‘Okay, I have an idea.’ Lottie reached for Alice’s hand. ‘How about we invite him for dinner with us at the pub one evening?’
Alice warmed at her friends’ kindness. They all knew about Jamie’s past, so she understood their concerns, but as Sophie had reminded everyone, they had created a Hub designed to give people a second chance or a helping hand.
‘I’ll ask him. See if he’s up for a mingle.’ Alice smiled a thank you at Sophie. ‘Now, let’s get back to this wedding.’
Chapter 8
Jamie
It was nice sitting in the kitchen with Alice and Benny, each talking about their day, and when Jamie shared his news of the upcoming college course and his shifts at the café and tearoom, it warmed him to see Alice so happy.
Benny went off to do some homework, and Alice asked Jamie if he’d like to go for a walk.
‘You do like your walks.’
Alice chuckled, wrapping herself in a coat, hat, and scarf. ‘I like to use my legs while I can.’
He followed her out into the brisk chill. ‘While you can?’
She gave a brief nod. ‘There’s something about me I haven’t told you.’
He felt his stomach flip. ‘Should I be worried?’
‘No, it’s okay. It’s just, well, I have a medical condition called fibromyalgia. Basically, I’m in some sort of pain every day, but I measure it on a scale of one to ten, and quite often I’m around two to four, so not bad. Some days my knees play me up, and I can’t get around much. So when the going is good, I like to oil my joints, so to speak, by going for walks or doing some light yoga. In the summer, I jog round the block with Robson. It’s more of a power walk, but still.’ She grinned.
‘I’m so sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?’
‘Not really. Flare-ups tend to happen if I’ve been out in the rain or freezing cold too long or if I’m stressed, so as long as you don’t stress me, my levels will stay low.’
He saw her smile but knew there was truth in her statement, and he vowed to himself to help bring peace to her life as much as possible. ‘How long have you had it?’
‘It started about six months after Lisa died.’
He lowered his head as they started walking. ‘Yeah, that was a tough year for you.’
‘You too.’
Jamie hated being such a mess back then. It was the one time he could have been there for Alice, but no. He had to go and get himself arrested and sent to prison. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.’
‘It’s done now,’ she said quietly, staring over at the calm sea.
Jamie sighed silently, keeping his focus on the multicoloured Christmas lights on the windows of each house or shop they passed. There were some things in life that would always haunt him, and the year Alice needed him was one.
‘Benny told me Gregg stopped by,’ she said, breaking the silence.
He saw her arms tighten a little around herself, and he wasn’t sure if she was just warming herself or feeling tense. ‘That’s right. Gregg was just testing the water.’
‘Do you think he’ll be back?’
Jamie stopped, turning to face her. ‘I told him not to return. Please don’t worry, Angel. Gregg doesn’t get to live in this part of my story.’
She slowly nodded, then tucked her chin down into her dark scarf.
‘You warm enough?’ he asked, giving the wool a gentle tug up to her mouth.
‘I’m okay. I’ve learned how to work with my body over the years, and I’m pacing myself so I won’t be ill for the Port Berry Christmas tree lighting.’
‘They still do that?’
