Chapter 4
Jamie
It was nice going for a walk with Alice, getting reacquainted with his old neighbourhood, visiting all the places they used to hang out as kids.
‘Let me show you the Hub now.’ Alice led the way along Harbour End Road.
He smiled on the inside at just how hard she was trying to make him feel comfortable.
There was a smiley face sticker stuck to the Hub’s front door, and as soon as he stepped inside, the scent of the lavender potpourri by the window hit his nostrils.
No one was inside the small cosy space, so Alice went to a room out back, leaving Jamie to gaze around at the framed affirmations on the wall.
A small Christmas tree twinkling in the corner by the window caught his eye, before he promptly refocused on the muscular man following Alice out of the back room.
‘Jamie, this is Will Pendleton. He was friends with Mabel.’
Jamie stepped forward to shake Will’s hand.
‘Sorry about your gran,’ said Will. ‘Bit of a character, that one.’
Jamie smiled softly. ‘Yes, she was.’
Will gestured at a green high back chair. ‘I lived at the B&B when I first arrived here, and Mabel took me under her wing, bless her.’
‘Will is Ginny’s partner,’ said Alice, sitting to his side.
Jamie nodded. ‘I remember Ginny. How is she?’
Will almost glowed as he replied. ‘She’s good. At home at the moment with our son, Robert. He’s almost three months now.’
Alice splayed a hand at the Hub. ‘Thought I’d show Jamie what we’ve done here.’
Will smiled at him. ‘You can volunteer if you like.’
Jamie glanced at the street door. ‘Not sure that would be a good idea. It would be nice to do some sort of voluntary work to repay my community for all the damage I caused though.’
‘From what I hear, you’ve served your time,’ Will said. ‘Your gran told me about you. Simply not being that person anymore is good enough, and if you help out here, people will see the new you.’
Jamie was intrigued. ‘I’m surprised my nan spoke of me at all. I wasn’t exactly her favourite topic.’
Will held a sympathetic look. ‘She told me you had a big heart, and she was going to write to you. Make amends. So I guess maybe you were one of her favourite topics.’
No one had written to him but Alice, who was currently gazing his way, looking hopeful. Should he mention that his grandmother hadn’t sent any letters? He had no idea what to make of Will’s information.
‘I told your gran I’d look out for you,’ added Will.
‘I’m no mentor, but what with me being around ten years older than you and ex-navy, I think Mabel thought I’d be a good role model.
’ Will smiled warmly. ‘So, you let me know if you need any help. I can always give you some shifts at Harbour Light Café, or there’s our tea shop, Ginny’s Tearoom.
The baby keeps us busy, so another set of hands at either of our businesses is always welcome. ’
‘Thanks. I’m seeing someone tomorrow about work, but I’ll keep that in mind.’
‘I can take you over to the Sunshine Centre as well, see if it’s somewhere you’d like to join,’ Will said.
Alice turned to face Jamie. ‘It was built not long after you went away. It’s designed for people with disabilities and those needing emotional support or respite. Lottie goes there for art therapy.’
Jamie stopped staring at the light-wood table on hearing Lottie’s name. ‘I need to see Lottie. I owe her an apology.’
Alice offered a sympathetic smile. ‘You don’t have to go around saying sorry to people.’
Jamie stood. ‘I do. She was a friend once, and . . .’ He headed for the door. ‘Do you think she’ll be in her flower shop?’
Alice nodded. ‘Yeah, she should be. Do you want me to come with you?’
‘No, it’s okay, but thanks. Will you wait here for me, though?’
‘Sure.’ Alice turned and smiled at Will. ‘I’ll put the kettle on.’
Jamie went back into the cold and walked a few doors down to Berry Blooms. He inhaled the salty air, then opened the door, looking up as a small antique bronze bell jingled above his head.
Lottie was sat in her electric wheelchair at a small table to the side of the shopfront, making bows from silver ribbon. Her sea-blue eyes and rosy cheeks lost all sparkle when she recognized who had entered. ‘Jamie.’
‘Hello, Lottie. I’m here to apologize,’ he told her softly. ‘The last time I saw you—’
‘Was when you threw a brick through that window.’ She stabbed a finger towards where he stood.
‘I didn’t know you were inside until you came out the door. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt by the glass.’
Lottie pursed her lips. ‘I was working late, and it scared the living daylights out of me.’
Jamie dipped his head but kept eye contact. ‘I’m sorry, Lottie.’
‘I always thought we were friends until you did that.’
‘I was an idiot. Drunk and acting on a dare.’
She flicked back her strawberry-blonde locks. ‘Well, you certainly paid for your stupidity.’
‘I’d like to repay you somehow.’
‘Mabel paid for the repairs at the time.’
No one had told him that. Had his nan gone around fixing all his damage? He wished he could ask her. Apologize to her. But Mabel was gone. All he could do was try to make amends where he could. Let them all see his remorse. His shame.
‘Perhaps there’s some other way I can make it up to you. Sweep the floor, deliver some flowers—’
‘Clean the window you smashed?’ Lottie quirked an eyebrow.
Jamie nodded. ‘Yeah, even that.’ He glanced over at the doorway leading to the back room as a tall dark-haired man appeared.
Lottie immediately followed his gaze, and judging by the glare in the man’s amber eyes, Jamie figured he’d overheard their conversation and was probably Lottie’s partner.
‘Sam, this is Jamie Stark. Mabel’s grandson.’ Lottie turned back to Jamie. ‘This is Samuel Powell, my partner.’
‘I guess you heard us just now,’ said Jamie.
Lottie spoke before Samuel had a chance. ‘Yes, he did, but you’ve said sorry, so we’re going to wipe the slate clean and leave it at that.’ She gave Samuel a knowing look, which he seemed to understand.
‘Thank you,’ said Jamie.
‘I’m not doing it for you,’ she replied. ‘When my brother came in earlier to tell me you were back and living at the B&B, I knew I’d have to give you a second chance for Alice’s sake. If she’s taken you in, then she must really believe in you. And I have full trust in her.’
Jamie glanced behind Samuel. ‘Where’s Spencer? I’d like to apologize to him as well.’
‘He’s out in the van, delivering Christmas wreaths.’
‘I’ll catch up with him later.’ Jamie gave a slight nod, then turned for the door, glancing at the tinsel-adorned window.
‘I really do hope you’ve changed, Jamie,’ Lottie said.
‘I have.’ He closed the door.
A seagull swooped low to a mesh bin a little further along the pavement, gaining Jamie’s attention for a moment.
There weren’t many people about, and cars were few as he crossed the road to stare out to sea.
Some of the things he’d missed most while in prison was the sound of the waves, the scent of the harbour, and the cry of the gulls.
He didn’t have many memories about his mum, but one was of them eating ice cream along the front, smiling, happy.
His grandmother had once told him that his dad only hit the bottle after the death of his beloved.
Jamie had never figured out why his father had to be so cruel to everyone though.
As he got older, he understood his dad being heartbroken, but hating his kids was something Jamie couldn’t get his head around until he had therapy in prison and discovered what pain could do to a person.
He leaned on a wall, staring over at a white yacht in the distance. ‘I was just like you,’ he whispered into the wind.
I hated life .
He glanced over his shoulder at the Happy to Help Hub, knowing Alice was inside.
He realized it was stranger being home than being free. He could have gone anywhere to start over, but knew he had to return. For years he had planned his apologies. To help his community somehow. Not so he could stay, but because Port Berry deserved better.
A bitter breeze blew through his dark hair, taking his breath for a second, but he continued to stare out at the rolling waves, enjoying the sound, the smell.
‘Hey, you okay?’ came Alice’s voice behind him.
He turned to see her shiver. ‘It’s cold, Angel. Go back inside.’
She snuggled into herself instead. ‘I like watching the sea, too.’
He smiled softly, wishing he could place an arm around her, hold her closer to his body warmth. ‘I’m having a weird day.’
Alice breathed out a huff of a laugh. ‘You and me both.’
He turned to face her, then noticed the old lady standing behind them, her midnight-blue eyes boring into his soul.
Alice followed his gaze. ‘Nan?’
Jamie turned fully. ‘Hello, Luna.’
‘You know me, Jamie. You know I see and hear things others don’t. I’m here to tell you Mabel is happy you’re home. She can see your truth and is proud of the man you now are.’
‘Nan!’ Alice snapped. ‘This isn’t the time for one of your psychic readings.’
‘Yes, Alice, it is.’ And with that, Luna marched off, swiping her white hair from her cheeks.
Jamie wasn’t sure if he believed people could talk to the dead, but it would be comforting to think his grandmother could see into his soul and know he had changed. He wished so badly she had contacted him in prison, then he could have told her.
‘Are you okay?’ asked Alice.
‘Alice, did you ever tell my nan you were in contact with me?’
‘I never told anyone.’
He bobbed his head.
‘I’m sorry she didn’t write to you. Perhaps she was going to but didn’t know where to start. You know what they say, the longer you leave something and all that.’
He saw her shiver as a gust of wind blew up. ‘It’s okay. Come on, let’s get back to the B&B.’
‘Yeah, Benny will be home soon.’
Jamie took a calming breath, all thoughts on Alice’s nephew. He knew she’d raised Benny as her own for the past eight years, and even though she’d spoken to the lad about living arrangements, Jamie just hoped Benny really was okay about the setup.