Chapter20
At the tinkle of the STAR Crystal & Jewellery wind chime, Star walked through from the back to find a familiar customer standing in the shop.
‘Morning, sassy Star,’ said the much-loved Joe Moon, father of Kara.
‘Hey, Joe. How are you doing?’
‘Fine thanks, pet. But I need to be quick. I told Pearl I was just popping out to get some fruit and veg. We are picking up a new dog from the RSPCA centre in Penrigan at lunchtime.’
‘Aw, Kara didn’t mention it.’
‘No, we only saw this little beauty a couple of days ago. I will invite Kara up later to meet him, and you’re always welcome too at Bee Cottage, you know that.’
Feeling warmed by his affection, Star said, ‘So, come on, details please.’
‘He’s a black Labrador, an oldish boy – nine, I think they said. His owner had died and well, Pearl took one look at his sad little greying face and that was it.’
‘An old lady used to come into Sibley’s when I was working there. She had a Labrador, told me he literally used to eat everything, other dog poo included. The breed are renowned for it evidently.’
Joe laughed. ‘Ew, what have we signed up for?’
‘Does he have a name?’
‘Yes, Bob.’
‘Bob the Dog, that’s funny.’
‘We can’t change it now; he’s been Bob all his life so yes, Bob the DogMoonis comingsoon.’ Joe looked pleased at his rhyme, then remembered and said, ‘Down to business, my girl.’
Star put her hands flat down on the counter. ‘Yes, so what can I help you with today, sir?’
‘A ring.’
‘An off-the-shelf kind of ring or a bespoke one, perhaps?’
‘Bespoke?’
‘Yes. I can create one to whichever design you like. You choose a stone, and we work on a design and I make it for you.’
‘Well! I never knew you did that, young ’un. Proper job, that is. It’s a special ring, see.’
‘A special ring.’ Star nodded. ‘OK, so a special ring I shall make for you.’
‘It’s a secret too.’
Star thought it so sweet that he didn’t want to let the engagement cat out of the bag.
‘So, when do you need it for?’
‘As soon as you can do it really, please.’
‘Now, what do you reckon would suit your Pearl? I assume it is for her. You haven’t got some fancy woman hidden somewhere?’
‘She’d have my guts for garters if I did, can you imagine?’ They both laughed. ‘Trouble is, I dunno what I want. I haven’t really thought about it.’
Joe Moon’s well-cut white hair gave him a distinguished look against his handsome, weathered face. He was a primeexample of a man who had at last found contentment in his life, and being in his early sixties he still had plenty of time ahead of him to enjoy it. Star felt such a love for the familiar face in front of her. She had grown up with Joe as a father figure in her life. In fact, she’d been labelled ‘Daughter Number Three’ in the Moon household. Knowing that she had no dad of her own, Joe had always shown her a care and kindness that went way beyond any of her other friends’ dads. No fool, Star realised that part of this was due to her strong friendship with Kara, which had no doubt helped Joe’s daughter through the difficult times when her mother Doryty Moon had left Joe and their two daughters in the lurch.
There were times when Star felt envious that Kara had such a lovely father. And it now looked as if Pearl was turning out to be the best stepmother her mate could ever have wished for, too.
