Laura huffed. “You should speak to Lucas about him. He shouldn’t get away with it.”
“True. But if I go running to Lucas, then everything Jackson’s been saying will appear to be true in the eyes of the team. I can deal with him, and I will. His review is coming up. What can he do? He’s one man, and the rest of the team is coming round and seeing him for who he is. And I’m looking forward to my meeting on Wednesday with Lucas and the Account Manager. I think they’ll be happy with what we’ve produced.”
“We’re proud of you,” Laura said, patting her arm. “But as your best friend and housemate, I’m going to tell you that, after last night, you need a warm bath followed by bed, or you’ll be falling asleep on Lucas Hunt’s desk …” Horror crossed Laura’s face before she burst into giggles. “Oh god, that didn’t sound right.”
Laughing, Star stood up and headed for the door. “Thank you, Mr and Mrs Grant, for the hot chocolate and the pep-talk – it’s just what I needed. I’m going to take your advice and call it a night. Thank you. Love you both.”
Chapter Three
The following morning, Star sent a text message to her mother asking if she and her father could have Skylar for the weekend. The screen flashed, notifying her they had read the message, but there was no reply. Star stared at her phone, imagining the conversation her mother would be having with her father. “Who does she think she is?” … “We’re far too busy!” … “I told her that child was her responsibility!” Star hoped she was wrong, but this argument had been on repeat for the past six years. Her mother’s lack of interest no longer shocked Star. From day one, she had made her thoughts clear. Star was not sure why Laura thought that would have changed or her mother had suddenly grown maternal feelings.
Daphne Roberts could never have been mistaken for a nurturing mother. Image was everything to their mother, and Star and Lily had been perfect little dolls for her mother to parade around. But, what they’d received in material possessions, they’d lacked in a mother’s love and tenderness. Luckily, Lily and Star always had each other to rely on, supporting each other in everything they did. As Star got older, she’d become convinced her mother had only had children to keep their father around.
James Sinclair had been married to a socialite and Daphne had been his “bit-on-the-side”. He had been absent for much of Lily and Star’s youth, with his actual family taking priority over his secret one. James had always made sure Daphne and his girls were well provided for, but Daphne had known the score. It meant that when James appeared, Daphne put him and his wishes above their children’s, often leaving Lily and Star alone or with neighbours while they went gallivanting on romantic adventures. James had been Daphne’s priority, something Star had come to terms with many years earlier. Her mother’s rejection no longer burned the way it had when she was little. She had soon learned to hide her emotions when she’d been sitting alone or with the teacher as the other children’s parents fussed over their children’s work at school events. It was why Lily and Star had been so close. To their mother, Lily and Star had been an inconvenience; they’d cramped her style.
By the time Star reached the office, there was still no reply, so Star put her phone away and threw herself into the day ahead.
Star unpacked her bag, connected her laptop, and started checking her emails. As with most mornings, she was one of the first people in. Most staff headed to the on-site cafe in the lobby before coming up. To Star, these quiet moments were precious, allowing her to get through anything that had come in early, or needed her urgent attention before she got caught up in real-time issues. It did not surprise Star that she was still missing Jackson’s contribution to the presentation, not that it mattered anymore. Star opened her folder on Jackson and made one more note against him. His annual review was going to be interesting.
The team arrived a short time later, and it was lunchtime before Star realised. Getting up, she motioned to her team that she was stepping out. The weather was warm for the end of March, and she wanted to get some air to blow away the cobwebs of the past couple of days.
Star burst out of the office onto the busy lunchtime street. Local office workers charged past on a mission. Stepping out of the rush, Star pulled her ringing phone out of her pocket, letting out a low groan as she identified the incoming caller.
“Hi, Mum,” Star answered, trying to sound enthusiastic.
“Star, where are you? It’s very noisy!” Her mum’s impatient tone set the scene for what Star knew was going to be a difficult conversation
“I’m on my lunch break. Hold on.” Star paused as she stepped into the nearby park, away from the traffic and hordes of people. Making her way over to an empty bench, she said, “Is that better?”
“I suppose so.”
Star rolled her eyes and counted to ten before adding, “How’s Dad?”
“You’re father’s fine. We got your text message.”
“Okay …” Star decided against mentioning she knew that.
“The answer is no,” came her mother’s curt reply. “We’re going on a cruise in two weeks and will be really busy getting ready. You know how stressed your father gets, so I can’t take on any more.”
“Not even one night? You and Dad haven’t seen Skylar in two months.”
“I’m aware of how long it’s been, but your father and I are not convenient babysitters for you to put upon,” her mother replied.
“Convenient babysitters? Mum, I never ask you or Dad to have Skylar.”
“I don’t have to explain myself to you, young lady. The answer is no, and I won’t be made to feel guilty about saying no.”
Star gritted her teeth and once again found herself counting to ten. “Fine, I just thought you’d like to spend some time with your granddaughter, but I understand if you’re both too busy. Anyway, Mum, I’ve got to go. I need to get some lunch before the end of my break.” She needed to end the call as soon as possible.
“Star, before you go, remember it’s Aunty Clara’s birthday next week. Make sure you send her a nice bunch of flowers and a card.” With that, the call ended as abruptly as it had begun, leaving Star staring at her phone.
Her appetite suddenly gone, Star headed back to the office, unsure as to why she’d even let Laura convince her to ask her mother. Nothing had changed; it had been the same six years ago when she’d first brought Skylar home from the hospital. Her mother and father had both made it clear that Skylar was Star’s responsibility and hers alone. They’d felt at twenty-one she was too young to take on her sister’s illegitimate child. Her mother had had the nerve to call Toby and Laura “enablers” when Toby had stepped in and said he was happy for Star and Skylar to remain living with them. Daphne Roberts thought it totally inappropriate that Star had taken a baby back to a student house, although she’d refused to let Star move back home. She’d even tried raising it with social services, but her friends had stopped partying at the house, tidied up their act, and offered Star support, so nothing further had come from it. Everyone had pulled together for their newest member, and Skylar had been surrounded by a loving and supportive network from the day she’d come home. A network which had not been built from blood, but from love, which Star had learned was more important. In turn, Star had taken a year-long sabbatical from university, and had cleaned and cooked for the house while looking after Skylar.
Walking back into the office, Star heard her name being called.
“Star, there you are!” Star came face to face with Lucas Hunt. “Are you all right? You look harassed.”
Star couldn’t help but laugh. Lucas always was straight-talking. Waving her phone, she said, “Yes, just my mother.”