8. I’m Team Step-Father
8
I’M TEAM STEP-FATHER
With Ayda napping peacefully in a cot set up in the corner, and the cheerful chatter of my friends and family filling the room, I muster up the courage to approach Valentina and Albert, who are seated by the window. Albert greets me warmly, but I can’t help but feel a hint of nervousness as I sit down next to them.
“Come and join us. Tell me a little about yourself, Ginny,” Albert invites, a friendly smile on his face.
I return the smile, him I like. “I’m 34 and married to Aydin. We don’t live here in Istanbul; we actually have a place in Bodrum, down on the coast. Aydin owns a restaurant there.”
Valentina leans in, her curiosity piqued. “Your father tells me that your husband’s a famous chef, is that right?”
I want to roll my eyes at her, likely thinking that Aydin could elevate her position somehow. “He’s not quite Gordon Ramsay, but he’s quite popular here in Türkiye . He has just signed to host a new cooking show. That’s why we’ve been staying in Istanbul for the past few months.”
“Shouldn’t he buy you a home here in Istanbul then?” Valentina raises an eyebrow, as if questioning Aydin’s choices.
I laugh lightly. “Well, we do have a place here, but it’s currently undergoing renovations. And when Aydin got offered the hosting opportunity, instead of renting a place, we thought it made more sense to stay with family. Refika is Deniz’s mother.”
“Deniz?”
“Deniz is Aydin’s cousin, and Olive’s boyfriend. Anyway, Refika owns this pansion , and we both love spending time with her.”
Albert nods approvingly. “Family is important, and it’s lovely that you have a close bond with Aydin’s side of the family.”
“It’s a big family so it can be a bit overwhelming at times but they are wonderful people.” I reply with a grin. “But if Olive and Deniz get married, there’ll be another one of us in the family!”
Valentina’s expression softens as she looks at me. “I’m glad you found a family that loves and supports you.”
“I’ve always had a family that loves me, Valentina.” I stare her down as I speak. “I just didn’t have a mother who loved me enough.”
“Life has a way of surprising us, but it’s how we handle those surprises that defines us. From what I can see, you’re doing just fine, Ginny.” He clearly has the ability to defuse a tense situation. “You know our Saffy wants to be a chef.”
“Is that so? She should really have a chat with Aydin if she gets time.” I look around the room but Saffy is nowhere to be found. “Where is Saffy anyway?”
Albert chuckles, while Valentina lets out a dramatic groan. “Probably in the kitchen. She’s always in the kitchen.”
“That’s Aydin as well. He’s never happier than he is when he’s cooking.”
“And what about you?”
“I’ve got my hands full at the moment with Ayda. But usually, I look after the business side of things. It’s a never-ending battle to keep on top of everything.”
“Balancing family and work can be quite the challenge.”
I really appreciate his validation of my life choices. “Thank you, Albert.”
Valentina leans forward, looking contemplative. “I don’t think Sadie is very happy to see me.”
“Why should she be happy? Her mother abandoned her… and me. And now she’s back and we find out that she’s had another child.” I’ve ripped off the band aid so I may as well just pick at the sore. “So, what was it, Valentina? You didn’t want children or you just didn’t want Sadie and me?”
She lowers her gaze, a hint of regret in her eyes. “I’ve already apologised, Ginger. There’s no point in going over what happened. It’s in the past.”
“To you, perhaps, but to me as a new mother, it’s very hard to understand and extremely hard to forgive.” I clench my jaw, struggling to hold back my emotions. “I would never walk out on Ayda, or even Emine for that matter. Not today, not ever. They will both be my number one priority until the day I die.”
Valentina remains silent, seemingly lost for words. Honestly, there’s nothing she can say to make up for what she did to Sadie and me as children.
“I need to go and check on lunch. I’ll see you later.”
It’s not easy to confront the past, especially when it involves the person who left you behind. In the kitchen I find Refika busy with her usual flair, while Aydin is preparing gravy. The tantalising aroma of delicious Christmas dishes fill the air.
“I’m here to help.” I shake my arms like I’m trying to shake off a bug... or the memory of the past five minutes. “And to keep me away from that woman!”
Aydin looks up from the gravy. “What happened?”
“Honestly? Nothing but also everything. Valentina just pushes my buttons.”
“Try, Ginger. If not for yourself, try for Ayda. She will want to know her grandmother.”
“Ugh. Fine.” I glance around the kitchen; my half-sister is nowhere to be found. “Where’s Saffy?”
Aydin points towards the door that leads to the laneway. “Her phone was blowing up just now. I think she went out back.”
“I’ll go check on her.”
“Don’t be long.”
“I won’t.”