The city seemed a cheerful prospect for Kirsty, compared with Summer Bay at the moment.  Her mother had forbidden her to tell anybody about her predicament, yet was constantly reminded by her grim glances.  As Kirsty packed her things, she feared that her mother was thinking worse thoughts.  She'd heard stories of pregnant girls going away, and returning home not pregnant.  Perhaps her mother would make her have the baby in the city, then give it away to some long-lost aunt.  Kirsty took Kane's ring out of her jewellery box.  She wanted to keep it close to her, for good luck.  Kirsty heard a knock at the door.  Dani.

"Hi Kirsty, I thought I'd just drop by before school, " she said, nervous.  "I hear you're gonna visit the grandparents.  Give them my love."

"I will, " said Kirsty, feeling slightly guilty.  She didn't know whether to apologise, or just blank her.  It was so hard knowing her secret would destroy her. 

"I'm gonna go to school now, " said Dani.

"Have fun."

"Bye then."  Dani left the room, disappointed.  Perhaps she was expecting a feeble attempt at an apology from her sister, or at least another argument.  She didn't seem to care.  Kirsty waited a while before she went downstairs; she couldn't avoid her mother forever.  She was eating for two.  Helping herself to some pancakes, she sat down, hardly glancing at her mother.  Shelley felt the need to break the silence.

"How are you feeling today Kirsty?" she asked.  "A little tired perhaps?"

"Yeah, I suppose."

"I remember when I was pregnant.  I was tired all the time, especially with you twins, " Shelley paused, waiting for a reaction to her new approach.  There was none.  "Luckily I had Rhys."

"What are you getting at Mum?" asked Kirsty.  "Because your new approach to talk me into abortion isn't working."

"I'm not trying to talk you into it, I'm just trying to say that I don't regret having you…"

"But you wish you hadn't?  That's nice Mum.  Well there's a difference here, my baby is wanted.  By me."

"What about Kane?  Would he want to look after a baby?"  Shelley had Kirsty backed into a corner.  Someone like Kane could never be a father. 

"He might.  I just need to talk to him."

"But he hasn't contacted you Kirsty, he wants nothing to do with you."

"So you're saying I should kill my baby because it won't have a father?  There are millions of single mums in the world, and they survive.  I can be like them."

"Really? " said Shelley.  "So you want to live off state handouts in some grotty apartment, no job, no life.  Is that how you want to live?  There'll be no going back."

"I'll survive on little money, you don't have to be rich to be a parent."

"But is this what you really want Kirsty?  Don't just keep the baby to get back at us, or Dani."

"Everything is because of Dani isn't it!  Kill the baby because of Dani, keep the baby to hurt Dani.  I'm keeping it for me and me only."  Kirsty slammed her glass onto the table.  "I'm going for a walk."

"Where are you going?"

"To get some air."

***

It was a calm day in Summer Bay, the waves rolling gently through the sea.  A few people were lazing around the beach, which didn't suit Kirsty.  She wanted to be alone.  She went right towards the edge of the wharf, and stared intently into the blue-green sea.  If she jumped off, perhaps the pain would go away.  She could be with her baby, without oppression or extra worries.  Perhaps all her problems would be solved; her parents could forget about the daughter they hated and move on.  Kane would never know.  Kirsty sat down and began to cry.  Her life was such a mess.  No one cared.  Everyone wanted to make decisions for her.  She didn't really want to die.  Surely, that would be worse than abortion.  She'd die a hypocrite.  She needed to talk to someone, anyone.  Little did she know that the answer to her problems was behind her, who'd never stopped caring.  He came by the wharf every day, just for a glimpse of her.  He saw a familiar figure sitting down in the distance. Was today his lucky day?  It looked like her hair colour; it could be her.  Kane ran towards the figure, which turned around after hearing footsteps.  Kirsty could hardly believe her eyes.  It was him.  They were instantly drawn together in an embrace, no words, just a silent understanding.  It was as if it was all those months ago, when they'd finally realised they were in love.  If only they could go back to that time.  They broke apart after a while, not knowing where to start.  Kane looked at Kirsty intently, she'd been crying.

"What's wrong?"

This was the moment Kirsty had been dreading.