Goodnight, Beth. Sleep well.
A high-pitched scream shot through the air, rattling his eardrums and bringing him to an immediate stand.
‘It’s a spider!’ yelled Leo.
Ryan and Jax laughed as Will got rid of the offending creature that had dared to crawl along the child’s head.
‘Blimming heck, Leo. You scared the living daylights out of me.’ Spencer was still clutching his chest.
Leo sat up, pointing at his mousey hair. ‘How do you think I feel!’
Everyone burst out laughing while Leo went on to tell everyone he would never sleep a wink ever again.
It took a while, but the two men finally got the boys to settle down, even though it meant leaving the battery-operated lamps on all night.
Spencer clambered into his own tent, wide awake and on full alert in case anything else happened. He wasn’t that vigilant with Archie. He propped his pillow up and decided to read a book on his phone. But holding the mobile only made him think of Beth again. It was late, so he shouldn’t call, but maybe one short text would be acceptable. He wasn’t even sure if she switched her phone off at night.
Erm, hope this doesn’t wake you. Just hoping you had a good day.He shook his head and deleted the message. ‘Nah, sounds like I’m thinking she can’t cope without me.’ He tapped out something else, mumbling the words as he went. ‘In case you’re still awake, thought I’d say goodnight.’ That seemed normal enough, so he sent the text.
There was some rustling in the boys’ tent, but it soon went quiet again, so Spencer settled back down, ready for his book, but the screen flashed up, revealing Beth calling.
‘Beth, everything okay?’ he whispered.
‘Yes,’ she whispered back. ‘Is it okay for you to talk?’
He nodded into his pillow. ‘The boys are asleep now, and I think Will’s about to crash, so I can talk. Are you all right?’
‘Yes, I’ve had a good day. Just wanted to say hello.’
Spencer smiled. ‘Hello.’
Her giggle warmed him.
‘Is little man sleeping?’
‘Yes, we’re both in bed.’
He could see her there in his spare room, snuggled beneath the quilt, safe and cosy. ‘What you up to tomorrow?’
‘Ginny’s invited me to her farm for a morning of decorating. Sophie, Lottie, and Alice are coming too. Hopefully we can help get another room sorted for her. Also, she’s got chickens, so I’m going to show Archie. See what he thinks.’
‘Sounds great. Has Ginny been okay? Will worries about her.’
Beth laughed. ‘She’s fine. I was with her earlier in her tearoom. It’s ready for the grand opening as soon as you two get back.’
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
To seeing you.
He swallowed hard, frowning. ‘Are you tired?’
‘A little. It feels strange you not being here. I think that’s why I’m still awake.’
‘Settle down, Beth,’ he said softly. ‘I’ll leave the phone on till you fall asleep if you like.’
‘But you need your battery.’
‘I can charge it in the minibus when we drive to the rock-climbing place in the morning. Close your eyes.’
