He glanced her way to see her chatting happily to Sophie and Alice. She looked so different to the woman who had told him he was a dad. It was great she was doing so well.
Lottie was in the corner with Samuel and his little sister, Hannah, all cooing over Archie, and everyone else seemed to behuddled into groups, so he took the opportunity to sneak out to the front beer garden for some fresh air and a bit of peace.
He tugged on his coat, then leaned against one of the brick pillars that made the grill shelter, listening to the faint murmur of the people in the pub for a moment before making his way across the road to the short pier, soft lighting guiding his way.
Sitting along one side, he dangled his legs down towards the dark sea lapping at the base, wondering what lurked beneath.
He’d never been one for monsters in the dark scaring him. The only baddies in his story had been real people.
The gentle whooshing sound was so soothing, Spencer closed his eyes for a second as he slowly inhaled the salty air. With no noise from the pub, and the seagulls asleep, he flopped backwards and gazed up at the stars.
‘Room for a little one?’ asked Beth, coming into view.
Spencer smiled warmly. ‘Pull up a pew.’
Beth matched his position and pointed at the sky. ‘Wow! There are so many stars.’
He felt the lightest of brushes against his hand as she lowered hers. A small wave rolled through his stomach. He chose to ignore the feeling he’d just encountered. ‘They always make me feel peaceful.’
‘It’s peaceful out here. I saw you head this way and debated whether to join you.’
‘You can always join me,’ he said quietly.
‘I wasn’t sure if you wanted time alone.’
Spencer breathed out a quiet laugh. ‘I don’t mind your company.’ He shifted his head slightly so he could see half her face. She was staring at the sky, with a softness about her that told him she was just as soothed as him. ‘Are you much of a people person?’
The corner of her mouth curled. ‘I used to think so. I’ve been a bit in myself since my stay in hospital.’
‘How’s it going with Jan?’
Her smile lifted. ‘Really good.’ As she turned to face him, the side of her hand touched his again. ‘You’ve helped too,’ she added softly.
Spencer studied her big chocolate eyes, almost drowning in them for a second. He blinked hard as he looked back at the sky.
‘Do you think it’s time I went home?’ she added quietly.
Another wave hit his stomach. ‘Do you feel ready for that now?’
‘No. Yes. I mean, I don’t know.’ Her hand moved away from his, but he could still feel its presence close, so he slid his that way until he could feel her cool skin once more. ‘I just don’t want to outstay my welcome. You know how it is.’
He tried not to focus on the fact they were touching again. ‘You’re welcome to stay at mine for as long as you want, Beth. I just want you to be well.’
‘I don’t like being a burden though.’
He glanced her way. ‘You’re not. Don’t think that. I like having you around. You and Archie.’
‘It has been nice.’
‘So, you want to stay a while longer?’ He held her gaze.
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
‘It feels like you’ve always been at mine.’
‘It does, doesn’t it? It’ll be weird going home, but I’m sure we’ll still see each other as much as possible.’
‘Yep.’ He couldn’t stay staring at her, so he turned back to the stars. A few moments of listening only to the sound of the sea below helped calm the charged atmosphere he could feel building each time he met her eyes. He took some silent deep breaths, relaxing himself.
