Page 69 of On the Edge

‘She’s going through some stuff.’

Nel swallowed.How did Harriet know what was going on with Maddie and she didn’t?

‘What stuff?’she asked as a family stepped up to the counter.

Harriet sighed as though it was none of Nel’s business.‘You need to give her some space, Nel.’She turned her attention to the waiting customers.‘What can I get you?’

*

‘Can I get you another one?’Harry reached for Nel’s empty glass and added it to the stack in her hand.

‘I’m fine, thanks,’ Nel said, the memory still with her.‘Actually, do you have a sec?’

Harry glanced at the bar then back again and nodded.‘Seems like things are under control.’She leaned back on a stool, half-sitting.

‘I came to the ice creamery one afternoon when you were working there, asking about Maddie.Do you remember?’

Harry shrugged and shook her head.

‘Sorry, I know, it’s so long ago.It’s just … I’m starting to remember things I’d forgotten.Or see them differently.’Nel told her about the maths test.‘I think it must have been when she was in the early weeks of the pregnancy.You said she was going through some stuff.’

Harry frowned and turned the corners of her mouth down, as though she still couldn’t remember.

‘You said I needed to give her some space.’Nel paused again, but still Harry’s face was blank.‘Are you sure she didn’t tell you about the pregnancy?’

Harry looked around, then back at Nel and lowered her voice.‘Okay.I did know.’

‘She told you?’

Harry nodded.

‘She did?When?’

Harry looked up at the ceiling and rubbed her forehead.‘I’ve been trying to work that out since our conversation the other day.It wasn’t long before she disappeared.Maybe the previous weekend.’

‘She’d done a pregnancy test then?’

Harry nodded again.

‘Did she tell Ryan?’

‘Yep, and Ryan told his dad.Roy was livid apparently.’

Nel’s thoughts reeled.‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘Because I should have gone to the police.’Her voice was heavy with regret.‘I should have told them about the pregnancy.I kept waiting for it to come out, but days passed, and then a week, and …’ She turned up her hands.‘Nothing.’

Nel shook her head, trying to process what she was hearing.

‘I was scared, Nel.I saw what happened to you.I’d been on the wrong side of the Carrinya rumour mill since I confessed my feelings for the wrong girl the year before.I was terrified of what would happen if I got involved.I wouldn’t have survived what you went through, so I just … pretended not to know.’

Nel thought of the ladder of silver scars on Harry’s forearms.Who was she to judge?

The door swung open and Jimmy entered.Harry wiped over the table as he approached.

‘Let me get you some drinks,’ she said.‘My shout.’

There was a sparkle in Jimmy’s eyes as he sat down.Nel was dying to tell him about her conversation with Harry, but she didn’t get the chance.