Amelia looked at her. ‘What, not see any of my family, or my friends?’

‘It might sound a bit scary at first, but you’ll get used to it soon enough and it’s not for ever. I’ll bring you everything you need. It’s the only way you’ll be able to hide the pregnancy from everyone. I’m not talking miles away, just out of Moston.’

‘Piss off, miss. There’s no way I’m putting my family through that. Imagine my mam if I just disappear, it’ll kill her. No, you need to rethink this. I’m not living in any fucking flat on my tod. I can’t even cook or use a washing machine. Ask my mam, she’ll tell you, I’m useless. Why can’t I just tell them I’m giving you the baby?’

Tina wasn’t going to let her fantasy go without a fight. ‘Are you stupid or what? Do you think they just hand out babies to anyone who wants one?’ She slammed the brakes on as she nearly drove into the back of the car in front of her. ‘You can tell your parents you’re pregnant then. You’ll just have to deal with it yourself. I’ve offered you a lifeline, but, if that’s what you want, I’ll ring your dad when we get back to school and tell him you’re having a baby and you don’t know who the father is.’ Tina hated hearing the venom behind her words, but couldn’t stop it flowing.

Amelia covered her ears with her hands, reality was hitting home. ‘No!’ she screamed. ‘You’re not telling them anything.’

Tina pulled into a side street and parked up. She turned to face Amelia. ‘Listen, this is not a fairy tale with a happy ending. You’re having a baby. You’re going to have to do what I say or go home and face the music. I’ll tell you something too, the minute this comes out I bet social services will be all over your family as well. You’ll be lucky to keep the baby even if you wanted to. It’ll end up in the care system. Is that what you want?’

Amelia sobbed. ‘I just want it to be over. Why can’t I just get rid of it? You said you would help.’

‘And I will help. But you’re underage and I have a duty of care to tell your parents if you have an abortion. This way they never need to know. Can you see any other way of this working? If you’ve got any better ideas, then let’s hear them.’

‘If we do what you want … can’t you come and stay with me? I don’t want to be alone.’