Alice laughed. ‘Flipping heck, I think that would kill me.’ She tapped her collarbone. ‘I have a medical condition called fibromyalgia. I’m in some level of pain every day. I give it a score between one and ten. I’m at a four today.’ She nodded at the window. ‘This weather goes right through me, even when I’m indoors. That’s why Benny told me to keep warm. It’s not good for me to be out in the cold or rain for too long. It can give me a flare-up.’
‘I’ve got to say, you’d never know you were in pain.’
Alice winked. ‘I’m used to it now, and I know how to work with my body, but you should see me when I hit level eight. That’s when I want to cry. I’ve got a neck brace, a walking stick, ice packs, and hot water bottles.’ She shook her head as she breathed out a small laugh. ‘My nan’s healthier than me.’
‘I think I need to up my health. I haven’t been for a run in ages.’
‘I sometimes jog with Robson in the summer. Oh yeah, I love those good days when I can take on the world. You’ll have to come out with us. I’m not fast, mind. My legs aren’t too clever. I have to just do what I can when I can. It helps relieve stress, which is always good, as stress triggers fibro flare-ups for me as well as the weather, so I like to stay calm.’
‘How’s that working out for you?’
Alice laughed. ‘Calm and teenager don’t exactly belong in the same sentence. Seriously though, I’m quite happy plodding along, doing my own thing, and Benny is a good lad. He doesn’t bring trouble to our door. I have a nice family. I just need to get my own place with him so we’ve got more room. It’s a little cramped in our flat above the newsagent’s.’
‘You’re more confident than you give yourself credit for. You get down that bank and ask for that loan.’
Alice shrugged. ‘Perhaps I’ll start looking next year. See what’s available.’
‘And you can put my name down as a helper when you find one. I’m sure I can turn my hand to a bit of decorating or something.’
‘Aww, thanks, Will. I’m going to hold you to that.’
Will supped his tea, wondering if it would be appropriate to ask questions about Ginny. Alice was her friend so might not take kindly to him poking his nose in her mate’s business.
I could just tell her about the tea shop idea. See what she thinks.
He went to speak but a flyer pinned on the noticeboard caught his attention. ‘The RNLI,’ he said, talking to himself.
‘Ooh, you’re ex-navy,’ said Alice, with a squeal. ‘Should be your cup of tea. That’s where you should volunteer. I did hear you’ve been looking around, signing up everywhere.’
Will had to laugh. ‘I know. I just rushed in, trying to fit in everywhere, but you’re right. That might just be the place for me.’
‘Contact them and ask about training and stuff.’ Alice stood looking out at the sea. ‘I wish I could do something like that.’ She turned his way. ‘We do have a collection box in the shop. Sophie’s got one in the fishmonger’s as well.’
It certainly gave Will something else to focus on. He liked the idea. Bit by bit, his life in Port Berry seemed to be coming together. He just needed to smooth things over with Ginny somehow.
Jed opened the door to the Hub, banging his boots on the pavement, kicking off some snow. ‘Come on, son. Let’s go sailing.’
Alice’s light-brown eyes widened. ‘You’re never going out now. It’s freezing.’
‘Ah, Alice. Don’t feel the cold, me.’ He laughed, coughed, then pounded his chest with his fist. ‘Besides, I’ve got my thermals on.’
Will wished he had his. He wished he was still snuggled with Ginny in bed at the Happy Honeymoon Hotel. The thought of waking with her draped across his chest warmed him no end. It was a memory he would hold on to forever, he was sure.
‘You two are nuts,’ said Alice, seeing Will to the door.
He said goodbye, then headed over to the jetty with Jed to boardMrs Berry, Jed’s summertime home. ‘Do you really want to take her out?’ He thought he would just sit on deck for ten minutes with the old-timer and chew the fat.
‘Yep. You being a captain, it’ll do you good.’
‘I’m not a captain.’
‘What was your navy title then, son?’
‘Petty Officer Engineering Technician.’
‘Ooh, fancy. Well, you hold on, and I’ll start her up.’
Will stared over at Harbour Light Café, then up Berry Hill to the row of pastel houses. Ginny was around somewhere, and he missed her being around him already.
