Chapter 20
Beth
Ryan and Leo were planting flowers in one of the large tubs along Harbour End Road, and Beth was helping Jax tidy up another one. The sun had poked its head out for the morning, bringing some springtime warmth, which helped relax her soul no end.
It was nice doing some gardening with the kids, and it seemed they were enjoying earning another badge. Spencer was pulling a bag of soil from his van, and Beth was trying not to ogle his biceps each time they flexed.
‘Shall we go shop and get some crisps?’ she asked Jax.
He pulled off his green gardening gloves as he nodded.
Beth glanced at him as they headed to the Treasure Chest. ‘Would you like to pay at the counter?’
Jax froze for a second, then moved closer to her side as they approached the door. ‘No,’ he replied quietly.
‘That’s okay. Perhaps another time.’ She opened the door, letting him go first. ‘You pick something for the others, and I’ll do the talking.’
His face relaxed a touch, so Beth headed to the counter to say hello to Alice’s mum, Lizzie.
Beady blue eyes held a glint Beth normally saw in Luna.
‘Your mum not helping you out today?’
Lizzie thumbed behind her. ‘She’s upstairs, crafting.’
As Luna seemed very much the resident witch, Beth wasn’t quite sure which kind of crafting was meant. Not wishing to ask, she simply gestured at Jax, pointing out they were just grabbing some snacks.
‘Mum says little Archie is getting big.’
‘He’s four months now.’
‘Aww, I miss my grandson being that young. Teenager now. It soon goes.’
Beth happened to think raising a child went slowly. It felt as though Archie had been around forever. His first birthday seemed such a long way off.
Jax approached the counter and placed some crisps on top, avoiding eye contact with Lizzie.
The middle-aged woman smiled over at him. ‘Jax, right? I know your dad, Chris.’
Beth watched the boy’s dark eyes slowly roll up to the lady speaking to him.
‘Those all you want?’ asked Lizzie.
Jax looked to Beth.
‘Yes,’ said Beth, then pulled out her purse and paid. She handed the crisps back to Jax and motioned towards the door. ‘Come on. Let’s get back to gardening.’ She waved goodbye to Lizzie, then widened her smile when she noticed Jax give the slightest of waves to the newsagent.
Was that a good sign? She had no idea. Perhaps Jax was okay with waving or smiling at shop staff. She needed to ask Spencer because she was a tad excited at the possibility Jax had made some progress.
Leaning in the back of his van with him, she nudged his elbow, making him laugh.
‘What’s up with you?’
Beth squealed quietly. ‘Jax just went into the sweet shop with me. He didn’t speak to Lizzie, but he did wave to her on our way out. Is that a step? I wasn’t sure.’
Spencer almost banged his head as he straightened quickly. ‘Yes, that’s a step. Normally he doesn’t even make eye contact.’
Beth quietly clapped her hands before flinging her arms around him. It reached a point where their celebratory embrace was going on a bit longer than necessary, so she reluctantly pulled back. ‘It was good to see, Spence. You’re doing wonders with those boys. Getting them out and about has really built their confidence.’
‘Hmm, a little, but Ryan’s mum is still on my back about his progress.’ He shook his head as he closed in on her face. ‘I honestly don’t know how to get him to race again. I don’t think it’s his nerves. I just don’t think he wants to be a swimmer.’
‘Have you asked him?’
‘No. When he’s with me and the boys, he’s happy getting stuck in to whatever task we’ve got going. I don’t want to bring up their problems. This is their respite from all that.’
Beth gently swiped a piece of dirt from his neck. ‘Perhaps the boys will talk if they feel the need. I know they trust you.’
His blue eyes were smiling right at her. ‘Thanks for joining in today.’
‘Truth be told, it helps me too.’ She glanced over at the lads eating their crisps. ‘It’s quite therapeutic.’
Spencer glanced at the clear sky. ‘That’s what I think about springtime.’
Beth giggled. ‘Probably because you’re a florist.’
Samuel approached, pushing Archie in his pram. ‘He’s asleep, so I’ll just pop him out back with Lottie.’
‘Thanks, Sam.’ Beth jogged over to Berry Blooms to open the door for him. She waved to Lottie inside, then headed back to help Spencer.
‘Are you coming camping with us, Miss Horton?’ asked Leo.
‘Oh no. I’ll be home with Archie.’
‘He can come,’ said Ryan.
Leo agreed. ‘He’s a Sunshine Superhero as well.’
It did seem they were part of the team now, but camping was Spencer’s time to bond more with the boys, so she declined.
‘Anyway, you’ll have Will with you, and from what I hear, he’s going to take you rock climbing while you’re there. How exciting is that?’
The children seemed pleased with their upcoming adventure. Spencer even more so. Beth felt she already missed him, which was silly. How on earth would she be when she finally went home if she was lost without him for a couple of nights?
Getting too dependent on him needed to stop. She’d always been the independent type, so this wasn’t good enough at all.
‘Well, good luck to you all, because Spencer snores,’ she added.
The boys started laughing while Spencer playfully frowned.
‘I do not,’ he told them.
Leo pulled his red cape up to his face. ‘We can hide under my shield if it gets too bad. It blocks out noise.’
‘Good to know,’ said Ryan, putting his empty crisp packet into a nearby mesh bin.
Beth went back to the flower tub she was working on, smiling at Spencer and the children talking anti-snoring remedies. It was obvious he was a caring person. He’d certainly stepped up for her.
I need to start pulling my weight around the house. I’m sleeping better, I have more strength, and I feel relaxed. Come on, Horton. Time to pull your sleeves up .
Thinking back to life with her dad, she had done most of the housework, worked or gone to school, and organized her dad’s diary.
Archie was an easy baby. As long as he was fed, had a decent sleep, and a clean nappy, he was happy enough. There wasn’t much getting in her way except her mind, and that was improving, thanks to Jan.
She glanced back at Spencer, who was getting the boys to put their gloves back on. Each time she looked his way she felt blessed, but how did he really feel about her? So many times she wanted to delve into the subject but half of her wasn’t prepared for a rejection, so she daren’t step foot in the subject.
A heavily pregnant woman huffed as she walked past Beth on the pavement, rubbing her back.
‘Are you okay?’ Beth asked, approaching her.
The young woman glanced up, revealing a sheen upon her forehead. ‘Just wish I could blimming relax.’
Beth pointed over the road at a bench. ‘Sit there. Take the weight off.’ She accompanied her to the seat.
‘I’ve got another month yet,’ said the woman. ‘I feel fit to burst now.’
‘I remember how uncomfortable I felt towards the end, especially when trying to sleep.’
‘How many kids you got?’
Beth thumbed in the direction of the flower shop. ‘Just the one. He’s four months.’
‘This is my first. Probably last too, going by this pregnancy.’
‘Oh, has it been bad?’
‘I don’t know. I just feel down a lot.’
Beth smiled. ‘I was the same. I thought it was going to be all about glowing and nesting.’
The woman scoffed. ‘Try constant sickness and backache.’
‘I used to see some pregnant women who looked happy and healthy and wonder what was wrong with me.’
‘I know what you mean. If I’m honest, I get a bit upset when I see couples with their kids. It’s just me, you see. I don’t have anyone rubbing my feet or holding my hand, asking all the right questions in the clinic because my mind has gone blank.’ The woman sighed. ‘Would be nice.’
Beth glanced at Spencer, busy planting. ‘Just being able to relax was all I wanted.’
‘Ooh, I’m visualizing water features, palm trees, comfy chairs.’
The room at the Sunshine Centre sprang to mind. ‘I know a place like that. It’s a respite centre. Here, let me give you the details.’ Beth pulled up the website on her phone and showed the young woman, who happily made a note on her own phone.
‘Thanks. I’ll definitely check that place out.’
Beth gave the woman the details for the parent and baby group as well, letting her know she’d be welcome.
Once the lady had caught her breath and left, Beth went over to tell Spencer about her chat with the woman.
His arm curled around her shoulder as he grinned. ‘Beth Horton, you are officially one of life’s helpers.’
‘I’ve been hanging out with you too long.’
His hold on her tightened a touch, and much to her delight, he kissed her head. ‘Best place to be.’
She laughed, nudging his ribs, then went over to help Jax with the planting. It wasn’t just spring in the air, it was in her step too.