‘You don’t mind?’ she whispered.
Spencer smiled, wishing she could see his expression. ‘Close your eyes,’ he repeated even quieter.
‘Closed.’
‘Goodnight, Beth.’
‘Sweet dreams, Spencer.’
He snuggled further into his sleeping bag, placing his phone to the side of his face, and waited a good while before he closed his eyes and drifted off.
Chapter 22
Beth
As soon as Beth laid eyes on Ginny’s rustic farmhouse, she fell in love. How wonderful to have such a home. A wood-burned sign at the entrance to the driveway announcedHappy Farm, and that was the exact vibe it offered.
Ginny showed her inside. ‘Haven’t been here long, and I know I was supposed to have a housewarming party, or as I told everyone, more of a decorating party, but what with the tea shop and everything, I’ve had to keep putting things off.’
Beth perused the wide stairway. Even without a carpet or a polish it looked charming.
‘Good thing we’re helping today,’ said Sophie, entering the hallway, a clean paintbrush aloft.
‘I wasn’t sure what to wear,’ said Beth, glancing down at her jeans and shirt, thinking overalls could be needed.
Ginny waggled a hand around. ‘You don’t have to do much.’
Sophie scoffed. ‘You didn’t say that to me.’ She grinned at Beth. ‘Best make the most of Ginny making a fuss because you’re new.’
‘Please don’t give me any special treatment. I’m looking forward to joining in.’ Beth checked on Archie, happily gazing up at his pram mobile.
Lottie called out from the kitchen, ‘You can make the tea, Beth.’
‘Or just hang out with the chickens,’ said Ginny, leading her towards Lottie. ‘I’m sure Archie will love seeing them.’
Beth entered the country style kitchen to see Alice was also there.
‘We’re just having pastries before we start,’ she told Beth, offering a chair.
Beth questioned them making a fuss. ‘Have you all been told I’m taking things easy and getting help for my mental health?’
Sophie shook her head. ‘I haven’t been told much about you at all, and I didn’t like to ask. We all know Archie came as a surprise to Spencer, and that you’re co-parenting, but that’s about it.’
Beth glanced at Lottie before turning to Sophie. ‘I guess I assumed Lottie would have told Spencer’s friends.’
‘Not my story to tell,’ said Lottie.
‘No one’s business but your own,’ said Alice.
Beth looked at them each in turn, deciding to tell her new friends some of her story, leaving out the doorstep situation.
Lottie nodded. ‘I’m glad Jan’s helping.’
‘Ooh, you’re seeing January Riley? She’s so good,’ said Alice. ‘It’s like she’s made of magic.’
Ginny laughed. ‘Magic?’
Alice nibbled on some pastry. ‘There’s something about her that makes you feel better when you’re in her presence. She has a calming effect.’
