Chapter 38
38
‘So let me get this straight,’ Stacey said, leaning forward over her glass of wine. ‘Sophia’s your birth mum, but turns out she’s also Monique’s long-lost daughter. Which means Monique’s your nan, and Sophia’s Lili’s nan, and you’ve suddenly got four generations of relatives when you barely had one before.’
‘That’s about the size of it,’ said Adeline, taking a long sip from her glass.
‘Bloody hell.’ Stacey let out an incredulous laugh.
‘Yep.’
Stacey shook her head. ‘But Monique doesn’t want to take a DNA test even though it would confirm everything, make it, like, official?’
Adeline shook her head. She gave a little eyeroll then felt a bit guilty. ‘I mean, I get it. She’s seen the photo, although… well, it’s not that clear. But she and Sophia feel a connection. They are quite alike.’
‘Seems a bit weird,’ Stacey said. ‘Sorry. I don’t mean to sound rude.’ She made an apologetic face. ‘Just… you know.’
‘It does seem a bit weird. Talking to you now, hearing it all out loud…’ Adeline admitted. ‘But when I’m with Monique, I’ll be honest, I find myself believing it all.’
‘But if she’s that certain, why not take a test?’
‘I know. I definitely would, in her situation. But whenever I speak to her, she says she’s completely certain and she feels that to take the test might be to question her good fortune, to say that she doesn’t have enough faith.’ Adeline smiled.
‘OK. I suppose that’s kind of sweet.’
‘It is.’
‘Odd though. She has her little ways, doesn’t she!’
Adeline laughed. ‘She does at that. Mind you, don’t we all. I mean, since meeting Monique I’ve realised how many things I’m superstitious about or have faith in. You know, like walking under ladders – I know it’s nonsense but I still can’t do it. And Friday thirteenths always freak me out.’
Stacey nodded. ‘I do keep this on me all the time,’ she said, drawing a battered, tiny toy tortoise from her handbag. ‘It’s like a mascot, I suppose. I’ve had him since I was about twelve; he came to the labour ward when I had the kids. My lucky charm.’
‘Aw!’ Adeline said. ‘And I have this,’ she fingered the tiny silver heart she wore on a chain. ‘Mum – my adoptive mum – gave it to me when I was a kid. And I found it when I was clearing out her stuff. I’d obviously abandoned it when I moved out. But I put it on and now I sort of… I can’t take it off. It’s as if she’s with me.’ She felt a spike of grief and took a deep breath, forcing out a smile. ‘I guess it’s no different in some ways from believing that we can manifest things, create a charm, use crystals…’
Stacey nodded. ‘Maybe it’s just that we’re a bit more private about it.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Still, I’d also get the DNA test if it were me. ’
Adeline nodded, wrinkling her nose. ‘Yeah.’
‘But I suppose it’s not up to us.’
‘No. And I’ve started to wonder how much it matters. I mean, finding my natural mum, I suppose that was important to me. So biology counts for something. But the family I grew up with – Mum, Dad, Kevin, they’ll always feel like my real family too, blood or no blood. Maybe Monique’s right. Maybe sometimes it’s better to be happy and have faith.’
Stacey took another sip of wine, her face thoughtful. ‘Yeah, I get that. Plus, those DNA tests are pricey, right?’
Adeline laughed. ‘True. She’s saving herself a fortune!’
They both sipped from their wine and leaned back into their chairs. The day was warm and Adeline had placed a little table just outside the front door on the pavement, to make the most of its rays. It was good putting the world to rights with her friend; she was glad she’d taken a chance on Stacey.
‘What about André?’ Stacey asked. ‘Anything happening there?’
Adeline touched her hand to her lips, feeling them stretch into a smile. ‘Well, I think there could be. If I wanted it to.’
‘You don’t want him?’
She shook her head vehemently. ‘No, I do of course! He’s… well he seems nice. Great even, but…’
Stacey was looking at her incredulously.
‘I’ve thought about it a lot,’ Adeline said. ‘I just… it’s too much right now, you know?’
‘Because he might let you down?’
‘Not exactly. It’s just hard to know how I feel. So much has changed for me. I’m not sure whether I’m staying or going, whether I’ve finally answered the questions that were driving me mad about my mum, my story, or whether I’ve just added even more questions to the list. ’
Stacey nodded.
‘It’s too much. Embarking on something new with André too,’ she said, feeling a slight shiver run through her. ‘It’s not that I never want to… it’s just…’
‘I get it,’ Stacey said. ‘I mean, it’s sensible, I suppose.’
Adeline nodded. ‘Yes. Sensible. And you know, with all the odd stuff, coincidences… magic. Well, maybe I need a bit of sensible. Just for a while.’
Stacey shook her head. ‘Well, I’m impressed with your resolve. Not tempted to, you know… have a little fling?’
Adeline shook her head. ‘It wouldn’t be fair on him. Or me. Or Lili.’
They sipped their drinks. Stacey paused and looked up at her and, for a moment, Adeline wondered whether she might be about to try to change her mind about André. But instead, Stacey shook her head slightly and took another sip from her glass.
‘Thanks,’ Stacey said at last. ‘For trusting me with all this.’
‘God. Thanks for letting me waffle on about it.’
‘It’s fine.’ She narrowed her eyes and looked at Adeline. ‘This better not be the point when you ask me to take a DNA test to see if we’re long-lost sisters or something.’
Adeline snorted. ‘Ha. No, friends is fine.’
‘Glad to hear it!’
‘And you still think it sounds like something from Coronation Street ?’
‘Nah,’ Stacey flapped a hand. ‘This story actually has a happy ending!’