A man around the same age as Luna approached. At least his slate-blue eyes held friendly vibes, unlike Luna’s stare, which spoke of a million questions and answers.
‘Hello, Beth, right?’ He didn’t wait for a reply. ‘I’m Jed Moore. Sophie’s grandfather. You ever need anything, my girl, you come see me.’ One hand pointed at the main doors while the other rubbed over his grey wiry beard. ‘Got me a couple of vessels out there. You want to blow away the cobwebs anytime, I’ll take you out to sea. Does wonders for a soul.’
Do I need cobwebs blown away? Do I look that ill? They all know about me, don’t they?
Beth told herself off for the bout of paranoia. She had to stop thinking everyone she passed on the street knew she had left Archie on Spencer’s doorstep. Would the guilt ever go away? She tried for some sort of neutral expression. Anything to hide how she really felt, although she was still sure the old lady could read her mind.
‘You want a drink, my girl?’ asked Jed, thumbing to the bar.
‘Spencer’s already getting me one, but thank you.’
He bobbed his head. ‘So, how you finding Port Berry so far?’
‘I’ve not been out and about that much yet, but from what I’ve seen, I love the harbour the most.’
Jed stood proud as though he owned the lot and she’d just complimented his land. ‘Best part of Cornwall.’ He winked, placing a finger lightly over his lips. ‘Shh! Don’t tell everyone I said that. Myrtle over there comes from next door.’
‘He means Penzance,’ said Luna.
Beth followed his eyes to see the elderly woman in question sitting in the corner, supping a pint of stout.
‘Did you both grow up here?’ she asked, thinking small talk would take her mind off Luna, who had placed her finger in Archie’s palm.
‘Yep,’ replied Jed. ‘All us lot from the Hub did. I come from a long line of fishermen, and Luna’s family have always had the newsagents along here for as far back as I can remember.’
‘The one called the Treasure Chest?’
‘That’s right, love. Pop in whenever you like. My daughter does the tarot in there sometimes. You just have to wait your turn.’
Beth looked at Jed to see if that was a joke, but apparently not.
‘Speaking of family,’ added Luna. ‘Here’s my granddaughter. Here, Alice. Come say hello to Beth and Archie.’
Beth smiled at the tall slim woman heading over. ‘Hiya, we met at the Hub.’
Alice lightly touched Beth’s shoulder. ‘Yes, I remember. I’m glad you’re joining our meetings. This is what happens when you help out at the Hub. One minute you’re in there handing over a cuppa to someone who has just popped in for a chat, the next, you’re breaking bread with the team.’
‘It was nice helping out. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy it.’
‘Gets you like that,’ said Jed.
Alice waved over a well-built man in his forties. ‘Have you met Will yet? He’s part of the team. Ginny’s other half.’
‘I would say better half, but she’d argue that,’ joked Will, grinning at Beth before poking his nose in the pram.
Beth was surprised at how well Archie was taking to so many strangers. Perhaps being dumped on one gave him the courage to face anyone. She had to move on from that.
‘Nice to meet you, Will. I hear you’re going to be a dad soon.’
His dark eyes filled with delight. ‘Can’t wait. We’re so busy this year, trying to get a tearoom and a farmhouse ready before the little one arrives. I’m trying for some sort of organization.’
‘Will’s ex-navy, so he knows how to be organized,’ said Alice.
Will chuckled. ‘I won’t lie. I do feel better when everything is in place.’
Beth remembered when her life held a form of structure and routine. She thought it best to leave Will to find out for himself how that would go out the window once his baby was born. Although, looking at him, for some reason he looked the capable type, unlike her, who had fallen apart at the first signs of stress.
Jan had told her not to be hard on herself, but it was difficult to remember sometimes, and so much easier to simply lay blame.
