There were a few people walking along, some looking out at the boats, others stopping to natter by the large wooden flower tubs on the pavement. The contents looked a bit dismal, which gave him an idea.
Communal gardening badge.
That would cheer the street up and give the boys something else to do. It wouldn’t be the first time Spencer and Lottie had supplied the flowers for Harbour End Road, so he knew he didn’t need permission. In fact, he was quite sure Councillor Seabridge now expected it from Berry Blooms.
Sophie came out of her fishmongers, Sea Shanty Shack, all smiles and a skip in her step as she approached. ‘Happy birthday,’ she half sang, then pulled him in for a hug.
‘Thanks.’ He stepped back and grinned. ‘What, nothing from your shop for my birthday tea?’
She shoved his arm. ‘Lottie said we’re meeting in the pub for dinner.’
‘Yes, it seems that way.’
‘You’re like me. I’m not much of a birthday fan. Well, not my own, that is.’
‘It’s just weird, isn’t it? I know it was the day I was born, but it really belongs to your parents. They’re the ones who . . . Oh, ignore me. Obviously I’m not talking about my own parents. Idon’t think they knew when my birthday was. Mind you, half the time they didn’t know what day of the year they were in let alone anything else.’
Sophie stared across the road at the sea. ‘I started to feel differently about my birthday after my parents died, so, yeah, I guess you’re right. It is more their day.’
‘You don’t do much on yours.’
‘No, I like a peaceful day. It helps me.’
He nodded. ‘Me too, but my aunt liked to make a fuss, so that’s where Lottie gets it from, and now I’ve got Luna telling me I have to celebrate because I have a kid, like Archie’s going to know.’
‘We’ll have to make a fuss when it’s his first birthday. When is that?’
He remembered asking Beth, and how strange the question felt rolling off his tongue. ‘November tenth.’
‘Ooh, something else to look forward to at the end of the year.’
He chuckled at her beaming out to sea. ‘That and your wedding, eh, Soph?’
She playfully bumped his shoulder with her own. ‘Be yours next.’
‘Oh no. We’re just friends.’ Was that even the right word to use? He had no idea how to label their relationship. Beth needed a hand, and he had two to offer.
‘You just seem lighter,’ said Sophie, pointing at his cheek, which Spencer then touched.
‘Lighter?’
‘Yeah, you know, when a person has a certain look about their face. As though they have no worries.’
Spencer burst out laughing. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever had that face.’
‘I can see a difference. A glow.’ She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. ‘Now, get back to work. Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you get to skive.’
He watched her jog back to her shop, then turned to take in the clear blue sky. Did he really have a glow? He had to laugh. Archie had him up in the night, crying from trapped wind. Bloodshot eyes were all he could see when he peered at himself first thing, but perhaps life did feel a tad lighter since he started his new job. It was, after all, something he had worked towards. Beth and Archie weren’t part of the plan.
I wonder how she’s getting on.
He stood in his doorway, staring at the spot he had first met his son. It didn’t feel as though a couple of weeks had passed. More like months. It was as though they had always been in his life, and yet, they hardly knew each other.
Wishing he was part of the parent and baby group over in the church hall, he contemplated shutting up shop for a few hours. It was no good. He had work to do, and he was sure Beth would call if she couldn’t cope. They had agreed to ask each other for help if needed. He had to trust everything was fine.
His phone vibrated on the counter, making him dash that way in case he had somehow manifested trouble. ‘Hello, Deb. Everything okay with the boys?’
Debra’s laugh crackled the phone. ‘Will you stop asking that every time I call. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.’
