‘Really well. I’m definitely going back. The group was so nice, and Archie had fun. We’re doing baby yoga next week.’
Spencer lifted him from the pram. ‘Oh, is that right?’
Archie grumbled.
‘He’s due a bottle.’
‘I’ll sort that,’ said Spencer, grabbing the baby bag and heading for the back room.
‘Have you had any lunch yet?’
‘No. I’m still waiting for Lottie to come to work.’
‘I can get us something from the café if you like.’
Spencer glanced over his shoulder at his coat. ‘My wallet’s in there.’
‘No need. My treat.’ And before he could argue, she left.
Seagulls cried above, gaining attention, and Beth watched them swoop low to the tips of the calm sea. She stopped outside Harbour Light Café, gazing at the scenery. Was it fate that brought her to Port Berry? She didn’t care. All she knew was ever since meeting Jan and Spencer, life had eased.
‘Gets you like that,’ said Jed, appearing at her side.
Beth snapped out of her trance with the harbour. ‘Oh. Yes, I guess it does.’
‘Magical place,’ he said, grinning.
‘Magical?’
‘Sure. She knows things does Port Berry.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like who is meant to be here.’
Beth giggled. ‘What if they’re not? Do they get swept out to sea?’
‘Nah, they just leave.’ He raised a finger before she could speak. ‘However, they think that was their choice, but it was Port Berry at work. See, magical.’ He tapped the side of his nose, then went over to the café door, holding it open for her.
Beth entered the nautical-themed eatery, smiling at the trawler net above her head.
‘Don’t you worry about Port Berry chucking you overboard, my girl. You’re one of us. She knows it, and so do I.’
Beth went to say something, but the elderly man started singing a sea shanty, gaining the customers’ attention, and she could do no more but smile. It was a nice feeling being part of the community. Even better feeling her smile reaching her heart.
Chapter 19
Spencer
The noise in the pub was down to a dull roar by the time Spencer and his friends and family had eaten most of the buffet Robson had laid out. The birthday song was sung, candles blown, and Spencer smiled into every photo taken of him. It made him realize they were his first pictures with Archie, and Lottie was making sure she snapped loads.
All in all, it wasn’t a bad evening. In fact, he enjoyed the fuss more than he’d expected, even the balloon with his face on it made him smile. It was the first photo Rebecca had taken of him when he went to live with her. Why his sister had it placed on a balloon was beyond him, but there it was, swaying from time to time at the back of the buffet table.
Spencer took a moment where he wished he could go back in time and let that little boy know things were going to be okay. He lowered his head, picking up a sliver of cake from one of the plates laid out. He was always partial to chocolate fudge cake, so thanked Ginny for making it by raising it above his head in a toast her way.
She waved back from the bar, then snuggled into Will’s side.
The last time Spencer had snuggled with someone was when he’d shared a bed with Beth for an hour or so during their one-night stand. Hardly a snuggle, but that was the last time he’d held a woman.
