‘I will, and I’m sure she’ll be happy for you to help. I don’t want her thinking we’re taking over, but I’ll let her see how much support she now has, and I know you want to make a fuss.’
Lottie sighed. ‘He’s so gorgeous.’
Spencer glanced down at the snuggled bundle in his arms. ‘He looks like you, especially when you were his age.’
‘You remember so much about your childhood.’ She smiled softly. ‘I don’t think I have a memory before six. In fact, I think my first memory is of Rebecca planting flowers in the back garden.’
‘She loved her flowers,’ he said, looking across at some boxes of ribbon.
‘We were lucky to have her, and Archie is lucky to have you.’ She stroked the part of the blanket where the baby’s foot was tucked beneath.
‘And a lovely aunt like you, Lott.’
‘How did Beth get on at the Hub this morning? Were you busy?’
‘It wasn’t too bad during our shift, and Beth aced it. She came up with adding a baby bank to the food bank. We’re going to discuss it with everyone at dinner on Sunday down the pub.’
‘Great idea.’ Lottie’s smile turned to a frown. ‘You haven’t left her in the Hub alone, have you?’
‘No. As soon as Sophie and Alice came in for their shift, I introduced Beth and Archie, then we left. She’s with Jan now in the café. I thought it best to let them have some time alone so brought little man here. She’ll be along soon.’
‘So should Sam, once he’s stopped faffing with his new office. I swear, ever since Ginny cleared her old flat, he’s been nonstop trying to turn it into the Trust’s headquarters. Almost there. Would have been finished by now had he left walls alone. Wait till you see it, Spence. Looks so much bigger now.’
Spencer’s mind drifted to the farmhouse Ginny and Will had recently moved into. ‘That’s just reminded me. Aren’t we supposed to be having a painting party at Ginny’s one day?’
‘Ooh, yes.’ Lottie snaffled some of her food. ‘She’s flat-out with the tea shop at the moment though, so who knows when she’ll ask for help with that!’
‘A lot has changed, hasn’t it?’ He peered down at his son.
‘Life always changes. Not much we can do but try to keep up.’
Spencer managed to spear some quiche. ‘When Beth comes over, perhaps you could suggest she hangs out here for a bit with you while I go see Debra. She’s got a couple of people she wants me to talk to about the festival. With a nod from these fellas, we should be good to go in April.’
‘Yes, that’s fine. It’s been so quiet in here today, I sent Sarah home early.’
Spencer rolled his eyes. ‘You’re not supposed to send the staff home. What if it picks up?’
‘Then I’d call Sam. It wouldn’t take him a minute to get here. Stop fussing.’
He’d been making sure Lottie had help his whole life. It was a hard habit to break. One of the things at the forefront of his mind was always her. It was just ingrained in him from the moment she was born that she was his responsibility. He’d done nothing but make sure she led a happy, carefree life, even hiding things from her to keep her in a world filled with rainbows and sunlight.
Had he been right, though, to keep her in the dark about things that were part of her life? Looking down at Archie made him think about responsibility once more. So much had changed, and he had made the decision to better himself in every way. Perhaps it was time to tell his sister the truth about their parents.
‘Lottie, there’s something I need to tell you.’
Her eyes were straight on his, paying full attention. He knew she knew all his tones so was looking as serious as him.
‘What’s happened?’
‘Nothing recent. It was just before you went into hospital after your accident. I was going to tell you, but with everything going on, I left it be. And you know how it goes, the longer you leave something, the harder it is.’
‘Seems you want to spit it out now though.’ She was annoyed already, he could tell.
‘Yeah, well, what with Beth and me swapping some tough tales, I figured now might be the time to talk to you. It’s just, I found something out, and I wasn’t going to tell you, but then I was, and that battle went on for a while, then I—’
‘Get to the point. You’re making me nervous.’
‘It’s abouther.’ He grimaced at the mere thought of using the word. ‘Mum,’ he forced out through clenched teeth.
