Spencer scoffed, wiping his mouth. He slumped to his backside and stared at the sky. ‘Doesn’t feel much like home right now.’
‘Look, mate, I’m sure there’s an explanation for all this. There has to be.’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Maybe she was just scared about being on her own.’
‘That’s no excuse.’
Samuel sat on the grass. ‘I’m just trying to think of something.’
‘It would make sense if I was as rich as you, but all I offered was a home.’ Spencer shook his head. ‘I guess that was what she needed.’ He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose with one hand while the other rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I don’t even know how to feel, Sam. So much of me is angry, but another part is too ill to think straight.’
‘It’s all right. You just need some time to get your head around this.’
Spencer breathed out a small laugh through his nose, feeling as though he might just cry. ‘This must be what it feels like to be conned out of your life savings. Only, I’ve just lost a family.’
Samuel’s face was full of sympathy, and Spencer didn’t blame him for having little to say. He was still gobsmacked himself.
They sat there in silence for a moment while the festival continued around them as though no wrongs had been committed in Port Berry, but one had taken place, and it hadripped Spencer’s heart to shreds. The last time he felt that lost was when he was eight and his little sister was taken from him.
‘What do you want to do, Spence?’
He shrugged one shoulder. ‘Pretend I didn’t open that email.’
‘How about you go speak to Beth somewhere more private? I’ll look after Archie.’
Spencer shook his head. ‘I can’t look at her. She made me think I had a son. She lied to me.’ He dipped his head, repeating his last words.
Samuel pulled out his phone. ‘I’ll send a few texts, let everyone know you’re unwell and I’ve taken you home.’
‘I don’t want to go back there.’
‘Back to mine then. Just until you feel you can face Beth again, because you’re going to have to speak to her at some point.’
Spencer clutched his head in his hands. ‘Not if I can help it.’
Samuel stood, tugging Spencer’s arm. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here.’
Spencer straightened, then huffed a laugh, pointing at the back of the tent. ‘Kindness festival, Sam. Of all places to find out I’m not the father of her child. Bloody kindness.’
Samuel’s phone rang. ‘It’s Lottie. One sec. Hey, Lott, I’m—’
Spencer was busy staring at the sky, wondering who up there hated him to inflict such pain.
‘Beth wants to talk to you,’ Samuel told him.
‘Not interested.’
Samuel got off the phone and grabbed his arm. ‘Let’s just go home.’
Spencer rubbed his chin, drawing in deep breaths of cake-infused air coming from the nearby tent. ‘I can’t believe this is happening,’ he muttered, following Samuel away from half hisstomach contents and quite possibly his soul. ‘Wait. I have to speak to Debra. I—’
Samuel’s phone rang again. He glanced at Spencer as he took the call. ‘It’s Beth. She’s left.’
‘Good. I hope I never see her again.’
‘Lottie wants to speak to you.’
