‘Hey, Spencer,’ called Ryan, jogging over. ‘Dad brought me.’
Spencer looked around for the boy’s dad. ‘I’m glad he brought you. Where is he?’
‘Looking around. I told him I’d be with Leo and Jax.’
Spencer gestured towards the large tent. ‘They’re over there. Oh, and Ryan,’ he added as the lad went to run off, ‘make sure you let your dad know you’ll be here helping to clear up later.’
Ryan nodded. ‘Yep.’
‘Excuse me, Spencer, right?’
Spencer turned to see a middle-aged woman smiling his way. ‘Yes, how can I help?’
‘I was wondering if the Hub was still open today? I was going to pop in on my way home.’
Spencer nodded. ‘Yeah. Jed and Luna are in there all morning.’
‘Oh, I know them. That makes things a lot easier.’ Her face flushed as she looked away.
‘Easier?’
‘My daughter just had a baby, and she’s got no fella and is struggling financially. It’s all falling to me to help, but I’ve not got much myself. Her health visitor mentioned a baby bank, so I was going to check it out. See what help was on offer.’
Spencer was feeling proud of Beth for setting up the baby bank, but he was also feeling sorry for the people needing one. He still struggled whenever someone came into the Hub for food, but just like always, he offered a warm smile and any advice he had to give. ‘Definitely pop over.’ He motioned towards Beth. ‘Or go speak to that lady there. She’s handing out information about the baby bank today. Oh, and let your daughter know about a parent and baby group over in the church hall.’ He gestured towards the steeple of the stone-built church in the near distance.
‘Yes, we just heard about that.’ The woman thumbed behind her. ‘We got some info from their stall.’
‘It’s so good there. Been myself with my girlfriend.’ The mere reminder that Beth was now his girlfriend caused a hundred butterflies to take flight in his stomach.
‘Thanks for your help,’ she said, waving over at a young woman pushing a pram her way. ‘I’ll take my daughter over to the baby bank stall. Lucky you pointed it out. I missed that one.’
Spencer headed over to Shelby’s stall to see if she needed any help, but she told him she was doing okay and that there hadbeen a lot of interest in the parent and baby group. He smiled, pleased people near and far were seeing how much help was available in Port Berry.
Beth looked quite animated behind the tall white pop-up tent that made the information stand. He thought he’d see if Archie was awake before checking on anyone else at the festival.
Inhaling a waft of hotdogs, Spencer hummed along to muffled banjo music playing over the other side of the park. The slight skip in his step didn’t go unnoticed by him, nor did the fact he couldn’t stop smiling.
Beth had finished talking to the middle-aged woman and her daughter by the time Spencer arrived. He nuzzled his nose into her cheek, giving her a quick peck before looking in the pram to see Archie just waking.
‘I’ll take him for a walk with me to get some snacks. You fancy anything, honey?’
‘Some juice please? Ooh, and a packet of crisps.’
Spencer gave her another kiss before heading off, peering over his shoulder to see her handing out leaflets. She looked so alive and brimming with happiness. So different to the woman who turned up on his doorstep. That day seemed years away now. Seeing Beth with colour in her cheeks and a smile on her face was the medicine he didn’t know he needed.
There was a short queue for the food hut, so Spencer waited in line, exchanging pleasantries with the woman in front, before noticing Lottie heading his way.
‘He awake now?’ she asked, stopping at his side.
‘Yes, and looking as adorable as ever.’
‘Aww, he looks so content.’ Lottie nudged his hip. ‘And so do you.’
If there was anyone in the world that could be more excited for him than himself, it was his little sister.
‘It feels good being settled with Beth and Archie.’
Lottie beamed, clasping her hands. ‘I’m so glad, Spence. Honestly, I thought you’d never get there.’
