‘Happened, so yeah. We were a good fit, then she had to go and ruin it by dying on me.’
Will’s heart sank for the man. He’d already fallen so deeply for Ginny, the thought of never seeing her again destroyed him. ‘How long ago was that?’
‘About ten years now.’ Ted looked at the ceiling for a second. ‘Blimey, has it been that long?’ He turned back to Will and smiled. ‘Dying’s not so scary now I have her waiting for me.’
‘It’s great you had a long life together, as long as you were happy, that is.’
‘Ooh, we were, son. Had our moments, like anyone, I guess. But we worked. Not much else to add. People you meet can be a blessing or a curse. They’re not all nice out there, but I was lucky. I found a nice woman. Kind.’
‘Maybe it’s pot luck who we end up with.’
Ted scoffed. ‘Nonsense. You don’t have to stay with someone if they’re horrible to you. You leave. Find a better life. That’s what I told my daughter when she found herself stuck with some lowlife. All he did was find ways to disrespect her. Rotten excuse for a man. Ought to be ashamed. His parents should be.’
‘I’ve never been in a toxic relationship with a partner, but whenever I didn’t like something about my life, I found ways to change my situation. Until you said that, I’d not really thought about it before. I just got on with it.’
Ted nodded. ‘That’s good. That’s how it’s done. Move on, find what works. It’s not rocket science.’
‘To be fair, change isn’t easy.’
‘No, but it’s doable.’ Ted folded his frail arms. ‘My little girl is with a lovely man now. Happy as anything she is. Wouldn’t have had that had she stayed with the coward.’
‘Coward?’
Ted nodded. ‘Any man who raises a hand to a woman is a coward. I let him know that when I smacked him one.’
Will breathed out a laugh. ‘You hit him?’
‘Wouldn’t you if that was your daughter?’ A cheeky glint filled the man’s beady blue eyes. ‘I got a rap on the knuckles for it, but it was worth it.’ He shook his head as though he were talking to himself. ‘You’ve got to protect the ones you love, son.’
There wasn’t anything Will wouldn’t do to keep Ginny safe. He could see the sadness in her eyes, feel her pain, and recognize the healing she needed. It wasn’t too dissimilar to his own. But he had reached a stage where she came first, and if helping her build a farm made her smile, then so be it. Ted was right about one thing, change was doable, and he could see quite clearly that both he and Ginny had always somehow managed to find things that worked for them.
Being in the navy cured a lot of ills. It was when left to his own devices that things built up in his mind.
‘You got someone special, son?’ asked Ted, leaning closer as though studying him.
Will nodded. He liked to think so. ‘Her name’s Ginny.’
‘You be kind to each other. That’s how you get a good life.’
‘I wouldn’t hurt her for all the tea in China.’
Ted smiled. ‘Sounds like you were raised right.’
‘I raised myself.’
‘Then good on you, son, for turning out so well. Got no one to thank but yourself. Well, isn’t that something to be proud of, eh?’
Will had never thought of it that way. He just got on with life, putting one foot in front of the other, always trying to find some form of happiness.
‘You know what, Ted? I’m glad I sat with you. You’ve certainly brightened my day.’
‘Cheers, son.’ Ted gestured at Babs, still having her hands massaged. ‘Not easy, is it?’
Will watched Clare ask Babs if she could give her a hug, wishing he could do the same. It was nice to see his grandmother receiving affection.
‘Can’t remember the last time I got a hug,’ said Ted, looking wistful.
Will grinned, then shot out of his chair to wrap his big arms around the old man.
