Star listened in silence as he added hastily, ‘Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a saint and I don’t turn down knocked-off gear if I get offered something I want, but I don’t go looking for it. I’m certainly no hardened criminal and I wouldn’t go into someone’s home and rob them. To me, that’s despicable. However, they did a good job of putting me at the scene when in fact I was tucked up in bed in my shared flat watching a film.’

  Realising he was from the same pod as his uncle, both in type and demeanour, Star relaxed. His blatant honesty was refreshing. She didn’t condone petty crime, but it didn’t shock her. Having her whole life been party to her mother selling home-grown weed had put paid to that. This sideline had introduced the girl to an array of dubious characters, one of whom, according to her mother, had been Star’s own father.

  ‘Poor you,’ she said now. ‘That must have been so worrying.’

  ‘Yes, and expensive. Every scrap of my savings went to pay for a lawyer. My Da and Frank had to chip in too. Thank God justice prevailed.’

  ‘At least you had some savings. So, what do you do for a job?’

  ‘I did a business degree but ended up running a small landscape gardening firm. I soon realised that being stuck in an office wasn’t for me.’ Conor scratched his head, making his curly hair even more untidy. ‘Unfortunately, that’s all gone now,’ he said. ‘To raise money I even had to sell my van and my tools.’

  ‘So why run away from it all?’

  ‘I needed to clear my head. Get away from toxic people, from obsessive thoughts of revenge. Frank and Monique are great and I feel safe down here.’ He took a big drink from his pint glass. ‘So, that’s me and my story: at thirty-six years old I’ve come to a picturesque estuary town with a bag full of hope, empty pockets, and a heart open to anything.’

  Star put a hand to her chest. ‘Aw. That’s tough stuff. I’m sure I can find some people who may want their garden landscaped, their lawns mown, their bushes trimmed even.’ Steren Bligh shocked herself at this subliminal flirtation.

  ‘You’re sweet.’ Conor suddenly looked slightly sad. ‘Talking about it has brought the enormity of it home. In fact, it’s made me question where home has ever been really.’

  ‘Well, I know it may sound cheesy, but Hartmouth is a place full of kindness. People look out for you here and the few who might not aren’t worth your time anyway. If they know you are related to Big Frank too – well, you’ll be more than fine.’

  ‘That is good to hear, thank you, and from what I’ve seen and who I’ve met so far, I’d agree with you.’ He lifted his empty glass at Star. ‘Another drink?’

  ‘It’s my turn.’

  Conor ignored her and made his way to the bar, coming back to put her wine down in front of her and ask, ‘Talking of bushes that need a trim, how’s yours shaping up at the moment?’ The Irishman’s face remained straight.

  ‘I’d rather talk about dolphins if you don’t mind.’ Star appeared outwardly calm but couldn’t deny that if this man did ask her if she wanted to go back to his, she would most certainly be showing him her very unkempt lady garden. What was happening to her? It was as if she had suddenly been put under the kind of love spell that her mother would cast whenever there was a full moon and Estelle was in search of an intimate connection. Which was quite often.

  ‘I also have an interesting fact about dolphins,’ Star said. ‘Hang on, I just need to google it so I get it right.’ She read from the screen. ‘“Dolphins are one of the most spiritual animals in human culture … their instinct surpasses that of all other mammals so they only bestow guidance and protection to the chosen few.”’

  Conor cautiously took a drink of his fresh pint of cider, then looking right into Star’s eyes, he said with no hint of a smile: ‘I knew I came here for a porpoise.’

  Mid-sip, Star nearly choked. Her head went back, and she shook with laughter. Every time she tried to contain herself, she started laughing again. Tears ran down her cheeks, taking her mascara with it. When she was able to talk, she wiped her eyes with a tissue from her pocket. ‘I really must stop drinking,’ she giggled. ‘I’d forgotten how good it was to laugh!’

  ‘And there’s me thinking it was just my wit causing such mirth. Your eyes look even bluer when they have tears running through them, you know. You are a stunning girl, Star Bligh.’

  ‘Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that before. Beauty is just skin deep, Conor Brady.’ She over-pronounced his name.

  ‘Well, if it makes you feel better, you don’t fool me one little bit. I can tell that under that perfect exterior you are a complete and utter bitch.’ The Irishman smirked.

  Star let out another tinkly laugh. ‘At last I’ve been rumbled.’

  ‘Seriously though, why hasn’t someone as gorgeous as you been snapped up already?’

  ‘That question! I have a daughter, she’s seventeen. I guess I’ve put her first.’

  ‘Ah, OK. I think I saw her earlier, she is the spit of you. On the flower stall, right?’

  ‘Yes, that’s my Skye.’

  ‘Cool name too.’

  ‘So, call me a freak, but I haven’t had a serious relationship since she’s been around really. You?’

  ‘Not a freak, just protective.’ Conor sounded knowing.

  ‘My mum, Estelle – which yes, also means star in French – wasn’t and isn’t much help. I was always the adult where she was concerned. But I don’t want to talk about her, or me, for that matter.’

  ‘There’s a whole planetary vibe going on there. What’s your granny’s name – is it Cloud?’

  ‘She died before I was born.’ Star blew out a noisy breath. ‘On the same day as my grandad, actually. Her name was Lilian.’

  ‘Jesus, talk about me putting my big foot in it. I’m sorry. Feck it.’

  ‘It is what it is. A very sad tale and one I do my best to accept and get on with now.’ Star shrugged.

  ‘So, I’ve been married before,’ Conor blurted out in an attempt to divert the attention of the pretty woman in front of him. ‘She was called Maeve,’ he went on when he saw that Star had pulled herself together and was listening. ‘Even saying her name leaves a bad taste still. We met at school in Ireland. Back then it felt like she was the only girl in the world for me. Twenty-one we were, when we tied the knot.’ His own face now looked sad. ‘I have a son, Niall. He’s eleven.’

  ‘How lovely,’ Star cooed. ‘I’ve always wanted a little boy. What happened? If you don’t mind telling me, that is.’

  ‘She cheated on me with a mate. It was either kill him or get away from the little town I grew up in, so I never had to look into their deceitful eyes again. My dad arranged for me to stay with family in London. We divorced. I’m still in touch with my lad, on FaceTime and stuff. I send him presents.’ His voice tailed off. ‘But it’s not the same as being there with him, you know.’

  Star put her hand on top of Conor’s. ‘You’ve been through it too, haven’t you?’

  ‘No, it’s grand. I get on with it. I would hate for any of them, especially my son, to know I was in any kind of trouble though. I’ve always paid my share for his upbringing, which is another reason why I hope to find my feet here and start earning again quickly. Frank was a diamond paying for your mate’s flat upfront. I intend to pay him and my Da back every penny I owe them.’

  ‘I thought you were only here for three months?’ Star queried.

  ‘Before Big Frank met Monique, he used to put on a funny singing voice and belt out that old Paul Young song “Wherever I Lay My Hat That’s My Home.” Who knows what life will bring with it, eh?’ Conor drained his second pint of cloudy cider. ‘So, you say you haven’t had many relationships, but you must have had some flings?’

  ‘Er …’ Star took a large gulp of her wine as a flashback to the summer and wild sweaty sex with Jack Murray washed over her. An urge to run came over her. ‘Do you know what? It’s been great, Conor, but I really must get back. I’ve got work tomorrow and two glasses of wine on an empty stomach is a lot for me and I—’

  ‘I didn’t mean to pry.’ Conor looked perplexed. ‘Tell me to shut up. I’m a nosy bastard. How about I walk you up the hill? I mean, I am your real-life boy next door now.’

  Star stood up and started putting her outer garments on at speed. ‘No, that’s OK. I er … I need some air. Thanks for the drinks and it’s been lovely to meet you.’ She almost ran towards the door. Conor grabbed his own coat and followed her out into the freezing night.

  ‘Star, wait.’ His long stride allowed him to catch up with ease. ‘Hey. I’m sorry if I upset you.’ He awkwardly pulled his coat on and dragged his hood up over his curly locks. ‘I need a thought-to-mouth filter, I reckon.’

  It was only 9 p.m. but Hartmouth’s seafront was eerily quiet and dark, apart from the fairy lights that Big Frank had put up around the cafe and along the estuary wall for his party. With heavy cloud shrouding the moon, not even one star was poking itself through to brighten the mood. A few clangs, creaks and moans could be heard from the resting boats in the estuary. Even the seagulls had gone to bed early by the sound of things. As they reached Frank’s, Conor took Star’s hand, shuddering. ‘Jesus, it’s fecking Baltic out here.’ Then without warning he pulled her right into him.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Star wished she’d left that second glass of wine alone.

  Then, feeling her resistance lessen, Conor wrapped his massive frame around her, engulfing her in one huge belter of a man hug. Slightly concerned that every last little bit of breath was coming out of her and would leave her like a deflated balloon, Star inhaled deeply. Oh, how good it felt. To be in the arms of someone, to feel the connection that a great big warm and meaningful hug brings.

  She broke away and stared up at Conor’s slightly worried face. His relief was obvious when she spoke. ‘I’m not sure who needed that more, you or me,’ Star said. ‘The thing is though, Conor Brady, I’m not ready for anything.’ Her voice was slightly slurred.

  Conor held on to her hand tightly. ‘You don’t have to be,’ he whispered, then grinned. ‘It’s all written in the stars, anyway, Miss STAR Crystals & Jewellery, isn’t it?’

  Star looked up at him. ‘Are you ever serious?’

  ‘Not often – and even less so when I like someone as much as I do you.’

  Chapter 9

  Billy sat in the comfy armchair right next to the roaring fire in Bee Cottage and cradled his stomach. ‘That was incredible. But I feel like I’m gonna puke,’ he said piteously. Since getting together with Kara, they quite often came to the Moon family home for a Sunday roast.

  ‘That’s what happens when you have two pieces of my morello cherry pie and mix it with red wine, young man. I told you one helping was enough, but would you listen?’ Pearl shook her head. ‘I’ll get you an indigestion tablet, hang on.’ And she left the room.

  Kara sat on the floor at her boyfriend’s feet, head against his legs. The orange of the fire lit up her face in a warm glow, and the comforting crackling sound made it hard to move. ‘We’d better go,’ she said eventually. ‘I’ve got a funeral tomorrow and the flowers are needed by ten thirty.’

  Billy groaned as he got to his feet. ‘OK. I wonder if I can get done for being drunk in charge of a tugboat. I had far too much to drink last night too.’

  ‘You’ll be all right after a good night’s sleep.’

  ‘Who says we are sleeping, sweet cheeks?’ He pinched her bottom.

  Joe appeared with a tea towel in his hand. ‘Have you one sec before you go, Kerry?’ Her dad and Billy were the only ones who called her Kerry, taken from her full name Kerensa, meaning ‘love’ in Cornish. She followed him into the kitchen while Billy stayed behind and messed about with the fire, before putting the guard up in front of it.

  Checking that Pearl was out of sight and earshot, Kara’s father whispered, ‘I want to propose to Pearl – and soon. But I’m not sure how. I want to make it really special. Pull out all the stops.’

  ‘The divorce has been finalised already then? That was quick.’

  ‘You say quick, but it’s taken me twenty years to get around to dealing with it. And it was so easy, not to mention cheap, seeing as your mother and I have lived apart for two decades. Lord, I should have done it ages ago. Bloody Doryty.’ He shook his head.

  ‘Well, it’s over now and I am so excited and happy for you, Dad. Pearl is like her name, a precious gem.’ Kara thought for a bit, then: ‘I know! How about Christmas Day, putting the ring in the Christmas pudding?’

  ‘No, that’s too clichéd. I was thinking more like—’

  On hearing Pearl clattering down the stairs with a box of tablets for Billy in hand, Kara quickly turned to pretend she was getting a glass of water.

  ‘What are you two whispering about down here? I can see guilt written in both your faces.’

  ‘Err. Umm. It’s someone’s birthday Christmas Eve, isn’t it?’ Joe piped up.

  Pearl smiled. ‘OK, I’ll let you off then, but if you are plotting something, remember – no fuss. You know me, I don’t like a fuss about nuttin’.’ She gave Joe a smacking kiss on the forehead as Billy appeared in the kitchen and gratefully took one of the indigestion pills.

  ‘Dad, I’ll call you tomorrow, OK?’ Kara gave him a sly wink and a hug. ‘Thanks for a lovely dinner, both.’

  Billy held on to Kara’s arm as they walked down from Bee Cottage towards Ferry Lane.

  ‘That was a nice evening.’ Kara’s breath plumed out like a dragon’s into the freezing air.

  ‘Yes, it was. I am so chuffed your dad wants me to captain the Happy Hart now too. I nearly choked on my roast potato when he said it.’

  ‘You’ve worked so hard and I’m proud of you.’ Kara put her head on Billy’s shoulder for a moment. ‘And I’m proud of Dad too. He needed to let it go and the fact that he’s promised to stand in when we want to go on holiday makes it perfect.’

  ‘How lovely that he and Pearl found each other so late in life,’ Billy mused.

  ‘Look at you, being the old romantic.’

  ‘You bring out the soft in me, you do.’ Billy squeezed her bum. ‘But I’m not complaining. Someone needed to.’

  ‘Yeah, my very own Romeo.’ Kara laughed.

  ‘We’d better go to my old man and woman’s soon though. You know what Mum’s like.’

  Kara put on the accent of Pat Dillon. ‘I never bleedin’ see ya nah you’ve got that treacle tart on yer arm.’

  ‘You are so funny when you try and use Cockney rhyming slang, Kerry Moon. You just say “treacle” and I think you are exaggerating, just a bit.’

  ‘I’m glad you told me that it meant sweetheart as I didn’t know what to think when I first heard your dad say it.’ She reached for Billy’s hand as they headed down the steep path of Ferry Lane towards the estuary.

  ‘Poor old Darren cops it worse than me though, as she contradicts herself by going on about him not having a bird.’

  ‘So, Darren’s not seeing anyone at the moment then?’

  ‘Well, seeing is a loose term. He’s usually just shagging around, you know that. Now Twisty Knickers has left town and Lady Rachel from the big house sent him packing, I think he’s having something of a dry spell. He’s been a bit miserable lately, to be fair.’

  ‘Oh, that’s no good.’

  ‘Yeah, he’s been like that ever since I moved out of the flat and into yours. I don’t think he likes being on his own.’

  ‘I didn’t even think of that. We must ask him round more. Do you think he’ll be OK taking on some more shifts on the ferry too?’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘I never thought Dad would slow up,’ Kara said thoughtfully. ‘I couldn’t believe it when he came out with it.’

  ‘Yeah, but it’s tough work out there in this weather, whatever age you are.’

  ‘I’m so pleased for them. Pearl finishes working for good at the hospital on Christmas Eve, so they can just be together in retirement looking after the bees and the honey production. Plus, the garden alone at Bee Cottage is a full-time job, especially now Grandad Harry is not here. Billy, guess what Dad told me tonight? He wants to propose to Pearl – and before Christmas too.’

  ‘He’s not hanging around, is he? They’re a bit like us two: when you know, you know.’

  ‘Look at that wine making you all gooey, Captain Dillon.’

  Billy laughed. ‘You will refer to me as that at all times from now on, Kerry Moon.’

  ‘You’re mad,’ she tutted.

  ‘More money too, so that’s a result, but I need to get responsible now. Daz can share tug duty, which is useful, but when he’s off I will need someone else to load the cars and take the money, et cetera.’

  ‘Shouldn’t be too hard to find someone, should it?’

  ‘Hmm.’ Billy mused. ‘Out of college holidays I’m not sure.’

  Suddenly Kara dragged Billy into an alleyway in the marketplace and put her finger to his lips. Hoping it was some kind of fantasy she’d been hiding from him, Billy sucked her finger into his mouth and put a hand firmly on her left breast. She smacked him away and said, ‘Shh!’

  Star and Conor had stopped just by the side alley that led up to the Passion Flowers flat. ‘Listen!’ Kara hissed.

  ‘I need a piss.’ Billy stepped from foot to foot.

  ‘Well, thanks a million for such a great night,’ they heard Conor say, and Kara was delighted to hear the sincerity in his voice.

  ‘I was supposed to be treating you, remember?’ Star replied.

  ‘That means we will just have to do it again then, won’t we.’ Kara made a little squeaking noise of delight at the Irishman’s smooth reply. ‘Do you not want me to see you right home? I mean, there’s some nasty characters who lurk around these parts.’

  ‘Get in, lad,’ Billy said out loud, causing Kara to pinch his hand and make him stifle a cry.

  ‘Ha! I think I can manage the ten metres on my own, but thanks for asking.’ Star was already walking away from the big man.

  ‘So, do you want to do it again, then?’ Conor called after her.