Page 46 of Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay

‘On the subject of that toxic little duo, I thought you’d be interested to know that your ex-stepbrother has been having quite a lot happening in his life recently.’ Stella’s expression told them that whatever she was about to share was pretty juicy.

‘He has?’ Hannah’s ears pricked up.

‘Oh, he has. He’s currently being investigated for the embezzlement of clients’ money, he’s been struck off by the Law Society and his wife’s kicked him out, which is why he’s back living with his mother at Midsummer Haven. Oh, and Polly and your father weren’t actually legally married.’

‘Mike drop!’ said Jasmine.

‘What?’ Hannah sat with her mouth hanging open as she processed this news.

‘I don’t know about you lasses, but I reckon it’s time we topped up our wine glasses.’ Maggie reached for the bottle in the ice bucket.

THIRTY

‘What do you mean, they weren’t legally married?’ Hannah asked, once the power of speech had returned.

‘I have it on good authority that they had some sort of ‘ceremony’ abroad, but it wasn’t a legally binding marriage,’ said Stella.

A memory of Polly gloating about their ‘perfect wedding’ on some sun-kissed beach appeared in her mind. The smug look on her face that had ripped Hannah’s heart in two still had the power to affect her. Not such a ‘perfect’ wedding after all.

‘Can I ask the name of the person who told you?’ She wanted to be certain it was true and not just gossip.

All eyes swivelled to Stella.

‘It was Quintin Forsterby-Swainby, a barrister your dad used to brief in his capacity as a solicitor, and a good friend of his by all accounts; told me they go back years. I believe they were at uni together. Your father popped up in conversation in the robing room earlier in the week; Quints knows I live in the same town as your dad.’

‘Quintin Forstery-who?’ asked Jasmine. ‘That’s a right bloomin’ gobful.’

Hearing the name made Hannah sit up straight. She’d not only heard it before, she’d met the owner, too – several times. Her dad used to tease him good-naturedly about his moniker, saying he sounded more like a tongue-twister than a barrister. Quintin had always taken the ribbing well.

‘Quintin knew? How?’ she asked.

‘Said your dad had told him. Apparently, they’d done it on a whim while they were on holiday; he’d just gone along with it to keep Polly happy, because she’d been plaguing him about it. Quints wasn’t sure if she’s aware they aren’t married in the eyes of the law over here, or if she’s simply ignoring the fact and hoping no one finds out. Oh, and he made no secret of the fact he can’t stand her.’

‘She has quite the fan club, doesn’t she?’ Maggie’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

Florrie gave a grunt of disapproval. ‘I wouldn’t put it past her to be in full possession of the facts and keep them under wraps.’

‘Same here,’ agreed Lark.

Stella’s expression softened. ‘Quints also told me that your dad never wanted to marry Polly; he’d lost the only woman he’d ever wanted to be married to and no one could replace her.’

Hannah’s throat tightened. ‘Oh,’ was all she could manage.

‘You okay, flower?’ She felt Florrie’s hand cover hers.

Hannah nodded, her eyes blurring as Stella’s words sank in. Much as a tiny part of her felt angry that her dad hadn’t shared this with her – that, in her young mind, he’d acted as if her mum had been replaceable – a bigger part felt happy at knowing how much he’d loved her mum. She sniffed. ‘Thank you for sharing that, Stella. It means more than you know.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ Stella smiled kindly.

Despite Stella’s bombshell, Hannah felt strangely relieved at sharing her story with her new friends; it had been liberating and cathartic, if not a little exhausting having to relive it all again so soon after she’d gone through it with Birdie and Florrie. And though her aunt and uncle, and Birdie, too, had known the truth of what had gone on behind the well-to-do façade of Midsummer Haven all those years ago, the knowledge that people she knew from her hometown were finally in possession of the facts felt good. It was even more of a relief to find she wasn’t being judged for it; instead, these women had offered their friendship and support. It was going to take some getting used to.

The rest of the evening continued in a much more light-hearted vein. And though Hannah wasn’t going to share how much property the O’Riordan estate involved, she decided she’d quite like their take on the unusual building on the pier.

‘That’s yours?’ asked Jasmine, her eyes wide in surprise. ‘Max has been wondering who owned it.’

‘Oh yes, I’d heard you and Max Grainger were an item.’ Hannah beamed at her.

‘We are, we got together when he came back to Micklewick Bay. He’s a property developer and has had his eye on the pier café since he returned. Don’t suppose you’ve got any plans for it, have you?’