Page 88 of A December to Remember
And just like that Simone’s good mood deflated.
“Shit!” said Simone and Star in unison.
40
Stu was sittingon 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.”
Simone looked unconvinced. “I don’t mean to be rude, Duncan, but you knit and get excited about old runcible spoons.”
Duncan, who was half a foot taller than almost everyone gathered, raised his eyebrows. “I also box and run marathons. I can handle myself.”
Star shot him a grateful smile. She was quite sure she didn’tneed protecting from Stu, but if she must have a bodyguard, better it be Duncan than her smart-mouth sister. Maggie and Joe took Verity home, and Patrick insisted on walking his aunty back to her cottage. As she left, Simone jabbed a finger at Stu and said, “One false move, pal, and I’ll hunt you down!”
“You’re not Bruce Willis!” Star snapped, exasperated.
“Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker!” Patrick grinned and steered his aunt away across the street.
Star shook her head.
“I’ll be just over there,” said Duncan, pointing to the wooden bench outside the post office.
She couldn’t deny she felt a thrill that Duncan wanted to watch over her. Finally, it was just her and Stu outside the shop.
“How have you been?” he asked. One of his knees bounced blurrily fast as though of its own accord, but she could tell from his eyes that he wasn’t high. They both folded themselves down onto the stone doorstep to the shop. Within seconds she felt the cold seeping through her velvet trousers.
“Good. You?”
