The woman looked up in surprise. “I was going to ask, ‘Cat got your tongue?’But I wasn’t sure you’d see the humour in it. Are you okay, honey?”
Tears returned quickly to Charmaine’s eyes, and she took slow, tentative steps towards Finn and Watson. “I’m fine. I… thanks for letting me take care of Watson sometimes.”
“Oh, that’s okay by me. You’re doing me a favour. This big sook was so torn up about the new dog, he stayed away for weeks on end. He’s finally coming home, but he sits up high as he can away from the puppy on tree branches or the windowsill. I have to admit, though, the pup is a bit vivacious. I can understand Watson’s reservations about the relationship.”
Charmaine attempted a smile, but she could barely see through a veil of tears.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You look like you’re about to cry. You don’t have to tell me about it, of course, but I’m here if you need someone to talk to.”
Tears dropped down Charmaine’s cheeks. “It’s just that… I don’t know how to say this. But you remind me of someone.”
“I do? That’s nice. I think it’s such a compliment when people say things like that. Clearly, it’s someone you care about.” Finn reached out and squeezed Charmaine’s arm gently. “I’m sorry, honey. Whatever it is, I’m sorry.”
“She was my mother. She died three years ago, and I’ve been missing her lately. And one of the reasons I came to Coral Island was to find her sister, my aunt. I don’t know if that’s you, but you look exactly like her. I mean, not exactly, but you’ve got the same nose and the same coloured eyes. And your face shape…”
Finn’s face grew pale. She gaped. “Charmaine?”
“Yes, Chaz is short for Charmaine.”
“You’re Helen’s daughter?”
“That’s right. And you must be her sister.” Charmaine laughed and sobbed at the same time.
Finn gently put Watson on the floor, then threw her arms around Charmaine with a shout of joy. “I can’t believe it. I thought I’d never see you again. Look at how grown up you are!”
Charmaine and Finn sat on the couch in the little flat together, Watson in Charmaine’s lap, for the next two hours and talked nonstop about everything. Their conversation flowed smoothly and without direction, going back and forth and around, covering every topic that came to mind in a haphazard and joyous fashion.
Charmaine told Finn that her mother had died. Finn cried silently for ten minutes, rocking back and forth on the couch with her hands over her face. Finally, she stopped shaking and removed her hands. Charmaine passed her the tissue box, and Finn gratefully took a handful of tissues to wipe her eyes and blow her nose.
She smiled ruefully. “I can’t believe she’s gone. All this time, and I didn’t know.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you,” Charmaine said.
“I wondered at times. I hadn’t heard from her in so long.”
“I’m sure she missed you. She talked about you at the end, and that’s how I knew where to look.”
Finn sighed. “I wish I’d had a chance to say goodbye.”
They spoke about Charmaine’s mother and what her life had been. They discussed her grandparents and when they’d passed away, where they’d lived and how much they’d wished they could know their grandchildren.
“So, your last name is Edgeley?” Charmaine asked.
“Yes, it’s my married name. My maiden name was Hilton.”
“Does that mean Hilton is my real surname too?”
“Yes. Your mother never took your dad’s name. You were both Hiltons, you and Sean. Until Helen moved away. She never told me what she ended up changing your names to. What was it?”
“Billings. I’m Charmaine Billings.”
Finn laughed. “That’s funny.”
“Why is it funny?”
“Our childhood cat’s name was Billings. Mr Billings, we called him. He was black and white, looked like he was wearing a suit, and he stalked around the place as if he were the butler.”
Charmaine giggled. “That is funny. I’m named after a cat.” She petted Watson’s sleek back, then drew a long, slow breath.
