Summer Sins

June’s eyebrows lifted. ‘So you know he’s going to divorce you as soon as he can?’

‘I went into this marriage with my eyes wide open.’

‘You love him, don’t you?’

Hayley didn’t bother confirming or denying it.

‘I always knew there was something going on between you,’ June said. ‘Every time we talked about him I sensed it.’

‘I love him,’ Hayley said. ‘He’s a wonderful man who has been maligned for most of his life. I’m going

to do my best to make it up to him.’

‘He’s going to break your heart,’ June said. ‘He’s a player, not a stayer.’

‘I’m prepared to risk it.’

‘You’ve got your head in the clouds,’ June said. ‘Men like Jasper don’t change.’

‘I don’t want him to change,’ Hayley said. ‘I love him just the way he is.’

June gave her a scathing look. ‘He’s not going to stand by you. He’s always operated by his own code.’

‘At least he has a moral code,’ she said. ‘How can you live with yourself? What sort of mother are you to encourage your son to exploit innocent people in such a way?’

‘Martin’s a good son,’ she said. ‘I warned him about marrying a single mother but he went ahead with it. He’s tried to be a father to Daniel even though that kid resists all of his attempts to discipline him as any real father should.’

‘What about Daniel?’ Hayley asked. ‘Does he know who his real father is?’

‘No, and he’s not going to like it when he finds out either,’ June said.

Hayley felt ill with the thought of who it might be. What if Daniel’s father was some sort of horrible person, a criminal of some sort—a murderer or rapist? Hadn’t she felt the same horrible dread for most of her life? How would the poor boy cope with the stigma of knowing his veins carried criminal blood? No wonder Jasper had seemed so tense and on edge just lately. June had hinted the revelation would be a bombshell, but just how big a bombshell was anybody’s guess.

‘I’m going to have to ask you to leave,’ Hayley said as the salon door opened.

June’s face curled up in another sneer as she leaned closer so the client who had just come in wouldn’t hear. ‘Just remember what I said. And tell that husband of yours he’s got a week before we go to the press and sell our story.’

Hayley gripped the edge of the counter so tightly she felt as if her fingers were going to break. She fought against the rising tide of nausea and took a couple of shallow breaths to steady herself.

Lucy came out just as June was leaving and, giving Hayley a quick concerned glance, suggested she go and sit out the back for a while.

‘I take it June Beckforth changed her mind about having the deluxe collagen facial,’ she said once Hayley had dropped into the nearest chair.

‘Yes, she apparently can’t afford it at the moment,’ Hayley said, feeling her colour drain even further.

‘You don’t have another booking until twelve. I’ll keep an eye on the phone.’

‘Thanks, Lucy,’ she said and closing her office door, sat down and put her head in her hands.

Instead of going straight back to Jasper’s house after work Hayley took a detour and called into Raymond’s inner-city parish. He wasn’t at his small house, but when she walked into the church she saw him lighting a candle near the altar.

He turned around at the sound of her footfall and came down and took both her hands in his. ‘Hayley, what’s wrong? You’ve been crying. Has Jasper upset you?’

She shook her head and choked back her sobs. ‘No. I just felt the need to see you. I have so much on my mind. You said if ever I was in trouble you’d be there for me … Well … I’m in trouble.’

He led her to one of the pews and sat down beside her, his expression tender with concern. ‘What’s happened?’

‘I’m pregnant.’