Pepper River Boat Hut (Pepper Bay #15)

25

Zach

The Valentine’s fete was in full swing. Stalls selling arts and crafts, books and homemade candles, and wicker baskets and knitwear filled the marquee, whilst over in the Gatehouse Café, tables were set out offering baked goods and conserves. Over on the back field were pony rides, and one of the local dairy farmers, Nate Walker, had brought one of his cows out for the children to see.

Zach didn’t know who to introduce Olive to first. He wanted so badly for her to make friends with the people he’d grown up around. He knew they were a friendly bunch. He just needed Olive to see she was in good hands.

The weather was quite mild for the middle of February, so most visitors were strolling along, enjoying the fresh air and the relaxed atmosphere.

The garden centre was open, and Olive wanted to show her designs to Zach before they mingled in the fete.

She had some great ideas, and had done a fantastic job showcasing how a garden could look. He especially liked the one with the black fence panel, white paving, and stone water feature. He could just see it in his back garden along with the yellow roses.

‘We need to get some soil,’ he told her as she pointed out a raised bedding container. ‘Remind me before we leave.’

‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have pretty pictures like this on crockery? Plates, cups, even tea towels.’

‘Look into it. Start you own small business. Plenty have.’

Olive shifted a metal watering can before stepping to his side. ‘I might do that, but the designs should fit in more with the Boat Hut. I’ll doodle Barney .’

Zach smiled. ‘You’re just full of ideas.’

‘I still think we should get a tea hut or something.’

‘Yeah, me too, but it’ll take some time. I need to save for that. I can’t use what I have, as that’s everything covered for the first year while the business is set up.’

‘We can write a plan. Budget.’

He turned to her and nodded. ‘Sounds good.’

‘What, you’re not going to question my budgeting skills?’

They shared a laugh as he shook his head.

‘You’ve been doing okay with your money and buying food and so on. Haven’t seen you throwing it around as though it’s worth nothing.’

‘Like I used to, you mean?’

Zach shrugged. ‘You tell me.’

‘In all honesty, I never thought about money. But I’m very aware of it now.’

‘It gets you like that when you have to be careful.’

Olive twisted her mouth to one side and shuffled a foot. ‘I did buy a scratch card.’

Zach chuckled. ‘I take it you didn’t win.’

‘I won my money back, then decided that was enough of that.’

Zach offered his arm as they walked out of the garden centre. ‘Always safer to earn than to gamble.’

‘I am going to splash the cash today though.’

‘What are you going to buy?’

‘Not sure, but I think a treat is in order.’

He stopped outside to introduce Olive to a few people he knew, happy to see so many smiling faces coming her way from the Sheridan family.

‘They seemed nice,’ said Olive, taking his arm once more as they entered the fete. ‘And did you hear that big man’s accent? Irish.’

‘Yeah, that’s Rory. He was placed on Dreamcatcher Farm to help rebuild his life after years in prison. He was in some sort of reform scheme.’ Zach bobbed his head towards the man walking off in front. ‘He changed his whole life.’

‘I guess there are a lot of people who change.’

He gently squeezed her arm closer to his. ‘There are a lot of success stories here.’ He gestured to a tall man with dark hair in the café. ‘See him?’

‘The good-looking one?’

Zach chuckled. ‘Yeah, him. He’s a recovering alcoholic. Been doing great for a long time. Married now to the lady who runs Edith’s Tearoom, and they’ve got a kid.’

Olive leaned forward for a better look through the window. ‘He looks familiar.’

‘He’s one of the owners of Café Diths.’

‘Josh Reynolds.’

‘Do you know him?’

She shook her head. ‘Used to see him in my old circles, but I never officially met him.’ She breathed out a small laugh. ‘Wouldn’t expect to see him around here.’

‘Edith’s Tearoom was his grandmother’s shop. It was his grandfather who got the idea for a chain of coffee shops from there.’

‘And the family became millionaires.’ Olive took another glance at Josh busy serving cakes.

‘And his brother, Jake, lives here too. The house right at the top of Pepper Lane, Starlight Cottage. Now, there’s a story.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Jake’s wife, Anna, used to live in a tent on the roof of his apartment in London.’ He watched Olive’s eyes widened.

‘Seriously?’

Zach nodded. ‘Jake found out and brought her here to give her the chance of a new life.’

Olive pressed her head on his shoulder for a moment. ‘Like you did for me.’

Zach turned his head so his nose was close to her hair. He really wanted to plant a kiss right there but looked over at the marquee instead. ‘You see, Olive, change doesn’t mean failure or anything bad. It can be a good thing for some. Rory, Josh, Anna, to name a few, all changed their lives, and they’re happier for it.’

Olive slid around to face him. ‘I’m happy, Zach.’

‘You definitely look a lot better than you did over Christmas.’

‘That feels so far away now.’

He gently pulled her woolly hat down further over her ears, but her curls pushed it back up, making him smile. ‘I’m glad you’re feeling better.’ Fizz hit his stomach as her dark eyes locked onto his.

‘I’m glad I met you.’

Just for a moment, the fete disappeared, and all he could see was her face.

‘Hey, Zach,’ said a female voice, waking him from his trance with Olive.

He turned to see another mass of curls, this time red. ‘Tessie, hi.’ He introduced Olive, then told her that Tessie Walker was Elaine’s daughter.

‘And that’s my other half, Nate, over there with the cow,’ said Tessie, chuckling. ‘Ever met a cow, Olive?’

Olive grinned. ‘Oh, I’d say I’ve met a few in my time.’

Tessie laughed. ‘Yeah, I guess we all have, but come and meet a nice one, and I’ll introduce you to Nate.’

‘I’ve met your mum. She’s lovely.’

Tessie nodded. ‘Yep, and I bet she told you she’s not from here.’

Olive nodded. ‘She briefed me on her history.’

‘She does that.’ Tessie pointed out her husband. ‘Nate, come meet Olive, our newest Pepper Bay resident.’

The large muscular man stepped away from the small group of children he was educating about cows. ‘Hey, how you getting on here?’

Zach felt Olive’s arm relax on his as she chatted away to the Walkers. It was such a relief to see. But then he spotted Florence over by the horses, and he hoped she’d stay there. She was helping with pony rides back and forth to the stables, so he didn’t think there would be any trouble from her. He noticed she locked eyes with Olive for a second, but they both quickly looked away.

I’ll not let you chase Olive away. This is her home now, so you’d better get used to seeing her around .

He turned as Olive moved away to pet the black-and-white cow called Dandelion. It settled him to see her getting to know Nate and Tessie. By the end of the day, she would have more friends than she knew what to do with.

‘I think I’ve just fallen in love with cows,’ said Olive, after saying goodbye to the Walkers. ‘Oh, I wish I had a pet.’

‘They’re not pets. That’s his business. Pepper Pot Farm cheese.’

‘Ooh, I feel peckish now.’ She glanced at her hands. ‘Need a wash from the cow.’

‘Let’s go in the café so you can wash your hands, then we might as well have an early lunch there.’

Olive bobbed her head slightly. ‘Yes, just a light lunch, then some cake. I’m looking forward to the barbeque later.’

Zach followed her inside the Gatehouse Café. ‘Me too.’ He watched her head off to the toilet, then looked around for somewhere to sit.

A hand shot up over by a window. ‘Here, Zach,’ called a man around his age.

Zach approached his old friend, Elliot Renshaw. ‘All right, mate, how’s it going?’

‘All good. Here, you can have our table. We were just leaving.’ He glanced across the café. ‘Well, when Rosie comes out the loo.’ He grabbed the handle of his son’s pram, checking the toddler was still snoozing.

Zach sat opposite him. ‘I was going to pop over to your hotel soon. I’ve got some pamphlets arriving in a few days, advertising the Boat Hut. I was hoping to pop a couple in your display at reception.’

‘Yeah, no worries. Even if there’s no one at the desk, just stick them in with the others.’ Elliot’s aquamarine eyes seemed to be studying him. ‘You know you’re the talk of the town right now, and not because of the Boat Hut.’

Zach grinned as he shook his head. ‘I remember when it was Pepper River Inn they were all talking about. Your news made it all the way to London.’

‘Yeah, well, news travels fast. Anyway, don’t change the subject. What’s happening with you?’

‘Nothing. Getting the Boat Hut ready for springtime. Olive is helping. End of story.’

Elliot laughed, rubbing a hand though his dark hair. ‘Looks like my missus might know more.’ He gestured to Rosie and Olive heading their way together, chatting away.

Rosie started to clear the table, placing the cups and plates on a tray. ‘I’ve told Olive to come over to our hotel for dinner one night,’ she said to Elliot. She smiled at Zach. ‘You too, of course.’

Zach thanked her as Elliot stood to help with the tray. Olive took his seat, and they said they’d see each other later.

‘Hey, guess what?’ said Olive, reaching over for Zach’s hand.

‘What?’

‘Rosie is only Primrose Trent.’

Zach nodded. ‘You’ve heard of her?’

‘I used to have one of her coffee mugs. Her pottery collection is always sought-after. I told her about my Boat Hut design ideas for homeware, and she said she could help me. How amazing is that?’

‘That’s a lot of networking for a bathroom trip.’

Olive grinned.

Zach gazed out the window to see the back of Rosie’s blonde locks. ‘That was nice of her.’

Olive beamed. ‘I feel a little emotional, if I’m honest.’

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘New beginnings, eh?’

She nodded. ‘And lunch.’

‘Definitely.’ He picked up the menu Elliot and Rosie had left on the table. ‘I’m thinking omelette and salad.’

‘I’ll have the same.’ She glanced over at the cake stalls. ‘The choice over there is much harder.’ She turned to the counter. ‘That pregnant woman is the one who just got married, isn’t she?’

‘Yeah, that’s Vivien Smithson. Well, Silver now. This is her café.’

‘They didn’t spend much time away on their honeymoon.’

‘I think they had a week.’

Olive leaned back in her chair. ‘I always dreamed of having a six-month honeymoon.’

Zach laughed. ‘Blimey, that’s a long time.’

‘What about you?’

‘I’d be lucky if I can get one day off.’ He went over to Vivien to order their food. Looking back at Olive staring out of the window, he wondered if he’d entered some sort of married life with her. Everything seemed so casual now, as if they’d been a couple for many years.

‘I’m glad I came today,’ said Olive as he sat back down.

He handed over a bottle of water. ‘Me too. I knew you’d feel better once you saw how nice everyone is around here.’

‘It’s such a different life, Zach.’

‘Yeah, it is for me too. London was full-on. Here, I slow down, take time to smell the flowers, so to speak.’

‘Yellow roses.’

He chuckled. ‘Yep, my favourite.’ He stopped smiling, feeling seriousness creep in for a moment. ‘Hey, Olive, do you really think you could put down roots here?’

Her smile was small but filled with warmth. ‘This, you, it’s all been unexpected, and feeling myself change has been… weird. It’s quite the surprise, and one I’ll never forget, no matter what happens from here onwards. With everything that’s happened to me, it’s taught me not to have expectations, as you just don’t know what’s around the next corner, but what I can say is, I’m happy right now.’

‘That’s good.’

‘And what about you? Have you regrets about taking me on?’

Zach flashed her a reassuring smile. ‘It’s been educational.’

Olive laughed. ‘Oh, I agree with that.’

Vivien brought over their food. ‘Hey, Olive, I’m Vivien. Hope you’re enjoying Pepper Bay.’

‘Yes, it’s lovely.’

Vivien winked. ‘Has a way of making you feel at home.’

‘I noticed,’ said Olive, looking at Zach.

Every part of Zach warmed.

‘Let me know if you need anything else,’ said Vivien, walking away.

‘We don’t need much at all really, do we, Zach?’

He watched her polish her cutlery with a paper napkin. ‘No, I guess we don’t.’

She stabbed a piece of cucumber and held her fork to his. ‘Here’s to our small but efficient team.’

Zach tapped his fork on hers. ‘Cheers, love.’

Olive grinned, then started to eat, and Zach felt even more attached to her.