‘And I guess it was a one-nighter so you’re not that bothered about him.’ Conor was thoughtful for a minute. ‘Saying that, I’d want to bloody know if I had a child on the way and I’m not going to lie, Star, there was a little bit of me that was kind of excited when we thought the baby was mine.’
‘Aw, that makes me sad.’
‘Don’t be. There’s life in this old dog yet and I’m not in the right place to provide for another child, not yet.’
‘I don’t want you to hate me for telling you this, but Iambothered about Jack. Since he left, I haven’t really stopped thinking about him. You have been the best distraction but deep down I knew that I didn’t feel for you like I felt for him.’
It stung, but after a minute Conor replied, ‘Why would I hate you? Honesty shows respect. But you have to tell him what’s going on, for you as much as for the baby. True connections don’t happen often in this life, Star, and when they do, I think they need to be seized and fought for, I really do.’
Conor put his knife and fork down and stood up. Walking round to Star’s side of the table he took her hand and gently pulled her up from her chair.
‘What are you doing, you crazy coot?’
Mindful of her bump, Conor Brady wrapped his huge Irish arms around the petite blonde Cornishwoman and gave her the bear hug of all bear hugs. Rocking her gently as if she was a baby, he then kissed her on the forehead.
‘I wanted to see you tonight to say that if you ever need me for anything, whatever it is, I’m here for you and Skye and the new little one. I might even put in a stint at babysitting if you ask me nicely.’
Star pulled away from him. ‘So, you are staying in Hartmouth then?’
‘I’m enjoying the outdoors on the ferry for now, so I am. I’ve been able to start paying off my debts to my Da and Frank, which is the main thing.’
‘You didn’t answer my question?’
‘I’ve had the best time with you, my littlestóirín. The Dillons are a great family, and Frank and Monique will always have my back. And now my boy Niall is getting older I’m hoping his mother might allow us to spend some time together. Like me, he’d love it down here. I know.’
‘All good then.’
‘Yeah, that’s right. But it’s you we need to get happy now. And whether it be Jack or someone else, whoever that man might be, they will be so lucky to have found you, and I mean that with all my heart.’
Star looked up at him and whispered, ‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’
‘You’re a special lady, Steren Bligh, and don’t ever forget that.’
‘You’re up late.’ Skye came bounding in bringing the cold in with her, not expecting to see her mother sitting in silence on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate in hand.
‘Just having a think about stuff,’ Star told her.
‘Was Conor OK?’
‘Yes, we’re still friends.’
‘Good, good. And you feel all right, with the baby I mean?’
‘Yes, darling.’ Star reached for her daughter’s hand. ‘Thanks for being so understanding about it all.’
Skye came and sat beside her. ‘Can I come and see Granny Bligh with you on Sunday?’
‘Of course you can. I called the hospital earlier and they said she’s so much better. That reminds me, we must get her a new mobile phone. Hers was lost in the fire.’
‘Let’s do that tomorrow. Oh yeah, I forgot, there’s some post for you in the kitchen. One markedAddresseeOnly, with a solicitor’s stamp on it.’
‘Thanks. I wonder what that is? Did you have fun tonight?’
‘Yes, me and Tegan just watched a film. I wanted a quiet one. I can’t be doing with a hangover on a market day ever again.’
‘Look at you being the sensible one.’
‘Well, someone has to be in this family.’ The young girl leaned over to kiss her mum on the cheek. ‘Night, Mum. I love you.’
‘I love you too, precious.’
When Skye had gone, Star suddenly felt completely alone. Yes, Conor wanted to be her friend, but what she herself really wanted was a big spoon, a cuddler and a confidant. A partner to help her navigate motherhood for the second time, to share responsibility and worry, to love her unconditionally. What was it that her mother had said again aboutthe two men she had seen in her crystal ball? She thought back. Yes, that was it: one would break, and one would shake her heart. Sighing deeply at the realisation that Conor must be the shaker in all of this, Star looked down at her phone and found the number she had under Ralph Airbnb. Just to hear Jack’s voice would be enough for now. With a trembling hand, she disguised her own number to Unknown Caller and dialled. When the call didn’t even go through to a dialling tone, she threw the phone down on the sofa and put her head in her hands.
