‘When you were young, I wanted your dad to keep providing for us, and when he left when Albie was a baby, again, I didn’t want to tell you, and for you to blurt it out to your dad – or anyone else, for that matter. As much as I felt I had got one up on your philandering father, I wasn’t proud of myself and didn’t want you to suffer for that, either.’
‘But you could have told me when I became an adult, at eighteen?’ Vic shook her head in disbelief. Why hadn’t she seen the resemblance? Thinking on it, it all began to make sense. How much Jake had looked out for them all. How he had never moved from his Windsor mooring. How much he had cared for her recently in her hour of need. He was clearly a good man. And how sad, Vic thought, that her mum had kept this huge secret all to herself.
Kath sniffed. ‘I felt it had gone on too long and I was scared you’d be angry with me and maybe not want me in your life. I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh, Mum, that would never happen. It’s OK, really. I get it.’ Vic squeezed her mum’s hand lovingly. ‘But what I don’t understand is why you never got together with Jake?’
‘He was still in love with Malini. I wasn’t ever going to be his second best; I’d had enough of that with your father. We’ve stayed the best of friends. And well, now I am sober, I intend to spend a lot more time with him, and him me. So why are you asking now if Albie is Jake’s son? Is it something to do with your diagnosis?’
‘No, Mum,’ Vic replied patiently. ‘Has Jake told you anything recently about Malini?’
Kath’s face dropped. ‘No. I’ve been busy, but what about her? She’s not bloody well turned up, has she, Vic?’
‘No, quite the opposite. Jake found out that she died many years ago and, well… the reason it was important to know about Albie… is that Joti is his daughter, too – and she is sleeping with your son.’
‘Heavens alive!’ Kath’s mouth fell open. ‘And lodger, my arse!’ She started to laugh.
‘Yeah. Joti told me something that Jake had said which made me think Albie might be his son, and as my bloody battery had gone on my phone, I was racing across the road to get back to the gallery to call you… and then my lights went out.’
‘Oh, love, but thank God he’s not. And Vic, that means you have a half-sister, too, in Joti!’
Vic swallowed. ‘This is just too much!’ She shook her head and sighed loudly. ‘I may need another whack on the head to get my head around the fact that my father is not who I thought he was, and I now also have another sibling. I’ve always wanted a sister. How crazy is that?’
‘And you promise me that you’re not angry, Vic? For not telling you, I mean.’
Vic’s face softened. ‘No, Mum. More shocked than angry, but we all do what we must do when the time is right, I guess. I haven’t missed out on Jake, really. He’s been more of a father to me…’ She hesitated. ‘… than Dad ever was.’
‘Yes, he has.’ Kath sniffed.
‘How long has he known I’m his?’ Vic reached for the water cup on the cabinet next to her and took a small sip.
‘From the minute I did.’
‘I can’t believe you stayed with Dad, then.’
‘Like I said, I wanted stability and Jake was still so full of loss and yearning.’
‘But Jake is rich – surely he would have helped youfinancially too?’
‘I directly refused, darling. I’d made my bed. I chose to stay with your father.’
Vic nodded. ‘Did you tell Jake about my HIV?’
Kath wriggled in her seat. ‘I was scared, darling.’
‘It’s fine. I think we know he can keep a big secret already, don’t we, Mum?’
Kath put her hand on top of her daughter’s. ‘I love you and Albie with all my heart. You know that, don’t you? I always have and I always will.’ Tears pricked her eyes.
‘Mum, it’s OK.’
‘It’s not, though, really, is it? I’ve been a terrible mother a lot of the time. And for that, I am truly sorry.’
Vic felt suddenly awash with contentment and love. ‘What’s important is that you are here now.’ She smiled. ‘All present and correct…’
Kath’s bottom lip wobbled. ‘Does Albie know?’ Vic said quietly.
‘Now I know he’s with Joti, I need to speak with Jake and do this in the right order.’
