Next, a new short story which addresses the question "Why did Rachel and Justine look so much alike?"

WHAT RACHEL NEVER KNEW

Boston, 194- : Ada Lucas was vomiting into the scullery sink when Jerry the chauffeur came in.

"I think I'm getting the flu." she said, turning on the tap. She cupped her hands beneath the flowing water and rinsed out her mouth.

" Oh yeah, you've got flu !It's the kind of flu that lasts nine months!" said Jerry."Who's the father?"

"That's none of your business."

"It's Him, isn't it?" said Jerry, "Sumner Lowell Kirkland, our esteemed employer! I've seen him - checking you out! It's the old story - he sends his wife and kids off to Cape Cod for the summer, then sleeps with the maid."

"It wasn't like that! " said Ada.

"Have you told him yet?"

"No, and I'm not going to! What would be the point? " said Ada. "It's not like he's in an position to marry me, even if he Wanted to!"

"Well, Somebody had better marry you!" said Jerry, "I'll marry you!"

As Ada said nothing, he continued. "Come on, Ada! You're not likely to get a better offer - not now! What's your other option? Some backstreet abortionist? A home for unwed mothers?"

"No - I wouldn't give my baby to strangers."

"Then - do you plan to tell the world that you're a slut and your baby is a bastard?" said Jerry. "Wouldn't you rather be Mrs Gerald Davis, giving her husband an heir?"

"All right, Jerry." said Ada, "I'll marry you - on condition that we move to Chicago."

"What's in Chicago?"

"My mother. She can help me with the baby while I go to the L.B Honeywell Beauty School."

"To what?"

"It's where you learn how to be a hairdresser." said Ada, "I always planned to go there; I've been saving most of my salary, and I've almost got enough to pay the tuition. Someday, I want to have my own beauty parlour."

"Ambition is a fine thing!" said Jerry. "I'm very ambitious myself."

***

Caroline Kirkland looked Ada up and down with icy contempt.

"I understand that you are with child." she said, "And that you claim my husband is responsible!"

"It's his baby, yes." said Ada.

"A likely story! However, I prefer to avoid a scandal."

She handed Ada an envelope. "Five thousand dollars." she said, "It's yours, provided you leave Boston and never come back!"

"That's what I was planning to do." said Ada.

"Understand, that's ALL you get!" said Mrs Kirkland, "If you Ever approach me Or my husband again, I'll have you arrested for extortion!"

"I'm not a blackmailer, Mrs Kirkland." said Ada. "I was going to give my notice at the end of the week anyway. Since you offer the money, I'll take it, to give my baby a chance in life."

"Get out!" the other woman said, "I want you out of this house before my husband comes home!"

"As you wish." Ada left the room with dignity.

Jerry had obviously been listening at the door.

"Five thousand!" he said, smirking. "That's a tidy sum!"

"So - You told her about the baby!"

"We need a nest-egg to get us started," Jerry shrugged, "That witch can afford it. I was thinking of US - of our future. Here, look, I've got the marriage license; we can get married Today! We're going to be happy, Ada! You'll see!"

When the baby was born, Ada named her Rachel.

The End