9. When You’re Not the Only Hot Mess In The Family
9
WHEN YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY HOT MESS IN THE FAMILY
My new half-sister was nowhere to be seen.
This is Istanbul, for fecks sake! It’s easier to get lost here than to find a kebab shop without a queue.
Sultanahmet is where I let my inner tourist take over. I love to lose myself in the history, the vibrant colours, and sample the mouthwatering street food. It still amazes me that this postcard-perfect scene isn’t just a picture in a magazine—it’s my home.
But today, there’s no time for any of that. I’m on a mission, and the bustling streets I normally adore are just a blur in my peripheral vision. My focus is sharp, and there’s only one thing on my mind: finding Saffy.
Just as I’m about to turn back and retrace my steps, a flash of dark curls catches my eye. There she is, locked in a heated argument with a tall, blonde man who sticks out like a sore thumb in this crowd. His body language screams anger, making me wonder if she knows him. Did she mention that she is here with a friend? But then he grabs her arm, and she yanks it away, her face a mix of defiance and fear.
My heart races as I quicken my pace, ready to intervene. “Saffy!”
She spots me and breaks into a run. “Ginny!”
“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“I just needed some air.” She looks overwhelmed and teary-eyed. “And a kebab. You know, comfort food.”
I place a comforting hand on her shoulder, gently steering her away from the bustling street and further away from that man. “Are you okay?”
She takes a shaky breath, glancing back to make sure the man isn’t following us. “I just needed a minute. It’s a lot to take in.”
“Tell me about it,” I say, rolling my eyes. “But hey, at least you’re not the one dealing with Mum’s... I mean, Valentina’s melodramatics.”
“I’ve been dealing with her drama every day of my life.” She sniffs, and forces a smile. “She’s a force of nature in designer heels.”
“That’s one way to put it,” I snort, shaking my head. “Come on, let’s get back. We’ve got a Christmas feast to look forward to, and I’m going to need all the help I can get to survive the rest of the day.”
“I… I can’t!”
“What’s going on?”
“Can we go somewhere and talk first?”
I try to ignore the fact that Aydin and Refika are probably just about ready to serve lunch and nod. Saffy obviously needs to talk about something.
I point to the closest coffee shop and we take a seat at the window. Saffy’s troubled expression tugs at my heartstrings. “You know, I’ve always wanted a little sister.”
“I guess you’ve got one now, whether you want one or not.” Her eyes glisten, threatening to overflow with tears again, and she hesitates before finishing. “But let’s be honest, I’m pretty pathetic as a little sister. I never know the right things to say or do.”
“Are you kidding?” I reach over and squeeze her hand. “You waltzed in this morning like you owned the place! I wish I had even half of your confidence.”
“You’re wrong. I’m not confident. I’m a mess.”
“I used to call myself a hot mess if that’s any consolation.”
“Not really… especially because you have everything that anyone could ever want.”
It’s true. I truly have hit the life jackpot. It might not be perfect, but it’s pretty damn special. I have amazing friends who support me through thick and thin, a handsome man who absolutely adores me, and a family that loves me unconditionally despite all my quirks and flaws. But as I watch my new half-sister hunched over and visibly upset, I know I want to help her in any way I can. After all, I can’t imagine Valentina being a supportive shoulder to cry on so right now I’m all she’s got.
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
“You’re going to think I’m…”
“Pathetic?” Saffy’s eyes meet mine and we both giggle. “Try me, sis.”
“Did you see that guy talking to me?”
“Yes. Was he harassing you?”
“No. He’s my boyfriend, Heath.” Her voice tinged with sadness and… something else. Fear? “He’s angry that I’ve come to Turkey without telling him.”
I raise an eyebrow, not sure why he would react that way. “You’re having Christmas vacation with your family.”
“I’m sorry, Ginny. I know you and I have only just met, and, well, it’s just stupid….”
“Hey, don’t worry about that,” I reassure her. “We’re family now, and I won’t judge you.”
“I just... honestly, I don’t even know where to start.”
“Okay, no pressure.” I quickly switch gears to lighten the mood. “How about a salep ? It’s one of the best things about living in Türkiye!”
“Salep?”
“It’s like a chai but it’s made from the root of an orchid. I know it sounds a little weird, but trust me, it’s a must-try while you’re here, especially in winter.”
Our drinks arrive, and Saffy blows on the steam rising from her mug before taking a tentative sip. “Hmm, it’s delicious.”
I grin back at her, glad to see a hint of happiness. “I knew you’d love it! Türkiye’s got some amazing treats to offer.”
“My father often says that to get me to open up about my troubles, all you need to do is feed me.”
“I’m exactly the same way. Probably why I married a chef.”
“Probably why I’m training to be a chef.” Saffy gives me a half smile. “Okay, I’m ready to talk about it now.”
Saffy’s voice shakes as she recounts the possessiveness and jealousy she experienced with Heath. “It all fell apart when I discovered he had cameras installed in my apartment to spy on me, and he was tracking my phone with spyware. When I tried to break up with him, he... he hurt me.”
A knot tightens in my chest, anger simmering just beneath the surface as I think about what had happened to Saffy. I want to shield her from any more hurt, but I know she needs to take charge. “Did you go to the police?”
“Heath said he didn’t mean to, of course, that it was my fault arguing with him,” she replies, wiping away her tears. “But then he also threatened me if I ever tried to leave him. Coming here meant I could escape… and meet you and Sadie, of course, but it really meant I could get away… for a while.”
“You should tell your parents, Saffy,” I suggest gently. “They need to know what you’ve been through.”
“I can’t do that!” she exclaims, looking horrified. “Please, Ginny. Please don’t say anything.”
“I won’t say anything. But I really think it’s important for you to talk to someone you trust about this. It’s not something you should have to deal with alone.”
“This morning he started hounding me with calls and messages. I finally answered and that’s when I realised, he’d followed me… here… to Istanbul. And I’m scared he’s going to turn up and ruin everyone’s day.”
“Is that why you said you wanted to stay here in Istanbul?”
“Istanbul is a big city, and I thought I could hide out here for a while. Eventually, Heath would move on. Then I could go back home.” She looks down, her shoulders slumping, the fight draining out of her. “But I guess I was wrong.”
“You need to ditch your phone.”
Asking a Generation Z to get rid of their phone would be like asking them to cut off their arm. “NO!”
“He’s obviously got another tracker on it; one you didn’t know about.”
“He’s never going to leave me alone, is he?”
I consider her words for a moment, and an idea comes to mind.
“You know, Aydin and I have a restaurant in Bodrum. With the show wrapped up, we’ll be heading back soon to gear up for the summer season.” Her eyes flicker with a glimmer of hope. “You could come and stay with us if you want.”
“Really?”
“But you’d have to get your parents’ approval... and you’d definitely have to ditch that bloody phone!”
“That’s a banging idea, Ginny. Thank you! Let’s go back and ask them now!”
“We’ll talk to them together... but turn your damn phone off!”
“What? Now?”
“Yes, now!”
Saffy groans, reluctantly pressing the button. We both watch as it powers down, and she shoves it back into her jacket. “I feel naked.”
“Oh, relax. You’ll survive. People lived entire lives without a mobile, and somehow managed to not spontaneously combust.”
“Yeah in the dark ages.”
As we walk along the cobblestone streets back to the pansion , Saffy mood improves with the idea that she could stay with us and all the different foods she wants to try while in Istanbul. I’m only half-listening, my mind still buzzing with Saffy’s revelation. Just as we turn the corner, a yellow taxi pulls up to the curb outside the pansion .
The door swings open, and out steps Aunt Angela, her sharp eyes scanning the street before landing on us. Uncle Angelo follows, his burly frame and cheerful grin a stark contrast to Angela’s no-nonsense demeanour.
“Ginger Valentina!” Aunt Angela calls out in that tone that somehow combines excitement and reprimand. “ Che bello che tu sia qui ad aspettarci! ”
I momentarily struggle to comprehend Angela’s Italian, as I never kept up with the language after my mother left. “ Zia! Zio! Buon Natale !” I switch back to English, after all I don’t know if Saffy can speak Italian. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Uncle Angelo wraps me in a warm hug, and I’m relieved that he’s speaking English as well. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
My aunt, ever the provocateur, doesn’t waste time before making a sly remark. “I expect my daughter is here with that man?”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes and instead steer the conversation away. “Let’s get you inside and out of the cold.”
Angela greets Saffy with a hug. “Saffron. You’re all grown up!”
Saffy replies in fluent Italian, her words flowing effortlessly. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and a smile tugs at my lips. “You speak Italian?”
“I also speak Spanish and a sprinkling of French,” she adds with a playful wink. “ Voulez vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?” I giggle as Saffy dances her way across the courtyard. “Seriously though, we would spend part of our summer in Italy every year, visiting family.”
I sniff at that comment. “Everyone but us it seems.”
Saffy takes my hand. “I don’t really know what happened between mother and your dad, but I do know that I missed out not having you and Sadie in my life.”
I shrug as if I don’t really care, but I do.
“You’re the best big sister I could have ever asked for.”
I giggle at the unexpected compliment. “Sadie had better not catch you saying that!”
Saffy laughs, catching on to the joke. “It’s our little secret, okay?”
We link arms as we ascend the stairs, and for a moment, we pause at the doors, peering inside. Aydin and Deniz are at the bar, probably pouring another raki. Nate receives a glass with a grin, and I can’t help but laugh. He’s going to definitely have a hangover tomorrow.
Sadie is busy fussing over the little ones, ensuring they’re comfortably seated down one end of the table before the adults can take their places. Meanwhile, Olive and Leyla are by the fireplace, chatting and sipping on red wine. Even Valentina and Albert appear to be getting along with Dad. It’s a sight of togetherness and joy that starts to thaw my stone-cold heart… slightly.
Though I have to admit, my Grinchy tendencies seem to have been pushed aside to make way for festivities, although I’m quite certain that there will likely be a couple more family dramas lurking in the corners before the day is through. For starters, I should probably let Aydin know that I have opened our home to Saffy as well.
A tween, a baby, and a 20-something half-sister on the run!
I must have lost my mind!
Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage and swing the door open, ready to embrace the joy and laughter that await us inside. “Let’s do this!”