Page 46

Aster braced herself on her hands and knees, one eye closed as she focused on the position of the image she was attaching to a wedding album. It was taking shape, she’d worked on it since this morning, and the pictures chosen by the happy couple had been the ones Aster imagined they’d pick. She desperately hoped they approved of the final product. Aster had always prided herself on getting it right the first time.

She looked up at the clock; it was almost time to put some food in her body. She’d considered ordering in tonight—cooking was the last thing on her mind—but had decided against it when she realised she had some homemade meatballs and spaghetti prepared. She could waste money on expensive takeout food, or she could put some goodness in her body. With the mood she was in, the latter wouldn’t usually happen, but Aster wasn’t allowing things to get the better of her.

Eden had called several times this morning, last night too, but Aster needed to not be around her right now. It wasn’t anything Eden had done, not really, but some space was ideal. That way, she didn’t have to be around the woman she couldn’t stop thinking about. Eden would never understand, and Aster wouldn’t expect her to, so stepping away and putting distance between them was good for now. If she had to lie her way through all of this until this pathetic idea of her and Eden together had eased, she would.

Her phone buzzed beside her, but Aster’s confidence didn’t waver. She glanced at it from the corner of her eye, immediately stopping what she was doing so she could answer the call. “Hi, Dad.”

“Hi, my love. How are you?”

Aster noted the breathlessness. As usual, it hadn’t improved. “Okay. Working from home today.”

“How is your new job?”

“It’s…good. I have three more weddings to get through, and then I’m going away with the girls.”

“Anywhere nice?”

“Spain. Well, Canaries…”

Ted coughed. “That’s nice, love. You’ll need some spending money.”

“I’m okay, Dad. I have everything I need, don’t worry.” Aster loved her dad dearly, he’d raised her to be the woman she was today, but he was forever trying to hand over money. “Lily home?”

“She’s been home today. She’s left an hour ago to meet that boy she’s courting.”

“Oh. That’s still going?”

“It would seem so.”

Aster sat back on her knees, running a hand through her hair. “Dad, I’m sorry I haven’t been to visit the last few weeks. I’ve been getting myself sorted at the company. But I’ll visit soon, I promise.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m still here.”

Aster frowned. “And you will be for years to come.”

“I know, I know. Well, I’ll let you go so you can finish your work. I’ll let Lily know that I’ve spoken to you, okay?”

“Yeah. Could you ask her to give me a ring tomorrow? Had a few things I wanted to run by her.”

“I will. Goodnight, Aster. If you go out, be careful.”

“I’m in for the night, Dad. Don’t worry. I’ll speak to you soon.”

“Love you, kiddo.”

Aster smiled, tears pricking her eyes. “I love you, too.”

The call slowly cut out, her dad coughing as he disappeared down the line. She hated this. Aster couldn’t bear hearing him so breathless. If she was being honest, it was the reason she didn’t visit as often as she should. But that wasn’t acceptable. One day he wouldn’t be here anymore, and she would live to regret the time she’d missed with him.

He’d been diagnosed with a lung condition eighteen months before Aster moved into this flat. He’d insisted she go—spread her wings—but sometimes she wondered if she’d made the right decision. She’d spent the first six months in her new place waking in the night, dreaming that someone was calling her to tell her that her dad had died in his sleep. Those dreams lessened once she’d spoken with Lily and Rose, but it was still there at the back of her mind. Aster knew it always would be.

She got to her feet, satisfied that she’d done enough for today. Aster was no longer in the right frame of mind for the happiness of weddings, not now that she’d heard her dad struggling for breath. She’d told him he should text if he wasn’t feeling up to talking, but he always insisted on hearing Aster’s voice. And really, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

A gentle knock on her door brought Aster from her family worries, her sadness turning to a frown. Who the hell would be calling to see her? Lily had a key to her place, Grace had a spare one too, but she hadn’t heard from either of them.

She crossed the living room, opening the door. “Oh.”

“Hi,” Eden said, holding a bouquet of flowers to her chest. “You’re probably mad at me for showing up like this, but you’ve ignored my calls since last night.”