‘Mum will not mind.’
‘I agree,’ Chantal echoed. ‘I will tell you one thing about Meg – as soon as she knows of your existence, you will be part of this family already.’
A big fat tear dropped down Chloe’s young face.
‘Stay here and don’t run away,’ Rory ordered.
Chantal crept quietly up to where Savannah was sitting, staring off into the middle distance. She looked so sad, Chantal thought, although it was no wonder, being married to that odious man.
Chantal made it a point never to discuss Calum with Rory but she always felt there was something wrong with him, something cold, assessing.
Savannah was so thin, so edgy. Carefully, so as not to startle her, Chantal laid a delicate hand on Savannah’s wrist—
‘Oh, you frightened me,’ gasped Savannah, jerking away.
‘I am sorry. Can you come outside?’ she whispered.
Savannah looked around. Calum was talking to someone on his other side, ignoring his wife completely, which was rude and unnecessary.
‘It will only take a moment.’
‘I’m just going outside, darling,’ Savannah said brightly to her husband, as if asking permission like a child. Chantal winced. There was nothing normal there.
Outside, Eden and Indy had joined Rory.
‘What is it?’ said Eden.
Rory looked around.
To one side of the Shack, there were tables used during the day when the sun shone on the front of the restaurant. At night, people liked to sit at the back and stare at the view over the sea, watch the sunset. But now, only a couple of people sat at one of the nearby tables, sharing a glass of wine, talking quietly among themselves. At the furthest away table, under some sparkling fairy lights, sat Chloe.
‘There’s someone you need to meet,’ said Rory.
Eden realised it first.
‘You’re Lori’s daughter, aren’t you? Lori and – Pops,’ she said. She could recognise that shape anywhere because it was like looking into a mirror at herself: the same height, the same legs stretched out in jeans, even the same sort of trainers that Eden herself liked to wear. Only the girl’s hair was different. Long, dark, glossy under the lights. Lori’s daughter. Their half-sister. She knew it.
She had begun to run before anyone else had moved.
‘I knew it!’ Eden said, grabbing the girl’s hand. ‘I knew for years. When Lori left, I just knew because—’ She broke off and realised that she was gabbling and she held out her other hand and the girl took it.
‘I’m Chloe.’
‘Oh, my sweet Lord,’ said Indy, putting a hand to her mouth.
‘It’s true. It was always true,’ she said, looking at Rory.
‘I did tell you,’ Rory said, ‘but you are now forgiven.’
Indy hurried over to Chloe. ‘Hello!’ She leaned in to enfold the younger woman in an embrace. ‘I’m Indy. It’s so lovely to meet you. How is Lori? Is she here?’
‘She died a few years ago. Cancer,’ said Chloe.
There was silence and Chantal crossed herself.
‘I am so sorry she never brought you to see us,’ said Indy, overcome with emotion. ‘We loved her, and if Dad stopped her coming here—’
‘Your father tried to visit but Mum didn’t want that. She wanted a new life. She knew he adored your mother and she needed to get away. He did his best.’
