Chapter 9
Spencer
There were so many nappies lining the supermarket shelf, Spencer felt a little overwhelmed. He clutched the shopping trolley, wondering which was the best brand to buy. Things had changed since he was eight, and the corner shop never did have much in the way of choice anyway, so it was easy for him to know what to buy when his mum sent him off with a few quid and plastic carrier bag.
Homing in on the nearest packet, he widened his eyes at the price. ‘What!’
‘Shocking, isn’t it?’ said a female voice.
Spencer turned to the pretty lady around his age. ‘Oh, yes. They cost a fair bit.’
‘And the milk.’
Spencer glanced down at the two large tubs in his trolley and wondered if Archie’s mum was struggling financially. ‘Hmm,’ he muttered.
‘Do you need any help?’ she asked, edging closer.
He politely declined the offer and carried on examining the guides on the nappies until he found ones suitable for Archie.
He checked his phone before seeing what else he could buy. Lottie hadn’t messaged him, so he assumed she was doing okay looking after Archie with Samuel.
He had told them not to come back last night, but they had anyway, and thank the lord they had. Poor Archie was ever so distraught on seeing a stranger trying to feed him, and no matter what Spencer did, it wasn’t soothing enough to comfort the child.
Archie had spent most of the night wailing, only settling when in Lottie’s arms, and Spencer had managed a few hours’ sleep.
There were some colourful toys along the aisle that caught his eye, and he was sure they would catch Archie’s too, so they went in the trolley. He was glad the supermarket catered for most things a baby might need, and within minutes the trolley was full to the brim, with a cream baby bath lying on top.
Spencer looked twice at the checkout till. How could one tiny human cost so much? He blinked hard, paid, then packed the lot away in the back of his van, feeling quite pleased with himself.
It had been a weird night and even stranger morning, but all in all, he felt he was handling the situation well enough. The flower shop was fully staffed for the day, the Sunshine Superheroes in school, and no shift at the Hub. Now all that was left was a proper chat with his sister about the baby, because they hardly had time for anything other than seeing to Archie all night.
All the way home thoughts of fatherhood consumed him, bringing him back to his childhood when he was the main carer for his siblings. He never saw himself having kids. He never saw himself settling with anyone. But Archie was in his life now, and protecting and providing for the baby was at the front of his mind, just as looking after Lottie and Jordy had been all those years ago.
He opened his front door and called up to Samuel to ask for help bringing in the shopping, completely forgetting that Archie might be asleep. Slapping his hand to his mouth, he shook his head as he went back to the van.
Samuel came down quickly, his amber eyes widening at the load. ‘Wow! I thought you were only buying nappies and milk.’
‘I figured he’d need more than that for his stay.’
There was something about the way Samuel looked that caused a tremble in Spencer’s stomach.
‘What?’ he asked, looking towards his street door.
‘Jan’s upstairs.’
Spencer’s blood boiled immediately. He thought Lottie had agreed not to call anyone, but the moment his back was turned she had gone and done that. How could she? He would never do something like that to her.
As though reading his mind, Samuel said, ‘It wasn’t Lottie.’
‘You?’ asked Spencer, glaring.
‘No. She just turned up. Said she needed to speak to you about Archie.’
‘How does she know about him?’
Samuel gestured towards the flat. ‘Why don’t you go find out.’ He grabbed some more bags and headed upstairs.
Spencer took some breaths, inhaling the fresh salty air from the sea. There was something about the scent that always calmed him. It reminded him of his aunt. He glanced in the direction of Berry Hill, looking up at the pastel-coloured harbour houses.
It wasn’t scary the first time Rebecca brought him to her home to live. She’d decorated his room in light blues and white, giving him a safe space to call his own. He didn’t have to lift a finger for Lottie or himself and didn’t know what to do with himself for a good few weeks.
His aunt’s neighbour, George, used to take him down to the harbour to look at the boats, but it was of little interest. Still, the air smelled nice and the view was peaceful.
He knew what his aunt would say about Archie. If Rebecca was around, the baby would have so much fuss made of him, he’d never shed another tear again.
The thought made Spencer even more determined to care for the baby, just as his aunt had for him.
Marching up the stairs, arms full with shopping, Spencer forced a smile towards his friend. ‘Hello, Jan, and what brings you here?’ As if he didn’t know, and Jan’s reaction said exactly that.
Lottie went to speak, but Spencer got in first, playing it cool.
‘Archie all right?’ he asked Lottie.
She smiled as she gestured to the spare bedroom. ‘Sleeping, bless him. I think he finally got fed up with Sam singing.’
Samuel frowned. ‘Hey, he liked my voice. Eventually.’
Ignoring Jan, Spencer started to unpack.
‘Do you want a cuppa, Jan?’ asked Lottie as Samuel edged towards the open plan kitchen.
‘No, ta. I think it’s time I spoke to Spencer.’
Spencer stopped faffing with a pack of yellow bibs. ‘Who told you about the baby?’
‘His mother,’ replied Jan.
He caught his sister’s sympathetic smile before turning all his attention to Jan. ‘Is she all right?’
Jan looked surprised that was the thing he asked. Perhaps she thought he’d be angry. Well, part of him was, but that could wait.
‘She’s okay. Well, she will be.’
‘What happened?’ asked Lottie. She looked at Spencer. ‘Jan wouldn’t tell us until you got back.’
They all stared at Jan, wanting answers.
Jan linked her fingers on her lap. ‘I can only tell you what Beth has allowed me.’
‘Beth?’ questioned Spencer, earning him a disappointed glare from Lottie. Ignoring his sister, he went back to listening to Jan.
Jan continued. ‘The short version is, she had a rough time of it at the end of her pregnancy, and it has affected her mental health.’
Spencer watched Lottie and Samuel look to each other. He wasn’t quite sure what they were thinking. He didn’t know what to think himself.
Jan added, ‘I know leaving Archie on the doorstep suggests otherwise, but I want you to know that Beth is stable. She was having panic attacks but didn’t know what was happening to her. And a problem with her pregnancy left her with trauma. Having a newborn baby while suffering with her mental health has been difficult, but she’s going to be fine now she’s getting the help she needs.’
Spencer clenched his fists. ‘What the hell happened during her pregnancy?’
‘That’s her story to tell,’ replied Jan.
‘Is Archie sick at all, Jan?’ asked Lottie softly, holding Samuel’s hand.
‘No, he’s fine.’
Spencer needed to calm down. He didn’t even know why he was so wound up. Was it because Beth had left the baby on his doorstep? Was it what happened to her during pregnancy, maybe? He was agitated about something but couldn’t quite put his finger on what was annoying him the most.
‘I’m glad you’re helping her, Jan,’ said Samuel, breaking into the silence.
Jan smiled. ‘I’m going to make sure she gets all the help she needs.’
‘And meanwhile?’ asked Lottie, glancing at the bedroom.
Jan turned to Spencer. ‘She’s asked if you would look after Archie for a couple more days.’ She looked at Lottie. ‘She just needs some rest.’
Lottie sighed. ‘We’ve only had him one night and I know how she feels.’
Jan nodded. ‘It’s tiring looking after a baby, isn’t it? And Beth’s not long moved homes. Can you imagine doing all that while feeling so incredibly ill?’ It looked as though Jan was going to say more, but she stood instead, gathering her handbag.
‘Jan?’ asked Lottie. ‘Do social services need to be involved?’
Spencer went to snap, but Jan interrupted him. ‘No. This is a private arrangement between Archie’s parents. He’s not in any danger, but if you would like them to step in, I—’
‘No thanks,’ said Spencer sharply.
Jan headed for the door. ‘How do you feel about meeting Beth in my office in a couple of days to talk, Spence?’
He nodded. ‘Sounds like a plan.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Lottie. ‘It’ll give Beth some breathing room, and Spencer some time to bond with his son.’
Jan smiled her warm smile. ‘I have to say, after seeing him while waiting for you to get back, Spencer, I think he looks a lot like Lottie.’
Spencer had the same thought.
‘He has her hair and eyes,’ said Samuel, resting a hand on Lottie’s shoulder.
Spencer watched them beam at each other.
‘We’ll take good care of him,’ said Lottie quickly, facing Jan.
‘We?’ questioned Spencer.
She blew up at her fringe as though it suddenly offended her, but Spencer could clearly see it was he who had insulted her. ‘Of course, we . I’m not going to leave you to it, am I?’
He admired the love she always threw his way. No one but Lottie, Rebecca, and George cared for him in such a way. Sure, he had a great circle of friends, who he knew would soon be the next ones on his doorstep to help with baby duties, but the love his sister and aunt gave him was the purest of all. And George was the only father figure he’d had. It was a shame he and Rebecca were gone, because they would have made wonderful substitute grandparents for Archie.
Jan eyed the pile of baby goods on the table. ‘Seems like you’re sorted for a while. I’ll leave you to it. Call me if you need me. Meanwhile, try not to stress over this too much. I know it’s a bit sudden, but I believe things will work out well in the end.’
‘Can we have her phone number?’ asked Lottie. ‘We can text her updates about Archie. It might be helpful.’
Jan shook her head. ‘Best leave that idea for now. I’ll let her know how much love he’s surrounded by. That’ll help.’
‘Yes,’ said Lottie. ‘Tell her we’ll do our very best by him.’
Jan said her goodbyes and left.
Spencer followed her down the stairs and waved her off. His friend Sophie was just entering the Hub to do her shift, so he waved to her as well, knowing it wouldn’t be long before the whole of Port Berry knew he had a kid, because he wasn’t about to hide the fact.