Beth jogged towards him to see just how out of breath he was. ‘What on earth? Is that your bike? What are you doing?’ She looked around for signs of Chris. ‘Where’s your dad?’
Jax thumbed up the road, clutched his knees, then nodded towards the shop door. ‘I’m going to show her,’ he spluttered.
Beth glanced around the street again. ‘Show who?’
Jax straightened, revealing bloodshot eyes and a runny nose. ‘Ryan’s mum.’
She watched him cuff his nostrils while glaring at the shop. ‘I’m sorry, Jax, but I’m really lost right now.’
‘I’m not,’ he said sharply. ‘I knew all the quickest ways here.’
Beth glanced at the wicker basket on the front of the bicycle. ‘Okay, I need you to explain what’s going on. You’re on your own, right?’
He nodded. ‘Had to come.’
‘To the sweet shop?’
‘Yep. She said Spencer wasn’t making progress with us, but if I show her, she can’t close us down?’
Beth narrowed her eyes. ‘Ryan’s mum?’
Jax took a deep breath as he nodded. ‘I’m doing it, Miss Horton.’ And before she could utter another word, he flung the door open and marched straight to the crisps.
Beth stood in the doorway, suddenly realizing what his quest was, but she still wasn’t entirely sure about its backstory.
Jax didn’t waste time choosing flavours. He simply picked up the nearest bag to him and headed towards Lizzie at the counter.
Beth stretched her head for a better view, then saw him sprint her way.
‘I haven’t got any money,’ he said, looking quite distraught about that fact.
‘Oh, here.’ Beth quickly rummaged in her handbag and pulled a coin from her purse.
There was a look of sheer determination that hit his dark eyes as he thanked her, and Beth held her breath as he marched back to Lizzie to pay for his snack.
‘Just these, please,’ he said softly, and Beth’s heart went out to him.
She heard Lizzie mutter something, then Jax came back and handed her the change, looking mighty pleased with himself, if not a little bewildered as he left.
Jax plopped to the pavement and hugged the green packet to his chest.
Beth glanced down at him. ‘Oh, well, in for a penny,’ she muttered, then sat next to him.
‘I did it, Miss Horton.’
‘Yes, you did. How do you feel?’
He shrugged one shoulder. ‘Not sure. Happy, but worried.’
‘What’s worrying you?’
‘What if I can’t do it again?’
Beth knew what that felt like. She too had many moments where she wondered if her contentment would be short-lived. ‘We have to take our wins when they come. Just now was one, so right now, that’s all we focus on.’
Jax opened the packet of pickled onion crisps and offered it her way.
Beth placed one into her mouth. ‘Thank you.’
