Dan opened his eyes wide. ‘I’d never thought about it before, but your mum was really young when she had you.’
‘She was. It was a mistake, of course. We all make them. But at least she wasn’t punished by her family for it, like so many other girls were in the 60s.’
‘You never knew your Dad?’
Kate shook her head. ‘No. Hope never told anyone who he was.’ She shrugged. ‘Maybe she didn’t even know. Grandma Ngaire said she had a wild streak. Probably explains why I was so conservative, to make up for my mum’s wildness.’
‘Families, eh?’
‘Talking of which, when are you off to the marae?’
‘I’m going along with Augustini when she takes a new batch of library books to Hemi — that’s Moana’s great-grandfather — next week.’
‘That’s nice. Maybe you can bring our families closer.’
‘I’ll try. But I’m not sure what kind of reception I’ll get from him. Augustini told me not to expect much. So how does our family tree intertwine with the Maori around here?’
Kate shrugged. ‘Just Tamati I think.’
‘But Ngaire is a Maori name.’
‘Yes, but there are plenty of people of European descent who were given Maori names.’
‘Yes, I guess so. You weren’t ever tempted to have your DNA done? Augustini was telling me about Ancestry. Made me wonder whether we shouldn’t do a test, find out exactly who our Maori ancestors were, who all our ancestors were.’
She shook her head. ‘No. I am who I am. I don’t need to know anything further. I’m descended from the MacLeods who came from Scotland generations ago and settled here, and with a melting pot of other nationalities, including Maori. I don’t need to know specifics.’
‘That’s more or less what Lucy said. Except Lucy added that she didn’t want “some rando person” around the world rocking up here claiming they’re her long-lost cousin.’
Kate laughed. ‘Sounds like my youngest daughter. And I can’t help but agree. Besides, I don’t need to know who I am. I know who I am.’
‘Maybe Jen would take a test. I mean it could be interesting.’
‘I doubt it. She’s had enough of the past. She wouldn’t want old mistakes, old secrets, things people would prefer to be buried, to rise up and haunt her. She’s had enough of that.’ Kate looked at him. ‘If you’re so keen why don’t you do it?’
‘Hm,’ he said, sitting back thoughtfully. ‘You know? I just might do that. Could be interesting.’
Surprised, she sat back. ‘Really? Why are you so keen, Daniel?’ Dan shifted uncomfortably. ‘This isn’t about our Maori relatives, really is it?’
When he bit his lip she realised she’d hit home. ‘I guess not. I guess it’s about me. Not knowing who I am.’
‘Then go ahead and do a DNA test if you want. It might make you feel more settled in some way.’
‘Maybe.’
Kate smiled. ‘You successfully diverted me from your love life, didn’t you?’
He grinned. ‘I hope so.’
‘Except you didn’t. I think you’ve somehow brought the subject back around to it. I think your ex-girlfriend was only a part of the reason you returned home. I think she probably made you look inside of yourself. Try to figure out your place in the world.’
He shook his head, looking down at the ground.
She put her hand on his shoulder. ‘You’ll be fine, Daniel. More than fine. Do whatever you need to do to make you feel you belong. Even have your DNA tested.’ She leaned in. ‘I promise I won’t tell your sisters.’
He grunted in laughter, kissed his mother on the cheek, and got up.
‘Thanks, Mum.’ He hesitated. ‘By the way, I’ve got an interview.’
