Chapter 39
39
JOE
He followed Skye with two large plates of food into the dining room. He was going to keep an eye on Carlos and Sandra for the rest of the evening and see if he was right about them having feelings for each other. He went outside to call everyone inside, helping carry Sandra’s drink, then when everyone had taken a seat and he and Skye had served them some of the food, he took his seat next to Skye.
‘This really is delicious,’ Sandra said, having eaten some of the food she had been served. ‘Thank you both so much for going to so much effort for us.’
‘Yes, thank you,’ a chorus of voices added.
‘We’re happy you’re here,’ Skye said. ‘And I’m glad to have the chance to get to know you all better.’
Carlos finished a mouthful of food. ‘I was wondering how long you’re over on the island for, Skye. I’d like to spend a bit more time with you when you aren’t working, if that’s all right with you.’
Joe saw Skye’s bright smile and was happy for her that everything seemed to be going so well between her and her father.
‘That would be amazing,’ Skye said. ‘I’m still coming to grips with all that’s happened. I’d like you to meet Gran at some point.’
‘Your grandmother?’
‘Yes.’ She hesitated. ‘I lived with Gran after Mum died. Well, we lived with her on and off for a few years before that. She’s excited to know we’ve met each other now.’
Joe saw the troubled look on Carlos’s face and wasn’t surprised. It must hurt to hear that your child had experienced grief at a young age.
Sandra looked perplexed. ‘It all sounds rather complicated to me.’
Skye laughed. ‘It isn’t really, but I can see why it might sound that way.’
Sandra said something to Carlos, and Joe watched as he continued to eat his food. There was definitely chemistry between the pair of them. He wondered whether there might have been something between them all those years ago, too? He hoped not. He was wondering whether to broach the subject in a round-about kind of way when Skye spoke.
‘I hope you both don’t mind me asking, but do you have any suspicions why Mum left so suddenly?’ When neither of them spoke, or seemed to move a muscle, making Joe suspicious that something had been amiss, Skye added, ‘She must have had a reason for doing so, surely? I presume it was because she was shocked to discover she was pregnant. Then again, who suddenly leaves the man she loves without any warning, or note about going?’ Skye picked up her glass and took a sip, then holding it in Sandra’s direction, said, ‘Or leave her best friend and flatmate, without giving any reason?’
Joe watched Carlos and Sandra stare at Skye. Neither spoke but he could tell they were trying to think what to say in reply. Then Carlos looked at Sandra and she at him for a few seconds before both turned their attention back to Skye.
‘Do you want to speak?’ Carlos asked Sandra, without turning to her.
‘All right.’
‘What is it?’ Skye asked, her hand closest to Joe finding his and taking hold of it.
Joe’s heart raced, hoping that what Skye was about to be told didn’t ruin the newly discovered relationship with her father.
‘Well,’ Sandra began. ‘It was like this…’