He's the One by Katie Price Read Free Book Online

to kiss her.
    ‘I know, I did try, but I kept getting your voicemail.’
    ‘Well, you could have left a message, that’s what those things are for.’ He was gazing at her, but then registered Brooke and quickly kneeled down. ‘And who’s this gorgeous girl? Hi, sweetie, what’s your name?’
    Brooke was sucking her thumb and ignored him.
    ‘Well, isn’t she a sweet thing? She looks exactly like you.’ Zara had sauntered over to them. ‘Is she your baby sister?’ She gave Liberty a sly smile. Zara was onceagain looking groomed and glossy in a white sundress that showed off her tan to perfection.
    ‘I didn’t know you had a sister, Liberty?’ Cory looked perplexed.
    ‘Oh, haven’t you got round to swapping stories about your families yet?’ Zara’s voice was smug. Liberty could tell immediately that she’d guessed this wasn’t her sister, and was taking great delight in making her feel uncomfortable.
    ‘No, I …’ Liberty began.
    ‘No,’ Zara wouldn’t let her continue, ‘I’m sure I’ve heard you say that you’re an only child. So that can only mean …’ She opened her eyes wide. ‘Oh, you must be one of those single mothers the government’s always talking about? How brave of you to have her so young. Don’t you think she’s brave, Cory? And so good of you too, darling, not to mind. You really are a sweetheart. Isn’t he, Liberty? There can’t be many men happy to have someone else’s child foisted on them.’
    Zara gave Liberty a hard stare before turning to look at Cory. ‘Oh, dear, didn’t you know? What a surprise for you. I can’t imagine why Liberty wouldn’t trust you enough to tell you her little secret. I thought you two were so close?’ She turned back to Liberty with a triumphant smile on her face.
    She felt anger rise in her. What a bitch Zara was! Well, Liberty wasn’t going to be made to feel ashamed of having had a child so young. She needed to come clean, she had nothing to feel ashamed of, although the expression of shock on Cory’s face almost made her lose her nerve. But then she straightened her shoulders and looked him squarely in the face.
    ‘Zara’s right. Brooke is my daughter. How clever of her to guess.’ She was looking only at Cory as shespoke, though, trying to show with her eyes that she was sorry she hadn’t told him.
    Cory either didn’t notice her look or chose to ignore it. He seemed lost for words. ‘I … um … I mean … Jesus, Liberty, why didn’t you tell me?’ The words burst from him angrily.
    She was silent for a moment, not sure what to say. But when he just stared at Brooke with an expression of total shock on his face, her patience snapped. Bastard!
    ‘Because I’m used to insensitive, immature little fuckers like you running a mile when they find out,’ she said venomously. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I was going to and I had hoped you’d be different from all the others, but I can see you’re not. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get Brooke home. See you around, Cory. Hopefully I won’t see you, Zara.’
    Head held high, Liberty marched off, anxious to get away from them. She could just imagine them staring after her, judging her to be some feckless single mother who only had herself to blame. She could feel tears of humiliation and anger stinging her eyes: anger with herself for caring so much, and anger with Cory and Zara too. Fuck them. Rich, spoiled, over-privileged twats, what did they know about life?
    It was only when she was giving Brooke her bath later on that she calmed down. She watched her daughter play happily with her toy whale, taking great delight in squirting Liberty with water. She would never for a second regret having Brooke. She loved her with a fierce, proud determination; she would do anything for her. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought. Her daughter was all that mattered.
    The doorbell rang when Liberty had finally flopped on to the living-room sofa, too exhausted to make