Fifteen Going on Grown Up (38 page)

Wes’ words trailed off into tears and his whole body began to shudder. The plate he was holding slipped off his lap onto the floor, the remains of a sandwich falling apart spilling ham and lettuce onto the carpet. Hally sat motionless for a moment, then she quietly put her own plate on the table and reached for him. He came readily into her arms clinging to her and she clung back as desperate for comfort as he was. Tears now flowed down Hally’s cheeks too and for some time the only sound was Wes’ deep sobbing and Hally’s soft crying.

Chapter 16

Sweet Sixteen

Mum peeked around the lounge door and saw her daughter and Wes holding each other and crying together. Her heart went out to both of them, but especially to Hally. She wanted to go in and offer her own comfort but knew at that moment it would not be appreciated. No, Hally would come to her when she was ready so instead she soundlessly closed the door and went back to her husband in the kitchen. Nathan was playing in the garden so she was able to speak openly.

“They are both crying. Oh Colin I hope they get through this.”

Colin pulled his wife onto his lap and nuzzled her neck.

“Darling we can only be there whatever happens. You know Hally, she will deal with this in her own sweet way and so far (he crossed his fingers) she has made good decisions.”

May kissed him and nodded in agreement, but it didn’t ease the icy grip of fear that had taken hold of her heart.

“She’s so young. I mean I know she’s going to be sixteen very soon, and I know I was already very in love with you at that age…but”

Colin tickled her ribs and she giggled.

“You were? I didn’t think you fancied me that much.”

He said with a pout.

“Oh well, you know I had to keep you on your toes.”

She told him with a cheeky smile. He tickled her again and then hugged her tightly.

“May Mackeller, you…”

Together they laughed and hugged until Nathan came into the kitchen asking for a drink. As mum was pouring juice for her son dad said.

“Talking of her birthday have you had any thoughts on what we are going to do?”

“Well I was thinking about hiring the community centre and having a party, but with all this I don’t know.”

She replied. Nathan gulped his juice and asked innocently.

“All what?”

Dad ruffled his hair and smiled.

“Nothing for you to worry about little one.”

Nathan ducked away from his father.

“I’m not little, I’m nearly nine.”

He stated indignantly. Mum and dad smiled at each other and mum said reassuringly.

“I know sweetheart, it’s just you will always been our little one (Nathan went to protest) as is Hally.”

She told him. This seemed to satisfy him and he finished his drink and dived back outside. Mum and dad laughed happy that their youngest child’s life was still so simple.

In the lounge Hally and Wes still clung to each other as their sobs began to subside. This time they shared the box of tissues dabbing at their cheeks without speaking. Wes’ dropped sandwich still lay on the carpet, the edges of the bread just beginning to curl. The remaining sandwiches sat undisturbed on the tray. Neither of them spoke or moved, they just sat silently sharing their hurt and distress. Hally glanced up at Wes and saw he had done the same to her, but rapidly averted his eyes when he saw her looking. She gave the tiniest of smiles and nudged him with her knee.

“Do you want any more to eat?”

She asked tentatively. Wes looked down at the discarded sandwich.

“First I think I’d better pick that up or your mum’s going to kill me. Then I think I’d better eat some more after the effort she went to making them.”

Hally smiled more brightly.

“Yeah, me too.”

They leaned forward at the same time to pick up the sandwich and the plate and their heads came together with a bump.

“Ouch!”

Hally exclaimed putting her hand to her head.

“Ouch too!”

Wes said but instead of rubbing his own head he reached out and gently rubbed her bump. Hally leaned toward him and he kissed her full on the lips. She responded by kissing him back and everything magically vanished in that one moment. His kiss captivated her and she knew somehow they would get through this. She wanted that more than anything; knew it wouldn’t be easy, knew there would be difficult times ahead. But knew that she didn’t want to lose him, that right now even with all he had told her, her life would be much better with him in it.

As the kiss ended Wes leaned back and looked at her. His eyes were bright with unshed tears, but he looked a whole lot happier. Hally felt his happiness and it spread through her giving her happiness too. Wes cupped her face in his hands and smiled at her his face lighting up when she smiled back. He lifted a few tendrils of hair from her cheek that were damp from her tears and tucked them behind her ear. It was such a small act but one that sent shivers of delight down her spine. She pressed her own hands against his and kissed the inside of one palm. Afraid to disrupt this quiet peaceful time between them but knowing he still had the final part of his story to tell Wes whispered.

“Hally, are you ready to hear the last of it?”

She wasn’t ready, all she wanted was this moment to go on and on, but she knew she had to let him finish. She still held his hands against her face but nodded. So gently rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs and in a soft voice concluded his secret.

“Well it took some time to organise, especially selling the house and so by the time we were ready to move I had finished my re-sits and passed. We sat with Mr Hopkins and told him why we were moving and what my academic situation was and he was great, happy to have me if I didn’t mind being a year older than the others. I was just glad to have the chance to finish my A levels. So just after Easter we moved here and I found the job at the café so I could help mum and dad with the financial side of bringing up Ellie too. Mum looked into doing some accounting work from home and it all worked out well. I didn’t have to start school until September, Ellie was happy and secure and I met you.”

Wes paused and looked at Hally. He stopped rubbing her cheeks and kissed them instead, ever so lightly. Hally closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. She stayed that way letting his words wash over her. She knew she loved him and at that moment she just wanted to say it out loud, but she still didn’t really know how he felt. He’d said he had fallen for her, but did that mean the same thing as being in love with her. Right then, she couldn’t trust her own judgement to know and if she disclosed her love for him and he didn’t feel the same, well it would destroy her. She opened her eyes and Wes carried on speaking.

“At first I was very afraid to get close, especially because you were so much younger than me. But I soon found out that I couldn’t control my feelings, actually it was pretty much straight after I met you. I wanted so much for you to know about Ellie, but I thought you would run a mile. I was torn between the risk of telling you the truth and you leaving me or keeping it from you. To begin with, mum said it was best not to say anything, but she quickly realised what you meant to me and we talked loads of times about telling you. I was all geared up for it that first time you met them, then I chickened out. Mum wasn’t pleased about that, but she stuck by my decision.”

Wes took his hands from her face and put them on her shoulders.

“You see Hally, I knew almost from the start. I love you.”

Hally’s eyes popped open. At first she thought she had imagined his words having thought so hard about him saying exactly that. But the look he was giving her told her she had actually heard him say it, he loved her. A huge beaming smile spread across her face, she had to hear him say it again, just to be sure it wasn’t her imagination.

“What did you say?”

She asked, her voice unsteady. Wes looked into her eyes and without hesitation said again.

“Hally I love you.”

Hally wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly. Nervously and feeling heat rising in her face she whispered in his ear.

“I love you too Wes.”

He held her, instinctively knowing she was blushing and not wanting to make it worse for her by making her look at him.

“Phew, I’m so very pleased to hear you say that babe.”

He told her.

After a few minutes of just holding each other Hally sat back and looked at him. Things had changed again, now she knew for sure he loved her and she loved him, she didn’t believe knowing about Ellie was going to be as big a problem as she had thought. She knew him having a child would have an effect on their relationship because now she would have to get to know Ellie in a different way. A sudden little jab of panic coursed through her, what if Ellie didn’t like that she was with her father? She pushed it aside, wouldn’t even contemplate a problem of such magnitude. After all, Ellie had always known who Wes was and hadn’t reacted badly when Hally had been there with him. No, she wouldn’t create problems where there were none.

Wes’ phone chirped and Hally jumped. He grabbed it and answered it, mouthing silently one word to Hally ‘Mum’. He listened intently, first a little frown creasing his brow then a wide smile breaking out on his face. Hally realised it must mean that Ellie was a lot better. She felt quite guilty now that all the time Wes had been telling her about Ellie she hadn’t thought about the toddler’s condition. She should have, and she should have made sure Wes had contacted his parents to check in on his daughter. She sat back feeling wretched, she had no idea about bringing a young child up and the heavy responsibility that came with it. Wes finished on the phone and turned to her, his smile disappearing when he saw her face.

“Hally what’s wrong?”

“Oh Wes you must think I’m just a selfish cow.”

She mumbled. He looked totally confused.

“Hally why on earth would I think that?”

“Because all day you have been here pouring out your deepest and most important secret, and not once did I tell you to phone your parents about Ellie.”

She turned her head down and away from him, not able to look in his eyes. She was sure all she would see in them would be disdain. Wes took her chin and lifted her face to his. He smiled his usual loving warm smile.

“Hally, I told my parents I was going to explain everything. That it would probably take a long time. Ellie was safe, they were with her and the doctors told me she was completely stable and in no danger. Mum only phoned me to let me know they are discharging her this afternoon so to call them before I head to the hospital in case they’ve already gone.”

“Really?”

Hally asked in a small voice.

“Yes really.”

Wes replied planting a kiss on the end of her nose. Hally giggled then said in a serious tone.

“Wes I’m ok honestly, but I think perhaps you should go to the hospital now, You know, be with her when they let her go home. She’s probably quite scared even with your mum and dad there, she probably just wants her… daddy.”

The last word gave her pause as she said it.

“Hally are you sure? What if you come too?”

Hally shook her head.

“No, I should stay here. I mean mum and dad are going to need to know what’s been going on and I have to speak to Corrinne and Clia too, they’re probably worried sick about me.”

Wes looked worried himself.

“We are alright aren’t we Hally?”

She smiled at him and kissed him gently on the lips.

“We are more than alright Wes. I just want you to get Ellie home and I really do need to speak to my parents and the girls. I have to tell them, we never keep things from each other.”

The look Wes gave her was full of pain.

“Oh God, Wes I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant we have always told each other everything and I…well…that can’t change. Do you get what I’m saying?”

Wes nodded.

“It’s ok Hally, I know you didn’t mean it to sound the way I took it. It’s my fault, I’m the one who has been keeping secrets. Yes of course you must tell them and Gregg and Rhys too, they should know as well. This has been kept quiet for far too long. I suppose when I was a young teenager it was probably the best way, but now, well I should just be proud that I have a little girl.”

Hally and Wes tidied the lounge and carried a tray each through to the kitchen. Dad was in the garden with Nathan and mum was tackling a pile of ironing. She looked up as they came in but didn’t ask any questions. She knew her daughter would divulge all in her own time.

“Wes is off to the hospital. Ellie is being discharged a bit later.”

Hally told her mum putting down the tray and taking the other from Wes.

“Oh she’s alright. That’s very good news.”

Mum replied with a genuine smile. Wes smiled back and at the door kissed Hally.

“Can I see you tonight?”

Hally nodded.

“Call me when you want to come over.”

Mum called dad in from the garden and Nathan stomped in behind him sulkily. Dad explained that Nathan was moody because they had been playing football and now he had no one to kick the ball to. Mum took her son and lifted him into her arms. She hugged him and he tried to resist at first but she persisted, gently tickling his ribs and making him wriggle. Soon he accepted the attention, putting his little grubby hands around her face and giggling with her.