Billy was just securing some solar lights around the Happy Hart to make it look Christmassy when he spotted Darren walking along the quay. ‘It’s your day off today, isn’t it, bro? What are you doing down here so early?’
‘I wanted to see you before you started work.’
‘You OK?’
‘Mum told me this morning that the old man doesn’t want me at their place for Christmas dinner.’
‘For fuck’s sake! What is wrong with him?’ Billy was furious. ‘Well, if he’s going to be like that I won’t be there either. We can all go to Joe and Pearl’s for the day, instead of me having lunch there then coming to Mum and Dad’s in the evening with Kara.’
‘You can’t do that to Mum. She’s upset enough about it all as it is.’
‘So, I’ll have to sit there without you whilst he’s being a miserable sod and see Mum in tears. Great! One happy fucking Christmas this is going to be.’
‘I should have just kept my gob shut.’ Darren sighed. ‘Can you imagine what he’ll be like when I tell him I am seeing someone?’
‘Are you? Seeing someone, I mean.’
‘Um … it’s early days.’
‘Do I know him?’
‘Nah. Nah.’
Billy knew it wasn’t the right time to push it. ‘I’m pleased for you, bro, and as for keeping quiet, no way. You did the right thing. We’ll get through it and I know that Joe and Pearl will welcome you with open arms.’
‘Have you seen Star lately?’ Daz asked. ‘I just wondered how her mum was. I can’t believe the baby’s not Conor’s. He took it well though, considering.’
‘I think he was slightly relieved, to be honest. And Estelle is due home this week, I think.’
‘She was lucky.’
‘She bloody was. Ah, here’s my girl, wonder what she wants?’ Billy said as Kara pulled up in her Passion Flowers van.
‘Just thought I’d say hi/bye in case I’m going to prison, now a solicitor’s asked to see me,’ she said.
Billy laughed. ‘Let’s hope you’ve been left millions in someone’s will.’ He leaned in and gave her a kiss. ‘Call me as soon as you’re done, OK? And don’t worry, sweet cheeks, I’m sure it’s nothing serious.’
Kara waved and tooted at the pair as she headed off up the hill.
‘What’s all that about?’ Darren was now helping to fix up the lights around the float.
‘Oh, it’s just she got some random letter from a solicitor in Penrigan, saying she was to meet one of the partners there this morning and he would explain why on arrival.’
‘Hmm. Curious. You’ve got me wondering why now too.’
‘Gentlemen!’ Conor appeared looking slightly the worse for wear.
‘You look like shit, mate.’
Conor grinned. ‘Just a bit tired, that’s all. You didn’t warn me about Natalia from the dry cleaners. H – O – T,’ he spelled out.
‘You didn’t waste your time.’ Darren looked slightly shocked.
Billy said wittily, ‘Not like Daz, who used to shag Kara’s fifty-year-old boss, and she was H – R – T!’
‘Filth, the pair of you.’ Darren couldn’t help but smile. ‘And there was me thinking you were really hanging out for me.’
Conor scanned the sky then gave Darren a friendly punch on the arm, saying, ‘The only thing that’s on the turn round here is the weather, my friend.’
A laughing Darren jumped off the float. ‘Have a good day you two, I’m off home.’
‘It’ll be all right,’ Billy called after him. ‘We’ll sort it.’
Star waved at Darren as she pulled up at the quayside and got out of her car.
‘Blimey, it’s like Clapham bleedin’ Junction down here this morning,’ Billy greeted her.
‘I was going to see if Kara wanted breakfast at Frank’s before work, but I can’t get her on her mobile,’ Star told him.
‘She’s driving. Got some random letter from a solicitor in Penrigan.’
Star felt slightly sick. ‘Ah right, she’s gone there now, has she? That’s early.’
‘She’s got to be there for nine but didn’t want to be late for traffic on the main road.’
‘OK.’ She kept her tone casual. Conor blew her a kiss from the back end of the float. She waved back, unsmiling.
‘Your mum’s coming home this week, isn’t she?’ Billy added.
‘Yeah, yeah. Tomorrow. Right, I’m starving. I shall get Frank to do me one of his legendary fry-ups.’
‘You feeling all right? You look a bit peaky.’
‘Yeah, just a bit tired, that’s all. I’m going to park outside yours, if that’s OK?’
‘Course it is. Right, I’d better get these cars loaded or we’ll be late for the off. See ya.’
‘Bye.’ Star put up her window, bit her lip and thought for a second. Breakfast could wait but being there for her mate when she was about to receive such life-changing news couldn’t. Texting Skye to keep an eye on the shop, she revved the engine on her little car, then swiftly turning around, she headed towards the main road and Penrigan.