‘We’ll have some vegetarian treats too,’ said Samuel, her partner, smiling her way.
Will was a little lost. ‘What does taking the buckets out mean?’
Jed bounced a hand up and down. ‘Collection buckets. We sing, folk donate.’
That seemed simple enough. Will had one more question. ‘What does your choir sing?’
‘Sea shanties.’ Jed looked rather proud about that fact. ‘We’re the Berry Buoys. Been in competitions, so we have. On the news once.’ He turned to his granddaughter. ‘Remember that, Soph?’
She nodded. ‘Of course. We have the footage to prove it.’ She smiled at Will.
‘And you’ve got room for me?’ he asked the old man, trying for casual.
‘Yep,’ said Jed. ‘So you come to rehearsals at the church hall Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and we can get cracking. Christmas will be on us before we know it.’
‘Do you even know if he can sing yet?’ asked Sophie.
Jed tipped his head Will’s way. ‘Of course he can sing. He’s a sailor.’
‘You are?’ asked Lottie, eyes wide.
‘Retired,’ replied Will.
Alice shuffled forward. ‘That’s why he’s here. Settling down and ready for a new life.’
‘Which I’ll help sort for the fella,’ said Jed, making Will’s smile grow.
‘If Jed’s on your side, you’ve got no worries, mate,’ said Spencer.
‘He’s one of us,’ said Jed. ‘Born here, see. I know his gran, Babs.’
Sophie choked on her orange juice. ‘You’re Babs’s grandson?’
Will noticed her exchange glances with the woman in the electric wheelchair. Did they know something about his family he didn’t?
Two waitresses came out of nowhere, placing down plates full to the brim with roast beef and lamb, giant Yorkies, and veg.The smell of the food was making Will’s mouth water, so he ate a roast potato straight away.
Robson joined them, bringing over more food. ‘Glad to sit down for five minutes,’ he said, nodding a hello to Will. ‘So, what did I miss?’
‘Grandad signed Will up to the Berry Buoys,’ said Sophie, pouring hot gravy onto the meat on her plate.
‘I’m surprised he hasn’t put your name down for a shift at the Hub,’ said Robson, eyeing the old man.
Jed cut into his beef. ‘I was about to.’ He glanced up at Will. ‘When’s good for you, son?’
Taken aback, Will didn’t know what to say. ‘Erm, I’m not sure I’ll know what to do there. I haven’t been briefed.’
‘Oh, it’s simple enough. You just have to care, that’s all there is to it, right, everyone?’
A few of them nodded while the others started eating.
‘You can do your first shift with me,’ said Matt. ‘I’ll show you the ropes.’
Sophie nudged his elbow, causing him to drop his fork. ‘Would Monday between four and six suit, Will? I know it’s short notice, being Saturday today.’
He mentally flicked through his diary. ‘I’ve got some labouring work in the week with Shaun, but I can do Monday at the Hub.’
Matt frowned. ‘I won’t be on that—’
