‘Your head didn’t crack up. You were just put through something traumatic.’ He reached over and lightly tapped her hand, wondering why he felt the need to touch her at all. ‘I know it’s early days for you as well as the boys, but how are you feeling lately?’
‘Much better now I have a label for my condition. That helped massively. I’m sleeping soundly since being at yours.Not sure if that’s me or your comfy mattress. Perhaps it’s just because I don’t have to do any late or early feeds for Archie.’
‘You don’t have to do any of them. Lady of leisure, remember?’
It was nice to hear her chuckle. ‘Thank you, but I like holding him while he drinks his milk. He always looks so content, and it feels kind of special having him in my arms.’
It was a feeling that had grown on Spencer quite quickly. ‘I know how you feel.’
‘Has the shock of finding out you’re a father left now?’
He shrugged. ‘I suppose. It’s still a little surreal, if I’m honest, but I’m taking it one day at a time. How was the shock for you when you found out you were pregnant?’
‘It took a while for me to come to terms with it, but then I settled in to the idea of becoming a mother and started to get excited, and a little scared of what was happening with my body. And I had some moments where I felt alone.’
Sitting up straighter, he took her hand. ‘I’m glad we’re in this together now.’ He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. ‘And I’m looking forward to working side by side with you at the Hub.’ Her smile seemed warmer than usual, or maybe he was looking too deeply.
‘Your team haven’t agreed yet.’
‘Oh, wait until you meet them. They’ll be all over it. The cost of living is terrible, and babies cost a fair bit.’
They both stared at the pram.
‘I hope they say yes, because I’m looking forward to getting started. Since I met Jan, I’ve received a lot of support. It would be nice to give something back to the community.’
Spencer realised he was still holding her hand. He casually slipped back into his marshmallow of a chair, trying to look composed. ‘Shall we just have a kip here until little man wakes for his bottle?’
Beth grinned. ‘I like your style, but won’t Debra mind?’
‘Nah, she has a snooze in here too sometimes. I think everyone here has at some point.’
‘Well, if it’s the done thing, then why not!’
He watched her curl up into a ball and close her eyes before closing his own, relaxed once more in her company.
Archie whined, and they both sat up and laughed.
‘Well, it was good while it lasted,’ he told her, standing to fetch him. ‘Go back to sleep,’ he whispered, reaching for the baby bag. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
It seemed as though she was going to dispute the suggestion, but her eyes fluttered to a close, and she snuggled back down. With the bag slung over his shoulder and Archie secure in his arm, he managed to place a baby blanket over her lap before heading to the kitchen to sort his milk, where he knew his son would receive a ton of fuss from the cake-decorating class taking place. He glanced once more at Beth as he closed the door, warmth fluttering through him.
Chapter 16
Beth
Beth found herself gravitating towards the open fireplace as soon as she stepped inside the Jolly Pirate. The large pub was busy hosting Sunday dinner, the roasting meat wafting through the air, taking over any beer-infused scent. A large Jolly Roger flag behind the long bar caught her eye, then some pictures on the wall of ships and pirates. She could just imagine how the old tavern once served such buccaneers.
Looking around, one of the ladies she noticed first was the elderly woman she’d met on a bench, Luna.
‘Hello, love. Heard you moved into the harbour.’
Did everyone know her business? It was starting to look that way.
‘Only for a while.’
Those prying eyes of Luna’s were boring into her soul once more. It was as if she could read each and every fleeting thought.
Luna peered into the pram, and Archie seemed to smile. Beth was never quite sure if he was happy when he made that face or just had wind. Luna’s mouth twitched to one side. ‘Is that right?’ she said to him, making Beth frown.
