Spencer picked up the pink bicycle and placed it in the back of his van. ‘You owe Olivia an apology for stealing her bike.’
‘I borrowed it,’ said Jax. ‘Ooh, I can buy her a bar of chocolate.’ He patted his pockets, then frowned as though remembering he had no money.
Beth handed him the change she had shoved into her pocket. ‘You ready for round two now?’
Jax glanced at the shop door. ‘Least I can do.’ He took a breath, then headed inside, with Beth and Spencer watching from the doorway.
‘Hello again, young Jax,’ said Lizzie. ‘Choccy this time, eh? Good choice.’
‘It’s for my friend Olivia.’
Spencer gripped Beth’s arm, making her grin. ‘How marvellous is that?’
‘It’s a joy to witness.’
Jax came back, chocolate aloft. ‘I’m ready to face Olivia.’
A car pulled up by the van, and Chris jumped out to curl Jax into his arms. Beth could hear him mumbling something and could see Chris looked more relieved than anything else.
Spencer’s arm came around her shoulder, and she didn’t mind snuggling into his side one bit. Jax had made a giant leap, even if it was done out of anger.
‘We’re going to head off to meet Bonnie and Leo,’ said Chris, leading Jax to his car.
Spencer raised a hand. ‘Sure. I’ll get the bike back. There’s more room in my van than your car.’
Jax turned to his dad. ‘I have to give this to Olivia first.’ He showed the chocolate, then proceeded to tell his dad how he spoke to the shopkeeper all by himself.
Beth was sure she spotted a tear in the man’s eye, but he rolled it back, kissed his son’s head, told him he was proud, then buckled him into the car. They waved goodbye, and she felt Spencer’s body relax.
‘I better get this bike back.’
‘Hey, you okay?’
‘It’s just been one hell of a morning.’
‘How bad was the meeting?’
Spencer shook his head. ‘I almost called Annette a selfish cow.’
Beth gasped. ‘No.’
‘I don’t know what happened, Beth. One minute I’m talking to Annette, the next I’m shouting at my mother in my head. I swear, just for a second I saw her face.’
‘Oh, Spence.’
‘It wasn’t until I was driving here that it dawned on me just how much I want to shout at my mum. There are so many things I want to say to her, and yet, if she were still alive, I know I wouldn’t say a word. I sure as hell don’t want to talk to my dad.’
Beth pulled him closer to her body, hugging him tightly.
‘Why is this crap surfacing now?’ he mumbled into her hair.
‘Probably because you’re a parent now.’
Their heads shifted and noses brushed. A beat passed, then Spencer pulled back and gazed out to sea.
‘I’m just going to pop in and see little man before I take the bike back.’
‘Are you okay, Spence?’
