"I won't...I'm just going to go and see what's going on. See ya later" Gabby replied with a small smile.

...

Tracy and Nate were at 'David's Shop'. They were both excited to be parents but they were keeping it quiet. Though Nate wad finding this rather difficult, he just wanted to tell everyone and had be done with it. Eric was behind the counter (he was taking over today). David had gone for a walk in the village. He promised he was going to go back to work today but needed a breather first. Tracy took this as an opportunity to let him know about her being pregnant. Maybe he could break the news to David on her behalf because she really doesn't want to be the one to tell him. She knows it's a bit cowardly but she doesn't need the extra stress.

"Should I do it now?" Tracy asked Nate in a quiet tone.

"Yeah...just do it" Nate urged.

Gently pushing her forward as they walked towards Eric. She just picked up a bottle of milk and Eric just presumed that's all she was here for. As he scanned it through and told her the price. She just said "Cheers" as she passed over the money, Nate clearing his throat. He didn't quite have the same emotional attachment as she did with regards to this. He would have told them ages ago without much thought.

"Eric" Tracy nervously began with an awkward smile.

"Yes?" Eric answered as he looked up at her.

"Erm...Me and Nate have some news and erm...I thought I would tell you so you can tell David. Cause we are telling Nate's family tonight and so once we tell them, the whole village is gonna know. Do you get what I mean?"

"No?"

"Well-" Tracy found herself being cut off though...

"She's pregnant with my baby and she feels like David should it from you. Because she don't want him going into hiding again" Nate blurted out (he was never one to mince his words).

He thought Tracy was taking too long and just wanted it out in the open. Eric just gave a huge sigh however he was glad he was told. This was not going to go down well, David will no doubt be put work off again for a few weeks after this! Just when Eric thought he could go back to his own home too. Though he supposed he can't blame Tracy (she can't put her life on hold for David).

"Not quite how I would have put it but that's the gist of it" Tracy then spoke up.

Giving Nate a slight look, she was not impressed by how he just spit it out like that. Does he even know what 'letting someone down gently' means? She supposed not but she's got a lot to learn about him now.

"I see...Well congratulations and I will let David know. Thanks for letting me know" Eric spoke with little emotion.

He was secretly a bit hurt by it too. Though he wasn't going to let Tracy know that, this wasn't anything to do with her. It was just something he and David had to deal with together.

"I'm really sorry" Tracy said.

"You got nothing to be sorry about. You can't stop living your life for our sakes, it's okay"

"I know but I'm just thinking about David. I just feel like I'm kicking him when he's down but that's why I had to tell you. Me and Nate are telling the Dingle's and you know once they find out, it will be all over the village"

"I understand and I do thank you, not everyone would be so considerate. You have done the right thing" Eric reassured her, giving her hand a gentle pat.

"Okay well see you later"

"Yes, see you later"

With one last look, Tracy just left the shop with Nate. When she was gone, Eric let out a small snivel. That could have her and David all those years ago, it could have been his grandchild. The feelings were quite raw still however he meant every word he said to her. She can't live her life worrying about him and David. He was just not looking forward to letting David know.

...

TBC