Pepper River Boat Hut (Pepper Bay #15)

31

Zach

The opening day for the Boat Hut had arrived, and Zach had no idea he would be so busy. He’d only expected his friends to show, but Florence was reporting the event in a positive light for the local news, and tourists had flocked from all over the island. It didn’t go unnoticed that people were talking about Olive, and he did wonder if some visitors might leave once they discovered she wasn’t there.

Cody and Willow were staffing the boats, and as it was a sunny April day, time on the river was sought-after.

It was good of Fran to hand out free sandwiches to help keep the punters around longer, and Zach was glad he had public toilet facilities installed outside.

Vivien and Tyler had set up a makeshift shop at Zach’s street door, selling tea and coffee in takeaway cups. Vivien had an electric water urn brought over from her café and had supplied milk and sugar.

The Silvers weren’t listening when Zach tried to tell them not to spend their money. It was the last thing he’d expected them to do. He thought it would just be him and Cody working the event.

It was nice to have his brother’s in-laws around. They helped bring joy to the day, just like his mum and grandad would have, but he was missing Olive.

He posed for photos, avoided questions about Olive, and made sure he didn’t stay in the same spot longer than a minute. Leaflets were handed out, and promises to return made. Party music filled the air, and the whole atmosphere was fun and friendly.

Heath was down by the riverbank, wearing his RNLI uniform. No one had asked him to play lifeguard, but he turned up ready for action if need be. Zach didn’t mind. The river was full with boats, pedalos, and paddleboards, so it was helpful to have an extra set of eyes out there, even if everyone on the water wore lifejackets.

There were so many people around, Zach wondered if it would stay the same till autumn. It never had before, but then he’d never been internet famous before.

Everything was running smoothly, and as much as Zach’s heart ached for Olive to be there at his side, he got on with the day as best he could.

Someone tapped his shoulder. He turned to beam a smile at his guest, but then took a step back when he saw it was Candice. What a cheek she had showing her face after what she had done.

‘Hiya,’ she said, a chirp in her voice as though nothing was wrong.

‘Why are you here?’ he snapped, keeping his voice low.

‘Well, that’s a nice greeting.’

Before he had a chance to respond, Florence was by his side, poking a finger into Candice’s floral blouse.

‘You can get lost,’ said Florence, her cheeks flushing.

Candice frowned. ‘Why, what have I done?’

Zach raised his brow.

Florence scoffed. ‘You sent reporters here to shame Olive. Yeah, we know it was you.’

Candice pulled in her bottom lip, clearly mulling something over. ‘They pay for stories like that.’

‘Ooh, you horrible cow,’ yelled Florence, gaining attention from those close by.

There was no way Zach was going to let anything ruin his big day. He’d worked too long and hard for it to come crashing down because two women wanted a fight. He’d had enough. ‘You can both leave if there’s any more shouting.’

Florence immediately apologised and turned on her heel, leaving Candice huffing as though she had been wronged.

‘You can definitely go,’ he added, gesturing towards the driveway.

‘Zach, we’ve known each other for years, and you’re going to act like this. I thought we were friends.’

‘You’re not my friend, Candice. Now that I think of it, you never were. You didn’t support me when my mum was dying, you stole my savings, and you tried to destroy my girlfriend.’ He took a breath, as calling Olive his girlfriend had floored him more than anything.

‘Not quite what happened, Zach.’ She folded her arms and pursed her lips.

He’d never cared before, but now he was intrigued. ‘Tell me your version.’ He watched her hesitate. ‘Oh, get lost.’ He started walking towards the drive, hoping she would get the hint.

She followed, stomping all the way. ‘I was there for you when your mum was dying. I just couldn’t be there every day. I had a life, you know. And as for your so-called money, that was mine. It was in my account, and after watching my dreams of a house go up in smoke, I deserved a break.’

Zach felt a tad speechless, so he just carried on walking to the entrance of the Boat Hut.

Candice huffed. ‘You act like such a victim, when it was me who was suffering.’

He spun around. ‘You were suffering?’ He barely got the words out, he was that gobsmacked.

‘I don’t see why I should be blamed for not wanting to be bogged down with sickness all around me.’

‘You didn’t do anything for my mum, but you were supposed to support me. Be a shoulder to cry on at the very least. Jeez, Candice, when I needed you, you buggered off.’ Olive sprung to mind, and now he was angrier than before.

‘Your life was all about death. I didn’t want that.’

He almost choked trying to get his words out. ‘Nobody wants that, but shit happens.’ He splayed a hand her way. ‘Bad things are going to happen in your life because that’s life. What are you going to do when these things pop up? Run away on holiday. Well, good luck to any of your future partners. Oh, and what’s your excuse for interfering with my relationship, eh?’

Candice marched to the sign at the top of the road that pointed the way to the Boat Hut. ‘I didn’t like her.’

‘I don’t care what you like. You had no right bringing trouble to our door.’

She shrugged, then headed for the bus stop. ‘Did you a favour.’

‘Oh, is that right?’

‘Well, she’s not here for you, is she?’

There was no comeback for that, as she was right. Olive had jumped ship as soon as the first storm blew.

‘I don’t want to see you around here again,’ he told her, turning to head back. ‘And the next time you involve yourself in my life, I’ll get Florence to run a story on you, and trust me, it won’t be a good one.’

‘You’ve got nothing to say about me.’

‘You’re a thief. Now, stay the bloody hell away from me.’

‘Gladly,’ she shouted as he walked away.

Zach took a moment to catch his breath as soon as she was out of sight. He made his way into the trees to hide from the gathering for a while.

Resting against a tree, he sat on the grass and made some decisions.

I’m not letting her spoil today, and I’ll get Florence to write about her if she picks a fight with me again. Olive can get lost too. No more, Sullivan, do you hear? All this crap stops here. No bad moods. No more heartache, and no more distractions .

A beeping horn made him jump to his feet. Was someone having problems on the road?

Zach gawped at the large shiny trailer being towed to his premises. He could clearly see it was a mobile tea shop. ‘Oi!’ he called, stepping out onto the road, waving his hands.

The driver stopped and hung out the window.

‘I think you’re lost, mate,’ said Zach.

The man frowned, then picked up a clipboard. ‘Pepper River Boat Hut. Zach Sullivan.’

‘Yeah, that’s me.’

‘Delivery for you.’

Zach glanced over the trailer. ‘You do your deliveries carting that around?’

The man glanced over his shoulder. ‘What? Oh, no, the tea trailer is what’s being delivered.’

‘But I didn’t order that.’

‘Your name. Your address.’

Zach shook his head. ‘I think I would know if I bought a mobile tea shop.’

The driver checked his paperwork again. ‘Purchased by Olive Farringdon.’ He glanced out the window. ‘Ring any bells?’

‘Erm, yeah.’ Zach rubbed the back of his neck. ‘But—’

The driver took off towards the house before Zach could say anything else.

Vivien and Tyler came out of the doorway as the tea trailer pulled up.

‘Ooh, lovely,’ said Vivien. ‘Can we use it now?’ she asked the driver just as Zach had approached, out of breath from his sprint.

The driver got out and nodded. ‘Just got to run the generator.’

‘Brilliant,’ said Vivien. ‘Ty, you staff the shop while I get this up and running.’

Zach cleared his throat. ‘Excuse me, but this can’t stay.’

‘It’s yours,’ said the delivery man. ‘Just sign here.’

Zach signed, mouth still gaping.

‘Now,’ said the driver. ‘Tell me where you want it.’

Zach pointed out a spot.

‘What a fab idea, Zach,’ said Vivien, moving out the way of the vehicle and shooing away any visitors so no one got run over.

Zach looked at the paperwork in his hand, homing in on Olive’s name. He had no words.

The mobile tea shop was parked, the delivery driver gone, Vivien was sorting the generator, and Zach was standing at the closed counter, still in a state of shock.

Suddenly, the counter flapped open, making him jump, and Olive was standing there, holding a golden cocker spaniel puppy.