Chapter57
On hearing the wind chime, Star turned down the music in her workroom and walked through to the shop.
‘Hey, Kar, come on through,’ she said.
Kara sat herself on the high stool in the corner of the room. ‘I went to tell Dad but Doryty had got to him first – which was a good thing, I suppose.’
‘How are you feeling now?’
‘Discombobulated.’ Kara smiled. ‘I love that word.’
Star made a funny little noise. ‘You’re so sweet.’
‘Hardly.’ Kara waited. ‘I spoke to Jen too.’
Star gasped. ‘I didn’t think about your real sister who isn’t your real sister now!’
‘It’s mad, isn’t it, but she is still my half-sister, as we share the same she-devil of a mother. I was thinking: we now have to make a decision. Should we start finding out about our new relations, or do we keep the reverend’s secret safe between us? For my part, I don’t think I want to know. Not yet anyway. How about you?’
‘I was thinking just the same. I’ve got to get my head around him first, let alone a whole new bloodline.’
‘Jen was quite funny about it, and surprisingly understanding as it turned out. Joked that at least I had one sister – you – who could treat me properly now. She’s coming to Dad’s for Christmas as Markus has to see his children fromhis previous relationship and even the word “stepmum” brings her out in hives.’
Star laughed. ‘That’s Jen for you, but she did finally come good though, arranging your trip and sorting the lease on your shop.’
‘She did. I meant to ask, how’s Estelle doing?’
‘Like a different woman now she’s on the wagon. Still on the normal cigarettes but if it gets her through giving up the drink and the weed, then she can worry about that later. It’s her peace of mind that she’s working on first.’
‘Is she excited about the baby?’
‘She really is.’
‘You’re getting bigger day by day.’
‘I know. Bigger – and more bitter.’ Reaching for her phone, Star put the message from Jack on show and passed the handset to Kara.
‘Oh, mate, how horrible. What an absolute wanker!’
‘I’m in bits. Estelle had just said that I should find out the truth and there was this message moments after.’
‘Did you send a reply?’
Star tutted. ‘Give me some credit. I’ve embarrassed myself enough, don’t you think? How can I have misjudged someone so greatly?I’d rather you didn’t contact me again.I mean, what the fuck? That’s just cruel. And it also means he must have seen my other messages and just ignored them.’
‘I’m so sorry. Your poor heart is sitting in that chest of yours wondering what on earth is going on. At least it’s just bruised and not broken.’
‘But I feel broken, Kar,’ she said tearfully. Her friend jumped down to her side. ‘I thought there could be just one happy ever after in my life, just one.’
‘But on a positive note your mum is getting better, andSkye is happy, and Conor is great and will always have your back, and I’m your bloody sister, for God’s sake.’ Kara’s upbeat voice tailed off in a wobble. ‘And I know our dad died but at least you now know who he was and—’
‘Yes, yes, I know all that, but I love Jack. Ilovehim, Kar. But I will get through this. For Skye’s sake, for the new baby’s sake.’
‘You need to get through it for your own sake too.’
Star sniffed and sat up straight. ‘And get through it I will. Here.’ She handed Kara the red ring box. ‘Can you give this to Joe,’ she held Kara’s gaze, ‘to yourdad, I mean.’
‘I have to look – is that OK?’ Kara peeked inside. ‘Wow, it’s gorgeous! You’re so clever.’
