Ginny grinned at her friend Sophie’s grandfather. ‘Morning, Jed. You off to catch some fish?’
He pointed to the Happy to Help Hub. ‘No. I’m opening the Hub this morning. Sophie’s got enough for the fishmonger’s today, so I offered to take the early shift. Makes no difference to me, as I’m rostered on to open up for the next couple of weeks anyway.’ His slate-blue eyes twinkled with mischief as he gazed her way. ‘So, who you blowing kisses to, young lady?’
‘Whoever needs them.’
‘You know, if you ever have a fella at sea, light a candle in your window each night to help guide him home.’ He scratched his wiry grey beard and walked off.
Ginny stared over at the dark water. She was definitely lighting a candle tonight. Even though her dream man had only been invented to help keep her heart from giving up the ghost altogether, it was a nice thought that she could somehowmanifest him or, at the very least, throw him some positive vibes. If she felt so alone at times in the world, maybe her soulmate was out there feeling the same way.
Chapter 3
Will
Will had been busy all week clearing out his grandmother’s cottage He was so glad Marie had agreed to help him. The cottage was sold and the money would be banked for ongoing care home fees.
‘I feel terrible doing this,’ he told Marie, holding up a glass vase.
Babs had gone off with just a few pictures for her wall, her favourite chair, some trinkets from her early years with her husband, and her clothes.
Marie packed books into a box, ready for the charity shop. ‘This is making me realize I don’t need half the stuff in my house. I’ll have a good clear-out in the new year.’
‘I’ve never had much. I was hardly home anyway.’
‘You could have bought this place now you’re sticking around, then you could have had all this.’
Will breathed out a small laugh as he perused his grandmother’s things. ‘Not sure we have the same taste.’
‘What’s your place like in Wales?’
‘Pretty plain. Basic needs. Small flat. That sort of thing.’
Marie laughed. ‘Sounds homely.’
Will tossed some bubble wrap her way. ‘Hey, it does the job.’
‘I guess it does, but homes are more than a roof over your head. You make it your own by surrounding yourself with things that spark joy.’
‘My kettle sparks joy. I do love a cuppa first thing.’
‘I’m being serious.’
Will laughed. ‘So am I. Anyway, what’s the point of any of it when it all gets thrown away when you’re gone or carted off to a home?’
Marie huffed her way up from the floor and onto the sofa. ‘The point is, you get to enjoy it while you’re here. Don’t you ever have those moments where you glance around your home and just smile because you love the wallpaper or your fireplace or rug or something?’
‘Nope. Can’t say that’s ever happened to me.’
‘Oh, Willard, that seems so sad.’
‘Please stop calling me Willard. No offence to my grandad, but I’ve always hated my name. Will suits me just fine, thank you.’
‘Okay, Will, but my statement still stands. You need a happy home, not a basic-needs one.’
‘You know I was in the navy, right? Wasn’t exactly all scatter cushions and eyelet drapes.’
‘I’m now visualizing your flat painted battleship grey.’
Will laughed. ‘Close.’
