Chapter 12
Beth
The Happy to Help Hub held a warmth about it that Beth had found in Spencer’s flat. She gazed around at the framed affirmations on the wall, reading each one slowly to let the helpful words sink in, appreciating the boost. A waft of sea air blew in as the door opened quickly.
‘Sorry, can’t stop,’ said a young man. ‘Just wanted to pop this up.’
She watched him head to a noticeboard and pin a small card in place before darting off.
The door didn’t close properly behind him, so Beth went over to shut out the draught. She took a moment to stare over the road at the harbour. It certainly was a pretty sight even in the cold light of February.
Spencer was suddenly by her side. ‘Archie’s settled in the back room. He does like his sleep.’
The memory of waking that morning in Spencer’s spare room, covered in more blankets than the baby’s one, caused a slight temperature rise, or perhaps that was the heat in the room making itself known since she had closed the door.
‘What would you like me to do?’ she asked, eyes fixed on the boats.
Spencer went over to a light-wood table and gestured towards a small stack of cardboard boxes. ‘You can put some of these together, then fill them with some food.’ He handed her a printed shopping list. ‘Just bits that you see here. We don’t always have everything, and sometimes people ask for certain things, so be prepared to be flexible.’
Beth glanced at the noticeboard on her way to a green high-back chair. ‘There are a lot of different ads on here.’
Spencer looked up from the table. ‘Yeah, we encourage the locals to advertise here.’
‘Someone’s looking for a home swap. I remember when I was doing mine. Not as complicated as I’d first thought.’ She prodded a finger into a small flyer. ‘There’s a parent and baby group held at the church hall once a week.’
‘You want to check it out?’
Beth moved away from the board. ‘Not sure.’
‘I can come with you if you don’t fancy going on your own. A load of parents and kids can be a bit daunting when you don’t know anyone, I guess.’
Sitting down, she started to assemble a box. ‘I’m used to being around parents and kids. Comes with my job.’ They shared a smile before he headed off to the back room. ‘I’ll think about it,’ she added quietly. She didn’t exactly want to be judged by the other parents no doubt doing a wonderful job, and what if anyone there had heard she’d dumped her baby on a doorstep? They would hate her for sure.
Spencer was taking his time, probably checking on Archie, snuggled in his pram in the corner.
She looked to the storage room, feeling grateful her son’s dad was a good man. It had turned out to be easier than expected talking to him all night. Their conversation had gone well into the small hours, and it was nice to spend the night actually sleeping. Archie had been fed and was having his morning wash by the time she’d surfaced.
The Hub door opened and in walked a woman dressed as though she lived in the 1940s. ‘Morning, chick,’ she greeted cheerfully. ‘I’m Ginny. Beth, right? Thought you might like some cake.’
Beth eyed the slice of lemon drizzle placed before her. ‘Thank you,’ was all she could think to say to the petite woman around her age.
‘I’ve not much time today.’ Ginny thumbed towards the street. ‘I’m getting my tea shop ready to open next month. Just left my partner in there, decorating. I’ll introduce you to Will soon enough.’ She nudged Beth’s shoulder. ‘Come to dinner with us at Robson’s at the weekend. Might as well meet the team.’
‘She means at the pub,’ said Spencer, leaning against the storage room door. ‘The Jolly Pirate. Just on the bend.’
Ginny pointed at the table. ‘I brought Beth some cake.’
His eyebrows lifted. ‘So I see. Lottie been on the phone to you, has she?’
Ginny flashed him an innocent smile. ‘I don’t know what you mean. But if I happened to overhear Sam talking to Lottie on the phone earlier, well, that’s hardly my fault.’ She bobbed her head his way. ‘Is it true? Are you a dad?’
Beth didn’t know what to say. Should she intervene and save him? Did he need saving? He looked happy enough, even had a touch of proudness in his eyes.
‘It’s true.’
Beth gestured at the back room. ‘Would you like to see him?’
Ginny clasped her hands, squealing quietly. ‘Ooh, is he back there?’
‘Come on.’ Spencer waved her closer.
‘Aww, look at his little face. Bless him.’ Ginny rubbed her stomach as she straightened from the pram. ‘I’m in my first trimester,’ she told Beth, smiling. ‘We weren’t going to tell anyone till further along, but Will was fit to burst from excitement, and once you tell one person around here, the whole of Port Berry knows by the next day.’
‘Congratulations,’ said Beth, wishing she held the glow Ginny had about her. All she had was a ghostly complexion. Subconsciously, she touched her cheek. Perhaps some vitamins were needed. She made a mental note to buy some.
‘I’d better get back,’ said Ginny. She gave Spencer a light squeeze around the waist. ‘I’ll see you two later.’
Beth followed her to the door to wave goodbye. ‘Does that mean everyone knows our business now?’ she asked as she turned.
He hunched his shoulders as he plopped into a big blue chair. ‘People will find out soon enough.’
Beth sat next to him. ‘She didn’t say anything horrible to me.’
Spencer laughed. ‘Why would she? Ginny’s not horrible to anyone.’
‘I meant because of what I did with Archie, and you, and—’
‘Hey.’ Spencer’s hand rested over hers. ‘No one will be told about that.’
‘But she said she overheard Sam talking.’
‘It doesn’t matter what she heard. Ginny wouldn’t judge you nor would she spread that news. She’s one of the founders of this place. All Ginny Dean has ever done is help people.’ He motioned at the street. ‘She runs the café next door. Well, she did. She did a shop swap with Will, as she wanted his tea shop, but now they’re partners, I think they’re just sharing everything. They’re good people. Please don’t worry.’ He sat up straighter. ‘Besides, if anyone says anything to me about Archie being left on the doorstep, I’ll tell them he was simply spending the night at his dad’s, and they should mind their own business.’
Beth smiled as she grabbed another box. ‘You’re a nice person, Spencer.’
‘I’m not that nice. I’m thinking of pinching some of your cake.’ He winked, making her laugh.
She offered him the small fork that Ginny had left with the slice. ‘So, how many people run this place?’
Spencer declined the sweet treat, getting up to put the kettle on instead. ‘Me, Lottie, Ginny, Robson, Alice, Sophie, and Sophie’s grandad, Jed. We started it, then invited Sam on board. He’s a rich business dude that has a trust and everything. He owns the Food Bank Café. You might have heard of it. Over in Penzance. He’s opening more around Cornwall. He’s now a partner in this place. Plus we have Will helping out and Sophie’s partner, Matt. He was the first person in need to walk through that door.’
Beth followed his finger to the window. ‘How long have you been open?’
‘Springtime last year. We wanted a place where people could pop in if they needed help with anything, so we got the community involved. Take Matt, for instance. He was able to get free dental treatment and health care. There are loads of small businesses signed up with us. It wasn’t until we visited Sam’s place that we started our own small food bank. Now we have more people come in for food than anything else.’ He pointed at the noticeboard. ‘Although we get a lot of eyes on that as well. Got quite a few people jobs that way. We know what’s available around here before the job centre.’
Beth smiled at the thought of such a small place doing so much. ‘I can see why you were so quick to help me now.’
‘Ah, you’re different. You’re family.’
His casual comment went deeper than he’d ever know. Beth was quite taken aback. It was best to tuck in to the lemon drizzle slice and perhaps change the subject.
She went to say something about the weather when the door to the Hub opened again.
‘Hello,’ said a young woman. ‘I was wondering if you had any free nappies by any chance.’ She glanced back at her pram she was holding outside.
Beth jumped up. ‘Come inside. It’s cold. Here, let me help.’ She held the door open for the woman to roll her pram inside.
‘Ooh, thanks. And there was me thinking it was going to be a bit milder today.’
Spencer handed over the tea he had just made for himself. ‘Fancy a cuppa?’
‘No thanks,’ she replied politely. ‘I’ve got an appointment to get to. But as I was passing, I thought it worth an ask. I know some of the food banks have baby food. Wasn’t sure if this place had any baby bits.’
Spencer shook his head. ‘Sorry, we don’t have anything like that, but I do have some spare nappies in my son’s baby bag. I only have size three.’
‘My boy still fits that size, for now. But I couldn’t take from your own kid. Wouldn’t feel right.’
‘It’s okay,’ said Beth, rushing off to collect four nappies from Archie’s bag. ‘Here, please. We’ve got more at home.’
Home?
She quickly shook off calling Spencer’s flat her home. She hadn’t even moved in yet. All they did that morning was bring a few bits over from hers, and most of that was Archie’s.
‘Thank you so much,’ said the woman. ‘I don’t get my money till tomorrow, so was caught a bit short.’
‘No worries,’ said Spencer. ‘Happy to help.’
Beth opened the door for her, then watched her stroll down the street. She stood there for a while, shivering but unable to look away. What if that was her one day? An arm came around her shoulder, guiding her back into the warmth.
‘Come and finish your cake,’ said Spencer’s gentle voice. ‘I’ve made you tea.’
She sat in the comfy blue chair, staring at the steaming mug. ‘So far I haven’t had that worry,’ she said quietly.
‘And you never will.’ Spencer had turned back to the small worktop, stacking fruit into a colourful glass bowl. His tone was firm but gentle.
Beth picked up the plate. ‘Do you think we could ask for donations for babies, Spence?’
I just called him Spence .
She quickly shovelled some cake into her mouth to hide her blush as gleaming blue eyes peered her way.
‘It’s a good idea. I’ll call a meeting, and we can discuss it. After seeing the price of nappies, I can understand why people struggle to afford them, and the milk! Jeez, that costs some.’ He took his tea and sat opposite her. ‘If you feel up to coming out for dinner with the team, we can have the meeting then. Robson serves some nice grub at his pub.’
‘Do you have all your meetings in there?’
‘Mostly. There’s a big beer garden out front, so we sit out there when the weather’s nice, and we found ourselves sitting outside more and more or going to one of our homes once Matt joined us. But he goes in the pub now, so we’re back to talking there again. More room, you see.’
‘Why didn’t Matt go in the pub?’
‘Oh, he’s a recovering alcoholic. And as he was homeless when he first arrived, he hadn’t tested the whole pub atmosphere for a long while. He’s okay now. He’ll be two years sober this year.’
‘Wow, people really can change their life.’
Spencer smiled. ‘And get better.’
She figured that statement was for her benefit. It did lift her a touch. If this Matt fella could conquer an addiction, surely she could beat her trauma.
‘I knew it was a good idea bringing you in here,’ said Spencer, leaning forward to chink his mug with hers. ‘Here’s to our newest member. You fancy being in charge of the baby bank?’
‘Me?’
‘It was your idea.’
‘But I don’t know how to do what you do.’
Spencer chuckled as he sat back and sipped his tea. ‘You just did exactly what I do here.’
‘I just gave her some nappies.’
‘You showed kindness, Beth. You helped her. That’s all we do at the Hub. Try our best to help.’ He lowered his drink, losing his casualness. ‘But I know you’re supposed to be resting, so I won’t put pressure on you.’
‘Actually, I’ve been having a good day today, and I don’t feel pressured at all. I feel blessed.’
Spencer bobbed his head. ‘Gets you like that.’
‘Do you think I could be one of the helpers? I’m not sure someone with my problems is in a position to help others.’
‘Anyone can show kindness. But you take your time. Ease yourself into the role if you like. I’m not here full-time.’
Beth glanced at the noticeboard. ‘You know, if I went along to the parent and baby group, perhaps I could find out how much a baby bank is needed around here. Maybe some of them could become donators.’
Spencer raised his beverage. ‘I like your style there, Beth.’
And she liked the way he said her name, but that was enough of that. There was a baby bank idea rattling around in her head, and she was sure it wouldn’t disappear any time soon. ‘I want to come to the meeting with your team,’ she said happily.
‘Consider it arranged.’
Archie murmured, and Spencer had her finish her drink while he went to fetch him. He really was showing he’d be a hands-on father, and as she’d never been one to sit around all day twiddling her thumbs, she was glad she had something else to occupy her time.
Spencer came back, a sleepy baby snuggled into his chest. ‘He’s so perfect, isn’t he? Melts my heart each time he looks me in the eye.’
She couldn’t argue with that. ‘I don’t feel I’ve been able to enjoy him, what with being so ill.’
Spencer sat by her side, bringing Archie towards her. ‘Hey, things will change now,’ he said quietly. ‘You’ll see. So, no stressing, okay? And no getting too involved with this place if it’s too much for you to handle.’
Beth lightly stroked Archie’s fine hair. ‘I think it will be good for me, but I’ll speak to Jan first, just to make sure.’ She met the concern in his eyes. ‘I’ll take it in my stride, okay?’
‘You can be a lady of leisure if you want. I’ve got this covered.’
Beth breathed out a small laugh. ‘Sounds lovely, but I’ve always been active. Perhaps it would be best for me to get back to that. Little man here keeps me busy, but mostly tired.’
‘You’ll feel better now you can sleep all night.’
‘And what about you? You’ll need sleep too.’
‘True, but I’ve always been more of a six-hour-a-night, rather than eight, person.’
‘Left to my own devices, I think I’m more nine.’
‘Archie will sleep through the night soon enough, and if you want to be really active, I can always arrange for you to go jogging each morning with Robson.’ He winked, making her laugh.
‘Jan mentioned exercise too. But I don’t think I’m quite ready for that yet.’
‘Don’t blame you.’
‘But the more I think about the baby bank, the more I know I’d like to help arrange that.’
Spencer handed her the baby. ‘You’re a good person, Beth.’ He pulled the blanket around them, then lightly brushed back a strand of Beth’s hair as it fell towards Archie.
Beth warmed at his gentle touch.
‘Sorry,’ he said quickly, pulling away. ‘Your hands were full. I . . . Erm, I’ll make him a bottle.’
She bit her bottom lip, trying hard not to allow the feeling of his soft touch to melt her heart. He was the last man to touch her, and now his hand had found her hair once more.