CHAPTER EIGHT
It had to be Erinsborough High School, of course. Mackenzie had had very mixed feelings about signing up for birthing classes with Zara and the fact it was at her old almer mata, which Zara was still a student at, just increased the discomfort factor. At least none of the teachers were there. They headed through into the classroom where a nurse who Mackenzie vaguely recognised from the hospital was running things.
The nurse gave them both a smile. "Hi, come in. It's Zara, is it?"
"That's right,"Zara confirmed. She'd probably have liked to leave it at that but obviously there were other things that needed to be said. "This is my friend Mackenzie."
"Are you together?"one of the other expectant mothers asked.
"No,"Zara replied. "Mackenzie's my housemate. Um, the father died. We weren't together either, he was just a friend but…yeah. He's not around anymore but Mackenzie's been a big support so we're here together." She looked as though she wanted to say more but mercifully stopped talking at that point.
The nurse gave an understanding smile. "If you could just sit down?" She waved them towards an empty mat. "My name is Sandra and I'll be teaching you all about the best ways to keep comfortable during labour and maybe some tips to make this pregnancy go as smoothly as possible. So if the mothers could sit with their partners behind them?"
Zara shot a look back over her shoulder at Mackenzie. "Do you mind..?"
Pretty much every part of Mackenzie was screaming for her to get out of there but she managed to smile and put her arms round the other girl from behind. "No, it's fine."
To her surprise, she began to relax and enjoy the class. She'd been worried how people would react to them but Zara's babbled explanation actually seemed to have put many people at ease and no further questions were asked. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
"It is just seriously messed up,"Amy complained, pacing the lounge room while Toadie and Yashvi looked on. "Zara's birthing partner should not be the widow of her baby's father." She paused in her pacing, a thought occurring to her. "Maybe I should have gone along to the class as well. I mean, I am pregnant too."
"Yeah, because that's not weird at all, mother and daughter both pregnant at the same time,"Yashvi quipped.
"It might have invited…questions,"Toadie agreed.
"Hmm, yeah, okay, but I'm signed up next month."
"You are?"Toadie asked. "Why didn't I know about this? Don't you need a birthing partner?"
Amy didn't seem sure how to react. "Er…"
Yashvi put her hand up. "Someone volunteered."
"I thought the baby's big…biggest sister was the best choice,"Amy concluded.
Toadie gave her a wry look. "And you think Mackenzie and Zara are unconventional."
Zara and Mackenzie were making their way down the stairs from the level where the birthing class had been. "Was that too weird?"Zara asked. "I mean, I tried to explain things but I don't know if you wanted them to know…"
"…that the dead friend you got pregnant by was my husband?" Mackenzie managed a smile. "I think that might have been a bit too much sharing."
"So we're keeping that bit to ourselves?"
"Probably for the best, yeah."
Zara paused on one of the stair landings. "I just want to say thanks for all this. I know it's not easy for you but you've been a really good friend for me."
Mackenzie hoped her smile was convincing. "Of course, it's a pleasure."
Zara smiled and took a step back, apparently having misjudged exactly where she was standing. Her foot ended up suspended in the air and her balance went, leaving her flailing. "Zara!"Mackenzie exclaimed in shock, reaching out for her, but there was no chance of grabbing her. Zara went backwards down the stairs, landing in a heap at the bottom.