Winter Magic in Port Berry (Port Berry #3)

Chapter 23

Will

Will sat in the communal lounge at his grandmother’s care home, staring out at the Christmas lights in the back garden. Cheerful music was playing quietly in the background, and all staff members were in festive tops and party hats.

‘Have a mince pie before they all go,’ said Clare.

He smiled at his gran’s carer and took the treat, even though he was still full from the large lunch he’d shared with Ginny at the café.

‘Doesn’t she look lovely?’ said Clare, nodding towards Babs.

Will had to agree. The young lady adding the finishing touches to his grandmother’s hair had done a grand job, and Babs was smiling, which was the most important thing.

Clare tapped the back of his chair. ‘Best go make some more tea.’

He watched her skip off, then glanced back at Babs, now having a hand massage from one of the spa ladies volunteering for the day.

The other residents looked just as refreshed as they were pampered and fussed over, some even standing for a slow dance for all of one minute.

It was a lovely atmosphere, and one Will was glad to witness, even if it was from the corner of the room. He wished so badly he could sit with his grandmother, talk all things Christmas, and perhaps give her a hug. Babs was on top form, so there was no way he was going to risk triggering her by showing his face.

It no longer mattered how often he visited; he would always have to view her from afar, as not to scare her. For some reason, Babs just couldn’t take to him, often welling up and yelling for help.

Willard was her husband’s name, and it was triggering, so Will soon learned to keep his mouth shut, but it was hard. If he stayed in the background sometimes he’d catch a rare smile aimed his way, but it was polite, or maybe she was looking straight through him, he couldn’t be sure. It was just nice to see her relaxed.

Clare popped another mince pie in front of him, but he declined, asking if he could help out at all, as it was better than sitting there twiddling the foil the shop-bought mince pies came in.

‘You could play dominoes with Ted, bless him. Look, he’s just sitting there not wanting to be manhandled, as he calls it, by the spa ladies.’

That was an easy yes, and something that would help pass the time.

‘Oh, sent you over, have they?’ said the elderly gentleman, bobbing his head at the seat opposite him.

Will flashed him a friendly smile. ‘Well, I’m not getting pampered either, so Clare thought we could keep each other company.’

‘Go on then, park your arse.’

Will started setting up the game. ‘Do you fancy a mince pie, Ted?’

‘I fancy a pint, but that’s unlikely. They won’t even let me have a fag, and I really miss smoking.’ He wrinkled his nose in Clare’s direction. ‘Reminds me of my Sally. She was always watching my health as well. Fat lot of good that did me.’

‘Why do you say that? Look how long you’ve lived.’

Ted frowned. ‘Not exactly a blessing, son, when you’re stuck in here. I want to go out and watch the footie. They shove the telly in front of me in here. That’s no good to me. I want the atmosphere.’

‘We all have to slow down at some point.’

Ted scoffed. ‘Not me. I’ve always been fit as a fiddle, then one day, bosh! My legs decide to give up the ghost. I have to use that stupid thing.’ He tipped his head towards his walking aid. ‘I feel like I’m part trolley now.’

Will tried not to laugh. ‘So, how long have you been in here?’

‘Just over a year. Still, mustn’t grumble. They’re not a bad bunch. I just prefer to cook my own breakfast, you know? I don’t care what anyone says, there’s nothing wrong with fried sausages every morning. Not killed me yet.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with some porridge either, Ted.’

‘Oh, porridge smorridge. You eat it.’

Will couldn’t help but laugh as he moved his domino piece in place.

Ted glanced around. ‘My Sally would’ve liked all this. Loved a bit of fuss did that one. Never a hair out of place and always faffing with her nails.’ He swiped over his own. ‘That girl over there asked if I wanted a manicure. I’m ninety-two years old. Never had one of those in my life. Not about to start now, thank you very much.’

Will glanced at his own hands. ‘Mine could do with a clean-up.’

‘Well, that’s the trouble with you young’uns. Focus on all the wrong things.’

‘What should I be focusing on then?’

‘Love, son.’ Ted pointed his way. ‘If my years on this planet have taught me anything, it’s love matters most.’

Ginny sprung to mind, warming Will immediately.

‘How long did it take you to know you loved Sally?’ Will asked.

Ted smiled. ‘Straight away, son. I took one look at her and I just knew. Funny thing, eh?’

‘Do you believe in love at first sight then?’

‘Happened, so yeah. We were a good fit, then she had to go and ruin it by dying on me.’

Will’s heart sank for the man. He’d already fallen so deeply for Ginny, the thought of never seeing her again destroyed him. ‘How long ago was that?’

‘About ten years now.’ Ted looked at the ceiling for a second. ‘Blimey, has it been that long?’ He turned back to Will and smiled. ‘Dying’s not so scary now I have her waiting for me.’

‘It’s great you had a long life together, as long as you were happy, that is.’

‘Ooh, we were, son. Had our moments, like anyone, I guess. But we worked. Not much else to add. People you meet can be a blessing or a curse. They’re not all nice out there, but I was lucky. I found a nice woman. Kind.’

‘Maybe it’s pot luck who we end up with.’

Ted scoffed. ‘Nonsense. You don’t have to stay with someone if they’re horrible to you. You leave. Find a better life. That’s what I told my daughter when she found herself stuck with some lowlife. All he did was find ways to disrespect her. Rotten excuse for a man. Ought to be ashamed. His parents should be.’

‘I’ve never been in a toxic relationship with a partner, but whenever I didn’t like something about my life, I found ways to change my situation. Until you said that, I’d not really thought about it before. I just got on with it.’

Ted nodded. ‘That’s good. That’s how it’s done. Move on, find what works. It’s not rocket science.’

‘To be fair, change isn’t easy.’

‘No, but it’s doable.’ Ted folded his frail arms. ‘My little girl is with a lovely man now. Happy as anything she is. Wouldn’t have had that had she stayed with the coward.’

‘Coward?’

Ted nodded. ‘Any man who raises a hand to a woman is a coward. I let him know that when I smacked him one.’

Will breathed out a laugh. ‘You hit him?’

‘Wouldn’t you if that was your daughter?’ A cheeky glint filled the man’s beady blue eyes. ‘I got a rap on the knuckles for it, but it was worth it.’ He shook his head as though he were talking to himself. ‘You’ve got to protect the ones you love, son.’

There wasn’t anything Will wouldn’t do to keep Ginny safe. He could see the sadness in her eyes, feel her pain, and recognize the healing she needed. It wasn’t too dissimilar to his own. But he had reached a stage where she came first, and if helping her build a farm made her smile, then so be it. Ted was right about one thing, change was doable, and he could see quite clearly that both he and Ginny had always somehow managed to find things that worked for them.

Being in the navy cured a lot of ills. It was when left to his own devices that things built up in his mind.

‘You got someone special, son?’ asked Ted, leaning closer as though studying him.

Will nodded. He liked to think so. ‘Her name’s Ginny.’

‘You be kind to each other. That’s how you get a good life.’

‘I wouldn’t hurt her for all the tea in China.’

Ted smiled. ‘Sounds like you were raised right.’

‘I raised myself.’

‘Then good on you, son, for turning out so well. Got no one to thank but yourself. Well, isn’t that something to be proud of, eh?’

Will had never thought of it that way. He just got on with life, putting one foot in front of the other, always trying to find some form of happiness.

‘You know what, Ted? I’m glad I sat with you. You’ve certainly brightened my day.’

‘Cheers, son.’ Ted gestured at Babs, still having her hands massaged. ‘Not easy, is it?’

Will watched Clare ask Babs if she could give her a hug, wishing he could do the same. It was nice to see his grandmother receiving affection.

‘Can’t remember the last time I got a hug,’ said Ted, looking wistful.

Will grinned, then shot out of his chair to wrap his big arms around the old man.

‘Get off me, you great lump.’ Ted wriggled but laughed, even more so when Clare sprinted over to join in the cuddle.

‘Aww, I’ve been wanting to do that since we met, Ted,’ she told him.

Ted straightened his shirt with one hand while flapping them away with the other. ‘Yeah, yeah, that’s enough of that.’

Clare winked at Will, who smiled her way. ‘He totally wanted that hug.’

‘Be off with you, girl, and make me a cuppa. I’m parched.’

‘I’ll make you one too, Will,’ said Clare, putting one of Ted’s domino pieces in place.

‘Too much fuss.’ The slightest of smiles still broke free from Ted’s stern expression.

Clare plopped an elf hat on Ted’s head, then skipped off, and Ted left it in place, proving he was only in half-grump mode.

‘Looking forward to a nice bit of Christmas dinner tomorrow, son. Got the kids popping over as well. What you got planned for the big day?’

‘My friend owns a pub, so there are a load of us going there for dinner. Should be good.’

‘It’s always good when you’re surrounded by love. Remember that. Love is what makes this whole journey bearable.’

Will thought about Port Berry. He really had found something special. The old-timer was right. Love certainly made a difference. Meeting Ginny Dean had changed everything. The past could stay there. He had a future to prepare for, and that included making sure the woman he loved knew just exactly how serious he was about her.

Ted knocked on the table, bringing Will out of his trance. ‘Head in the game, son. Not in the clouds.’

He wasn’t wrong.

Will decided he’d talk to Ginny about them becoming a more secure couple. He’d already promised he wouldn’t leave, so something solid in place could help seal the deal. Could he really ask her to marry him? Would she agree? Was it a wise move? He was sure Ted would think so, but would Ginny?

He stared through his domino pieces, only seeing Ginny’s face. It was quite surreal finding love. All those years, he’d kept women at arm’s length for fear of getting too close and then being tossed to one side, and now his love was stronger than his fear.

Glancing over at Babs made him wonder what would happen to him down the line. What if he forgot Ginny one day? The thought stabbed at his heart. He had to hold on to what they had now. Wrap himself fully in each and every moment. The best thing he could do was live for the now, and that meant coming clean with Ginny about just how strong his feelings towards her were.