17
Zach
The storage hut was going up, the kitchen fitters almost finished, and the central heating complete. A delivery had arrived, containing oars, lifesaving jackets, paddleboards, and a safety ring.
Zach had made some videos, then set about piling up the living room with the stock until the storage space was ready. He’d had a busy morning, but even so he couldn’t stop wondering how Olive was getting on working her first shift at Silver Wish Farm. He was sure she would be fine, especially with Fran looking after her.
The memory of wanting to kiss Olive’s cheek when he left her at the garden centre had stayed with him all morning. He still felt bad for calling her spoilt at lunch the day before. She hadn’t mentioned it again, spending the rest of the day talking about his business and helping him create content for his social media page. All in all, it had been a rather ordinary evening they’d shared.
Thinking about her at work made him want to do something special to mark her achievement. He was starting to look forward to her coming home.
The roofer called to confirm his team would be arriving in two days, so that put an extra skip in his step. Not only was he looking forward to having a roof, he couldn’t wait for the scaffolding to come down. He just wanted to move in and have a proper schedule with home and work life like he had in London.
‘Zach,’ called Olive, waving from the bridge.
A huge smile crept across his face without his consent as he watched Olive part ways with Fran on the bridge, then happily trot his way, swinging a carrier bag to her side.
‘How did go?’ he asked before she’d even arrived.
‘I got to design gardens.’ She handed over the bag. ‘Food from Fran. Do you think she’s one of those feeders? She kept asking me if I was hungry.’
Zach laughed. ‘She loves taking care of people.’
‘She definitely took care of me.’ She dipped into her pocket and pulled out some money. ‘And look, I got paid, which means I’m buying you lunch, mister.’
‘Yes, I remember, but may I choose where we eat?’
Olive shrugged as she made her way to the boat. ‘That’s probably for the best, seeing how you know what’s here.’
‘In that case, I choose the January Fair.’
‘Is that a restaurant?’
‘No, it’s an actual fair. Every year, Hope Park is turned into a fun fair to help cheer everyone up from the doom and gloom of the month. That’s what they said when they started it, but it’s probably to raise money. Don’t know, don’t care, all I care about is us enjoying the rest of the day over there.’
Olive seemed happy enough. ‘How far away is it?’
‘Right next door in Sandly. ‘So, hotdog and candyfloss. You in?’
‘Yes, give me two secs to sort myself out, and I’m all yours.’ She grinned as she headed for the narrowboat.
Zach thought it best to put the food away that Fran had given them, rather than stand there staring at Olive. ‘Wrap up nice and warm,’ he called as he joined her.
‘Got our hats,’ she said, making his smile grow to the point his cheeks hurt.
It wasn’t long before they were in his car and on their way.
‘Tell me about your day,’ Zach asked.
‘I picked up some fallen plants, restocked some shelves, I used a dustpan and brush, that was a first.’ She grinned, making him chuckle. ‘And I helped an elderly man find gardening gloves. But my favourite part was getting some ideas ready for when we turn the back part outside into garden showrooms, of sorts. I’m in charge of that.’
‘Sounds like a busy two hours, but how were you feeling?’
‘I was okay, then Florence made an appearance.’
Zach glanced her way. ‘I’ll have a word.’
‘You don’t have to do that. She apologised. Said she’d stay away.’
‘Good. Let’s hope you can enjoy a peaceful life now.’
Olive laughed. ‘Yes, like going to the fun fair.’
Zach pulled up in the car park, and they headed towards the lively fairground music, treading over wooden boards covering the grass.
Multicoloured lightbulbs hung from stalls with stripy roofs sheltering arcade games, food, small gifts, and hot and cold beverages. Bumper cars, Waltzer rides, a green-and-white helter-skelter, and a big red Ferris wheel were dotted around, and the air was infused with a mix of hotdogs and the sweet scent of candy.
‘What do you want to do first?’ asked Zach.
Olive pointed at the big wheel. ‘I love those.’
‘Yeah, we should do any rides before we eat.’
She playfully nudged his arm. ‘Oh, weak stomach, eh?’
Zach scoffed. ‘I can handle it, just rather not. Come on.’ Without thinking, he took her hand to move around a group of people, and as she didn’t say anything or move away, he didn’t let go until they were at the Ferris wheel.
Olive shuffled in first, grinning from ear to ear, and it made Zach feel good about himself that she was happy.
It had been a while since he’d hung out with a woman and forgot about his responsibilities. It was nice to simply sit still and breathe, even though the air was cold.
Olive squealed quietly, clapping her gloved hands. ‘It’s like being on top of the world up here.’
He glanced at the people below looking so tiny, then turned to Olive when she shifted closer to his side. ‘Cold though, eh?’
‘Absolutely freezing.’
They laughed, then snuggled closer, and just for a moment, Zach wished he could stay in the sky forever.
‘Let’s try to win a prize,’ said Olive, as soon as they left the wheel.
There were many options, but Zach chose to throw a basketball through a hoop. Three attempts later and he still hadn’t managed to land one in the net, so Olive took a turn and got three in a row.
‘Netball team,’ she said, grinning. She picked out a small pink teddy bear and lightly tickled Zach’s cheek with its nose. ‘Two years, then I got kicked out of that school and never bothered to join a team again.’
‘What did you do to get expelled?’
Olive raised her eyebrows as though deep in thought. ‘What didn’t I do?’ She shrugged, then pointed at a food stall selling burgers and hotdogs. ‘That smell makes your mouth water, doesn’t it?’
Zach nodded, walking by her side towards the food.
‘I bet you were good in school,’ she said, glancing at him.
‘I liked school.’
‘I can just see you having your schoolwork organised and your tie never out of place.’
‘You just know my hotel manager version.’
Olive laughed and went to speak, but someone calling his name interrupted her.
Zach turned to see his ex-girlfriend coming their way.
Bloody hell! What does she want? I need to get out of here .
There wasn’t anywhere he could hide. She’d already seen him, and Olive had noticed her.
‘Zach,’ said the blonde woman. ‘I thought that was you.’
‘Candice,’ he replied flatly, wishing she would bugger off.
‘It’s been forever since we’ve seen each other.’
He couldn’t help but raise his brow at her casual comment. There was so much he wanted to say, but at the same time, he didn’t want to look at her, let alone have a conversation.
Candice stepped in between him and Olive, turning her back on Olive as though she didn’t exist, and Zach noticed Olive’s eyes widen.
‘Are you back for good this time?’ asked Candice. ‘I did hear some rumours about the Boat Hut.’
Zach gave a curt nod. ‘Yes.’
She lightly placed a hand on the lapel of his dark coat. ‘Thought you upped your game.’
He clenched his teeth, thinking it for the best if he didn’t reply.
‘I would have come to London to see you, but busy, busy,’ she added, still acting as though they were best mates.
‘Speaking of busy,’ he said, moving around her to loop Olive’s arm in his, ‘we’re just off for lunch. See you around.’
God I hope not .
Candice’s blue eyes were suddenly scrutinising Olive. ‘Oh, aren’t you that woman the police want for fraud?’ She smirked as she took a step back.
‘No, she’s not,’ snapped Zach.
‘I thought I heard something about that,’ said Candice, looking innocent.
‘You got the story wrong,’ said Zach, knowing full well Candice was just being spiteful.
Candice quirked one side of her mouth at Olive. ‘Sorry, my mistake.’
Zach felt Olive move closer into him. ‘Bye,’ he said bluntly, then turned, leading Olive away.
‘Do you think everyone here thinks that?’ asked Olive, no trace of happiness left on her face.
He stopped, making sure they were out of sight from Candice. ‘No. She’s just a rotten cow. Ignore her. She obviously got wind of you, then looked you up online. She’s that sad type who does things like that. Always has to know everything about me. Once the social media account for the Boat Hut is open, she’ll be logging in every morning to see what she can find out about me next. See, sad type. Don’t you waste time thinking about people like her. Stay focused on your healing journey. Only people with no life involve themselves in what everyone else is doing.’
Olive’s smile was small, but at least it was back. ‘Who is she, your stalker?’
‘Ex-girlfriend.’
‘Oh, I see. She’s probably peeved because she still wants to be with you.’
He dipped his head and frowned. ‘She’s in my past, before I left for London. I don’t want to talk about her.’
Olive tugged him closer. ‘Then we won’t. And I’m not letting her spoil our day.’
Zach met her eyes and warmed at the determination on display. ‘You don’t want to leave?’
‘Do you?’
He shook his head.
Olive reached for his hat, pulling it lower over his ears. ‘Right then, let’s get our lunch. I’m buying, remember?’
‘I remember.’
She passed him the pink teddy. ‘Here, this is for you.’
‘But you won that.’
‘What if we make it the Boat Hut’s mascot?’
‘Good thinking.’
Olive twisted her lips. ‘Hmm, she’ll need a name.’
‘Pauline. After my mum.’
She nodded her agreement. ‘She can sit in the kiosk and watch over things.’
‘Sounds like my mum.’
They shared a smile before Olive dragged him to the food stall, and Zach was pleased to see there was no sign of Candice lurking.