‘It’s okay. You’re safe.’
‘Will?’ She raised her head, revealing her bloodshot eyes and sad expression.
‘What is it, love?’
‘I wondered if it was karma or something.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘Karma? For what?’
‘Not being good enough.’ She lowered her head, but he tipped her chin back up.
‘You are good enough, Ginny Dean. You’re so much more than that, and don’t let anyone tell you any different.’
‘I’m tired, Will.’
‘I can see, but you’re going to be all right now.’
She snuggled her head back to his chest and sighed deeply. ‘I want to say something about the tea shop. How I overreacted. I’ve been talking with Jan, and I came to realize that the real issue wasn’t with you, it was with my mum. All my life she’d tear down my dreams, snatch them away from me. So when I had the tearoom idea, and you came along and just got on with it, it was a trigger. I felt like someone had stolen a dream, just like she used to. It’s hard to explain, but that’s the gist of it, and I had planned to come see you and explain.’ She sighed, and he took her hand in his. ‘I am sorry, Will. You didn’t deserve how I spoke to you. The way I’ve been treating you.’
Will’s heart went out to her, and he was pleased she had been talking with Jan and clearing her head. ‘I will admit, it didn’t make sense to me at the time, but now you’ve said that, Iunderstand why it affected you so badly. Thank you for sharing that with me.’
‘I’m sorry, Will.’
Will pressed his mouth onto her hair. ‘It’s okay. Everything’s all right, love,’ he whispered.
Because I’m going to make it so.
Muffled voices came from the hallway, the living room door slowly opened, and in slinked Lucky, making her way straight to the rug by the fireplace.
Will tipped his head back, closed his eyes, and told himself to relax. Ginny was safe. He was staying the night. All was right again in his world. He just hoped it would stay that way.
Chapter 22
Ginny
Making up Christmas food parcels in the Hub was keeping Ginny busy all morning. So many people had come in to collect and donate.
Alice was also rushed off her feet, so Ginny plopped her onto a seat in the storage room so she could take a break, knowing her friend’s pain levels had been at level five for the past hour.
Ginny smiled as Spencer entered, carrying two large shopping bags filled with children’s selection boxes.
‘I just cleared the shelf at the supermarket.’ He raised both arms as though doing weight lifting. ‘Let’s get these added to some parcels.’
‘Ooh, I can do that,’ called Alice.
‘Drink your tea,’ said Ginny, shaking her head at Spencer. ‘She’s taking a minute.’
Spencer understood and set about getting involved himself while singing along to the Christmas music playing on the radio.
Ginny went to the front door to adjust some fallen tinsel, then smiled as a woman around her age approached. ‘Morning, chick,’ she said, swinging the door open, letting in the icy air along with the woman. ‘You want a cuppa?’
The woman shook her head. ‘No, ta. Just came to grab some bits.’ She smiled at Ginny. ‘How you getting on since your fall? You look a lot better.’
There was no way Ginny wanted to go over that moment of her life again. It was Christmas Eve now. Mince pies were on the table, wrapped chocolates hanging on the small Christmas tree by the window, and festive cheer in the air. The time for misery and worry was over.
‘I’m good, thanks. Come and have a treat while you’re here.’ Ginny pointed at the tin of assorted sweets.
Spencer tugged on a Santa hat, then handed the woman a small red card. ‘Take that to Sea Shanty Shack and swap it for a chicken. Just let Sophie know if you need small or large.’
