Chasing Happy

Chapter 18

Kieran stood outside Oxford Street Station waiting for Corey. Their intention was to browse through the January sales. She shivered and looked at her watch. A woman almost bumped into her.

"Sorry," she apologised.

Kieran nodded, and caught sight of a snow white Jack Russell terrier with a brown patch of fur over one eye. His tongue hung out of his mouth to one side and Kieran could swear he was smiling at her.

"Oh, he's so cute;" she said smiling at his owner.

"Isn't he? Thanks." The woman hurried out of the cold and into the station.

Kieran wondered why she said that. She wasn't a dog lover. The notion of walking them every day put her off. She dismissed the thought and looked at her watch again. Her sister arrived half an hour later. Kieran saw her jogging up the stairs.

"Sorry I'm late, Jack wouldn't let me go," Corey explained grinning as she hugged her.

"That's too much information. If I've missed out on any bargains it'll be your fault, and you're buying lunch." Kieran told her.

"I'm not buying you anything, so don't even go there," Corey said giving her a playful push.

An hour and several shopping bags later, they were still shopping. Kieran needed maternity outfits. Her waist line seemed to expand with each day. However, she still hadn't told her family she was in a family way.

"Corey?" Kieran said as she looked through a rack of dresses that she had no intention of buying.

"Yea," she replied, as she held up a dress against herself and looked in a mirror.

"Let's head over to Next when we leave here."

"Since when do you shop there?" Corey asked as she checked the price tag and made a face indicating she wasn't prepared for the price.

"I know, but that's the only shop that sells decent maternity wear," Kieran said not looking at her.

"If you want," Corey replied examining another dress. Clearly she wasn't paying attention. Kieran waited; Corey frowned as she processed what she heard and turned to look at her sister.

"Why do you need maternity wear?"

"I'm...three months pregnant."

Corey let out a loud squeal that caused people to stare. Kieran hid her face in embarrassment. Corey then threw her arms around her and jumped up and down. Kieran wasn't expecting this reaction. She took her by the hand and led her out of the shop.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Corey asked with excitement.

"I thought I'd wait in case anything went wrong," Kieran was relieved her sister was happy for her.

"Do Mum and Dad know?"

"No, come on, if Mum knew, you would've known," Kieran said rolling her eyes.

"True," Corey said with a fond smile, "When will you tell them?"

"I don't know. Soon, I guess."

"You don't seem very excited."

Kieran shrugged. "I am. It just happened so fast. I'm still trying to get my head around it"

"Yea, I can imagine, but you should tell them."

"Do you think they'll freak out?" Kieran asked as they passed a toy store. She tugged Corey and they entered the shop.

"They'll be cool. It's not like you're sixteen. Is Joshua happy?" Corey asked picking up a Dalmatian soft toy.