It didn’t take long for Star to get to Penrigan, even less time for her to spot Kara’s Passion Flowers van parked up on the road near to the solicitors. Ordering herself a bacon sandwich and coffee, she sat in the cafe window opposite the door of Bright & Company and waited until her friend eventually reappeared looking white-faced and devastated. Star immediately went to the door and called her name. Almost in a trance, Kara crossed the road and joined her inside the cafe.
Once sat down, Kara began nervously fingering the fake flower table decoration. Her voice was barely audible when she asked, ‘How long have you known?’
‘A couple of days. I just hoped that the randy rev would have the decency to tell you too. That he wouldn’t leave it to me to spill the beans. Oh, Kara, I’m so sorry.’
‘It’s not your fault, is it? He was the one spilling his bloody biblical beans! Trust my mother to fuck things up again. I hate her so much! Poor Dad.’ Kara wiped her eyes and while she did that, Star ordered two cups of tea in order to give her a moment.
‘It all makes sense now, doesn’t it?’ Kara said dully. ‘I look like Doryty, so it was never that glaring. Big sister got Dad’s looks and slighter build. I’m tall and broad, like him. “Our dad”. That’s bat-shit crazy! We are half-sisters. Skye really is my niece. I just can’t take it all in.’
‘Did he give you a photo?’ Star asked carefully.
‘Yes, of himself in normal clothes. He looks so young. He was handsome, wasn’t he? He wrote me a letter explaining that although it had been just one night he spent with my mother, she told him that I was his and that she would never tell her husband and, of course, she would never speak about him to anyone.’
‘He never needed to have known about you.’
‘I know – it’s weird, right? But he told me that he paid for my upkeep. Doryty isn’t stupid, is she? He probably funded her stay in Spain when I was thirteen, the cheating cow. She’d seduced a man of the cloth because she knew no one would ever find out, and when she discovered that she was pregnant after that encounter, she made sure she was guaranteed a monthly payout. Yes, my mother kept it quiet all right, for her own selfish reasons.’ Kara blew her nose. ‘No wonder Estelle didn’t want you to know either.’
Star sighed. ‘Yes. She kept that secret for him and from me all these years.’
Kara took a slurp of tea, then a small smile hit her lips. ‘Our father, who art in heaven is a priest – can you believe it?’
‘A sinner of a priest at that. There are just six months between us, so he was having a right old time of it. First your mum, then mine.’ Star’s shoulders shook with laughter. ‘Sorry, I can’t help myself – it is kind of funny.’
‘Do you know if the funeral has happened yet?’ Kara asked.
‘No. I’d have thought Flo would have mentioned it, so probably not. Maybe they need to find a cathedral big enough to fit all his bastard children in.’
‘So, Flo goes to his church?’
‘No, but she knew of him.’
‘I don’t want to go to his funeral. In fact, I don’t want to know anything more about him.’ Kara was adamant.
‘Really? If you have children, they will share his genes.’
‘It’s too much to take in.’ The redhead’s voice nearly broke. ‘I can’t bear it. I didn’t even think of that.’
‘I know. It’s kind of different for me as I never had a father figure like your lovely dad when I was growing up, so in a way it’s completed me now I know who helped to make me, even though I will never meet him.’
Kara said brokenly, ‘It’s the opposite for me. I can’t believe it – and how on earth am I going to tell Dad? It will break his heart.’
‘Do you have to tell him?’
Kara’s head shot up. ‘I can’t believe you said that, mate. Of course I do! I couldn’t keep it in, I wouldn’t be able to act the same around him. He’s been the best dad.’
‘Joe still is the best dad. You could have gone through life never knowing any different. I bet that happens a lot in real life.’
‘What a mess. At least Dad has Pearl now. She is so straight talking, maybe she can help me tell him. Or do I just not tell him, as you said? Oh, Star. I really don’t know what to do.’
‘I’ve got your back, sister, whatever you decide to do. Just take your time.’ Star put her hand on top of Kara’s. ‘We’ve always been like sisters from the start. Love can’t tell the difference whatever blood is flowing through our veins.’
‘What did Estelle say?’
‘She’s only just home from the hospital. An ambulance dropped her off. I had planned to see her later.’
‘How’s she doing?’
‘Fine, I think. She left me a message saying she has something important to tell me face to face. Maybe having such a life-changing accident has made her realise I should know the truth. It certainly made me open up to Skye.’
‘About this?’
Star nodded. ‘And about her own father. She took it so well. I think it helps that the wanker lives in Australia now. But I did say that if she ever wanted to meet him, she should respect his current family situation, but that I would never stop her. Of course, I hope she doesn’t, but it destroyed me not knowing who my dad was when I was growing up, so she has every right.’ She shifted in her chair. ‘I’m feeling really tired today. This little mite decides to wriggle around at the strangest times. I’m sure Skye slept when I was sleeping when she was growing inside me.’
‘Sorry, Star. I’m in such a state I didn’t even ask how you are feeling.’
‘Sad is how I’m feeling, mate. With both this and the Jack situation. I’m determined to contact him. I haven’t quite got there yet, but I will.’
‘He may surprise you.’
‘He may be furious, more like.’
‘What did he say to me?’ Kara thought for a second. ‘“No more I wish, but I will.” So, you should.’
Star stuck out her tongue. ‘Like I said, I haven’t quite got there yet.’
‘This being-an-adult business is hard, isn’t it?’ Kara placed her hands on her own stomach. ‘I think the hardest part of all this is knowing that my babies won’t have any lineage to Dad.’
‘He will love them just the same, Kar.’
‘But what if he doesn’t?’
‘You’re being silly now, and whatever happens, I will be right by your side.’ Star paused. ‘Sister …’
‘… from the same bloody mister,’ they said in unison and laughed.
‘Let me look at the photo he gave you.’ Star reached for it, then turned it over. ‘Did you read this?’ She handed it back.
Kara shook her head and haltingly read the words aloud, ‘A constant nurture trumps a fleeting nature. You are so loved, Kerensa Anne. Matthew Nesbitt. Your father (by birth only) x.’