Someone switched on Christmas songs, then once everyone started singing along, Alice forgot all about her own wedding day and focused on Sophie and Matt’s instead. After all, it had been a marriage she wanted more than a wedding, and now she had one. So as far as she was concerned, she had nothing to grumble about.
Chapter 34
Jamie
It was the night before the wedding, and Jamie was in the Jolly Pirate with the other men while the women were up at Lottie’s having a pampering party.
The bar and restaurant were busier than usual, with a work Christmas party taking place along with Matt’s non-alcoholic get-together, that he wasn’t calling a stag do.
Robson had set them up in a corner by the opened double doors. The heat inside was a bit much for everyone, and a lot of customers had spilled out onto the front beer garden, where the air was crisp but mild for the time of year.
‘Sometimes I can’t believe how my life turned out,’ said Matt, going into the beer garden with Jamie.
Jamie smiled. ‘I know the feeling.’
They sat beneath the large grill area. Robson had started to cook some burgers because he was getting requests for barbeque food.
Matt glanced up at the high ceiling, then brick pillars. ‘When I first came to Port Berry, I wouldn’t even go inside this pub, worried in case it affected my recovery.’
‘Addiction is tough, eh, mate?’
Matt nodded. ‘Yeah, but what a difference it makes when you have support. And these people around here, the Hub, and my Sophie, have been the best ever.’
Jamie’s thoughts were with Alice. ‘It does help.’
‘I never knew I’d end up living by the coast. I like it much better than London. Did you ever think about moving away?’
‘No. I was never one for plans until I was in prison, then all I did was dream and set goals.’
Matt nodded. ‘When I decided to get clean from the booze, I set the goal of just walking. Not much of a goal, I know, but it just happened to me. I started walking away from all I knew, and I kept going.’ He splayed a hand. ‘Then I found this place. I just wish someone could have told me years back that this was my destiny. Wouldn’t it be good to have at least some idea?’
The locals often went to the Dipple family whenever they wanted a sneak preview into what life might hold for them, but Jamie had grown up with little expectations for a future. Still, it would have been nice if someone had told him to stick with Alice at all times.
‘It is what it is, Matt. Who knows, maybe we’re supposed to go on these messed-up journeys. Learn lessons, find ourselves, that sort of thing. I look around sometimes and all I see are people living happy lives, and I wonder why I didn’t have such an adventure. It can feel a little unfair, but that’s comparison for you, eh?’
‘Thief of joy, they say.’
Jamie blew out a small laugh. ‘It definitely can be.’
Matt smiled. ‘I think you and me have epic stories.’
‘Epic?’
‘Yeah. We both struggled as kids, we took all the wrong turns growing up, did a stint in prison, overcame trauma, made the decision to change, made peace with ourselves, and how lucky are we that we got to fall in love and be with such kind and loving women?’
Jamie inhaled the waft of barbeque food blowing his way in the light breeze. He smiled to himself at how different his life now was, thanks to the changes he’d made.
‘Blessings, eh?’ added Matt, getting up to get a burger.
Jamie did feel extremely blessed, more so for having the guts to walk away from all that was toxic in his life. The circle he had now was a breath of fresh air.
A queue was forming by the grill, the scent of the food encouraging more customers, so Robson was getting everyone to sing a line from a Christmas song before handing over a burger. The lively atmosphere cheered Jamie no end. He found he wanted a moment of peace though so headed across the road to the pier.
The black sky revealed all its stars, and the calm sea swished gently below. Ever since he was a kid, Jamie loved sitting on the pier come nightfall. It was always so peaceful, and the openness of the water calmed his weary soul.
He looked heavenward, wondering if his grandmother was looking back. He smiled just in case, hoping she was proud of him now. He was certainly proud of himself.
‘I did it, Nan,’ he whispered into the gentle wind. ‘I became the person I was supposed to be.’
