Chapter 25
Spencer
Ginny’s Tearoom was officially open and half of Port Berry were in and out all day for the grand opening. Alice stood on the pavement outside with Will handing out mini cupcake samples to anyone passing by, Matt was cleaning tables with Sophie, and Robson had joined in with Ginny’s staff serving hot beverages.
Spencer sat by one of the windows, Beth and Archie to his side. He smoothed over the boat print tablecloth, scooping some blueberry muffin crumbs into his palm. He hadn’t had much appetite all morning, but the sweet treat was hard to resist, plus Beth seemed keen for him to eat something.
Beth bobbed a pale-blue balloon attached to the table, pulling it down so Archie could see. She was laughing at his little mouth opening every time it came close. ‘I’m sure he thinks everything is food.’
Spencer rested back against the exposed brick wall and gazed out at the sea across the road from the tea shop. The pier looked empty, and the waves calm enough. All the seagulls had got wind of the cakes on offer, one of them diving in on Alice and the tray in her hands. He had to laugh as she squealed while Will waved the bird away. He gazed back at the tablecloth.
‘Why don’t we get your face painted?’ suggested Beth, and when Spencer looked up, he realized she was talking to him.
‘That’s for the kids.’
‘Nonsense. Matt has sparkles across his nose, and I saw a star on Will’s forehead. I’m not sure about Ginny’s rosy cheeks, as they look real.’ She laughed, gazing around the light and airy tearoom. ‘But look, Sophie’s having her face painted now.’
He wasn’t quite sure why Sophie wanted a zebra face, but he knew he didn’t want one. ‘Get yourself a rainbow or something.’ He gestured at a boy who had one on each cheek.
‘Ooh, no. What if I get a rash?’
Spencer frowned. ‘What if I get a rash?’
Beth giggled. ‘We’ll cover it up with more face paint.’ She stood, taking Archie with her. ‘I’m just going to show him the seagulls.’
‘Mind they don’t take off with him. They’re on form today.’ He followed her to the opened door.
Bonnie approached with Leo. ‘Oh, this place looks so quaint,’ she said, staring up at the pretty cursive sign.
Leo was busy perusing what was on offer on Will’s tray. ‘How many am I allowed?’
Will chuckled. ‘Are you trying to earn a cupcake eating badge now, lad?’
Leo’s eyes widened at Spencer.
‘Nope,’ said Spencer. ‘You’ll be sick.’
Leo grinned at his mum. ‘Okay, no badge for that. I’ll just have one.’ He picked up two. ‘Maybe more.’
Bonnie spotted the lady painting Sophie’s face at the other end of the shop. ‘Look, Leo, let’s go get our sparkle on.’
With a mouthful of vanilla frosting, he agreed, nudging Spencer in the same direction.
Normally, Spencer would be one of the first in line to have some fun, but he just couldn’t shake off the gloominess he’d been feeling since Ryan hurt his arm. He told Leo to go ahead without him, then turned back to the window to see if Ryan and his mum had turned up. The odds were slim, but he had hoped they would take up the invitation. At least then he could have another chance to talk to Annette before their meeting.
Jax was outside with his dad, but no sign of Ryan. He waved at Spencer, then moved to a table to watch a man make balloon animals.
Ginny lightly placed a hand on Spencer’s back. ‘You okay, chick?’
He forced a smile as he nodded. ‘Yeah, fine. Good turnout, Gin. Lovely what you’ve done with the place.’
She smiled up at the dark wooden beams crossing the white ceiling. ‘I’ve been visualizing this business for a good while now. It’s a good feeling when you see it all come together.’ She laughed, motioning towards Will, surrounded by a group of kids. ‘He used to get more excited over my mood boards than I did.’
‘You had mood boards?’
‘It helps. Haven’t you got one for anything?’
‘I don’t think I put that much detail into things.’
Ginny leaned into his arm. ‘I’ve always been a dreamer. When you spend so much time doing it, you just picture everything in so much detail.’
Spencer placed an arm around her shoulder as they both stared outside. ‘Did you dream up Willard Pendleton?’
Will walked towards them with an empty tray. He was grinning from ear to ear, and Spencer noticed the smile in Ginny’s hazel eyes.
‘I think I did,’ she told Spencer, before following her partner to the counter for more cupcake samples.
Jax approached, holding a balloon dog aloft. ‘What are we doing for our next badge? Leo said something about cupcakes.’
‘I don’t know yet. I’m not sure what’s happening with the Sunshine Superheroes until next week.’
Jax tapped the leg of a nearby table with his foot. ‘You mean once Ryan’s mum has spoken at our progress meeting.’ He looked to his dad, who was talking to Bonnie, waiting in line at the face-painting table.
Spencer poked the nose of the balloon dog. ‘Hey, don’t you worry about anything. Debra’s been running that centre for years. She’ll sort everything. All you have to do is enjoy your day. Now, how about getting your face painted? I’m thinking lion.’
Jax wrinkled his nose, then went over to Leo, who was ordering a milkshake.
Beth came back, still holding Archie, and proceeded to tell him that Jed was out front, dressed as a pirate. She was laughing while encouraging him to take a look.
It was no surprise to Spencer to see their friends helping to make Ginny’s day special. Jed already had a group of people around him, listening to his tall tales of treasure maps and ferocious storms.
Lottie came whizzing along the pavement, dressed as a mermaid, telling everyone she passed that the pirates had saved her, and to celebrate they should all drink tea and eat cake.
Samuel was close behind, looking like he’d just stepped off a pirate ship. His hat was held high, then dipped low to rest upon Archie’s head, hiding him immediately.
Beth laughed, removing the headwear so the baby could stare at the birds once more.
Spencer went back inside to order a couple of orange juices. One of the framed harbour paintings on the wall was lopsided, so he straightened that while he waited, then forced himself to hum along to the music playing to see if that would lift his mood.
Beth was sitting inside by the time he got their drinks. A piece of pastel floral bunting was draped over her chair, having become detached from the window. ‘I was just going to put Archie in the pram and pin this back up.’
‘I’ll do it.’ He stood on the chair to her side and fixed the garland back in place. ‘I just sorted a picture that had been knocked.’ He sat down and sipped his drink.
‘It is so busy, which is great for Ginny. I’m so pleased for her. She’s beyond happy.’
Spencer was pleased to see Beth so happy. ‘Here, let me hold him for a bit. Your arms must be aching by now.’
Beth chuckled. ‘He doesn’t want to be in the pram.’
‘Maybe he needs one where he can sit up and see the world. He loves looking around.’
‘His pram came with one of those seats. I’m not sure what age babies are when they move into that type.’
Spencer whipped out his phone as he placed Archie to his chest so the baby could see over his shoulder. ‘Let’s have a look.’
Beth drank some juice. ‘It would be nice for him to have a view when we go on walks.’
‘Here we go. Says here babies should stay in the carrycot prams until they’re around five to six months or can sit up unaided.’ He put the phone on the table and patted Archie’s padded bum. ‘That counts you out, matey.’
‘It won’t be long. And those pushchair seat units are quite padded, so we’ll see how he goes next month.’
Spencer glanced out the window. ‘It’ll be nice for him come summer.’
‘The parent and baby group go on daytrips in the summer.’
‘Do you think you’ll join them?’
‘Definitely, I’m looking forward to it. You can come too. We only have one dad who attends. He might be along later. I did invite them all, but I haven’t spotted anyone from the group yet.’
‘So, who is this dad?’
‘Edward. He’s really nice. A single parent. Not too sure of his story, but I think he’s rich. He’s always splashing out on his son. Can’t say I’ve ever seen little Lester in the same outfit twice.’ Beth glanced at the door as a man entered. ‘I’ll introduce you if he shows up. He’s so friendly. He’s asked us to come to his for a playdate.’
Spencer quirked an eyebrow.
I bet he did .
‘That’s nice of him.’
Beth nodded. ‘I told him I haven’t got time at the moment, what with the festival coming up and me trying to get the baby bank sorted. Ooh, that reminds me. Will you come to club with me next time? Everyone has agreed to donate something, and Edward has loads of new bits and pieces. I could do with a hand.’
Spencer unclenched his jaw before agreeing. ‘It’ll be nice to finally meet them.’
‘It’s been really good for me going there. Makes me feel normal.’
‘You are normal.’
Beth shrugged. ‘I used to think all the other parents had their lives sorted, and I was the only one doing a lousy job, but since talking with the group, I can see that’s not the case. We’re all in the same boat, tired and trying the best we can.’
He settled Archie across his chest and smiled down at the wide eyes peering his way. ‘You’re doing just fine, Beth.’
She reached over to stroke Archie’s fine hair. ‘Well, at least I haven’t had backache in a while.’
Spencer laughed. ‘That’s because I’m the one who carries the pram up and down the stairs.’
Beth grinned. ‘True.’ She settled back, sipping her drink. ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little house. Perhaps a garden. I would say it’s something I could work towards, but I haven’t even made a start on decorating my flat yet.’
‘Let me know when you want to, and I can help.’ He met her eyes and quickly added, ‘Not that there’s any rush. You know you’re welcome to stay at mine for as long as you want.’
‘I think Archie will spend a lot of time at yours when I go back to work. Mostly after his time at day care, as my hours are long.’
‘I thought teachers finished early.’
Beth scoffed. ‘No. Everyone thinks that, but we work after school ends, and you wait till you see how much I have to bring home with me. There’s not enough hours in the week for my job. I work during the holidays too. Being a primary school teacher is pretty full on.’
‘Oh, well, in that case, I’m sure we’ll figure out a routine that suits us all. Do you find your job stressful?’
‘Sometimes, that’s why I was thinking of shifting my career slightly. My friend went to work in a different sector and she has a lighter load now. I guess it just depends on what you take on. I planned to take a step back before I fell pregnant. Now I’m thinking it’s probably for the best. Might just take some time to sort a new role.’
‘At least you have time to think during your maternity leave.’
Beth smiled. ‘And having your help gives me breathing room, Spencer. I want you to know that.’
Spencer got up to place Archie in the pram. ‘I’m glad you feel better, Beth. I’ll always do what I can to help.’ He stole a glance her way to catch her smile.
Maybe Ginny was on to something with that dreaming malarkey, because he could see himself with Beth and Archie together in a house with a garden, living happily ever after. It was a nice visualization, except for the part where some bloke called Edward was suddenly sitting on his porch swing, having a playdate with Beth.
He silently chastised himself for feeling a tad jealous, then slightly deflated at the thought of Beth having a life away from him, as he was feeling more and more attached to her each day, which went against everything he believed for himself. Could he really have a relationship? He’d never been in one before.
Beth met his gaze for a moment and smiled.
He’d never met anyone who made him want to settle down before. Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself. It was for the best if he stayed focused on helping Beth and looking after Archie.