Chapter One
We pull up to Megan and Ben’s house. It’s a nice house, semi detached with a small garden.
“Excited to see Megan and the baby?” I ask Lilly, who’s sitting next to me in the passenger seat.
Lilly nods. Megan had her baby three months ago, and she’s now on maternity leave. Lilly and I have been keeping up the talks, going to schools and youth clubs, informing kids and teens about the dangers of the sex industry. We’ve also started giving talks about being autistic. People we talk to can’t believe we’re both autistic, because to them we seem so confident.
I’ve also been single for about a year, and to be honest I’m extremely happy. I don’t need a man in my life, especially after everything I’ve been through with men.
We knock on Megan’s front door. She answers the door with a beaming smile. She’s got baby Mia in her arms. Mia is so cute, bless her.
“Come in,” says Megan. We follow her into the house. Ben is sitting on the sofa in the living room.
“Don’t be shy, Lils, sit down,” Megan says to Lilly. “Would either of you two like a drink?”
“I’m good,” I say.
“Me too,” says Lilly.
“Hi, Anna,” says Ben. “Hey, Lilly.”
Lilly waves at Ben, before slowly sitting down on the armchair in the corner of the room.
“So, how’s the talks going?” asks Megan, bouncing Mia in her arms. “I hear you’re branching out a bit.”
“Yeah,” I say. “We’ve started doing talks about autism as well.”
“I’m really proud of both of you,” says Megan.
“Thanks, Meg,” I say.
“So, Anna, how’s your love life?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m very happily single, thank you, Megan.”
“Do you think you’ll ever be with anyone ever again?”
“Who knows?” I shrug.
“How about you, Lilly?” asks Megan. “How are you getting on at school?”
Lilly seems distracted, like she’s miles away thinking about something else.
“Lilly,” I say, “Megan asked you a question.”
Lilly finally turns to look at Megan. “Hmm?” she mumbles.
“I asked how you were getting on at school,” says Megan.
“Oh, fine,” says Lilly.
“Are you sure everything’s okay, Lils?” I ask, putting my hand on her shoulder.
Lilly nods, but I’m not convinced. I suspect we’ll be having a long chat on the way home.
Megan continues bouncing baby Mia in her arms.
“So how’s Mia?” I ask.
Megan sighs happily. “She’s amazing, everything I could’ve ever wished for.”
I smile. “I’m so glad you’re happy, Meg.”
“Well, it’s almost time for Mia’s nap time,” says Megan.
“We’ll be off then,” I say, starting to get up off my seat. “Come on, Lils.”
Megan comes to the door with Mia and waves us off. As we sit in the car, Lilly has a vacant stare on her face, and I’m extremely worried.
“Okay, Lils. Something’s not right.”
“How can you tell?” asks Lilly.
“Because I know you. Now, are you gonna tell me what’s up?”
Lilly is silent for what feels like forever, then she says, “If I tell you, you’ll be really upset.”
Now I’m really worried. I didn’t expect her to say that.
“I’ll show you when you drop me off, but please, don’t panic.”
Don’t panic? How can she say don’t panic? I knew there was something wrong and this proves it. I dread what she’s going to show me, but I have to be strong for her.
