‘You could always go ask Will for a Saturday job at his tearoom.’
‘Oh, ha-ha.’
‘Hey, sometimes what you want comes at you from a different angle to what you expected. You used to blow kisses out to sea, then a sailor came to town. You wanted a tea shop along the front, and now we have one. Well, when it opens. The point is—’
‘I need to read the small print when I make wishes.’
Robson laughed. ‘You, my lovely, need to open your eyes and see just how magical you truly are.’
Magic or no magic, Ginny had decided she was only going to focus on the good things in her life, because the past wasn’t going to own her any longer. Plus, she had something else coming her way to add into the mix of her new beginning. Something she hadn’t shared with her friends just yet. But they’d find out soon enough. Everyone would, including Will. So, sod Lee, and her demons. A whole year was ahead of her, and she was determined to fill it with nothing but happiness.
Chapter 27
Will
Will was blown away by the support he received from his new friends in Port Berry. He hadn’t expected many to turn up for his grandmother’s funeral. Perhaps a couple of her carers, maybe Ginny, seeing how she grew up next door, but Jed had rallied the troops, and Robson had laid out a small spread at the Jolly Pirate.
Sitting in the corner of the pub by the open fire, Will stared at the crackling flames and wondered if Ginny hadn’t turned up because she no longer wanted reminders of Sweet Cherry Lane. He hoped that didn’t include him. Could his existence make her think about that house?
It was all such a mess. He had an idea what to do to make things right with Ginny, but the surprise he had in store was a long shot, he was sure.
‘Hey, how’s it going?’ said Spencer, joining him. ‘You’ve got the best seat right by the fire. It’s always cosy in here this time of year, and a little quieter, but that won’t last long, what with the big birthday bash we have here on the twentieth each year.’
Will lowered his cup of tea. ‘Oh, what’s that for?’
‘I’m surprised Jed hasn’t mentioned it. It’s his birthday, so he normally tells everyone.’
Will glanced over at Jed propped up at the bar. ‘Ah, there has been a lot going on.’
‘Doesn’t normally stop him. He’s like a big kid on his birthday. Anyway, the reason it’s a big to-do is because it’s not just his birthday that day. It’s also Luna’s and Robson’s.’ Spencer leaned back and smiled. ‘So you can see why we go all out.’
‘Just when you think the present buying is over.’
Spencer laughed into his glass of lemonade. ‘I know, right. January needs to be a time for peace and quiet and nothing going on.’
‘Doesn’t help your business much.’
Spencer circled a finger in the air. ‘Had a few funerals this month already.’
Will nodded. ‘Thanks for the flowers you made for Babs. They were really nice.’
‘No worries.’
‘Have you always wanted to be a florist?’
Spencer shook his head. ‘It was my aunt’s place, so Lottie and I just carried on with it after she passed away.’
‘Makes sense.’
‘What about you? Did you always want to be a sailor?’
‘Not really. I didn’t have much going on in my life, and a mate told me about Sea Cadets he went to, so I joined that and went from there.’
Spencer looked over at the doors that led to the front beer garden. ‘Even though I grew up by the sea, it never called to me.’
Will was glad he had memories of a home on a ship. He often felt the freedom of the open sea calmed him, and he was glad whenever Jed offered him a short trip around the harbour. ‘Might have to consider buying my own boat.’
‘Good luck with that. I’ll stick to flowers.’
