Mabel crinkled her nose. ‘Got two grandkids. Twins. Boy and girl, well, grown adults now. But still, fat lot of good they are. He’s in prison because he’s an idiot, and she’s a right greedy mare who would sell this place before the ink was even dry on my will. Not that I’ve put either of them in it.’ She sighed deeply as she sat opposite him. ‘Not all families are happy, Will. Mine’s pretty crap.’
He knew how that felt. Although Babs seemed nice enough. ‘Do you visit your grandson much?’
‘Not seen him since he went away.’ She paused, looking deep in thought. ‘Do you think I should write to him?’
Will shrugged. Who was he to give advice on estranged families?
‘He’ll be thirty-one next year,’ she added quietly. ‘Went inside when he was twenty-three. Guess he could have grown up by now.’
‘As long as you would feel safe contacting him. I wouldn’t want any danger coming your way.’
Mabel smiled softly, lightly tapping his hand. ‘It’s okay, lovey. My Jamie was a good lad. Had a big heart, but then he got in with a bad lot, and, well, I don’t know, he started getting into all sorts of trouble. He never hurt anyone, Will. Just robbed a few places. This is his second time in prison. He got a short sentence first time. The judge wasn’t so lenient the next time round.’
‘Let’s hope he’s learned his lesson this time. Like you said, maybe he’s a changed man now.’
Mabel nodded. ‘You know what, lovey. I’m going to take a leaf out of your book. New beginnings and all that. I’ll write to him. See if we can make amends. After all, when he’s released, he won’t have anywhere to go but here. Perhaps I can help him one last time.’
‘I can always help mentor him when he gets out. Don’t worry, I won’t put him through basic training or anything, but I could befriend him, take him along to the Sunshine Centre, where I’m going to be volunteering. Who knows, might spark something for him.’
‘Ooh, you’re a good lad, Will. That would be brilliant. See, you’re one of us already.’
The thought of belonging warmed Will no end.
‘Let’s get that tea down us, then we can both get on with the rest of our day.’
Mabel was right, he still had so much on his to-do list, and Alice had invited him for dinner at the pub. He’d better get a wriggle on. Knocking back his cuppa, he thanked Mabel once more for her help with the shop.
* * *
Will approached the Jolly Pirate, trying hard to imagine what the area used to look like back when the Bell of Blood was in place. The pub was so busy, he couldn’t see any familiar faces until Alice bounced over, all smiles and flailing arms.
‘This way, Will. We have a table.’
He followed her through the crowd, bumping shoulders and making apologies along the way. It was a lot more settled in the restaurant side, but still vibrant and full.
‘Meet the team,’ said Alice, rolling out one hand. ‘Not sure who you’ve met already, but we’re the Happy to Help Hubvolunteers.’ She went on to introduce those he’d met and those he hadn’t. ‘Jed, Sophie, Matt, Lottie, Samuel, Spencer, and—’ she pointed over at the bar — ‘Robson.’
Will smiled at the group. ‘Yes, I met some of you at the Halloween party.’
‘There’s one more of us, but she’s just in the bathroom. Sit down, Will. Get involved.’
Will’s shoulder was lightly patted by Matt as Alice plonked him down next to the dark-haired man.
‘I hear you’re Jed’s new catch of the day,’ said Matt, grinning.
‘Matt’s his old catch,’ said Sophie, nudging her partner.
Will watched them share a loving smile before examining him again. ‘He seems to have adopted me.’
Jed raised a glass of water. ‘Newcomers always need guidance. Just doing my Port Berry duty. Ooh, speaking of which, how do you fancy joining our choir? It’s not what you think.’
Spencer laughed, rubbing over his copper hair. ‘Nothing’s ever what it seems with Jed.’
Will grinned. ‘Now I’m intrigued.’
Jed put his drink down and leaned closer. ‘We’re taking the buckets out in a couple of weeks to raise money for chickens for Christmas. Make someone’s day seeing one of those in with their food bank parcel.’
‘Unless they’re vegetarian,’ said Lottie, giggling.
