Alfie looked up. ‘I can do that. My shift would be between eight and twelve, and only on Thursdays, and you’ll have to pay my mum on the day at zero eight hundred hours.’ The slightest hint of a smile hit his mouth, making Will bite back a laugh.
‘Yes, sir.’ Will figured chocolate fudge cake would be the first item to hit the menu board. At least it was a start.
Debra started colouring in Will’s dragon’s tail while humming, and Alfie was back to being engrossed in his own drawing. Some people were pottering around, quietly chatting to each other, and an old lady sat comfortably in a wingback chair, crocheting a doily.
‘That’s Mrs Gibbons. She comes in most days just for the company, as she’s got no family. We don’t charge her.’ Debra placed a finger to her lips and grinned. ‘Shh! Else they’ll all want freebies, then we won’t be able to keep this place up and running.’
‘It’s a brilliant centre, Deb. Can’t fault it at all.’
‘Thanks. We rely on payments and charity. Any time we have fundraising events, make sure you join in, okay?’
‘Definitely. Shame these aren’t in every town.’
Debra glanced around the room. ‘Yeah, we all need some peace from time to time.’
Will realized he’d been searching for inner peace his whole life. Hopefully, his new beginning would bring him happiness.
I’ll take Ginny my slice of cake. Maybe it’ll break the ice.
He smiled to himself, then reached for his phone vibrating in his pocket. ‘I’ll just take this outside,’ he told Debra.
The reception area was empty, so Will answered the call there.
‘Hello, Jed.’ He was about to tell him he was at the Sunshine Centre, but Jed got in first.
‘Thought you might like to know, son. Ginny’s mum passed away today.’
Will’s heart thumped. He didn’t know what to say or what he should do. A thousand things whirled through his mind.
Jed’s voice brought him back to base. ‘She’s home with her friends at the moment. Perhaps you could call on her later.’
Will wasn’t sure if that was a good idea, but at the same time he wanted to run to her immediately. ‘Erm, thanks for letting meknow.’ He hung up, then went back to let Debra know he was heading off.
Alfie shot up. ‘You can’t leave now. We haven’t frosted the cake.’
That was the least of Will’s worries, but after a stern look from Debra, and a worried one from the lad, he knew he had to complete his mission.
‘Thanks for that,’ said Debra, following him to the kitchen. ‘Alfie doesn’t do well if someone messes with his routine, especially if he let you into it in the beginning.’
Will nodded. ‘Yeah, that’s what I thought. I won’t let him down. I’ll stay until he doesn’t need me anymore.’
‘That’ll be once the cake has been sliced. Let him do that, then you can go.’
Will got frosting, doing it just the way Alfie liked. ‘Thanks for letting me help bake your cake, mate.’
Alfie’s big eyes almost smiled. ‘It’s our cake, Will.’
‘Yes, you’re right. It is. And I can’t wait to take a slice home.’ There was no way he was giving it to Ginny now, as he was pretty sure she’d shove it in his face.
He still had no idea how to handle the situation as he pulled up at the bottom of Berry Hill. He’d already upset her with the tea shop idea and didn’t want to risk upsetting her further.
Go home, Pendleton. Now’s not the time.
After a swift shake of the head and a deep sigh, Will drove away. As much as he wanted to be there for Ginny, something told him it was best all round if he didn’t show his face right now. She had her friends around her, so he knew she was being cared for.
Chapter 18
Ginny
