The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson by Paige Toon Page B

but if I ever meant anything to you, you won’t betray me.’
    Now she scoffs. ‘Betray you ? You should take a good look in a mirror before you accuse me of doing that.’
    Her tone is bitter and my mouth abruptly shuts.
    She sighs and looks deflated. ‘Look, I won’t tell Amanda.’ Then she checks her watch. ‘I’m sorry, but I’ve got to get ready before I eat dinner, otherwise I’m going to be late for the movie.’
    ‘Sure,’ I mumble, standing up.
    ‘You’re still welcome to join us . . .’ she says warily.
    ‘No. But thanks. I’d better get home to Stu.’
    I leave as quietly as I can so her mum can’t ask me what’s wrong.
    I can’t help feeling deflated. I’ve imagined the scene where I tell Libby I know who my real dad is so many times, and it was never supposed to go like this.

Chapter 8
    Libby and Natalie’s reactions eat away at me that night and all of the next day. We can’t get hold of Wendel because it’s Sunday, but first thing Monday morning I’m on the phone to him while Stu stands nervously by.
    ‘Have you spoken to Johnny?’ I ask.
    ‘Yes,’ he replies. I struggle to keep my composure.
    ‘I need to know when this will all become official.’
    ‘What do you mean by official, exactly?’ he asks carefully.
    ‘Out in the open. It’s killing me not to be able to tell anyone,’ I say, biting my lip as I spin him a white lie. I’ve already told two people, with varying results.
    He hesitates. ‘Oh. I see.’
    I wait for him to continue.
    ‘This could be a problem.’
    ‘What do you mean?’ I ask with annoyance.
    ‘My client is a very private person.’
    ‘What?’ I ask incredulously. That’s not how it comes across in the papers.
    ‘ These days,’ Wendel adds. ‘Now that he has a family of his own. It’s my job to minimise the damage and I’ve been trying to work out how this can all be contained.’
    He’s completely sucked the wind out of my sails. Damage . Contained. He’s making me sound like some kind of natural disaster.
    ‘You would like to meet him?’ Wendel asks.
    ‘Yes,’ I answer shakily.
    ‘How would you feel about going to Los Angeles?’
    His question makes my heart beat just a little bit faster.
    ‘That would be good.’ I make a concerted effort to sound more in control. Stu shifts on his feet beside me. He can’t hear the other side of the conversation. ‘When were you thinking?’ I ask.
    ‘My client and his family are going away at the end of the month and would like you to come before then,’ Wendel replies. ‘How are you placed for next week?’
    I swear I can hear my heart beating inside my head.
    ‘I don’t break up from school until next Wednesday,’ I tell him, aware of Stu’s inquisitive look. ‘But I might be able to take a couple of days off?’ I glance at Stu. He holds his hands out, palms upwards, in a ‘tell me what the hell is going on’ gesture. ‘Can you hold on a moment?’ I ask Wendel.
    ‘Fine,’ comes his curt reply.
    I cover the receiver with my hand. ‘He’s asking if I can go to LA to meet Johnny and his family next week,’ I tell Stuart, unable to keep the plea from my tone of voice.
    He looks surprised. ‘Oh. Wow.’ He pulls up a chair at the kitchen table and sits down, dragging his hand across his mouth. His eyes fall on the receiver. ‘Can I?’
    Reluctantly I hand over the phone – and the control.
    ‘Wendel? This is Stuart.’
    Now I’m the one listening to a one-way conversation, and it’s frustrating.
    ‘Mmmhmm . . . Yes. I quite agree . . . No, yes, the sooner the better . . . I imagine early next week, possibly even this coming weekend . . . I see . . . OK. Well, that would be excellent . . . Yes, I appreciate that – things are tight right now . . . No, thank you . . . Shall we look into some flights? . . . Oh, OK, yes, that’s great . . . We’ll wait to hear from you, then . . . Excellent, thanks very much . . . Sorry? . . . Oh, yes. No, I’ll reiterate that to her . . .