‘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.
