Conor scanned the sky then gave Darren a friendly punch on the arm, saying, ‘The only thing that’s on the turn round here is the weather, my friend.’
A laughing Darren jumped off the float. ‘Have a good day you two, I’m off home.’
‘It’ll be all right,’ Billy called after him. ‘We’ll sort it.’
Star waved at Darren as she pulled up at the quayside and got out of her car.
‘Blimey, it’s like Clapham bleedin’ Junction down here this morning,’ Billy greeted her.
‘I was going to see if Kara wanted breakfast at Frank’s before work, but I can’t get her on her mobile,’ Star told him.
‘She’s driving. Got some random letter from a solicitor in Penrigan.’
Star felt slightly sick. ‘Ah right, she’s gone there now, has she? That’s early.’
‘She’s got to be there for nine but didn’t want to be late for traffic on the main road.’
‘OK.’ She kept her tone casual. Conor blew her a kiss from the back end of the float. She waved back, unsmiling.
‘Your mum’s coming home this week, isn’t she?’ Billy added.
‘Yeah, yeah. Tomorrow. Right, I’m starving. I shall get Frank to do me one of his legendary fry-ups.’
‘You feeling all right? You look a bit peaky.’
‘Yeah, just a bit tired, that’s all. I’m going to park outside yours, if that’s OK?’
‘Course it is. Right, I’d better get these cars loaded or we’ll be late for the off. See ya.’
‘Bye.’ Star put up her window, bit her lip and thought for a second. Breakfast could wait but being there for her mate when she was about to receive such life-changing news couldn’t. Texting Skye to keep an eye on the shop, she revved the engine on her little car, then swiftly turning around, she headed towards the main road and Penrigan.
