Star had a flashback to when her mother had sat her down on the outside steps one balmy July night when she was just five years old. She remembered vividly having got sunburn on her shoulders and it felt so sore it was making her cry. Her mum, drunk from the huge jug of iced sangria she had been sipping from throughout the day, had made up a combination of aloe and raw honey and was dabbing it gently on her daughter’s back with cotton wool.
‘Where is my daddy?’ Star had asked.
‘He’s dead to me,’ was the reply. ‘And to you.’
For years Star had understood that her daddy was dead. When anyone asked, that’s what she had told them. Even Auntie Flo and Uncle Jim had no clue who he was. It wasn’t until she reached thirteen that she asked her mother about him again. With a cigarette in one hand and a neat gin withice in the other, Estelle had thought for a moment, then replied, ‘Oh, it was some guy I met and we had sex under Penrigan Pier after getting stoned on the beach. I didn’t even know his name.’
‘Mum, is this true? You weren’t a teenager then but a grown-up!’
‘And? Does bloody age dictate where and when you can have it off? Does it, daughter?’
‘You told me he was dead.’
‘I had to pretend he was,’ was all the woman could muster. ‘But I wanted you, Steren, I wanted you more than anything in the whole damn world. I loved you, I still do. I always shall.’ With that she had fallen back in her chair and promptly passed out, leaving Star having to take the lit cigarette from her fingers and the glass from her hand before it tipped down her front or fell to the floor.
‘So, what do you reckon then?’
Star jumped back to reality at Joe’s question. ‘Firstly, and I’m guessing you might not have this, do you know the size of the finger you want it to go on?’
‘Oh, bloody hell. I didn’t think about that. First time around, well, Doryty had already chosen hers. I just had to hand over the money.’ He made a face. ‘Cost me an arm and a leg, that one did. And not just in jewellery.’
Star nodded understandingly. ‘OK, maybe you can quickly trace a ring she already wears on whatever finger you are choosing it for? Or maybe she wears one on the same finger of the other hand?’
‘Leave it with me. I’ll sort it, or I’m sure my Kerry will help me somehow, if I can’t.’ Joe peered at the selection she had on offer. ‘Looking at some of these you have on display, I was thinking of maybe getting something a bit different. Imean, a pearl in the ring would be the ideal, but do you think that’s a bit cheesy?’
‘Not at all, it will be a unique choice. A pearl will get questions and compliments about it as she’ll probably be the only person who has one.’ Star had a thought. ‘Hang on, let me get something.’
She went through to the back to get her folder of past designs. When she came back Joe said fondly, ‘I know you can keep a secret.’
Star put her hand over his. ‘I can’t tell you how happy this makes me, Joe. Pearl is such an amazing lady.’ She did a little shimmy just as the wind chime went off again.
‘Dancing on my arrival now, are you? That shows I must be special.’ Conor Brady smiled The Smile,causing her to catch her breath and grin widely. ‘Hello there, Joe.’ Conor acknowledged him politely. ‘Sorry to butt in but I’m on a quick ferry break and just wanted to tell Star that I’m cooking dinner tonight for her and me, seven thirty at my place.’
‘Oh, are you now?’ she piped up. ‘Great. Should I bring anything?’
‘Just your sweet and beautiful self. Goodbye, all.’ The wind chime signified his departure.
‘Star Bligh! He’s smitten and so are you by the look of you.’ Joe had noticed her blushing face. ‘It’s about time, love, and he seems like a good lad. It’ll be you getting engaged next at this rate.’
‘Hardly. I’ve only known him for a few days.’
‘All I can say is when you know, you know. I took one look at Pearl’s beautiful face and well, the rest is history.’
‘Hmm. Well, knowing or not, we’d better get on with this or shewillbe having your guts for garters and it will be Bob the Dog shouting “Fetch” to you.’
