"So Kate, how's life treating you?"
"Oh remarkably well. Yourself?"
"Not so good."
"No?"
"No. Turns out Ayla's pregnant. By Wood."
"What? That's not possible! How did you find that out?"
"You remember the scene that Sarah girl made at the Jenson's baby shower thing?"
"Yes."
"Well I followed them outside. That's when I found out. She's going to tell Wood, so you need to figure out what you're going to do."
"You're in this with me Adam, if I'm going down so are you."
"Look this was all your idea Kate."
"And I need your help. He'll be here any minute. You have to talk to him."
"And say what exactly?"
"Anything. I don't know. Tell him… tell him she's done this sort of thing before, to you."
"Fine, but you need to finish your part of this. And soon."
"I will. Don't you worry. By this time next week, she'll be finished."
---
It had been well over a week since Ayla had last since Oliver. Time wasn't necessarily running out, but she needed to speak to him soon. Her usual Sunday morning lie in, was cut short. She rose early and apparated to Puddlemere's training grounds. It was almost certain that Oliver would be there. And indeed he was, circling the three hoops as the charmed Quaffle flew at him. She waited for him to finish, grateful for the time to organise her mind.
Oliver spotted Ayla half way through his training session. He knew why she was here, Adam and darling Kate had told him this was likely to happen. He flew down to her, it was better to get it over with now, so he could finish his training in peace.
"Look I know why you're here."
"You do?"
"Yes, and you needn't bother. I've heard all about you. What you're really like."
"What do you mean?"
"I've been talking to Adam. He's told me all the sick mind games you tried to play when he dumped you."
"He dumped me?"
"And it won't work."
"Oliver, what's wrong?"
"What were you going to do? Let me guess, tell me that you're pregnant?"
"How did you know? Who told you?"
"Oh pull the other one Ayla. I know what you're like now. Don't bother, just stay away. Keep your lies for someone else."
He stalked off, leaving Ayla gaping. What had just happened? She had never known Oliver to be so mean. There was only one person she needed right now. Her mother. She had put off telling Oliver, and had been confronted with his anger. She couldn't bear the same from her own mother.
She apparated a few short miles from her family home. She needed to think about how she would tell her mother. She began to walk the quiet country lanes. There were few houses in this area of Kent. She'd pass two before she reached her own. One belonged to a muggle writer and her husband. The other to the family of her ex boyfriend Adam Fisher.
Oliver had mentioned Adam. She remembered that now. But how could he have known? She hadn't spoken to him since Oliver's party. Yes, she had let slip the nature of their relationship, but even she did not know she was pregnant at the time. It was possible he had heard the conversation she and Sarah had had. They had hardly been quiet about it.
She was nearing Adam's house now, he still lived there. She had half a mind to confront him. But it wouldn't do to distract herself from the task at hand. She had to tell her parents, before someone else did.
"Of course you know young Ayla's pregnant?"
"Oh really?"
She recognised the first voice, it was Doreen, Adam's mother. The other was unknown to her.
"Yes, had a one night stand with a Quidditch player. Horribly messy ending."
"You don't say?"
"Oh yes, what her mother must think. She always seemed like a nice girl. I am glad she's not chasing after Adam anymore."
"I'll bet."
"Must be disappointing, you're daughter being something of a harlot."
"Beverly knows then"
"Probably."
Ayla had heard enough. She apparated away. She couldn't face her parents now. There'd be a look of disappointment in their eyes that would make everything so much harder. She'd stay away from now on. They didn't need her around to embarrass them any further.
When she touched the ground she wasn't entirely sure where she was. It wasn't home that was for sure. It was London, but it was a part of the city that she was unfamiliar with. She was in a small park like place, surrounded by hedges. She could hear the traffic on what must have been a main road, roaring behind them. There were a number of small benches dotted around, she made her way to the nearest one, feeling that if she didn't sit down soon she might melt into the ground.
How had everything gone so wrong? This time last year her life had been so normal it was almost boring. And now…
She sat for what seemed like days, feeling numb. The traffic droned on behind her, and the darkness crept out from under the hedges. She knew she'd have to move soon, or she'd never find her way home. But something caught her eye. At first she thought it was just a fox, but then her mind registered that the short, tufty tail before her did not belong to any fox. Nor did the grey fur and squashed in face of the cat like creature before her. It was a kneazle, and what was most startling was the fact that it was her kneazle. It was Jynx.
"Come here you."
The animal stared at her, showing no recognition for its owner.
"I know it's you. Where have you been?"
He blinked, regarding Ayla for a moment before turning and sauntering away a few paces. It stopped, turned again, and cocked his head to her with a look that clearly said 'If you want to know just follow me'.
"Can't we just go home?"
He turned back and carried on his easy pace in a direction that Ayla would bet did not lead to home. Sighing she got up and followed the animal that had not been her pet for months.
The traffic was less now, but there were still a handful of cars on the road. The two walked along, looking slightly odd when they stopped at the lights and waited to cross with the little green man. Ayla found herself walking down a small alley between two houses. She knew it was strange, to be following her pet to an unknown destination, but it helped her to forget her problems and detach herself from the world. All she needed to concentrate on was the tufty tail in front of her.
They cleared the alley, now facing a row of houses each with a neat, little back garden. She watched as Jynx leapt up onto one of the low walls, stopping once more to regard her before dropping down off the wall and into the small garden.
"Hey, come back. You can't go in there."
Ayla glanced up at the house. It was large, despite the smallness of the garden. Whoever lived here had a fair amount of money. It was at least twice the size of her own home. The appeal to her pet was obvious.
"Damn you Jynx. I've just found you, you can't disappear again.", she muttered under her breath.
Did she dare try to enter the house? If the window was open surely the residents were in. she felt silly knocking the door to ask for her cat back. She did the only thing she could think of.
"Hey Jinx . Here baby. Come on Jynxy, come on. Jynxy. Jynxy. Jynx.", she crooned in the most terrible baby voice she usually reserved for little Geraldine.
"I'm sorry but what in Merlin's name are you doing?", a voice asked.
Ayla flushed. She had just been caught doing the most embarrassing thing ever. It really wasn't her day. She turned around and her blush deepened. It was Marcus Flint.
"I was, uh, calling my kneazle. What are you doing here?", she asked, trying to maintain as much dignity as possible.
"I live here.", he answered.
"Oh, well, uh my kneazle just got in through your window then."
"What makes you think it's your kneazle? He's been with me for months."
"Because she is. I think I'd know my own pet when I see it. She's probably only been with you because you lured her away. And you really shouldn't leave your window open. Anyone could get in."
"I leave it open for him. Besides anyone who tires to get in through that window suddenly remembers that they've left the iron on and leaves straight away. Even if they don't own an iron.
"Ok then. Can I just have my kneazle back please? I've had a rough day, I just want to go home and relax."
"Who says he's yours?", Marcus said smirking. "You look knackered, why don't you come in. Have a drink with me, nothing alcoholic obviously what with the state you're in. and then you can floo home."
"With my kneazle?"
"We'll see."
"Fine, fine. Come on then open the door."
Heeheehee. Who can guess what's really going on? Come on now my darlings I know one of you has figured it out already. What about the rest of you? Bit of a suprise chapter as I said I wouldn't be posting until after my exams, well I'm half way through and I just needed to post. I was desperate. So here's a nice little suprise for you. Next post will depend on what I'm working after the 3rd but I'm sure normal(ish) service will be resumed once my nightmare revision and exams are over. Love to all.
