Chapter 28
Beth
After a long chat with Jan, Beth was feeling quite refreshed as she walked down to Harbour End Road. It was a mild day, with a blue sky and fluffy white clouds. She folded her arms, then dropped them to her sides before shoving her hands in her jacket pockets. She really had no idea what to do with her hands anymore when not pushing Archie’s pram.
Beth said hello to a young couple passing by who she’d once helped serve in the flower shop when she was there talking to Lottie and a wave of customers had entered. It felt nice strolling along and seeing people she knew. The Port Berry community was definitely rubbing off on her. An elderly man waved to her, stopping to let her know he had a box of cereal for the food bank at the Hub.
Helping others had lifted Beth’s spirits, and the peace she had in her life had made such a difference to her anxiety levels. It was good to inhale the fresh air and have it fill her lungs.
She took the box of cereal from the man and carried on with her journey home. Just thinking about heading to Spencer’s brought fizz to her stomach, even though she knew he was at the Sunshine Centre for the morning.
Archie was in Berry Blooms with Lottie and Samuel, and Beth had to wonder if her son would one day work in the shop. She was happy he had so much love surrounding him. She was sure no matter what path he chose in life, he would walk it with a smile.
Beth’s smile grew as she turned the corner to meet the harbour. The seagulls seemed as settled as the small boats bobbing on the dark waves. She decided she’d drop the cereal into the Hub, fetch Archie, then send Spencer a message to let him know they were in Harbour Light Café for lunch, in case he wanted to join them.
A pink bicycle came whizzing past, bell jingling and sparkly tassels flapping, and Beth was sure Jax was the rider.
The boy almost toppled off the bike as he came to an abrupt halt outside Treasure Chest newsagents.
‘Jax?’ she called, seeing it was him.
He turned, face flushed and alarmed.
Beth jogged towards him to see just how out of breath he was. ‘What on earth? Is that your bike? What are you doing?’ She looked around for signs of Chris. ‘Where’s your dad?’
Jax thumbed up the road, clutched his knees, then nodded towards the shop door. ‘I’m going to show her,’ he spluttered.
Beth glanced around the street again. ‘Show who?’
Jax straightened, revealing bloodshot eyes and a runny nose. ‘Ryan’s mum.’
She watched him cuff his nostrils while glaring at the shop. ‘I’m sorry, Jax, but I’m really lost right now.’
‘I’m not,’ he said sharply. ‘I knew all the quickest ways here.’
Beth glanced at the wicker basket on the front of the bicycle. ‘Okay, I need you to explain what’s going on. You’re on your own, right?’
He nodded. ‘Had to come.’
‘To the sweet shop?’
‘Yep. She said Spencer wasn’t making progress with us, but if I show her, she can’t close us down?’
Beth narrowed her eyes. ‘Ryan’s mum?’
Jax took a deep breath as he nodded. ‘I’m doing it, Miss Horton.’ And before she could utter another word, he flung the door open and marched straight to the crisps.
Beth stood in the doorway, suddenly realizing what his quest was, but she still wasn’t entirely sure about its backstory.
Jax didn’t waste time choosing flavours. He simply picked up the nearest bag to him and headed towards Lizzie at the counter.
Beth stretched her head for a better view, then saw him sprint her way.
‘I haven’t got any money,’ he said, looking quite distraught about that fact.
‘Oh, here.’ Beth quickly rummaged in her handbag and pulled a coin from her purse.
There was a look of sheer determination that hit his dark eyes as he thanked her, and Beth held her breath as he marched back to Lizzie to pay for his snack.
‘Just these, please,’ he said softly, and Beth’s heart went out to him.
She heard Lizzie mutter something, then Jax came back and handed her the change, looking mighty pleased with himself, if not a little bewildered as he left.
Jax plopped to the pavement and hugged the green packet to his chest.
Beth glanced down at him. ‘Oh, well, in for a penny,’ she muttered, then sat next to him.
‘I did it, Miss Horton.’
‘Yes, you did. How do you feel?’
He shrugged one shoulder. ‘Not sure. Happy, but worried.’
‘What’s worrying you?’
‘What if I can’t do it again?’
Beth knew what that felt like. She too had many moments where she wondered if her contentment would be short-lived. ‘We have to take our wins when they come. Just now was one, so right now, that’s all we focus on.’
Jax opened the packet of pickled onion crisps and offered it her way.
Beth placed one into her mouth. ‘Thank you.’
He smiled, then started to eat. ‘I don’t think I would have spoken to the shopkeeper if I wasn’t so angry.’
‘Is that what drove you?’
‘Got me all the way here.’
Beth gestured at the bike. ‘On that?’
‘It’s Olivia’s. She’s a girl from the centre, and she left it outside.’ He quickly shook his head as he frowned. ‘I didn’t steal it. Just borrowed it. She won’t mind.’
‘Wait a minute. Did you ride all the way here from the Sunshine Centre?’
‘It’s not that far.’
Beth looked down the road. ‘It’s in Penzance.’
‘It’s only next door. That’s what Dad always says. It did take longer than it normally does, even with the shortcuts.’
‘I bet you’re normally in a car, that’s why.’
Jax nodded and started munching his food again.
‘Does your dad know you’re here?’
‘Nope,’ he said, mouth full. ‘He wouldn’t have let me.’ He shifted on the ground so he was facing her. ‘But I didn’t have a choice. You didn’t hear what Ryan’s mum was saying.’
‘Listen, Jax, whatever Annette said, it was just because she was upset. She has no power to close down respite centres.’
‘But she said it doesn’t work. But see.’ He pointed at the shop. ‘I showed her.’
Beth nodded. ‘You certainly did, but, Jax, you can’t just go off on your own and not tell anyone.’
‘You know.’
‘Only because I saw you.’
Jax shrugged. ‘It’s done now. And anyway, they’re still in the meeting, so they won’t know I’ve gone. I’m going back in a minute to tell them what I did, and I don’t care about badges. This was for the centre, not me.’
‘I’m going to have to call Spencer. Let him know you’re here.’
‘Can’t we tell him when I get back?’
‘You’re not going anywhere, mister. You’re staying right here with me until someone comes to collect you.’
Jax shrugged, tossing a crisp to an onlooking seagull.
Beth whipped out her phone, wondering if Spencer was none the wiser to the boy’s disappearing act. She thought it best to speak rather than text, even if he was still in the meeting.
Spencer sounded flustered. ‘Beth, I can’t talk. Jax has run off, and we’re all out trying to find him. He left the—’
‘He’s here, with me. Spencer, did you hear me?’
‘He’s with you? Where?’
‘We’re outside Lizzie’s. Let Chris know, and we’ll wait here till someone arrives.’
‘Is he all right?’
‘Yes, he’s fine. I’ll speak to you when you get here.’
‘Okay, see you in a minute.’
Beth turned back to Jax. ‘Everyone’s out looking for you.’
There was an apology sitting in the lad’s eyes, but he didn’t say anything.
‘So,’ said Beth, wanting Jax to focus on his achievement, rather than the telling-off he was about to receive from his dad. ‘Do you feel like talking to anyone else today? I still have this box of cereal to drop off in the Hub.’
‘No. Once was enough for today.’
‘That’s okay. I don’t have social anxiety, but I do have a different form, and I know it can be tricky to navigate at times.’
Jax’s big eyes rolled her way. ‘Dad doesn’t think I have that. He did before, and he sent me to see a therapist once, but I wouldn’t speak to her, so it didn’t help.’
‘Why doesn’t he think you have that now?’
‘Because he met Olivia at the centre, and now he thinks I might be like her.’
‘And what is that exactly?’
‘I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She just doesn’t speak at all. She can. She just won’t, but she will sign. Dad told me she stopped talking after she saw her mum die, and that might be why I stopped. But I’m not the same as Olivia. I talk to some people, and I didn’t see my mum die. Olivia’s mum was run over right in front of her.’
‘Trauma does strange things to people. Maybe your mum’s death did affect you more than you realize.’
Jax inhaled deeply. ‘I miss her.’
‘I miss mine too.’
‘Did you stop talking when your mum died?’
‘No, but I did have some trauma when I was pregnant, and that messed with my mind.’
Jax offered her his last crisp, which she declined. ‘Are you okay now?’
‘I’m getting better, just like you. And look at Olivia. She found her own way to deal with the world. I found that having people help me has made me more confident to face up to my problems.’
‘Spencer helped me. I love the Sunshine Centre, that’s why I got so mad. It does help people. Olivia didn’t start sign language till she went there.’
Beth hugged the box of cereal. ‘Sometimes we just need a place that feels like home.’
Jax nodded. ‘The Sunshine Centre is my second home. Dad says that. He says I always smile there.’
‘What about life at home with your dad? How’s that?’
‘Good. Dad’s always been happy. Not when Mum died. He was sad a lot then, but he’s better now. He says I help him.’
‘You helped me too.’
Jax’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’
‘Yeah. All of you Sunshine Superheroes. Letting me come out for a walk in the park with you, and when we planted flowers.’ She gestured to a tub close by. ‘It all helped.’
‘You should start getting badges too, Miss Horton.’
Beth chuckled. ‘You know, I think you’re right. I’ll tell Spencer.’
‘We should make him one too.’
‘Saying what?’
‘Best captain ever.’
‘I think he’d like that. Do you want me to ask Luna to make one? It could be a surprise.’
Jax sat up, crossing his legs. ‘Yeah, let’s give it to him at the festival.’ His shoulders slumped. ‘That’s if Ryan’s mum hasn’t closed that down as well.’
‘She hasn’t. Debra has been working with Councillor Seabridge to make sure the day runs smoothly.’
‘I hope Ryan’s told his mum the truth.’
‘What truth?’
‘That he doesn’t want to swim.’
Beth bobbed her head. ‘He must really hate the water.’
‘No. Just having to race. But he did tell Leo and me that he wasn’t going in the water ever again.’ Jax frowned. ‘Is that Ryan’s trauma?’
‘Could be. Perhaps one day he’ll swim for fun again.’
Spencer’s van pulled up, and Beth and Jax stood immediately. Spencer jumped out and pointed at the bike. ‘Jax, seriously!’
Beth quickly explained, leaving Spencer quite dumbfounded. ‘So you see, he just wanted to prove to Annette that the centre does help people.’
‘I would have come with you,’ Spencer told Jax.
‘I wasn’t thinking. I just went.’
‘At least you’re safe. Jeez, Jax, you scared everyone.’
Jax dipped his head. ‘I know that now, and I’m sorry.’
‘Never mind,’ said Spencer, but Beth could see he clearly did mind. ‘You just promise not to run off again.’
‘But Ryan’s mum—’
‘It’s sorted,’ said Spencer. ‘The centre isn’t closing, and Ryan told his mum he doesn’t want to race.’
‘About time,’ Jax huffed, placing his empty crisp packet in the mesh bin.
‘Oh, and about that,’ said Spencer, gesturing at the dustbin. He raised his palm, asking the boy to give him a high five, which Jax happily did. ‘Well done, mate. You must feel so proud of yourself. I’m definitely proud of you.’
Jax shrugged, but his grin was on show. ‘It’s just a step forward,’ he said simply.
‘It certainly is,’ said Beth, nudging his arm.
Jax rolled back his shoulders and raised his chin. ‘It’s just what we Sunshine Superheroes do. Take one step at a time. Right, Miss Horton.’
Beth smiled at Spencer. ‘That’s right.’
Spencer quirked an eyebrow at her. ‘Oh, so you’re one of us now, are you?’ He glanced at the box she hugged. ‘You and your cereal?’
‘Yes,’ said Jax. ‘And Miss Horton needs her own badge.’
Spencer breathed out a quiet laugh. ‘Is that right? And what for exactly?’
Jax grinned at Beth. ‘Finding lost children.’
Beth pointed at the bike. ‘I didn’t find you, you just rode out in front of me.’
Spencer picked up the pink bicycle and placed it in the back of his van. ‘You owe Olivia an apology for stealing her bike.’
‘I borrowed it,’ said Jax. ‘Ooh, I can buy her a bar of chocolate.’ He patted his pockets, then frowned as though remembering he had no money.
Beth handed him the change she had shoved into her pocket. ‘You ready for round two now?’
Jax glanced at the shop door. ‘Least I can do.’ He took a breath, then headed inside, with Beth and Spencer watching from the doorway.
‘Hello again, young Jax,’ said Lizzie. ‘Choccy this time, eh? Good choice.’
‘It’s for my friend Olivia.’
Spencer gripped Beth’s arm, making her grin. ‘How marvellous is that?’
‘It’s a joy to witness.’
Jax came back, chocolate aloft. ‘I’m ready to face Olivia.’
A car pulled up by the van, and Chris jumped out to curl Jax into his arms. Beth could hear him mumbling something and could see Chris looked more relieved than anything else.
Spencer’s arm came around her shoulder, and she didn’t mind snuggling into his side one bit. Jax had made a giant leap, even if it was done out of anger.
‘We’re going to head off to meet Bonnie and Leo,’ said Chris, leading Jax to his car.
Spencer raised a hand. ‘Sure. I’ll get the bike back. There’s more room in my van than your car.’
Jax turned to his dad. ‘I have to give this to Olivia first.’ He showed the chocolate, then proceeded to tell his dad how he spoke to the shopkeeper all by himself.
Beth was sure she spotted a tear in the man’s eye, but he rolled it back, kissed his son’s head, told him he was proud, then buckled him into the car. They waved goodbye, and she felt Spencer’s body relax.
‘I better get this bike back.’
‘Hey, you okay?’
‘It’s just been one hell of a morning.’
‘How bad was the meeting?’
Spencer shook his head. ‘I almost called Annette a selfish cow.’
Beth gasped. ‘No.’
‘I don’t know what happened, Beth. One minute I’m talking to Annette, the next I’m shouting at my mother in my head. I swear, just for a second I saw her face.’
‘Oh, Spence.’
‘It wasn’t until I was driving here that it dawned on me just how much I want to shout at my mum. There are so many things I want to say to her, and yet, if she were still alive, I know I wouldn’t say a word. I sure as hell don’t want to talk to my dad.’
Beth pulled him closer to her body, hugging him tightly.
‘Why is this crap surfacing now?’ he mumbled into her hair.
‘Probably because you’re a parent now.’
Their heads shifted and noses brushed. A beat passed, then Spencer pulled back and gazed out to sea.
‘I’m just going to pop in and see little man before I take the bike back.’
‘Are you okay, Spence?’
He smiled as he stroked down her arm. ‘Just one look at you and Archie, and everything is right in the world.’ He winked, then turned to Berry Blooms, leaving Beth with goosebumps and a smile.