Pepper River Boat Hut (Pepper Bay #15)

27

Zach

The police had left, taking the reporters with them. There were no arrests made, but the press was told they couldn’t enter private land.

Zach was fuming. All he could think of was Florence. She was a reporter for the Island News . It had to be her doing. She’d seen Olive at the fete, and it obviously riled her again.

Olive still hadn’t come down. The hairdryer was on, and he thought maybe it was best to give her some time alone. Breakfast was needed, and seeing there wasn’t much else he could do for her, he got on with making some bacon sandwiches.

While the pan was hot and sizzling, he quickly checked out the window to make sure no one was snooping. He’d never felt so livid. All was clear, so he went back to his task.

‘Zach?’

He turned to see all colour drained from Olive’s face.

‘Have they gone?’ she asked quietly, edging towards the table.

‘Yes. The police moved them away. I don’t think they’ll be back. They got what they wanted.’

‘You think?’

He shrugged. ‘They just wanted to shame you. Thought the world needed to know what became of you. I don’t know. All I do know is, they know now, so I don’t see why they need to harass you.’

Olive scoffed. ‘You’ve clearly never dealt with reporters before.’

‘No, can’t say I have. But they’ve seen you now, so what more is there to say?’

‘They’ll say whatever they want to say, just like they always do.’ She looked up with tired eyes. ‘Do you think Florence sent them?’

‘Looks likely, but don’t worry, I’m going over to see her in a minute. She’s not getting away with this.’

‘I really don’t want you to do that.’

Zach sat by her side and took her hand. ‘Olive, we can’t keep ignoring her spiteful actions. I’ll not let her do this to you. This is your home. Your safe space. And she’s invading it.’ He went to the frying pan, as the bacon was burning.

‘I just want peace, Zach.’

‘I know, love, but sometimes you have to fight to get peace.’ Glancing over his shoulder, he could see how deflated she was. He wasn’t feeling that great either.

‘I’m not hungry,’ she said as he placed the food in front of her.

‘Nor me, but we have to eat.’ He went to the fridge to get some orange juice.

Zach’s phone started ringing, and he snatched it up, ready for any reporter who might have got access to his number.

‘Zach, it’s me,’ said Cody. ‘I’ve just seen the story about Olive.’

‘What story?’

‘The one online. It’s gone viral.’

‘I have to go. Olive needs me.’ Zach hung up and turned to her. ‘They posted something online.’

Olive’s hand shot out. ‘Show me.’

‘Are you sure you want to see?’

‘No, but I’d rather rip the plaster off in one go.’

Zach opened the social media account, and Olive’s story was trending. He shook his head as he started to speed read, then handed her the phone. ‘They’ve used a picture of you in your dressing gown on the doorstep.’

‘Oh, crap, I look a mess.’

He happened to think she looked beautiful, especially as most of her messy hair was down to him spending the night with her in his bed.

‘This isn’t good for your business, Zach. They’ve made it sound as though we live on a dump.’

He frowned, lowering his sandwich to his plate, as his appetite was well and truly gone. ‘I’m not worried about that. You’re more important. Jeez, Olive, they’re trying to shame you.’

‘Yes, I can see that, but I don’t feel ashamed. There’s nothing wrong with our life here. This is what you call being a snob.’

‘I know, but their angle shows you in a bad light.’

Olive put the phone down and sipped some juice. ‘Nothing new.’

‘What do we do?’

‘There’s nothing we can do. Some people online will make comments about their snobbery, and others will bury me deep. It’s just how it is.’

Zach slammed his fist on the table. ‘Well, this isn’t right, and you should be angry.’

‘I’m too tired, Zach. I thought it was in my past, but it’s not.’

‘I’m sorry, Olive, but I can’t just sit here and take this abuse, and that’s what this is. Abuse. They don’t care about what you’ve been through. What you’ve lost. They’re happy to poke at your mental health and show you off to the world without your permission.’

‘Getting mad won’t help anyone.’

‘Maybe not, but telling Florence she’s out of line might help me. She’s got a lot to answer for, and if I explain that her behaviour is affecting your health, she might just see this has gone too far.’

Olive picked at some bacon poking out of the bread and sighed.

‘Let me try something, love,’ he said softly, wishing he could fix all her problems. It was heartbreaking to see her looking so vacant.

‘Okay,’ she mumbled.

‘You sure?’

‘It might help, but leave it till after lunchtime. I just want a few hours of peace.’

Zach took her hand. ‘Okay.’

She stood, taking his hand with her. ‘I want to sleep for a bit. Will you promise not to leave.’

‘I’m not going anywhere. Come on, I’ll join you.’

They went to his room, and Olive clambered into bed straight away. He tucked her in, kissed her head, then snuggled to her side, wrapping his arm around her.

‘Get some sleep,’ he whispered. ‘I’ll be right here.’