Page 111 of Second Chance Saloon

Her blood boiled, her stomach coiled in tight knots.

It had been two days since she’d received her genetic testing results, saw a specialist, a genetic counsellor, and discussed what the results meant. Both of her parents sat in the white and chrome office, when her world came crashing down. She was still mad at them, especially her father, but she also couldn’t bear facing the news on her own.

There were so many words, so much medical terminology … Jackie couldn’t believe she was meant to be studying it all herself. That it was meant to be her, in a few years’ time, sat at the other side of the desk, speaking with patients and telling them devastating diagnoses.

After the start of the conversation, she’d switched off, the words reaching her ears muffled, meaningless noises.

The doctor went on to say inheriting reduced penetrance gene from a mother was unlikely, but what good did knowing all of these “unlikely” things do to her? Out of all the things she wanted to be in life, the “unlikely case” in medical genetics was not one of them.

“They also said that we might need to repeat the test in a few years’ time, that the technology is constantly evolving and new, better tests will come to light. That it might turn out you have thirty-four or thirty-five repeats, not thirty-six. That would mean you wouldn’t develop the disease.”

Jackie shook her head, glancing at the red and orange sky outside her window. Brooke’s Plains always looked its best at sunset, when warm colors kissed the white paint of the walls, the crops and the trees. She closed her eyes, stifling a cry. There would be no tears tonight. Mitch, Lyla and Nick were all coming over for a bonfire. Colt got the beer; Dustin and Mimi prepared the meat. Ali promised she would play guitar and get them all to sing along.

“Jackie, I know that it must feel impossible right now. But you might never develop Huntington’s. And even if you do, they said it might be much, much later in life than Weronika did. That even if it happens, it might be a lot less severe.”

Air skidded down her throat as she looked at Sharon. “I know, Mom. I just … I can’t.” She shook her head, acid burning her throat. Tears strained at her eyes and her face crumpled.

Sharon’s arms wound tightly around her in an instant. “My sweet girl, I’m so sorry this happened.” She stroked her hair, pressing Jackie’s body to hers. She was a head shorter than Jackie but, just now, Jackie felt like a little lost girl.

“I’m sorry, too,” she mumbled, squeezing Sharon tighter.

Her phone buzzed with a new text message. She fished it out from the pocket of her jeans.

MITCH: We’re almost there. Nick decided today is the day he becomes a safe driver, and I swear every single car passed us. Save me a beer, a marshmallow and a kiss?

Her fingers were full of lead as she typed a reply.

JACKIE: See you soon x

“I need to go, they’re almost here.” She worried her lip between her teeth. Too many thoughts fought for attention in her mind, but she was lost for words when she looked at her mother. “We’ll talk later, okay? I … I need time to process all of this.”

Sharon nodded with a sniff. “Whatever you need, sweetheart, we’re here for you. Go, have fun with your friends. It’s going to help, I’m sure.”

The warm glow of the crackling fire illuminated the clearing at the back of the house. Mismatched camping chairs and tree trunks served as seating scattered around the stone-lined circle. Beer cans were opened and marshmallows toasted on long sticks.

Jackie pulled the sleeves of her jumper, her gaze raking around the fire. Every single person here meant the absolute world to her.

Her eyes lingered on Mimi and Dustin, huddled in a corner, laughing at something no one could hear. She smiled, wondering if something more would blossom between those two. She’d long suspected they liked each other more than they let on.

Then there were Ali and Kit, and their daughter Rose, bundled up in Kit’s lap, babbling away and staring at the fire like it was the best thing she’d ever seen. Ali had a guitar propped on her thigh and had just finished playing “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers.

Everyone clapped enthusiastically as she drew out the last note, Ali bowing her head with a wide grin on her lips. “Thank you, thank you! Any requests?”

“Play ‘Cotton Eye Joe’!” Lyla shouted, her cheeks flushed from the beer and wind. “Nick says he doesn’t know it, and I say that’s bullshit.”

Ali raised a brow, dragging her fingers over the guitar strings. “You’re fucking joking.”

Nick shrugged, throwing an arm over Lyla and pulling her close to his side. “I like to wind her up.”

Lyla hit his chest. “You liar! What else are you lying about?”

Jackie watched them with a half-smile, clutching an untouched can of beer in her stiff hands. These two were either going to murder each other or marry.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Mitch sat next to her on the trunk of a fallen tree they were using as a bench. “You’re not drinking?”

Swallowing, she urged her lips into a small smile. “I will.”

Mitch scanned her face.