‘Make me.’ Gregg’s smirk was back.
Jamie felt Alice’s hands tighten on his waist.
Gregg laughed. ‘If you touch me, Jay, who do you think is going straight back to the slammer?’
‘If you don’t leave our home, I’m calling the police to arrest you,’ shouted Alice.
‘Do it then, Dipple. Ooh, sorry, Mrs Stark.’ Gregg’s tone was immature and filled with venom.
‘There’s no need for that,’ said a deep voice from the foyer. ‘We’ll make him leave, and he won’t come back.’
Jamie turned to see Will, then he spotted Robson, Spencer, Matt, and Samuel.
Gregg saw them too and raised his palms as he walked towards them. ‘Yeah, all right. No need for dramatics.’
‘Stay away,’ warned Will.
Gregg shrugged as he met the pathway. ‘Never liked this place anyway.’
Jamie went to follow him, but Alice tugged his hand. ‘It’s all right, Angel. Give me two secs.’ He kissed her cheek, then caught up with Gregg on the pavement.
‘Get lost, Jay. I’m done with you.’
‘That’s what I came to make clear to you. I thought we could still be mates, you know, from a distance. I would never haveignored you if I saw you out and about, but after this little stunt, you’re no longer a mate of mine.’
‘Suits me. Don’t like your type anyway.’
Jamie raised his brow. ‘What’s that then, nice?’
Gregg waved a hand as he walked away. ‘Stick your life, Jay. Have fun with your new mates.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘Oh, and if you ever need my help, don’t ask.’
‘I don’t need anything from you.’
As Gregg disappeared around a corner, Jamie took a deep breath. Another part of his past was gone with clear instructions not to return. The relief overwhelmed him for a moment, that and Alice overhearing and stating she wouldn’t believe anything Gregg said.
Jamie stopped at the end of the pathway and stared through the open door at the men inside the B&B. He had different friends now. Ones that were good role models. Ones with compassion, encouragement and advice. He felt so blessed, and happiness washed over him as Alice came into view.
‘You see that, Jamie, that’s what change gave you,’ he heard his grandmother whisper.
He went inside to thank everyone for their help and to let them know Gregg wouldn’t be back.
‘We were heading to the tearoom to get some tables and chairs for outside the Hub,’ said Will. ‘We heard you shouting, Alice.’
‘Thanks for coming to check on me.’ She smiled softly, clinging on to Jamie’s arm.
Spencer gestured at the door. ‘Best get back to it now we know everything’s okay.’
‘Why are you taking tables and chairs to the Hub?’ she asked.
Samuel smiled. ‘So many people have heard about the break-in already, and the carollers from the church have just arrived to sing outside with their collection buckets. We figured someseating while we served hot drinks would help liven up the street. The ones outside the café are in use.’
Alice pointed at her dining room. ‘Use those ones. Ginny needs hers more than me at the moment. Come on, we’ll help.’
The men got on with the task, and Jamie pulled her to one side.
‘Hey, you okay?’
Alice nodded. ‘Just a few chairs and a couple of tables.’
