Being Emily by Anne Donovan

Author:Anne Donovan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781847673916
Publisher: Canongate Books
Published: 2008-08-06T22:00:00+00:00

MONA’S EXPECTIN.

Rona planted a cuppa tea in fronty ma da just as he shouted, Immoral.

That’s a bit heavy, Da.

Immoral – it’s the only seven-letter word you can get fae they letters. God, that was hard.

Da – I’m trying tae tell you somethin.

Well tell me after ‘Countdown”s finished. Ah don’t try tae tell you things when they daft cartoons are on.

Da, it’s important.

He reached for the remote, turned doon the volume, his eyes still on the screen.

Whit is it, hen?

Mona’s expectin.

Whit, a baby?

Naw, Da, a horse. Of course, a baby.

Jeezo, when?

September.

Christ.

Is that all you’ve got tae say, Da?

What d’you expect me tae say? She’s barely fifteen year auld. If yer mammy was here.

Well, she’s no.

Aye she’s no. If she was this’d never of happened. Fiona, what’re we gonnae dae?

I managed tae get Rona on her ain in the kitchen. What the hell’s gaun on? How come Mona couldnae tell him hersel?

She couldnae.

Could you no have tellt me first – mibbe we could of broken it to him gently?

Just thought I’d get it over quicker when yous’re baith here. Anyway, you’re hardly ever around. And when you are you’re stuck in that room, moonin over yer art stuff.

She was right of course. A crap sister, how come I hadnae seen what was so obviously gonnae happen.

Anyway, where is Mona?

Out with Declan, shopping.

By the time Mona came hame Da had went out. I hoped it wasnae tae the pub, all we needed noo was for him tae start drinking again. And I done my sensible big sister act, all the while wondering how I could be such a total hypocrite after what I’d done mysel.

How could you dae this, Mona?

Same way everybody does.

Don’t be like that – could you no have used contraceptives?

Pope says you shouldnae.

Pope says you shouldnae be having sex. Mona, you’re only fifteen. And so’s Declan. Yous’re still at school.

No for long. Anyway, ah hate school.

That’s no the point.

So what is the point, Fiona? You tell me – what is the point?

I’m just trying tae get you to be serious about this.

You’re trying tae get me to be serious? Ah’m the one that’s pregnant. Ah’m the one gettin the morning sickness. Ah’m the one that’s gonnae have the baby and look after it.

Aye but will you, Mona? You couldnae look after a cat you’re so bloody irresponsible. A baby would get in the way of your beauty routines and your cartoon watching and your line dancing.

You’re so fucking smug and superior, Fiona, always have been. What d’you take responsibility for round here? You just come and go whenever it suits you and moan at everyone else for no keeping the place as tidy as you like it. And who are you to look doon on me for line dancing? How come chuckin bits of auld dolls about is mair important than dancing? Me and Rona are the Glasgow and West of Scotland under-16 champions. But to you that’s nothing compared to all your artyfarty friends. If we were bloody ballet dancers it’d be different.

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