‘That’ll be nice, thanks.’ Beth gave Ginny a warm hug, then went out to the front to say goodbye to Alice.
‘Hello, Beth. I just saw Sam and Lottie with Archie, at the tea shop,’ said Will.
‘Thanks. Now I have an excuse to buy cake.’
‘I’ll walk with you,’ said Alice, opening the door. ‘I’m going that way.’
Beth smiled to herself at her surroundings. The sky was blue, the salty air refreshing, and her new friends made her feel part of something wonderful. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and shequickly grabbed it, thinking it was Lottie letting her know where they were. ‘Oh!’
Alice clutched her arm. ‘What is it, Beth?’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so dramatic. I was surprised, that’s all. Look.’ Beth showed her the screen. ‘I’ve been offered an interview. Tomorrow.’
‘That’s great. Well done, lovely.’
‘Ooh, I feel a bit flustered now.’
Alice gave her arm a gentle squeeze. ‘You’ll be fine. You already know what biscuit you are.’
The two women burst out laughing as they turned the corner of Harbour End Road. Oh, it was good to feel alive.
Chapter 35
Spencer
Leo was the first to tell Debra what a hero Spencer was for saving a drowning dog, telling all he should be on the news.
Spencer shook his head as he entered Debra’s office. ‘I’d rather just get changed.’ He had a spare tracksuit in his locker there, in case of emergencies. He never thought one would be him entering the sea.
The boys headed off to the arts and crafts room, leaving Debra glancing over Spencer’s damp clothes.
‘Are you all right?’ she asked quietly, closing her office door. ‘You’ve been through a lot with the boys. How are you coping?’
‘I won’t lie, I’ve had my moments when I thought I might not be cut out for this after all, but we all changed at some point or other, and progress has been made all round.’
‘You’re a good mentor for them.’
Spencer scoffed. ‘I wouldn’t go that far.’
‘I would. I’ve seen the way they look up to you. You’re doing a great job.’
Spencer left the office feeling a lot better, then quickly grabbed his things and got changed, wanting to see how the boys were getting on.
‘Can we make Easter bonnets?’ was the first thing Leo asked.
‘Next week,’ said Spencer.
Bonnie had turned up to collect her son. ‘And there’s the Easter egg hunt, Leo.’
Leo beamed as his mum led him and Jax out to the car park.
Spencer followed with Ryan, knowing someone would be along soon to collect him.
He hesitated by the main door, pondering his next move. Beth was on his mind, and so was Kathleen’s old house. He justwasn’t sure if he should speak to Beth before the test results came back, but on the other hand . . .
‘Ryan. Over here,’ Annette called, then gave a small wave to Spencer from her car.
He returned the gesture as he watched Ryan leave, then went off to pick up his bag of wet clothing and let Debra know the kids were with their parents and he was leaving.
