Spencer finally came back with some drinks. He handed Beth an orange juice, checked on Archie, then greeted his friends. ‘We sitting down or what?’
Beth followed them over to the restaurant part of the pub, where they had secured a long table.
Spencer grinned, pulling out a chair for her, then motioned with his head to the man he’d placed her next to. ‘This is Matt, Sophie’s partner.’
Matt smiled. ‘Have they mentioned I was the first guest at the Hub yet? They tell everyone.’
‘He’s the celebrity around here,’ called Alice, moving to sit near Will and Ginny.
Matt shook his head. ‘Ignore her. So, Sophie tells me you did a shift already. You’re game.’
What with Matt’s London accent and Will’s Welsh one, Beth stopped feeling like an outsider. ‘I even got an idea for something to be added to the food bank.’ She figured it was best to throw her idea out there, as it seemed the team were all seated at the table now.
‘Ooh, what’s that?’ asked Sophie, leaning over Matt.
She looked to Spencer, wondering if he might like to take over, but he gave her the nod to continue. ‘A baby bank.’
‘What’s that exactly?’ asked Will.
‘I know,’ said Lottie. ‘People donate baby items instead of food. I mean they can donate food too, but unlike our food bank, there would be clothes and even soft furnishings. Things people might take to the charity shop.’
‘Or throw away,’ said Ginny.
An athletic man with dark hair and the most piercing blue eyes Beth had ever seen placed a plate of food in front of her.‘You get fed first, as you’re new.’ He had a handsome smile. ‘I’m Robson. Good to meet you, Beth.’
Ginny threw her hand in the air. ‘I should get fed next, as I’m eating for two.’
Everyone laughed as the pub staff started to hand out dinners.
Beth leaned closer to Spencer, who was twisted to one side, hand inside the pram. ‘Your friends are so lovely.’
He glanced her way with smiling eyes. ‘Yep, and they’re your mates now as well.’
She slid his arm away from Archie, telling him to eat his dinner before it got cold.
‘When do you want to make a start on the baby bank?’ asked Samuel, raising his fork Beth’s way.
‘Oh, I wasn’t sure. Spencer suggested I mention it today, and I figured we’d brainstorm.’
‘All we need to talk about is advertising to the locals,’ said Sophie. ‘We’re so on board with this idea, Beth.’
Beth saw Spencer smiling out the corner of her eye. ‘Erm, I’m going to join a parent and baby group at the church hall. I was thinking I could ask there. See if I can find out how much need there is around here.’ She felt Spencer’s arm press against hers, but she daren’t turn his way for fear of smiling too widely. She was already starting to feel a bit goofy around him, the last thing she needed was to show that in front of his friends.
‘Great idea,’ said Robson, finally sitting down.
‘If we end up with any big items, we can store them in HQ,’ said Samuel, making Lottie laugh. ‘What?’ he asked her.
‘You and your HQ.’ She looked down the table at Beth. ‘He always worked from home, but then Ginny wanted to sell the flat above her café, so this one here snatched her arm off. I’ve never known someone to love their office so much.’
Samuel frowned, clearly amused. ‘It was needed.’ He glanced at Beth. ‘I have more staff now.’
Sophie laughed. ‘Yeah, Sam just about hired half the county last year.’
‘I’m building the Les Powell Trust, and now we can add baby banks into the mix.’ Samuel raised a glass of water to Beth. ‘Here’s to our newest member of the Happy to Help Hub team, Beth Horton.’
Everyone raised their glass, and Beth blushed. She’d been in many meetings during her time as a teacher but none that made her cheeks flush.
Wow! They’ve really made me part of their community.
