By seven o’clock every last decoration had been hung, draped, and balanced, and everyone stood back to admire their handiwork. The effect of the bejeweled trees was one of majestic abundance. Every tree was festooned in a cornucopia of edible adornments, every branch dripped with fruit and nut embellishments, gingerbread pendants, and popcorn necklaces. It was a feast for the eyes as well as for the woodland critters, and Maggie wondered why they’d never thought to do it before. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt as connected to her community as she had done these last few days. It made the idea of having to leave at the end of January even more of a wrench.
The little crowd began to thin. Parents shepherded tired children home for cocoa and bedtime stories, while others headed back for well-earned glasses of wine and perhaps some last-minute present wrapping. There was a feeling of bonhomie in the air as neighbors and friends called cheery goodbyes.
Joe appeared carrying Verity, her arms tight around his neck, her legs clamped about his waist. Patrick walked beside them.
“Verity,” Maggie scolded lightly. “I’ve told you, you’re too big to make Joe carry you.”
“But I’m tired and my feet are cold. Joe doesn’t mind, do you, Joe?”
“Far be it from me to make you walk on cold ground,” he said good-naturedly.
Maggie rolled her eyes. “You’ll give yourself a hernia,” she warned. But he only laughed.
“I’ll sling you over the other shoulder if you’re not careful.”
“You are a glutton for punishment,” Patrick joked, and Joe laughed with him.
The thought was in her head before she could check it: We sound like a family.
* * *
“What’s going on with you and Duncan?” Simone asked in a low voice.
“Nothing,” said Star.
“Don’t give me that. A few days ago, you two were making gooey eyes at each other, which I might add was making me feel a bit sick, and now you’re acting like polite strangers. Have you had a fight?”
“No, nothing like that.”
She could see the tightness around Star’s mouth. She was keeping something back. “Then what? I know I usually give you a hard time about your taste in men, but Duncan is one of the good guys.”
“It’s probably better if he stays away from me, then.” Star’s tone was playful but edgy.
“Why would you say that?”
“I find it easier to say it before you do; it stings less. I know what you think of me, Simone. I know you don’t think I deserve someone like Duncan, and I agree with you. Maybe he’s coming to realize it too.”
Simone was crushed. Is that how she’d made her sister feel about herself? Evette had warned her often that what she considered straight talking could be taken as unkind. And yes, sometimes she snapped out a sarcastic comment before she had time to think better of it. She and Star had certainly had their differences, and maybe in the past she had wanted her words to hurt, but not anymore.
“Star, I think you misunderstand me. The reason I go on at you about the men you become involved with isn’t to put you down—it’s to try to make you see what they are! You deserve so much better than Stu and the like. It annoys me to no end that your bar is so low.”
“So you don’t think Duncan is too good for me?”
“No! I think Duncan would be lucky to be with you. What has always infuriated me about you is how little you think of yourself. Your shine is so effortless it’s slightly sickening. You’re like fucking Snow White with bluebirds flying around your head and you can’t even see it. I would give my left nipple to have even half your natural vivacity. And yet you sell yourself short time and again, you give all that shine to people who are unworthy of you. I have never thought that you didn’t deserve to be with good men, Star, quite the opposite; I didn’t feel that the boyfriends you chose were deserving of you.”
Star was quiet for a moment and then she asked, “Why the left nipple?”
A laugh burst out of her, and she shoved Star away hard, before yanking her back into her side and folding her arms tightly around her, kissing her head.
“It’s my least favorite one, dickhead,” she said, smiling. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Maggie doubled back from the garden gate and held her arms out for them to stop. Her expression was grim.
“I don’t want to alarm you, but Stu’s outside.”
And just like that Simone’s good mood deflated.
“Shit!” said Simone and Star in unison.
40
Stu was sitting on the front step of the curiosity shop, his knees pulled into his chest, his arms holding them in place, as though he were trying to curl himself into a ball like a hedgehog. Star’s stomach dropped. She felt defeated, like she’d never be free of him. What hope did she have of starting something with Duncan, or anyone, while the ghost of Stu trailed after her?
When he saw her, he unfurled himself and stood, rubbing his hands down his jeans in a nervous gesture. Simone flew at him.
“I told you if I ever saw you again, I’d call the police! What is it? More money? I’m not going to keep paying you to leave my sister alone.”
Stu ignored Simone and looked pleadingly at Star, his hands outstretched, motioning for calm. Across the street a car door opened, but Stu turned and shook his head at the occupant and the driver’s door clicked shut again.
“I just want to talk,” said Stu. “I don’t want any trouble. I’ll be leaving in a few minutes, and you won’t ever have to see me again if you don’t want to, but I really need to talk to you first. Please, Star.”
She felt her resolve slip. He seemed so sincere, she couldn’t turn him away. She went to Simone, who had been joined by Maggie, Joe, and Patrick in forming a human barrier between her and Stu, and laid a hand on her sister’s arm.
“It’s fine. I’m just going to talk to him.” She tried to sound in control, but the looks she got in return suggested she hadn’t done a good job of it.
“You don’t have to talk to him.” Simone was fierce, ready to pounce.
“I know. I want to.”
“You don’t owe him anything.” Maggie echoed Simone.
“I know that. Please have a little faith in me.”
“It isn’t you that your sisters don’t trust,” Joe added amicably. Verity, still clinging to him, stayed quiet, unnerved by her mum’s and aunts’ reactions to the man outside her granddad’s shop.
“I will be okay.” She looked each of her sisters in the eye.
“Fine. Have your talk, and I’ll wait here to make sure nothing gets out of hand,” said Simone, going to stand on the pavement outside the shop and folding her arms defiantly.
“I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“You sure about that?” Maggie asked.
Duncan stepped forward and said calmly, “I’ll stay. I’ll wait over on the bench to give you some space.” He turned to Simone. “I won’t let anything happen to her. I promise.”