Page 31 of One Golden Summer

“Right. That’s probably why you got divorced. Sorry. Stupid question.” Saffron shook her head as if trying to rid herself of disappointment.

“There are no such things as stupid questions.”

“Isn’t that just something teachers say?”

“Probably, but it sounds nice. So, ask away.” Kirsty gestured she was an open book.

“If I remember correctly, she was a neighbour of yours.”

“Yes. Sandy Cove is a charming place, but it’s also small. She’s still only five miles away, and it’s not unusual for us to bump into each other.”

“I’d hate to run into mine.”Unless I ran her over with my motorbike.

“Won’t you be working with her again?”

Saffron snapped her head up to look at Kirsty. “Who told you that?”

“I’m sorry. I assumed we were talking about Echo Black. I saw an article talking about the pair of you.”

Saffron bristled, but forced out laughter, which more than likely was stilted, if not intimidating. “Oh, no. What I had with Echo doesn’t warrant a blip on the relationship chart.” For some inexplicable reason, Saffron added, “A lot of what you read in the press about me and Echo is just for show to rev box office sales.” Okay, part of that was true, which didn’t appease Saffron’s guilt for misleading Kirsty about Echo.

“Is it hard to keep track of what’s true or not?”

“It’s all part of showbiz.” Saffron shrugged, not wanting to waste any more effort on the backstabbing Echo Black. “What’s it like having normal parents?”

Kirsty started to speak, stopped, and then stared at her parents. “I never realised how lucky I was until recently. It’s funny how you can take the simplest things for granted, but when it’s pointed out to you, it’s like seeing it in a whole new light.”

“Come on you two! It’s time to eat.” Ginger held her plate in the air as if they needed a visual of the sizzling lamb chops to tempt them.

Kirsty put a hand on Saffron’s thigh. “To be continued.”

“I’ve never been a fan of cliff hangers.”

Kirsty gazed into Saffron’s eyes as if she not only understood that to be true, but she also knew how the thought of the unknown rattled Saffron to the core.

* * *

Plates and cutleryrattled as Kirsty and Ruth started to clean up after the meal.

“Can I help?” Saffron rose to her feet, not waiting for an answer, loading her arms up with dishes to take inside.

Kirsty followed her inside, her arms also laden with plates. “Thanks for this.”

“Always willing to help.” Saffron stood in the kitchen, unsure where to set anything down given every surface was already overloaded. “There’s not much room for anything.”

Kirsty stacked her plates on top of one pile and then relieved Saffron of hers. “Not much more can be done until after the first load of dishes has finished.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind washing up to help your lovely parents get a head start.”

“Don’t be silly. They’d never expect that of anyone, let alone a Hollywood star.”

Deflated Kirsty still thought of her as movie star and not as just a person, Saffron nodded. “Right. Well, it’s getting late, and I better head back to mine.”

“Do you know where you’re going?”

“I just need to follow the water to—”

“The biggest house.”