Pepper River Boat Hut (Pepper Bay #15)

16

Olive

Olive was so tired. She’d hardly slept all night, tossing and turning, feeling sick to the pit of her stomach, worried if she’d be able to work for Fran. Over and over, she’d told herself she was being ridiculous, but it had made no difference. She had still been afraid. At one point, she’d considered waking Zach to see if she could sleep by his side to see if it would help her settle, but embarrassment kept her in her own bed.

It had been so nice of him to stick around at the garden centre, joining in with her tasks, acting perfectly normal about the whole ordeal. Perhaps it was normal to him, to everyone, but she felt like a fish out of water and ever so fed up with her life.

As soon as he left, she took a deep breath, then went to arrange some plant pots into sizes and colours, which she thought looked better than how the last staff member had left them, clearly having no eye for design.

She pulled out her notepad and quickly sketched some pots by a bench, imagining a country cottage and a small back garden. It had been a while since she’d drawn anything.

‘How you getting on, Olive?’ asked Fran, approaching. ‘You look a million miles away.’

‘Oh, I was just designing.’ She revealed her drawing. ‘I had a friend who worked in house staging. She’d place things around homes for sale to give viewers an idea of how they could dress a room. I was just wondering if that sort of thing would work here.’

Fran hummed quietly for a moment. ‘I see. Not sure we have much room in here to showcase much of a garden, but perhaps that’s something you could work on outside. We could arrange the back so we have a few displays. Like you said, it gives people an idea of where they could place things.’

Olive was rather pleased with herself. ‘Ooh, yes, that would work outside. I can see it already.’

Fran smiled. ‘Then that’s your next task. Walk around, see what we’re selling, jot down some ideas, and next week, I’ll get a team together to help you rearrange the back. Make sure there’s something for everyone. You know, like one for the bird lovers, one that’s low maintenance, and one like your drawing there. Pretty country garden. You’ll need to start learning your plants.’

Olive already knew some bits and bobs from her time spent with Nigel and his kids during her childhood. She never thought it would come in handy.

Fran left her alone again, and an elderly man approached to ask where the gardening gloves were.

‘I think I saw some near the till.’ Olive couldn’t be entirely sure, as she hadn’t absorbed much on her way in, thanks to her churning stomach. ‘I’m new here, first day, so I don’t know where everything is yet, but we can look together if you like. I was about to have a mooch.’

The man nodded. ‘We can figure it out together.’

Olive slowed her pace as soon as she realised he was walking slowly.

‘How’s your first day going so far?’ he asked.

‘Not as bad as I thought it would be. I think I scared myself half to death.’

‘Perfectly normal.’

‘Do you think?’

His head bobbed. ‘Anything new can be scary, but we muddle through. We’ve all been there, so we know how it feels. Usually makes everyone friendly enough.’

‘I haven’t spoken to any of the staff yet, except my boss. I’m not sure if they want to talk to me.’

‘Ah, you’ll make friends soon. My dear old dad used to say we’re all just people trying to navigate life as best we can.’

Olive took that on board and raised a palm to send a friendly wave over to a woman in her fifties about to serve a customer.

The lady smiled, and the elderly man stopped to peruse the selection of gardening gloves.

‘See, told you,’ he said. ‘Just start saying hello to the others as you pass them by.’

Olive thanked him, then went back to designing. Perhaps life at the garden centre would be a walk in the park.

‘Liv,’ came a voice behind her.

Olive turned to see Florence standing there. Fran had assured her Florence wouldn’t come into the garden centre whilst she was working.

Thought you’d ambush me here, did you? Well, bring it, Leyland. I’m ready for you this time .

‘What do you want, Florence?’ Olive snapped, making it clear she wasn’t afraid.

‘I want to apologise.’

Olive was taken aback. That was the last thing she expected.

‘It’s not your fault what my step-father and your dad did to Tiggy. I shouldn’t have hit you.’ Florence lifted her chin a touch. ‘I just want to clear the air, that’s all. I won’t be bothering you again. Bye.’ And with that, she left.

Olive was completely gobsmacked. She had clenched her fists, sure a fight was about to take place in amongst the wellies and doormats. At least now she could breathe properly again. Florence had made it perfectly clear she wouldn’t approach her again, proving she did still lay some blame.

This is your fault, Dad. You bloody coward. You should be here facing this, not me .

She went to throw her pencil but thought it best to head to the water features instead and work on some garden designs, even though all she really wanted was to go home to Zach.