The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson by Paige Toon Page A

making a joke of this would be the biggest insult considering the hours we’ve spent wondering about my real dad. She probably thinks Natalie put me up to it and we’re all laughing behind her back.
    ‘I know you don’t believe me,’ I say quietly, studying her face. ‘But I swear to you, I’m telling the truth.’
    I wait a long moment for her to look up, but she doesn’t. I sigh. Maybe I should have kept this whole thing to myself for a while longer, at least until it’s officially announced. Is that what they’ll do? Announce to the world that I’m Johnny Jefferson’s daughter? My life will change dramatically. Excitement pulses through me at the thought. I won’t leave my friends behind though, I vow silently to myself. I’ve treated Libby terribly, but I’ll win her back from Amanda. And Natalie has really been there for me, so I’ll make sure she’s well looked after . . .
    ‘Can you go, please.’
    Libby’s words cut through my thoughts and wound me like a knife.
    I stare at her, but she still won’t return my gaze. I’ve never seen an expression like this on her face. She looks . . . almost . . . angry.
    ‘Libby, I’m not winding you up.’
    ‘Just piss off, would you? I don’t know what’s happened to you, Jessie, but I don’t need you coming here and making fun of me,’ she snaps. She snatches up the nail varnish remover from the bed and stuffs it back into her make-up bag, slamming the bag on to her desk.
    I feel sick as I watch her. ‘Libby . . .’
    Violently she reaches across and shoves me off the bed. ‘Go!’ She raises her voice as I stumble to my feet. I hate the idea of her mum overhearing her shouting.
    ‘Libby, wait!’ I beg, shocked. ‘You know me. You know I wouldn’t lie to you about my dad.’ Tears fill my eyes and I frantically brush them away as I try to convince her. ‘It’s too important. You might think I’ve changed – I have changed – but I haven’t changed that much.’ I stare at her in desperation and panic, until eventually her eyes lift to meet mine. She still looks angry – furious, even – and the Jessie that Natalie knows would just walk out of the room and tell her to bugger off, but suddenly that doesn’t feel like me any more.
    ‘I know I’ve been pushing you away. I know I’ve been mean to you. But what happened to Mum . . . God, Libby.’ I hastily wipe my eyes, but still my tears keep coming. ‘I would not lie to you about this,’ I say fervently. ‘You know in your heart that I wouldn’t.’
    Her eyes narrow as she regards me, but I see that her anger is waning, and a small spark of hope ignites within me. ‘You’re trying to tell me that your dad is Johnny Jefferson?’ Her voice remains sceptical.
    I gingerly sit back down on the bed. ‘I’ve had a paternity test. There’s no doubt about it.’
    ‘How?’ she asks with disbelief, bordering on astonishment.
    ‘My mum was one of his first groupies.’ My face heats up. I haven’t dwelt much on how I was conceived, but now, in front of Libby, I feel embarrassed about this revelation. ‘I think they had a thing, going,’ I add lamely. ‘But I don’t know many of the details. Stu has tried to fill me in.’
    ‘Stu told you?’ Her brow furrows.
    ‘He’s known all along.’
    And then I see it: the belief dawning on her face, followed by an eyes–wide-open look of absolute incredulity.
    ‘Johnny Jefferson is your dad ?’
    I can’t help it – I start to giggle. ‘Yes.’
    ‘Holy . . . Oh my God !’ she squeals.
    ‘Please don’t tell Amanda.’ I expect her to scoff and say, ‘of course not.’ But to my dismay, she doesn’t.
    ‘She wouldn’t tell anyone,’ she says instead, a touch defensively.
    ‘Yes, but you still won’t tell her, will you?’ I ask hastily.
    ‘No.’ She looks put out. ‘She’s really nice, though, you know. I’m sure you could trust her.’
    ‘I trust you , Libby,’ I say, my eyes shining. ‘I know Amanda is your friend now,