Pepper River Boat Hut (Pepper Bay #15)

5

Zach

It was perfectly normal to have a Christmas tree sent up to the Penthouse Suite, so why Zach was feeling as though he were up to no good was starting to annoy him. So what if his lunch was also heading that way disguised as room service. It was better than have the staff gossiping even more about Miss Farringdon, or rather, him.

Adrian met him at the lift. ‘Don’t get involved, Zach. You know the rules.’

Zach pretended he didn’t know what he meant, but it was obvious Adrian could read his mind.

‘Them and us, mate. Always been that way. Always will be.’ Adrian patted Zach’s shoulder, then walked away.

Entering the lift, Zach sighed quietly. He wasn’t trying to fix himself a date with the woman. He could just see she needed a friend. Why it had to be him, he wasn’t sure, but there he was again, outside her door.

The staff were just leaving, giving him a nod and a smile on their way out.

‘Miss Farringdon?’ he called as he entered.

‘I’m here,’ she replied, stepping out the bathroom.

He watched her gain control of her curls, twirling them into a ball at the back of her head. It wasn’t polite to stare, so he turned to the three-foot green tree. ‘You said something small.’

She stood at his side. ‘Oh, yes, it is rather small.’ She gazed around them. ‘Perhaps it could go on the coffee table.’

Zach went over to the furniture she gestured towards and pulled it over to the wall by the balcony door, then placed the Christmas tree on top, shading most of the glass top. ‘What do you think?’

‘I think your lunch smells nice.’

He followed her gaze over to the silver food trolley. ‘That’ll be the chicken soup.’ He went to the dining area to lift the cloches to reveal not only soup but a chunky ham sandwich as well. ‘I took the liberty of bringing something for you too. Hope you don’t mind.’

Olive peered at the steaming liquid. ‘I don’t mind. Which one is for me?’

‘You choose. I’m not bothered.’ He wasn’t fussed at all because he’d already eaten beforehand.

She side-eyed him. ‘Are you sure?’

Zach made a show of rubbing his stomach. ‘If I’m honest, I’m not that hungry.’

‘Aren’t you well?’

‘I’m okay. You know how it is. Some days you just feel a little off.’

Olive nodded as she sat at the table. ‘You can serve me then.’

Zach raised his eyebrows whilst she wasn’t looking, then kept a neutral expression when she glanced over her shoulder as though wondering what the hold-up was.

It was his own fault for acting out of character. Had he just stayed in his lane he wouldn’t be expected to take on the job as her butler.

‘Certainly.’ He laid the table, draped a napkin over her lap, then placed the bowl of soup in front of her before taking a step back, standing like a soldier awaiting his next order.

What the hell am I doing?

Mentally shaking his head as she ate lunch, he went over to unbox the tree decorations. ‘Red and gold,’ he announced, picking up a red bauble.

‘That’s fine. I’m not a fussy person,’ she said, eyes still on her food.

I find that hard to believe .

He smiled to himself as he pulled out the fairy lights. It was the first year he hadn’t decorated a tree with Cody. He didn’t even bother putting one up in the flat, as he planned to spend as much time at work as possible.

Just for a moment, he forgot he had company, as his mind drifted to his to-do list for moving home. He’d never been one to have a lot of things, as he didn’t see the point of anything that wasn’t necessary. His rented flat came fully furnished, so it was only personal possessions he had already sent over to be placed in storage. It was just a matter of packing the last few bits, then he was off. January couldn’t come fast enough.

Zach stared out the balcony door. He would miss hotel life. It was all he knew since arriving in London, but Pepper Bay held his heart, and restoring the Boat Hut was his goal.

Christmas back home had always been filled with laughter and joy. His mum would go overboard with the decorations, and his grandfather loved to play Santa.

Olive’s spoon clanged in her empty bowl, stirring Zach from his daydream.

He unravelled the lights, ready for when she came over, then unpacked the rest of the tree ornaments so he could see what they had. A shiny gold star made him smile. His mum always placed one on top of their tree, telling him it was their North Star.

‘It will always guide you home, son,’ she would say.

Olive moving brought his attention back to her.

‘I might leave the sandwich for later if you’re not going to eat it,’ she said as she approached him.

Zach glanced at the dining table. ‘Sure, that’s fine.’ He didn’t want to think about whether she could afford to eat or not, so he waggled the fairy lights. ‘These go on first.’ He handed them over, watching her stare wide-eyed at them.

‘Just on the front?’

‘You can wrap them around. Start at the top, then work your way down to the plug socket.’

Olive’s stern expression was making him bite back a grin. She really was taking the task seriously. He figured it was a novelty for her, or perhaps she liked to get things right. The perfectionist in him was itching to make some adjustments, but he held off, placing his hands behind his back as if to tell them to be still.

‘There,’ she said quietly, as though talking to herself. She glanced his way. ‘Now what?’

Zach pointed at the decorations. ‘Just pop those onto the branches.’

‘In which order?’

‘No order. It’s your tree. You can place them wherever you want.’

She stared at the ornaments for a moment, then picked up a red bauble and shoved it into the tree.

Zach’s professional side took charge. ‘Erm, like this.’ He removed the bauble, hanging it on the end of a branch.

‘Can’t say I’ve paid attention before.’

He didn’t want to comment. After all, who was he to judge someone on what they did or didn’t know about any subject. However, her lack of knowledge in this area did fascinate him.

Olive took her time choosing what to hang next.

‘So, how did you get on at the job centre this morning?’ He assumed she went after their chat.

‘Great,’ she replied.

It would have been a relief had he believed her. He had to shake off the feeling. There was no way he would jump in with questions. It was none of his business for a start. Adrian’s words were ringing in his ears.

Them and us. Them and us .

Zach stepped back, leaving Olive in peace. He studied her tall, slim frame, wondering what her life had been like being super-rich. He figured she had stayed in the most expensive hotels around the world. He glanced around the suite.

The best we have, but no doubt a step down for her .

He grinned to himself. Life certainly was different for some. He couldn’t afford to stay in the room himself, but if he could travel around the world and stay in such spacious, plush suites, he wouldn’t turn his nose up. He took a moment to see if there were any improvements needed, but all looked fresh and new, as usual.

‘How does that look?’ asked Olive, stepping backwards whilst tilting her head slightly.

Zach moved to her side. ‘Excellent job, Miss Farringdon.’

The side of her mouth twitched. ‘You can call me Olive. You already have.’

He kept his eyes on the tree. ‘It looks good, Olive.’

She pointed at the star. ‘I guess I must have paid some attention, as I knew to put that on top.’ Her big chocolate eyes met his. ‘I’m not completely stupid.’

‘I don’t think you’re stupid at all.’

‘Oh, I am sometimes.’

‘You and everyone else. It’s called being human.’

Olive shrugged one shoulder, then looked back at the tree.

Zach gestured to the socket in the wall. ‘You just have to plug it in and switch it on now.’

She bent down to the plug.

‘Wait,’ said Zach. ‘Let me give you a drumroll.’ He made her chuckle as he patted his thighs.

‘One, two, three,’ she said, then flicked the switch.

The little white lights twinkled, bringing festive cheer to the tree.

Zach saw Olive’s smile widen, but it only lasted seconds before the sadness in her eyes returned, and he wondered if she knew he could see her pain.

Silence sat between them for a while, and Zach wasn’t sure what to do.

Say something. Anything .

‘It looks very pretty,’ he said softly, hoping to bring her out of her thoughts, whatever they were.

She turned, her expression blank. ‘Would you leave now? I have things to do.’ She moved towards the door, so he followed. ‘I’m going to be busy from now on, so tell your staff I don’t want to be disturbed.’

He gathered her words were directed at him. Well, that was just fine. If she wanted to be left alone, she would be. He had a ton of work on anyway.

Olive opened the door, making herself clear.

Zach stepped out to the small foyer and gave a brief nod. ‘Miss Farringdon,’ he said, his professional tone on point.

Without acknowledging him, she closed the door on his face.

And good day to you too .

He took a calming breath as he headed for the lift. Part of him wanted to turn around and bang on the door to tell her just how bloody rude she was. Another part was happy to grant her wish and never see her again, but there was a large part telling him she was hurting, and he was just seeing the walls she used to protect herself.

The journey to his office seemed to take longer than normal, and his mind certainly wasn’t in the online meeting he was due to have soon.

He flopped to his chair and sighed. ‘Them and us,’ he whispered to the room.

A knock came at the door, swiftly followed by Adrian poking his head inside.

‘Saw you come in. You coming down with something? Flu is still going around.’

Zach touched his cheek. ‘Do I look that bad?’

‘You look a bit deflated.’

Now that it was brought to his attention, he was feeling a little that way. Did she do that to him? Take him away from his good mood by passing on some of her gloom? Well, that would never do. He had a couple of weeks left of his job and his time in London, and he’d be damned if he let some woman he hardly knew ruin it for him.

He grinned at Adrian. ‘It’s my winter look.’

Adrian laughed. ‘Come on, I know what will bring back your rosy cheeks.’

‘I’m not having any whisky. I’ve got a meeting in half an hour.’

Adrian waved him to the door. ‘Nah, not that. Carollers are outside. Come on.’

Zach followed him to the main entrance to see a group of singers dressed in Victorian outfits. Guests and staff were happily swaying to the festive song, and he soon felt himself bounce back.

I wonder if Olive would like this. No. forget about her. Time to walk away .

Zach smiled as some of the staff started to sing along. It was his last Christmas at the hotel, and he was going to make sure it was memorable.