She inhaled the scent of freshly cut grass, a reminder of childhood summer holidays. Unfortunately, this summer was almost over. The days were becoming shorter, and the nights colder. Before long, it would be autumn, then winter, and by the start of the next summer, she would have a baby to look after.

Wow. Talk about getting ahead of herself.

Waving to her dad, she walked up the path to the house. Before she reached the door, her mother flung it open, took one look at her, and wrapped her in a warm, comforting hug.

“What is it, sweetheart?”

Aria closed her eyes, comforted by her mum’s voice. “It’s nothing,” she whispered.

Donna took her inside and poured her a glass of juice. Geoff finished emptying the lawn mower and joined them.

“Want to talk about it?” Donna asked.

Aria looked at the glass of juice but didn’t touch it. She looked at her parents’ kind faces and burst out crying. They sandwiched her in a hug and let her cry until she ran out of tears. She seemed to be crying a lot lately.

When her eyes finally dried, she smiled weakly and said, “Congratulations. You’re going to be grandparents.”

Donna’s eyes widened, but she rubbed her daughter’s back gently. “That’s what this is about? You’re pregnant?”

“About two months,” she confirmed. “I barely believe it myself.”

Geoff patted her on the head awkwardly. “You know, I’ve always wanted grandchildren.”

How could they be so calm about this? She wanted to shake them, make them realize what a big deal it was, but she couldn’t. They were playing down the situation for her benefit, to make her feel better. They were looking out for her.

“Is that Lockwood boy the father?” Donna asked.

Aria started to laugh, but it morphed into a wet hiccup. “How does everyone know that?”

“Oh, baby. That man looked like he wanted to eat you up.”

“Darling,” Geoff said reproachfully. “I don’t want to think about any man lusting after my daughter.”

Aria laugh-hiccupped again. “I don’t want you thinking about that either, Dad.”

Donna took her aside and opened a bag of chips, then took a handful herself before offering to share. “What’s happening with your young man? This is not the face of a happy woman.”

“We were never really together,” Aria explained. “But I think I love him, Mum. At first, I thought he had no heart, but every time I’m with him, I see another side of him. He has a little sister, Teri, who’s so cheeky, but I love her.” She smiled. Then it faded. “He freaked out when I told him I was pregnant, but now he wants to raise the baby with me.”

“That’s good news,” Donna said with an indulgent smile.

Aria bit her lip and studied her shoes. “I turned him down.”