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Iain pretends to take offence, ‘Ladies, I am not going to stand here and have my manliness insulted. I shall take my leave,’ and he heads off.
Byrony and I laugh as we watch Iain scramble across the car park to catch up with Gerik who has just appeared. We pick up the last of the boxes from the car and head into the community centre ourselves.
The main hall is buzzing with activity. There are beds and linens and makeshift cots set up. I wave at Candace who is over with Bruno filling up the tables with all the supplies that have been brought in. Bryony and Iain are laying out food and refreshments. I see a few people from the apartment block that I recognise, and it breaks my heart. For so many people to be without a home at this time of year, in the dead of winter, seems so unfair. The least I could do was help out.
‘Thanks for coming,’ I say to Gerik and Dalton as they drop off more bags of non-perishable goods.
‘I’ve been meaning to ask you... I wonder if you guys might be able to help. Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how to get everyone into some sort of proper accommodation, rather than having to stay here? I’ve spoken to a few people and they are telling me that the Council keeps saying it has nowhere to put everyone. Surely there’s got to be a better solution than to keep all these people and families in this community centre indefinitely?’
Dalton speaks first. ‘My brother owns quite a few properties in the area. I could have a word with him, see if there’s something we could do?’
‘That would be amazing! Thank you so much.’
‘There’s also a lot of university accommodation not being used at the moment,’ Gerik pipes in. ‘They’re in the process of building new student accommodation and some are completed but they won’t actually have residents until the next academic term. I know a few people. I’ll give them a call now. I’ll get Dom roped in, too. He’s a real smooth talker when he needs to be and that goes down well with the university administrators.’
‘Brilliant! Thank you, Gerik!’ I’m overcome with emotion and reach out to hug them both. But then I feel an even tighter squeeze and realise Jack has joined in on the hugging.
‘Get off!’ Gerik shouts.
Dalton laughs. ‘It’s okay, mate. I’m quite enjoying this.’
‘You would!’ Jack replies.
We separate and Dalton and Gerik head off to make a few phone calls. I turn to Jack and bury my head in his shoulder, trying to hide the emotion that is threatening to spill out of me. ‘Thank you for coming here with me today. It means a lot.’
He squeezes me tightly. ‘There’s nowhere I’d rather be.’
Chapter 47
Leyna
Six Months Later
I’m nervous—so nervousI can hear the blood rushing through my ears. Although I’ve been planning this for months, today is the day the art gallery opens—officially. What if no one shows up? What if it’s a disaster? What if, what if... My mind races.
As I enter the kitchen Jack hands me a coffee. ‘How are you?’ he asks. He’s seen me fluttering about, doing the same tasks over and over. We’ve been living together since I lost my flat and as each day passes, we seem to be that little bit more in sync. I like how we have a quiet understanding between us. He gets how I’m feeling without me having to say it.
