Kara leaned across to her trembling buddy and held her. On seeing the car parked up near the end of the ferry quay, Billy ran over to say hi. Kara quickly pointed to Star, at which he made a sad face, stuck his thumb up and left them be.
‘I wish I could take some of your pain,’ Kara murmured to Star. ‘I’d wrap it up and throw it far out into the sea where it couldn’t hurt you any more. I know words probably won’t help at this time, but you are kind and beautiful and so loved, Star Bligh. And if it counts for anything, the moment I set eyes on you at our first day of school at HartmouthPrimary, I knew we would be friends forever.’ She carried on awkwardly rocking Star across the car seat as if she were a baby. ‘I’ve got your back, mate. What was it we used to say? “Secrets to the grave” and all that?’
Star put her head up, mascara streaked down her pale cheeks, fronds of damp hair stuck to her face. ‘I love you, mate,’ she said.
‘I love you too. And I willneverleave you. And when we are grey and old, if I do go first and I’m still holding on to all your bloody secrets, I will come back to haunt you.’
Star managed a grin as Kara finished with: ‘Now, are you OK to drive?’
‘Yes, better now,’ Star sniffed, pulling some tissues from her coat pocket and blowing her nose loudly.
‘What are you going to do about the joint?’ Kara asked.
‘Maybe we should just smoke the damn thing ourselves,’ Star said and they both laughed. ‘But no, don’t worry. I won’t do anything crazy. I will speak to Skye, calmly. I think my issue is more to do with having a mother who gives her granddaughter drugs than my daughter smoking them, to be honest.’
‘Billy’s at a five-a-side tournament tonight so come round mine for dinner later if you both fancy it?’
‘Thanks for the offer, but I really need to go and talk to Estelle.’
