Chapter 34
Beth
Having left Archie with Lottie and Sam for a couple of hours, Beth went to the Hub to get on with the shift she had promised to do. Just because her head was a mess didn’t mean she would leave Alice to volunteer alone. Good thing she went, because Alice looked tired.
‘Why don’t you sit for a bit, Alice, and I’ll finish sorting the noticeboard.’
Alice pulled down some flyers, rearranging them so everything on the board could be seen. ‘I’m better standing today.’
Knowing Alice had fibromyalgia, Beth wondered how she was really coping. ‘Are you in a lot of pain?’
‘Not too bad. I had a rough night thanks to neck pain, but I’ve got what I call the finger bruise at the moment, so sitting isn’t that comfy.’
Beth approached to glance at her hand up by the board. ‘What’s wrong with your fingers?’
Alice chuckled. ‘Not them. It’s just one of my symptoms. Basically, I have these small tender spots, about the size of your fingertip, either side of my spine, just by my bra line, and when I lean back in a chair, it feels like I’m pressing on a really painful bruise.’
‘Ooh, that doesn’t sound good.’
‘Doesn’t feel that great either.’
‘Is there anything I can do to help?’
‘A cuppa would go down well.’
Beth headed to the kettle, thinking more along the lines of rubbing some pain relief cream into her friend’s back. ‘How long has it been hurting?’
‘All morning, but hopefully it’ll go away soon. These don’t seem to last long with me. Couldn’t tell you about anyone else, but they come and go on me in the same day.’ Alice shook her head as she stepped back to admire her work. ‘Funny old condition I’ve got. Still, I’m better off than some, so mustn’t grumble.’
‘Oh, you grumble away if you want. Nothing wrong with that.’ Beth placed some choccy biscuits on the table.
Alice smiled. ‘I have my moments; don’t you worry about that. But all in all, I just get on with it. Part of my life now.’ She turned to the door as it opened. ‘Ooh, hello, Roxy. Your mum said you’d pop in. One sec, I’ll just grab her food package.’
The tall blonde woman, chewing gum, came over to snatch a biscuit. Beth watched as she removed the gum, wrapped it around her finger, then stuffed the biscuit into her mouth. ‘Mmm, I haven’t had any brekkie today.’
Beth offered a plate of pastries. ‘You can have one of these if you like.’
‘Ooh, ta,’ said Roxy, picking one out.
Alice came back with a box of food.
‘Is it right that you have some baby clothes?’ asked Roxy, taking the box, chewing gum hitting its side.
‘Yes,’ replied Beth.
‘My mate Lola told me. She heard about it from the parent and baby group at the church hall.’
Beth smiled. ‘I’m friends with Lola.’
Roxy lifted the box to show her flat stomach. ‘Might need some help myself soon.’ She shrugged as best she could while juggling the box and a croissant.
‘Well, we’ll be here,’ said Beth, helping her with the door. At least she hoped she would still be around helping the Hub with the baby bank and anything it needed.
‘You all right, Beth? You’ve got a faraway look in your eye.’
Beth turned from the view of the sea. ‘I was just thinking about Spencer.’
Alice held a sympathetic smile. ‘Everything okay?’
‘We fell out.’
‘Oh, sorry to hear that.’
Beth went back to making the tea. ‘It was a misunderstanding. I’m hoping we’ll sort things in the next few days.’ If those paternity tests do their job properly .
Alice pulled out a cloth to give the windows a wipe. ‘I’m glad I’m single.’
It was a sharp reminder for Beth that she was too now. She placed the tea on the table, then picked up another cloth to help clean the door.
‘Have you ever been in love, Alice?’
‘Only once. Long time ago now.’
‘Haven’t you been with anyone in a while?’
‘There was this one man, but he was horrible, fooled me at first.’ She inhaled loudly, making Beth turn. ‘Glad that’s over.’ She flapped her green cloth at the pane. ‘Some right nasty people out there. Whatever happened with you and Spencer, just know his heart isn’t bad. He just keeps it under lock and key.’
Beth could understand why, if her own heartache was anything to go by. She went to speak, but someone was at the door, waggling a carrier bag. She quickly opened it to say hello.
‘Just dropping off some long-life milk,’ said the man, handing her the bag.
‘Thank you so much.’ She waved, then headed straight to the storage room to unpack the bag.
‘Alice, that labouring job still on the board?’ said a deep voice, causing Beth to poke her nose around the door frame to see who had entered.
Alice pulled down a card, passing it to a young man. ‘Here you go. Best of luck.’
The door closed and Beth came out to take a sip of tea. ‘Come and sit for a bit. You can turn the chair around so you’re not leaning on the back.’
Alice did, reaching for a biscuit. ‘I’m looking forward to lunch already. Said I’d eat with Nan later.’
‘Can your nan really see into the future?’
‘Well, she’s hardly ever wrong.’
Beth wondered what her own future held. Just for a moment back at Spencer’s, she was starting to see a clear picture, but now it was just haze. ‘Has she told you what’s in yours?’
Alice’s laugh was muffled around the rim of her cup. ‘She won’t say much about me. Told me the fella I went with was a rotten egg, but I had to find that out for myself the hard way, as you do. ’Part from that, she can be tight-lipped when it comes to her own.’
‘Do you have any plans?’
‘I’m looking into opening my own B & B. A home and business for Benny and me. I often help out up the road at the Seaview, and the lady who owns the place, Mabel, has taught me all I need to know.’
‘Oh, that was nice of her.’
Alice smiled warmly. ‘Yeah, well, she’s like family to me.’
‘It’s nice how close you all are around here.’
Alice nudged her elbow. ‘Ah, it’s all about choosing the right circle for yourself. Makes all the difference.’
‘I’ve never really been much of a circle person. I guess mine is small.’
‘Got us lot now, don’t forget.’
Beth appreciated the kindness she had found in Port Berry, and Alice was right, having such a positive circle had made such a difference in many ways.
‘What are your plans, Beth?’
Sorting her flat, she figured. Going back to work after maternity leave was over. Looking for a new job. One that gave her more time with her son. Now it was put to her, she felt perhaps she should plan ahead, but with Spencer not talking to her, not much mattered.
‘Ah, like that, is it?’ added Alice, as Beth still hadn’t answered.
Beth shrugged. ‘I’ve never been much of a dreamer. I guess my future will be similar to my past, with Archie added into the mix.’
‘It’s not about dreaming. Change happens all by itself as life moves forward, but we can control some parts. Look at me, I live with my mum, nan, and nephew above a newsagents. It’s a bit of a squash, so I plan to move out, and having a home that’s a business kills two birds with one stone. Ooh, that’s kind of a horrible saying.’ Alice frowned. ‘Anyway, my point is, planning isn’t dreaming. It’s figuring out how to get from A to B.’
‘I guess I just need to really figure out what my B is.’
Alice grinned. ‘I’ll hit you with the interview question.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Beth Horton. Where do you see yourself five years from now?’ Alice said in a sharp high-pitched tone.
Beth smiled. ‘Okay. Let’s see. I would like to be in a new job, own my own home, and live happily ever after with Spencer.’
‘Ta-da! Now you know your path.’
Beth chuckled as Alice got up to open the door for an elderly man. Her friend made it all sound so simple, but could she really pour her energy into building the life she wanted, or should she just settle for the one she had?
I’ve had some changes. Archie, living with Spencer, the parent and baby group, and this place .
Beth glanced over at the framed affirmations on the wall. She’d come a long way in a short time, and her confidence had turned a corner. She felt different to who she was before she got pregnant. Stronger somehow, but also gentler on herself.
Alice was leading the gentleman over to the soft, green, high-back chair, offering him a cuppa.
Beth knew some people only came into the Hub for some company. She scanned the old man’s worn features while he nattered away to Alice, wondering what his life had been like. She left them to it, going into the storage room to unpack some baby clothes.
The generosity of the local residents had been incredible, and Beth was so glad she was helping others.
Talking about the future had inspired her somewhat. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to her old work colleague, asking for information about jobs at the private school where she worked. After everything her friend had said about how she was getting better pay and working fewer hours, she was interested in working there herself.
Beth’s phone rang almost immediately.
‘Oh, hello, Joy. I wasn’t expecting you to call so fast.’ She heard her friend laugh.
‘It’s so weird. I was just talking about you with my boss. An opening is coming up, and I put your name forward, as I knew you were interested.’
‘Oh, yes, very much.’
‘The job doesn’t start until after your maternity leave, so the timing is perfect for you, and she told me you can send your CV directly to her. I’ll text you her email address. I’d do it straight away if I were you.’
‘Thanks, Joy. That is perfect, as Archie will be in day care by then. I’ll send my details right now.’
‘Go on then. Let me know how you get on.’
Beth hung up the call and quickly pulled up her CV to double-check all was in order, even though she knew it was. She had easy access to it on her phone, so all she had to do was attach it to the email and press send.
Here’s to my future .
She sent the email and relaxed. It was out of her hands now.
‘Hiya, chick,’ said Ginny, entering the storage room. ‘What are you grinning about?’
‘I’ve just applied for a new school job.’
‘Ooh, do you want me to help you practise interview questions? I think there’s one where they ask you what biscuit you’d be.’
Beth giggled. ‘A crumbly one.’
Ginny sat on the small stool in the corner. ‘Nah, you’re more a chocolate finger. They’re pretty tough when dunked.’
She definitely felt like she’d been dunked a few times. ‘Well, at least I know what to say if I do get asked.’
Ginny grinned. ‘I fancy a bickie now.’ She called out to Will to put the kettle on.
‘Will’s here too?’
‘It’s our shift, chick.’
Beth glanced at her phone. ‘Blimming heck, is that the time? I’d better go pick up Archie.’
‘Come and have dinner with us tomorrow night, if you’re not busy.’
‘That’ll be nice, thanks.’ Beth gave Ginny a warm hug, then went out to the front to say goodbye to Alice.
‘Hello, Beth. I just saw Sam and Lottie with Archie, at the tea shop,’ said Will.
‘Thanks. Now I have an excuse to buy cake.’
‘I’ll walk with you,’ said Alice, opening the door. ‘I’m going that way.’
Beth smiled to herself at her surroundings. The sky was blue, the salty air refreshing, and her new friends made her feel part of something wonderful. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she quickly grabbed it, thinking it was Lottie letting her know where they were. ‘Oh!’
Alice clutched her arm. ‘What is it, Beth?’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so dramatic. I was surprised, that’s all. Look.’ Beth showed her the screen. ‘I’ve been offered an interview. Tomorrow.’
‘That’s great. Well done, lovely.’
‘Ooh, I feel a bit flustered now.’
Alice gave her arm a gentle squeeze. ‘You’ll be fine. You already know what biscuit you are.’
The two women burst out laughing as they turned the corner of Harbour End Road. Oh, it was good to feel alive.