He felt a sense of rising panic. He was trapped and he was going to stay trapped. This baby was forever. He was too young to do this, too young to know how to deal with it. He needed help.

He needed his parents, and, unwittingly, Lindsey had given him the key.

They’re my parents, Matt. It’s not your choice to tell them.

Which was true, but his parents were his parents, and it was his choice what he told them. And, like his dad had said, no judgement.

‘Tess,’ he said. ‘I have to talk to Mum and Dad.’

5

His dad looked at his mum. She was cradling a glass of white wine.

‘We thought something was going on,’ he said. ‘And we’re glad you told us. This is not something you have to deal with on your own.’ He leaned over the kitchen table and squeezed Matt’s elbow. ‘We’ll help you with this, son. I promise.’

Matt felt 100 per cent better. Even though nothing had changed, it seemed like everything had changed. ‘Thanks,’ he said.

‘What do Lindsey’s parents think?’ his mum said.

‘They don’t know,’ Matt said.

She blinked. ‘They don’t know?’

‘She doesn’t want to tell them. I thought she should, but she said it’s not my decision.’

‘Did she?’ his mum said. ‘I see.’ She sipped her wine. ‘This is something her parents need to know about,’ she said. ‘She’s seventeen, and they are going to be massively affected by this. They have a right to know.’

‘I said I wouldn’t tell them,’ Matt said. ‘I promised.’

‘Maybe you did,’ his mum said. ‘But I didn’t.’ She looked at her watch. ‘Nine fifteen. It’s not too late to call, is it, Colin?’

‘No,’ his dad said. ‘I think it’s OK.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I won’t lie, Matt. This is a serious situation. But it’ll be fine. One way or another, it’ll work out.’

‘I don’t see how,’ Matt said. ‘I’m going to have a baby.’

‘For starters, you’ll be finishing university,’ his dad said. ‘If you want to. We’ll take care of the baby if needs be. Your life will go on, son.’ He pursed his lips. ‘But there’s a long way to go yet.’ He glanced at Wendy. ‘Time to make that call. You want me to do it?’

His dad handed him a bottle of beer. ‘Well,’ he said. ‘I told them.’

‘How did they take it?’

‘I talked to Craig.’ He sipped his beer. ‘I think he was in shock. He didn’t say much, to be honest. I explained that it had happened during the summer and Lindsey didn’t want to tell anyone. I didn’t give any reasons why. She can explain that.’

‘They’re probably talking to her right now.’