Chapter Nine:

"Simon, come here a moment. Me and Carla have something to tell you." Peter said, a few days after they'd found out about the pregnancy.

"What is it, dad? Simon asked.

"How would you like a little brother or sister?" Peter said.

"Yeah, would I need to share my room?" Simon asked.

Carla laughed.

"Only if you wanted to" Peter replied.

"Yeah, a brother would be nice but I wouldn't mind a sister" Simon said.

"Well Si, me and Carla have some news for you. Carla's going to have a baby so you're going to be a big brother" Peter said, excitedly.

"Really?" Simon asked, looking at Carla.

She nodded and for the first time ever, Simon went over and hugged her.

"Is it in your tummy right now?" he asked.

"Yep darling, it sure is. Look, come and feel it." Carla said, smiling and taking his hand and placing it on her tummy.

"Hello brother or sister" Simon giggled.

"Will you get all big and fat?" he asked.

"Yeah, unfortunately, Simon." Carla replied.

"But you'll look just as beautiful with a big bump" Peter said, kissing her.

"Dad! Yuck!" Simon said.

Peter and Carla both laughed.

"Simon, you can't tell anyone though?" Peter said.

"Why?"

"Because we need to go and see if everything's going to be ok with the baby first. You can tell people in a few weeks." Peter said.

"Ok" Simon said.

"Promise?" Peter asked.

Simon pretended to lock his lips and throw away the key.

"I promise dad"

Carla laughed.

A few days later.

"Quickly Simon, you'll be late for school." Peter said, as he stopped off at The Kabin for Simon to get a sweetie.

Simon rushed inside and chose his favourite while Peter waited outside.

"Oh, hello Simon." Rita said.

"Hello!"

"How's your dad and Carla?" she asked.

"Good. The baby's good too." Simon said, forgetting what Peter had said.

"Baby?" Rita asked confused.

"Yeah. Carla's got a baby in her tummy and I'm going to be its big brother" Simon said, just as Sally, who was dating Frank walked in.

Simon paid for his sweet and walked out.

"Carla's pregnant?" Sally asked.

"Yeah, so Simon says" Rita replied and Sally smiled smugly to herself.

"What? Carla's carrying his child?" Frank exploded, when Sally told him.

"Yeah. Simon was telling Rita." She said.

Frank smiled.

"Frank? What are you thinking?" Sally asked.

"Oh, nothing." Frank replied, but inside his plan was only just starting.