Together

Our Little Secret

Oh my god, did anybody else's school do that Gold Dust Or Bust musical with the song called 'Our Little Secret?' What a quality show. Anyway, this chapter was not named after that show, but after Promises, Promises. Anyway, this chapter makes me happy because everyone's favorite squad goes to one of my favorite places in London, the tea room at the Charles Dickens Museum. Listen, it's the little things that make me happy. For example, sipping the best cup of tea in the entire world and reading my book about the royal wedding. But enough about me. Let's get on with the chapter. I hope you all like it as much as I do- comment and vote please. Love you all!
-ab

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May 17, 2026

Harper

"What about this dress?" Katherine suggests, holding up a white, flowered sundress for Nessa to take a look at.

"It's alright," she shrugs. We are trying to find her an outfit for her graduation ceremony, which is only a short month away, but Nessa is being difficult.

"Alright," I sigh, eventually, "what about a skirt and shirt combo? Would that be better than a dress for you?"

"I'd really prefer jeans."

"You can't wear jeans to your university graduation, Vanessa," Kath rolls her eyes. I giggle a bit, hearing Kath use Nessa's full name. Nobody ever does that, unless they're really frustrated with her.

"Okay, fine. Just... pick out an outfit for me and let's get this over with."

"Do you like this dress or not?" I ask. The dress now in question is a light blue, lacey sundress.

"Yeah. And I like the price," she nods. It's on sale for only £25, which is quite the steal, as it was originally priced at £60.

"Perfect. Let's just get this one and then go get tea," I suggest.

"Perfect," Nessa replies.

"Great," Kath laughs, clearly relieved to finally be done with this shopping trip, which we have been at for a few hours. "Harper, that was worse than that time a few years ago when I had to help you buy a leotard."

"About that..."

"Oh my god,do not tell me that you need a new leotard."

"I do," I laugh, "but we can deal with that another time."

"I agree. You have the world's most inconvenient body proportions."

"Shut up," I laugh. "We can deal with it later, like I said."

"Cool."

We decide to go over to the Charles Dickens Museum for tea, as it is one of Nessa and I's favourite spots. It's relatively empty, and we take a seat in the little courtyard in the back. The birds are chirping and the fountain's trickling drowns out the conversation of the other two ladies sharing tea.

"Hey Ness," I say, eventually. I've been nervous about bringing this up all day, but I promised Patrick that I would. "Since it's the first time that I've seen you since the party, I wanted to talk to you about something that happened there."

"Uh oh," she frowns, biting her lip. Katherine gives me a strange look as well. "What's up?"

"Um, forgive me, but you seemed to really not want Gabe to meet your parents. Is that true?"

Instantly, she gets anxious. "Um..."

"Ness," I say, "what's wrong?"

"It's just... well, I was raised in a family with certain beliefs, and I don't think that Gabe fits what they had envisioned in a man for me."

"What do you mean?"

"It's just..." I can tell that Nessa doesn't want to continue, but I'm not sure why.

"I'm sorry," I cut her off. "I shouldn't have asked. It's not my business to meddle in. Patrick just wanted me to make sure that you were alright, and-"

"No, it's fine," Nessa says. "I just... promise that you won't be upset if I tell you?"

"What do you mean?" I ask her.

"It's just an issue that you're a bit sensitive about."

"I promise, no hurt feelings."

"Okay, well, a few years ago," Nessa takes a deep breath, "Gabe had cancer, and he had to have surgery to get it removed." I know now why she was so worried about telling me all of this. It does hurt a little bit, to hear that scary word, the disease that took my father, but I just nod, indicating for her to keep going. "Thank god, he's completely healthy now, and he goes back for scans twice a year to be sure that it stays that way, but he's not able to have biological kids because of it. I just think that might not go over well with my family. I don't know, it might be stupid, but-"

"Hey, that's not stupid," I assure her. "It's a reasonable fear, but listen, Ness... if your parents are going to dislike him for that reason, then they don't deserve a say in the matter. I hate to put it that way, but it's true. You two could still adopt or something, anyway. If you even want kids."

"I know, but I just don't want to disappoint them."

"No, no, no," Katherine butts in. "I don't want to hear any of that. You are fine, love. Seriously, don't even think that way. You and Gabe are perfect for each other, and there's no doubting that. Your parents will see that, or like Harper said, they don't deserve an opinion. Now, if that boy wants to meet your parents, then you should take him home, and be so proud of him, and the relationship that the two of you have formed, becuase it is magical."

Nessa gives us a small smile. "You guys are the best, you know that?"

"Yeah, we know," Kath replies, giving a cheeky smile and causing all three of us to burst into giggles.

"Maybe I should let him meet my parents..." Nessa then admits. "He's been bringing it up so much recently."

"You don't want to hurt his feelings by telling him that he can't. I think you should do it," I encourage her.

"Perhaps when they come down for my graduation."

"That sounds perfect," I smile.

"Thank you so much for helping me out with this, guys. I'm so amazed that you even noticed anything, Harper."

"That's what friends are for," I say. "I was terrified for Patrick to first meet my parents, but when it was over with, it was such a relief. I'm almost positive that it'll be the same way for you."

With the hard conversation over with, the topic quickly changes and we return to our normal, giggly selves.

After the tea, we decide to take the tube back to Hampstead and get gelato, then go hang out at Nessa and Kath's flat for a bit.

"I've missed the gelato in Hampstead so much," I remark. "I always want to come back, but it's never at a convenient time that I remember to do so."

"Well, now's your chance," Nessa laughs, holding the door open as we all walk in.

A few minutes later, I'm sitting at a little table outside of the shop, with a cup of chocolate gelato in my hand. "I forgot how good this stuff was."

"It's the best," Kath agrees.

After finishing it up, we walk back to their flat, with our only stop along the way being a quick one to pet a fluffy dog outside of Gail's Bakery. That's a stop that's always worthwhile.