Sitting down, she started to assemble a box. ‘I’m used to being around parents and kids. Comes with my job.’ They shared a smile before he headed off to the back room. ‘I’ll think about it,’ she added quietly. She didn’t exactly want to be judged by the other parents no doubt doing a wonderful job, and what if anyone there had heard she’d dumped her baby on a doorstep? They would hate her for sure.
Spencer was taking his time, probably checking on Archie, snuggled in his pram in the corner.
She looked to the storage room, feeling grateful her son’s dad was a good man. It had turned out to be easier than expected talking to him all night. Their conversation had gone well into the small hours, and it was nice to spend the night actually sleeping. Archie had been fed and was having his morning wash by the time she’d surfaced.
The Hub door opened and in walked a woman dressed as though she lived in the 1940s. ‘Morning, chick,’ she greeted cheerfully. ‘I’m Ginny. Beth, right? Thought you might like some cake.’
Beth eyed the slice of lemon drizzle placed before her. ‘Thank you,’ was all she could think to say to the petite woman around her age.
‘I’ve not much time today.’ Ginny thumbed towards the street. ‘I’m getting my tea shop ready to open next month. Just left my partner in there, decorating. I’ll introduce you to Will soon enough.’ She nudged Beth’s shoulder. ‘Come to dinner with us at Robson’s at the weekend. Might as well meet the team.’
‘She means at the pub,’ said Spencer, leaning against the storage room door. ‘The Jolly Pirate. Just on the bend.’
Ginny pointed at the table. ‘I brought Beth some cake.’
His eyebrows lifted. ‘So I see. Lottie been on the phone to you, has she?’
Ginny flashed him an innocent smile. ‘I don’t know what you mean. But if I happened to overhear Sam talking to Lottie on the phone earlier, well, that’s hardly my fault.’ She bobbed her head his way. ‘Is it true? Are you a dad?’
Beth didn’t know what to say. Should she intervene and save him? Did he need saving? He looked happy enough, even had a touch of proudness in his eyes.
‘It’s true.’
Beth gestured at the back room. ‘Would you like to see him?’
Ginny clasped her hands, squealing quietly. ‘Ooh, is he back there?’
‘Come on.’ Spencer waved her closer.
‘Aww, look at his little face. Bless him.’ Ginny rubbed her stomach as she straightened from the pram. ‘I’m in my first trimester,’ she told Beth, smiling. ‘We weren’t going to tell anyone till further along, but Will was fit to burst from excitement, and once you tell one person around here, the whole of Port Berry knows by the next day.’
‘Congratulations,’ said Beth, wishing she held the glow Ginny had about her. All she had was a ghostly complexion. Subconsciously, she touched her cheek. Perhaps some vitamins were needed. She made a mental note to buy some.
‘I’d better get back,’ said Ginny. She gave Spencer a light squeeze around the waist. ‘I’ll see you two later.’
Beth followed her to the door to wave goodbye. ‘Does that mean everyone knows our business now?’ she asked as she turned.
He hunched his shoulders as he plopped into a big blue chair. ‘People will find out soon enough.’
Beth sat next to him. ‘She didn’t say anything horrible to me.’
Spencer laughed. ‘Why would she? Ginny’s not horrible to anyone.’
‘I meant because of what I did with Archie, and you, and—’
‘Hey.’ Spencer’s hand rested over hers. ‘No one will be told about that.’
‘But she said she overheard Sam talking.’
‘It doesn’t matter what she heard. Ginny wouldn’t judge you nor would she spread that news. She’s one of the founders of this place. All Ginny Dean has ever done is help people.’ He motioned at the street. ‘She runs the café next door. Well, she did. She did a shop swap with Will, as she wanted his tea shop, but now they’re partners, I think they’re just sharing everything. They’re good people. Please don’t worry.’ He sat up straighter. ‘Besides, if anyone says anything to me about Archie being left on the doorstep, I’ll tell them he was simply spending the night at his dad’s, and they should mind their own business.’
Beth smiled as she grabbed another box. ‘You’re a nice person, Spencer.’
‘I’m not that nice. I’m thinking of pinching some of your cake.’ He winked, making her laugh.
She offered him the small fork that Ginny had left with the slice. ‘So, how many people run this place?’
Spencer declined the sweet treat, getting up to put the kettle on instead. ‘Me, Lottie, Ginny, Robson, Alice, Sophie, and Sophie’s grandad, Jed. We started it, then invited Sam on board.He’s a rich business dude that has a trust and everything. He owns the Food Bank Café. You might have heard of it. Over in Penzance. He’s opening more around Cornwall. He’s now a partner in this place. Plus we have Will helping out and Sophie’s partner, Matt. He was the first person in need to walk through that door.’
