Ignoring her brother’s advice not to tell Jed about the baby, Frankie rang her boyfriend and told him to meet her at the pub. Finding out the test was positive had prompted her to be straight with him. She loved him and just hoped Jed loved her as much as he said he did.

‘Just get rid of it, Frankie. We’ve still got some of our birthday money left. I’ll help you pay for an abortion. Mum and Dad will never have to know,’ Joey begged her.

Frankie shook her head. ‘No, it’s not fair, Joey. This is as much Jed’s baby as it’s mine. I can’t get rid of it without telling him. I love him and I couldn’t do that to him. For all I know and you know, he might want me to keep it.’

About to plead with Frankie once again, Joey saw Jed walk in and quickly shut up. As her boyfriend walked towards her, Frankie felt her whole body shake from head to toe. She couldn’t tell him here. The pub had been almost empty earlier, but now was quite busy.

Jed was more perceptive than most boys his age and he immediately clocked the twins’ serious demeanour. ‘Blimey, what’s up with yous two? Look like you’ve seen a ghost, the pair of yous do,’ he said, smiling.

Telling Joey to stay put, Frankie dragged Jed outside. ‘Can we talk in the motor? Where you parked?’ she asked him.

Jed led her to his new pick-up truck and opened the door for her. ‘Do you like it? Four grand, I give for this. Bought it yesterday, I did, off some old grunter.’

Barely noticing the black metal monster on wheels, Frankie nodded dumbly.

Lifting her chin up, Jed was surprised to see tears in her eyes. ‘What’s a matter? Not dumping me, are ya?’

Frankie shook her head. She had never felt so nervous in her life and Joey looking out of the pub window wasn’t helping matters.

‘Jed, I’m pregnant,’ she whispered.

Jed burst out laughing. ‘Is that why you’re crying, you dinlo?’

‘I’m scared, Jed. We’re so young, what are we gonna do?’ Frankie asked, crying even more.

Jed took her into his arms and kissed her tears away. ‘Look at me, Frankie,’ he ordered her.

Frankie did as he asked and was surprised to see him grinning. ‘It’s not funny. You’re acting as though you want the baby.’

Jed chuckled. ‘Of course I want the baby. I love you, Frankie, and we’ll get married, if you want.’

‘Married!’ Frankie exclaimed excitedly.

Jumping out of his seat, Jed ran around the other side of the truck and dragged Frankie out. He sat her on the tail of the truck and got down on one knee.