Chapter 7

Next day it seemed almost incredible that the previous evening had been so momentous. How momentous she realized later when she missed her period. The day passed. It wasn't merely late. She knew she is pregnant. She was not really worried because she felt sure everything will be alright, when she told Ross. She sent a message across to him "urgent message. Please contact Joanne immediately" she settled down to wait as patiently as she could.

When she had begun to think she couldn't endure the silence any longer, there came, not a letter, but a phone call. At the sound of Ross's voice, Joanne thought she might faint. She hastily sat down and closed her eyes.

"Yes, yes, I'm here. Where, where are you?"

"I'm in Australia, Joanne, are you alright?"

"Yes, fine! Look, Ross. I must see you. Did you get my messages?"

"No, nothing. What's wrong?"

"I can't talk now." Joanne looked widely round the office. "What about this evening?"

"Fine." He sounded puzzled at something in her voice. "Shall I pick you up?"

"No, I'll come to you at 8 o'clock. Then the Chase. "

"That sounds like celebration," he commented, a teasing tone note back in his voice.

"I hope it is," she said to herself. "See you then, Ross, I love you."

That evening she delayed breaking the news until she heard all about the orientation and some of the fun they had. Then, drinking China tea again. She broke the news."Ross, I'm pregnant." There was a little silence.

"You must have made a mistake," Ross said in surprise. "We made love only once. But I suppose that once is enough to... Are you sure you did not make a mistake?"

Joanne shooked her head. "No, it's no mistake. I've had a test and it's been confirmed that I'm about six weeks pregnant. But does that matter, Ross? Don't you want this baby?" She said quietly.

"Of course I do, but I'm wondering what your parents will say. We'll only have to get married sooner. It doesn't matter, we shall go and tell them together now," Ross said , in all seriousness.

They went together to Joanne's house to break the bitter sweet news to her parents. When they told them, Mrs Helen nearly hit the roof. She raved on an on, until they thought she would go out of her mind. She had wanted a big white wedding, and a splendid start for Joanne in a marriage that was completely suitable. Now, they would have to rush things and the wedding for her only daughter, her only child, would not be as grand as she anticipated. "What a disgrace!" She screamed. "You have let us down so shamefully, Joanne."

"Come on. Ross, Joanne's not showing yet. She won't show for about two more months, if I know anything. Surely, you can still have a society wedding, if you are so keen on it. If you start making preparations right away, it will be grand still," her husband who took it more calmly, said amicably.

Mrs Kings took a good look at her daughter and shrugged. She was angry also because Joanne had told Ross before telling her. She had set her heart on Joanne's wedding being the grand one she'd wanted, but could not have herself, because her parents could not afford it. A lot of people still talked about Joanne's 21st birthday, and what's huge success it was. She had derived a lot of pleasure from preparing for that party, and had promised herself that Joanne's wedding was going to put the birthday celebration in a very dim shade. But now, Joanne, aided by Ross, had thwarted her.

It was really this Ross's fault, all of it, she told herself. The boy was ill bred, and these boys from the slums had only one thing in mind. Now he had Joanne exactly where he wanted her. She said so bitterly to her husband when they had gone out to discuss the matter privately in his study. "To give him credit, she could not help admitting, though a little grudgingly, he has stood firmly by her. He knows we could make serious trouble for him and he has no money to get himself out of it."

Her husband agreed. "Also it's quite obvious he is noe after our money. Look at the way he stormed out of our house and never came back until today."

"He's one of those very stuborn and proud people who have no reason to be so proud, " she declared. "Well I suppose we shall have to make the best of it. But things are going to be done my way."

When they got back to the sitting room, her husband cleared his throat. "I won't pretend to be pleased about this. You have both behaved disgracefully," he glared at them where they sat, hand in hand. "Ross you have your..."

"But, daddy," Joanne interrupted, "Surely you can change his posting?"

Mr Kings thought of all the steps he had taken to ensure Ross removal to a different location. "No," he said harshly. "We will arrange for the wedding to take place as soon as possible." He fixed Ross with a commanding eye. "Our conditions conditions for working in one of our companies and living in our house still stand. You will not be given Joanne's hand otherwise, baby or bo baby."

"My only daughter will never have a child out of wedlock. Impossible! Ross will marry you," Mrs Kings ruled, "and accept our conditions."

Ross did not feel like arguing with them. They had been through all these before. He just got up and went home. Joanne got up and ran after him but he pushed her away gently.

"Leave him. He is just trying to call our bluff. He'll be back," Mrs Kings said contemptuously.

"How do you know he will?" I know his type. He won't give up without a fight. Her husband said sagely.