‘It’s not too bad.’
Knowing she rated her pain levels on a scale of one to ten, he asked which level she was at today.
‘Three,’ she announced happily. ‘Pretty good for this time of year.’
‘You could go jogging with Robson tomorrow morning.’
Alice laughed. ‘No thanks. I might be turning thirty-one at the end of the month, but I feel about seventy-one right now. That activity is strictly for summer.’ She nudged him in the ribs. ‘You could do with some exercise.’
‘I do enough running around. Anyway, now I’m part-time at the centre, I’ve not much time to add anything else.’
‘You back at the shop after deliveries?’
‘Yeah. You?’
‘No, Mum and Nan have got the newsagents covered today. I’m helping Mabel at the B & B.’
Spencer gazed down the road, even though he couldn’t see around the bend to where Seaview B & B was. ‘Can’t remember the last time I had a holiday.’
‘Volunteering here is my holiday.’
He could see her point. ‘I’m taking the kids camping in the springtime, if their parents sign the consent forms. Hopefully the weather will be on side.’
Alice hugged his arm. ‘Aw, Spence, you’re really enjoying your new mentor role already. I can see those baby-blues of yours gleaming.’
He had to laugh. ‘I really want to make a difference.’
Alice pointed at the window. ‘You already make a difference when you create beautiful bouquets of flowers.’
‘Wasn’t my life though, was it? Rebecca opened Berry Blooms. Lottie and I just carried on with the shop after she died.’
‘You not keen anymore, Spence?’
‘Oh, don’t get me wrong. I love the shop. It’s part of me. It’s just with the kids, I feel I have purpose.’
Alice nodded slightly. ‘I get that. I feel the same about my Benny. It was one thing when he was just my nephew, but after my sister died and I became guardian, well, it was life-changing in more ways than I imagined it would be.’
They stepped away from the door as Spencer opened it for the middle-aged woman outside. A gust of cold air blew Alice’s long dark hair backwards as the lady came forward.
‘I have a donation for the food bank,’ she chimed.
Alice took the bag from her. ‘Thank you so much.’
‘Would you like to come in for a cuppa?’ asked Spencer. ‘It’s nippy out there today.’
‘I’m good,’ replied the lady. ‘Got lots on today.’
Spencer closed the door as she walked away. ‘I’m so glad our little food bank has taken off.’ He turned to watch Alice empty the shopping bag onto the light-wood table. ‘Not that I want people to need one.’
Alice sighed, raising a carton of long-life milk. ‘I know. It’s not right.’
He’d lost count of the times the volunteers at the Hub had discussed the cost of living. It wasn’t something he had the energy to think about, knowing it was best spent raising funds to keep the Hub open and finding ways to assist those in need in all areas. ‘Ooh, I forgot to tell you. Mick from the hostel called when you were getting us cake. Said Yuri has settled in nicely, and Shaun has got the fella a labouring job at his company.’
Alice clasped her hands. ‘Aw, that’s great. I knew Yuri would be okay once he had a roof over his head and a job. He was so eager the moment he walked through the door.’ She pointed at the street. ‘I’m glad we could help.’
Spencer gazed at the harbour once more. ‘Makes you wonder who out there needs help. You see people pottering around, but you don’t know what troubles they might have.’ His phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.
‘You get that, Spence. I’ll see to Len.’ Alice gestured to the elderly man plodding their way.
