Chapter 35
Spencer
Leo was the first to tell Debra what a hero Spencer was for saving a drowning dog, telling all he should be on the news.
Spencer shook his head as he entered Debra’s office. ‘I’d rather just get changed.’ He had a spare tracksuit in his locker there, in case of emergencies. He never thought one would be him entering the sea.
The boys headed off to the arts and crafts room, leaving Debra glancing over Spencer’s damp clothes.
‘Are you all right?’ she asked quietly, closing her office door. ‘You’ve been through a lot with the boys. How are you coping?’
‘I won’t lie, I’ve had my moments when I thought I might not be cut out for this after all, but we all changed at some point or other, and progress has been made all round.’
‘You’re a good mentor for them.’
Spencer scoffed. ‘I wouldn’t go that far.’
‘I would. I’ve seen the way they look up to you. You’re doing a great job.’
Spencer left the office feeling a lot better, then quickly grabbed his things and got changed, wanting to see how the boys were getting on.
‘Can we make Easter bonnets?’ was the first thing Leo asked.
‘Next week,’ said Spencer.
Bonnie had turned up to collect her son. ‘And there’s the Easter egg hunt, Leo.’
Leo beamed as his mum led him and Jax out to the car park.
Spencer followed with Ryan, knowing someone would be along soon to collect him.
He hesitated by the main door, pondering his next move. Beth was on his mind, and so was Kathleen’s old house. He just wasn’t sure if he should speak to Beth before the test results came back, but on the other hand . . .
‘Ryan. Over here,’ Annette called, then gave a small wave to Spencer from her car.
He returned the gesture as he watched Ryan leave, then went off to pick up his bag of wet clothing and let Debra know the kids were with their parents and he was leaving.
It didn’t take long to get to Beth’s flat, and Spencer had championed himself all the way, going over his lines, making sure he wouldn’t forget anything important. It was quite the blow to find she wasn’t there.
With still so much sitting on his chest, he made his way home to see if he could spot her. Perhaps she was sitting outside the Jolly Pirate, having something to eat. It certainly was a nice day for it.
He parked and checked his flat first, just in case she was there, after all, she still had a key. No sign of her, so he went for a walk, popping his head in the Hub.
‘You looking for Lottie, chick?’ asked Ginny.
‘No. Beth.’
Ginny thumbed down the road. ‘Last I saw, she was heading to my tearoom.’
‘Thanks.’ And with that, he was off, turning his long strides into a slight jog.
Lottie was outside with Samuel, eating chocolate fudge cake with one fork between them.
Spencer ignored his sister feeding her partner. ‘Have either of you seen Beth?’ The way they were gazing into each other’s eyes, he’d be surprised if they’d noticed anyone.
‘She left a little while ago,’ said Lottie. ‘I think she was going to the park on her way home.’
Spencer left them to their shared cake, setting off back to his flat. Just in case he saw her on his way to the park, he wanted to have Archie’s car seat in the van, as there was somewhere he wanted to take them, if she was willing. At least he wanted to be prepared.
There was hardly anyone about on his drive to Anchorage Park, which did make looking out easier, but still no sign of Beth. He pulled up to ring her, hoping she’d answer and let him know where to meet her, but his call went straight to answerphone.
Just as he started to walk across Old Market Square, he saw her leaving the park. ‘Beth,’ he called, raising an arm.
She stopped pushing the pram and looked up.
Spencer sprinted her way. ‘Hey,’ was all he managed, wondering where his big speech had disappeared to.
‘Where you off to?’ Her smile was soft, warm, reaching into his heart.
‘I was looking for you.’
‘Oh?’
‘I want to, well, the thing is . . .’ He gestured over to his van. ‘I’d like to show you something.’
Beth nodded. ‘Okay.’
He walked by her side, then sorted the pram while she strapped Archie into his seat. There was so much he wanted to say, it was getting muddled in his head and not reaching his mouth. He couldn’t blurt it all at once, but something had to be said.
Beth smiled as she put on her seatbelt. ‘Where are we going?’
‘Not far,’ he replied, pulling away. ‘There’s this old cottage, used to belong to a woman called Kathleen. She passed away last year.’ He was rambling, he knew. ‘Anyway, when I saw it was for sale, something made me want to take a look. Here it is.’
Beth was staring out the side window as he pulled up close to the picket fence. ‘Oh, it looks in need of a lick of paint.’
Archie had fallen asleep already, so Spencer left him in the van, as they were only standing by the bumper.
‘I saw us here, Beth. You, me, Archie.’
She glanced his way, her expression unreadable.
Spencer met her eyes. So many feelings hit him at once, he felt quite lost.
‘I’m sorry you’re hurting,’ she said quietly, taking his hand. ‘I wish I could make your pain go away. Please believe me when I tell you I didn’t lie. Archie’s your son. I promise you.’
Spencer took a steady breath, raising their linked hands to his chest. ‘I don’t care about those tests anymore, Beth. I know you didn’t lie to me. I can feel it in my heart and soul. I was the one in the wrong putting us through all that. My insecurities got the better of me, then my brain scrambled, and I stopped listening to my instincts. I love you both so much.’
‘I love you, Spencer.’
With one look, he could see the sincerity deep within her eyes. A strong awareness of their attachment flooded him, overwhelming his senses.
Beth leaned into him, curling her arms around his back. ‘I just want our family,’ she whispered, her voice mingling with the gentle movement of the leaves in a nearby tree.
He dipped his head so his chin rested on her mousey hair, and he closed his eyes for a moment as he held her. They were his family because together they had made it so, not some test or need for company. They had helped each other, grown together, and fallen in love.
Her embrace tightened slightly as she raised her chin to face him.
‘I believe you,’ he said softly, meaning every word. Somehow, some way, he just knew. ‘I promise, I believe you.’
Beth was staring at him, face relaxed, eyes gentle. Her hand curled around the back of his neck, lowering him slowly towards her mouth, and Spencer’s heart cradled hers as their lips met.
Their soft, gentle kiss quickly heated, causing them to stumble into the fence. They laughed as they straightened, then Spencer gestured towards the house.
‘What do you think, Beth? It’s affordable. Just needs some love.’
She snuggled under his arm as she looked up the pathway. ‘Can we peek through the windows?’
‘Sure. I’ve already been inside with the estate agent I saw putting up the sign. It’s definitely a project, but not too much of one.’
‘Let me put Archie in his pram, then we can walk around.’
Spencer helped set up the pram, then opened the small gate in need of new hinges.
Archie stirred but soon settled again as soon as Beth started to push him along.
The front door was pale blue and the framework chipped, but it still held a welcome.
Beth peered through a small square window and cooed. ‘Oh, Spence, do you really think we could live somewhere like this?’
‘Yeah, we can put in an offer if you’re ready now, but if not, we’ll make a home wherever we end up in the future.’ He glanced up from the pram to see her smile.
‘Let’s have a nosey round the back.’
He followed her along a side path in need of a good groom, then scanned the garden while she looked through the pane in the back door to take in the kitchen. All sorts went through his mind. A shed, greenhouse, perhaps a pergola, maybe a parterre. No doubt Lottie would come over with her green fingers and get stuck in. He imagined some raised beds along one fence, filled with herbs or vegetables.
Beth grabbed his arm, making him jump out of his daydream. ‘I want us to put in the offer.’
He grinned. ‘Yeah, you sure? This is the first house we’ve viewed.’
‘It made you stop and take a look and bring me here. It’s where you looked me in the eyes and told me you believed in me. Everything feels right. I know it’s old and in need of repair, just like us, but—’
‘Oi, cheek!’ He tickled her ribs, and Beth squirmed away. ‘We’re not old yet.’
‘No, we’re not, so let’s take this on while we’re fit enough to deal with it all.’
Spencer laughed. ‘Well, I was thinking we’d hire some experts to do most jobs.’
Beth squealed, clapping her hands in front of her chest. ‘Ooh, Spence, I haven’t told you. I have an interview for a new job tomorrow. It’s fewer hours and better pay, and best of all, less stress, as I won’t be working with a lot of children.’
‘That’s great.’ He lightly tapped her chin. ‘Looks like we’re on a new road.’
‘Maybe we were always on the same road, and this is just the part where we get to walk it together.’
‘In that case, this is definitely the best part of the journey.’
Beth nodded. ‘The company makes all the difference, doesn’t it?’
Spencer kissed her head. ‘It certainly does.’
‘Let’s go home and have something to eat. I need to prep for my interview, and can you get the ball rolling on this place?’
‘I can do that.’
Beth hugged him tightly. ‘I missed you.’
‘I’m sorry about—’
‘Hey,’ she said, cupping his face. ‘It was a shock, and it hurt us both. I want us to move past that now, else we’ll always live in that moment. One of the things I learned from Jan was how to let go. Let’s just put our energy into what’s happening now for our future.’
Spencer gave a slight nod. ‘Sounds like a good plan. But, Beth, I want you to know that I’m not interested in the test results. I’m not letting that tell me what I know in my heart. I never should have done it in the first place, and I’m sorry, and—’
‘We’re moving forward, Spence. No more apologies. Let’s focus on our future as a family.’
They shared a kiss before heading back to the van, where he watched Beth glance over her shoulder and smile at the old cottage, and something told him their offer on the place would be accepted.