Ginny agreed. ‘Will’s right. We need to focus on the positives, no matter what. People come in here for help, so we can’t cry, and yes, I’m looking at you, Alice Dipple.’
Alice lightly dabbed under her eye with a tissue. ‘Sometimes it gets to me.’
Spencer held her shoulder. ‘Gets to us all, Al. I’m just so glad we created this place now. The more help we can be, the better. It’ll come in handy having the Trust’s headquarters upstairs as well. Although I’m not sure how Samuel will cope once he’s run out of jobs to hand out.’
‘We can still help with work,’ said Ginny. ‘We know when jobs come up around here before the job centre.’
Everyone laughed. It was true. The Port Berry community had its own methods.
Will put his arm around Ginny, and she happily snuggled into his side, absorbing an overwhelming feeling of contentment.
Spencer raised a finger, moving it in circles. ‘So, is this a full-on thing now?’ He gestured at the blissful couple.
Oh, how Ginny hoped. Having someone at her dinner table each evening, then in her bed at night was fulfilling on levels she couldn’t explain. The company, the friendship, and the loveall made her feel she belonged somewhere in the world. It was so much better than she had imagined, and since Will had been sleeping over, she hadn’t had one nightmare.
‘This is an everything,’ replied Will, his words adding to her joy.
‘Aww,’ said Alice, hugging her hands. She glanced up at Spencer. ‘Can’t believe you don’t want something like that, Spence.’
He frowned as he grinned. ‘I’m good, thanks. Anyway, since Lottie’s accident, I’ve changed.’ He quickly raised his finger again. ‘Not that I’m saying I want to settle down. It’s just, well, I don’t see the point in casual relationships anymore. Got better things to think about.’
Alice sat up. ‘Ooh, like what?’
Spencer tapped the side of his nose.
The street door opened, and Matt walked in with a tray of small poinsettias. ‘Lottie gave me these earlier to hand out to any customers wanting to take one home. Thought I’d bring some in here.’ He placed them on the floor by the Christmas tree. ‘How’s it been in here? We’ve had loads in for chickens. Three cheers for the Berry Buoys raising money for those, eh?’
Will fist bumped the air as he cheered, making everyone laugh. He sang a couple of lines from a shanty, then bowed.
Matt clapped. ‘Good to see your lungs are back to normal.’
Ginny patted her chest. ‘Thanks to me nursing him back to health.’
Will grinned. ‘That and the antibiotics.’
Ginny nudged his ribs, and he kissed her cheek, causing their antlers to tangle.
Alice stood, widening her arms. ‘It’s all about love and mince pies in here, Matt. Feel free to join in.’
Laughing, he took a treat from the table. ‘Every time I drop something off to someone today, they feed me something sweet. I’m starting to know how Father Christmas feels.’
‘Yeah, well, you just mind how you go on those rooftops,’ said Spencer, pointing over at the harbour. ‘Mind you, if you do fall down a chimney, we can always send Ginny to the rescue now she’s a pro rock climber.’
‘Oh, ha-ha.’ Ginny shook her head. ‘The only thing I’ll be climbing from now on is the ladder to success.’
Spencer laughed. ‘Oh, is that right?’
They could laugh, but she had plans. Harbour Light Café needed no help whatsoever to bring in the punters, so all she had to focus on was bringing her new home to life in the new year. That was where her success story lived, thanks to Mr and Mrs Henshaw.
She gazed at Will as the others set about helping the next flood of people entering the premises.
‘What’s with the stare?’ he questioned, raising one eyebrow and quirking his lips to one side.
‘How would you feel about helping me with my farmhouse?’
‘What do you need?’
You.
