A flashback hit him of a time when she was two and he’d wrapped a blanket around her while he read her a book from his school library. She liked the pictures, and he liked trying to teach her things. A shiver met his spine as he remembered what happened the next day.
It was scary being eight years old and surrounded by police officers. His dad had always told him not to trust them. It wasn’t them he was worried about. Lottie was screaming as a strange woman carried her away, and he couldn’t get to her, as he was being led off to a different car. There were so many flashing lights, but the noise of the chaos around him seemed muffled somehow.
It wasn’t the first time he’d been taken away from his parents, but this time was different. He could tell. He wondered where Jordy was and told the woman next to him that his six-month-old brother was still inside. Jordy was so small and often so quiet, Spencer worried the baby might go unnoticed. Almost a week had passed when he found out where Jordy was.
‘Spence, you okay?’ asked Lottie, her hand on his arm.
He hadn’t even noticed her approach. ‘Hmm? Oh, yeah. In a world of my own for a minute there.’
She seemed to be studying him, and he was certain she could often see his thoughts. ‘Stay over tonight,’ she said softly.
Samuel was due back soon. She didn’t need her big brother much anymore. ‘I’m a bit tired, so I’ll head off. Do you need me to do anything before I go?’ He knew she wouldn’t, being the independent type, even more so since losing the use of her legs. If there was one person who oozed inner-strength and positive vibes, it was Lottie.
He kissed her cheek at the door and ruffled her strawberry-blonde hair, making her laugh, then he glanced at the wide hallway. It was so different to how it looked when he was growing up there. Aunt Rebecca had a quaint lemon-washed harbour house up Berry Hill. Now, three of the houses in a row had been knocked together, with renovation work still being carried out, thanks to Lottie and Samuel.
Walking down the steep road, he wondered what Rebecca would have thought about her home, now so large. At least there was more room for Lottie. Samuel was making sure she had it easy at home, installing everything she needed.
He paused to stare out to sea. All was quiet. Just how he felt.
Chapter 4
Beth
Being told by the doctor that she didn’t have asthma just stress and to take up yoga wasn’t exactly helpful.
Beth inhaled sea-salty air as she pushed Archie’s pram along the harbour. It was a fresh morning, but she needed the nip in the air to clear her stuffy head. She was sure she had something wrong with her chest. After all, it kept tightening, making it hard to take a proper breath.
Feeling rather deflated and still confused, she flopped onto a bench for a moment. Archie was fast asleep, snuggled in his blanket, not a care in the world.
‘It’s all right for some,’ she mumbled, smiling softly.
A seagull cried, gaining her attention, and Beth wished she had the ability to fly away. Where to exactly, she wasn’t sure. She’d only just completed a home swap with someone, so she had another bedroom. She couldn’t see herself flying anywhere else too soon.
Pulling her scarf up to her chin, she wondered what was happening in the primary school where she worked. Maternity leave was boring. She much preferred teaching the little ones, although, the way things were, she was grateful for the time off, as she wasn’t sure her rattled mind could cope with much else.
The dullness of the sky matched her mood. She tried to visualize sitting there in the summer. The warmth on her face, a spring in her step. It always cheered her. Maybe she would feel better by then.
‘Valentine’s Day soon,’ said an elderly lady, plonking herself at the other end of the bench, making Beth jump.
Beth smiled politely. She didn’t care about that silly day.
‘Nice flower shop over the road,’ added the woman.
Beth scanned Harbour End Road until she spotted Berry Blooms.
I bet it’s her shop. She’s trying to draw in customers.
‘They always look so pretty, don’t they?’ Beth said, gesturing at the place.
Midnight-blue eyes seemed to study her for a moment before turning towards the sea. ‘I’m Luna.’
‘Beth.’
‘You’re new to the area.’
Beth smiled to herself. ‘I am. Know everyone around here, do you?’
Luna gave a sharp nod. ‘Pretty much.’ She thumbed behind her. ‘That’s my family’s shop there. Treasure Chest.’
