Warming, he smiled softly as the coastline of Port Berry came into sight. There was nothing he could do about the past, but he and Alice would have the best future. The life he felt they should have had. He was going to do everything he could to make sure happiness took centre stage. Just looking at her walking stick, knowing her flare-up had come from stress, made him even more determined to bring peace to the table.
Chapter 21
Alice
The lunch trade at the B&B was closed for the Christmas holiday and Alice and Demi were helping Ginny make festive cupcakes in Ginny’s Tearoom. Not only were they going to hand them out for free at the Hub, they were going to take a large batch over to the Sunshine Centre for the workers and volunteers there as a thank you for all their help with the Hub over the year.
Green, red, and white icing covered Alice more than the cakes, and the silver and gold sprinkles were strewn across her table, seemingly having a life of their own.
‘I hear Jamie’s doing his first shift in the Hub this morning with Matt,’ said Ginny, icing her cupcake perfectly.
Alice glanced at the blob she’d created on her one. ‘Yeah. They’ve got loads of food parcels to make up, so that should keep them busy.’
Demi was packing some of the sweet treats into boxes, ready to transport. ‘How did it go at the hospital yesterday, Al?’
‘Aww, the kids loved their presents. It was so good of the church to get the locals to donate.’
Ginny started icing another cupcake while Alice tried to tidy her own one. ‘And how’s your knee today?’
Alice glanced down at her lap. ‘Much better, thank you. Jamie made me a lovely hot bath last night, and that helped soothe the old bones.’
Demi laughed. ‘And did he stay in the bathroom with you?’
Alice felt her cheeks flush. ‘No, he did not. He was just being thoughtful.’
Handing over a fresh cupcake to Alice to ice, Ginny grinned. ‘Any developments to talk about, chick?’
‘What do you mean, developments?’
Ginny scoffed. ‘Erm, you know exactly what I mean.’
‘There is nothing to report. We’re just friends.’
‘You’ve never beenjust friends.’ Ginny looked at Demi. ‘Seriously, I’ve never known friends to act the way they do.’
Alice reached for the red icing bag. ‘It’s not a big deal to us how we act. It’s just the way we are, and nothing has developed.’ She eyed Ginny when she said the last word.
The door to the tea shop flew open, and in rushed Benny, all rosy cheeks and big smile. ‘Mum, you’ll never guess what’s happened!’
Alice frowned. ‘Why aren’t you in school?’
Benny shrugged, closing the door to keep the chill out. ‘We break up next week for Christmas. There’s not much going on right now, so we had a free lesson.’
‘I’m pretty sure you’re still supposed to stay in school when that happens.’
Ginny looked up. ‘We used to go over the park whenever we got a free lesson.’
Alice frowned at Ginny. ‘Yes, well, I’d prefer Benny to stay in school.’
‘But I have big news,’ Benny cried.
‘Ooh, let’s hear it, chick.’ Ginny lowered her hands and sat up straight.
‘Trey said Alan got arrested last night and is going to prison.’
All three women gasped in surprise.
‘What does Trey Seabridge know about Alan?’ asked Alice.
