Chapter 14
Rafe and I spent the rest of the day and evening together and Grandad George had been right about me making too much of telling my father about the ‘work’ I had volunteered to do.
I supposed the longer we lived together, the better we would get to know one another and how each of us were likely to react to things.
That was a prospect I was looking forward to.
‘Are you heading out?’ Rafe asked late the next morning when he noticed my bag and shoes by the front door.
I was in my sitting room putting my laptop into a tote bag and getting ready to walk down and meet Erik later in The Dragon.
I thought it would be easier to show him what I had in mind for the party on a bigger screen than my phone and I still hadn’t had an opportunity to reply to Mr Fuller, so I planned to get that sorted, too.
I hadn’t sent a response the previous evening because Rafe and I had enjoyed a few glasses of wine with our supper and I had a rule where I never messaged or emailed anyone with alcohol in my system.
And Rafe had been flitting in and out and chatting all morning, so I still hadn’t had a moment to compose what I wanted to say.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Erik, from across the road, and I are meeting in The Dragon for lunch.’ Rafe raised an eyebrow. ‘He’s helping with the party,’ I said lightly and quickly added, ‘so he needs to know what I have in mind.’
That should have nipped any potential Mark-like comment about my lunch date in the bud, and it did.
‘In that case,’ was all Rafe said, ‘I’ll walk with you as far as the pub.’
‘You’re not writing today?’
‘Later, but first there’s a reference book I need to pick up from the bookshop. The owner, Colin, is proving to be a genius in tracking things down that I haven’t been able to find.’
‘Given how far you must be into writing the book, isn’t it a bit late for research?’ I asked. ‘Or are you one of those authors who does it as you’re going along?’
I wasn’t sure how his writing mind operated but had an idea that every creative had their own way of tackling things.
‘A bit of both,’ he shrugged. ‘Now come on. I’m ready if you are.’
With him standing in the doorway, I decided not to retrieve the paper with the job details on it from down the side of the chair because that would have drawn attention to it. I would dispose of it later.
‘I’ll just grab a jacket,’ I responded. ‘And then I’ll be all set.’
I arrived at the pub early and had plenty of time to compose my email to Mr Fuller.
I hadn’t wanted to send a blunt response and spent some time writing a paragraph explaining that I wasn’t currently working but would be in the future.
I had learnt from Madeline and Tobias that venue owners talked, and you never knew who might become a useful contact in the future.
I didn’t want to burn any bridges by coming across as brusque.
I had pressed send and was looking at a crafting website when the pub door opened and Erik walked in.
He was wearing a cord jacket with the collar turned up and his trademark boots with the jeans caught in the tops and a new addition, a beanie.
I let out a long breath as I took him in.
He wasn’t my usual type – darkish-blond hair, blue eyes and much taller than me – so why did my heart kick every time I saw him?
I couldn’t remember a time when it had ever done that when Rueben walked into a room.
Erik hadn’t spotted me and was waylaid as soon as he crossed the threshold.
I watched him pull the hat off. His hair was as messy as usual and I reckoned Finn was right, it was long enough to braid.
I realised I was staring as he tucked a stray strand behind one ear while giving the person he was talking to his full attention.
I grabbed my phone to distract me and was looking at nothing of importance when he walked over.
‘Skylar, hey.’
I gave it a second before I looked up even though I’d known he was there.
‘Hey, Erik,’ I swallowed.
Even though I wasn’t looking for any sort of romance and was more than happy to be his friend and PPO, I was still struck by how good looking he was close up. I wondered if I always would be…
‘Am I late?’ he asked as he shrugged off his jacket. ‘You look as though you’ve been here a while.’
‘No,’ I said, ‘you’re not late. I came along early because I had some admin to do.’
‘Have you still not been connected to Wi-Fi at the house?’ he frowned. ‘Because if that’s the case, I’m sure Kate and Luke wouldn’t mind you jumping on theirs. Especially if it’s party stuff you’re dealing with.’
‘It’s nothing like that,’ I explained. ‘The Wi-Fi is fine at home; I just fancied a change of scene. But thanks for suggesting that.’
‘Okay,’ he said. ‘Let me get us a drink and we’ll get straight down to it, shall we?’
‘Yep,’ I swallowed again. ‘Let’s get straight down to it.’
While he was at the bar, I opened a couple of tabs on my laptop so I could show him my party ideas and when he came back with lemonade for me and a Coke for him, he took the seat next to mine so we could both see the screen.
‘Just a sec,’ he said and leant back to secure his hair with a band from around his wrist, and in the process, treated me to a waft of whatever deeply masculine, but not overpowering aftershave he was wearing. ‘That’s better.’
‘I think Finn was right,’ I commented. ‘Your hair is definitely long enough to braid.’
‘Um,’ he said. ‘I’ve been thinking about having it cut. I’ve never grown it this long before and it’s at what Finn has told me is an awkward stage. Apparently, I’ve got to stick it out because when it’s longer it will be easier to tie up.’
‘I’d agree with that,’ I told him. ‘There’s always an in-between few months that drives you nuts. And I’ve always thought you can do more with long hair.’
‘My father would not appreciate you encouraging me, Skylar,’ Erik nudged and drank some of his Coke.
I remembered that he’d mentioned his father in the same sentence as his hair the night we came to the pub with the others. His tone had suggested disapproval then, too.
‘I take it he’s not a fan?’ I ventured.
‘Of me or my hair?’ Erik asked.
His tone implied that he wasn’t joking.
‘I meant your hair but—’
‘He’s not keen on either at the moment, but I won’t bore you with the details.’
I was curious, nonetheless.
‘Does he live nearby?’
‘No, not very close,’ Erik smiled. ‘He’s in Sweden.’
‘Sweden?’
‘Yes, my mum was Swedish and Dad took her name,’ he said, and I noted the past tense. ‘She died when I was in my teens, and Dad moved to Sweden permanently when I was in my twenties.’
‘I’m sorry about your mum,’ I said softly. ‘Do you have any brothers or sisters?’
‘Nope,’ he said. ‘It’s just me. Do you mind if we change the subject?’
He sounded almost gruff and I was taken aback.
‘Of course,’ I said, feeling hot. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.’
‘You haven’t,’ he said more gently, then nudged my arm with his again and nodded at the laptop. ‘I’m just keen to know what you’ve come up with for the party.’
I didn’t believe that was the reason he wanted to draw a line but pulled my laptop closer and refreshed the page. I didn’t get the chance to explain anything however, because Mark then bounded in and made a beeline straight for us.
‘What’s this then?’ he asked as he looked down at us. ‘A cosy lunch for two?’
I shook my head.
‘Do you see any food here?’ Erik asked and looked at the table.
‘And the pub’s getting busy,’ I pointed out. ‘So, it’s hardly cosy, is it?’
‘In that case,’ Mark said as he moved to sit opposite us, ‘I’ll join you.’
‘No, you won’t,’ Erik said and stuck his foot out to stop Mark moving the chair. ‘We’re busy.’
‘Doing what?’ Mark frowned.
‘Equinox party planning,’ I told him. ‘And I don’t want anyone other than me and Erik to know what I’m considering otherwise it won’t be a surprise.’
‘And don’t think about sitting back there so you can look over our shoulder either,’ Erik said and looked behind us.
‘In fact, come on Skylar, let’s move to that corner table we had last week before someone else nabs it.
’ I noticed Mark’s eyebrows shoot up at the mention of us having been in the pub together before, but he didn’t comment. ‘That way we can keep an eye on him.’
‘No need for that,’ Mark objected. ‘I’m not staying. I’ve just come to collect something from the kitchen that Blossom’s lent and needs back.’
‘In that case,’ I said as Erik and I moved to the slightly quieter corner anyway, ‘you’d better get on with it, hadn’t you?’
Having watched him leave and as the smell of delicious food cooking began to reach us, we decided to put in our lunch order first and then look through my ideas.
‘A ritual?’ Erik commented when I opened the first tab and before he’d read anything about it. ‘I don’t think they’ve tried anything like that before.’
He sounded a bit doubtful about it.
‘It’s straightforward,’ I told him, ‘but meaningful and if there’s some way we can have a fire for the burning part, I thought it would be perfect. Have a proper look.’
I waited while Erik read the details and then turned and gave me a gorgeous smile.
‘You like it?’
‘I love it,’ he nodded. ‘It’s a brilliant idea and you don’t need to worry about the fire aspect because Finn has made these great braziers that are used for winter celebrations. We’ll be able to borrow a couple of those and not have to tend to them as much as we would a bonfire.’
‘They sound perfect,’ I said, feeling relieved. ‘So that’s one thing sorted. Now, what do you think of this?’
I waited again while he looked at the next idea I’d found.
‘Perfect,’ he beamed. ‘Again.’
‘Really?’
‘Really and I’m sure Freya can sort out enough terracotta pots for every household and more to spare,’ he enthused. ‘We won’t have to tell her what you’re planning to do with them, and they’ll be so much nicer than plastic alternatives.’
‘I still have to source the bulbs,’ I said, thinking aloud.
‘I know where there’s a garden centre,’ Erik responded and reached for his phone. ‘We could have a road trip.’
We looked again at the details of what I had in mind. It was only simple when compared to the kind of thing I had previously been responsible for but knowing how much it was hopefully going to mean to my new neighbours and friends I was taking just as much care over it.
‘The party is only a week away now,’ I said, ‘but I’m confident there’s time to arrange all of this.’
‘Absolutely,’ Erik agreed. ‘And if the weather lets us down, then everything can easily be transferred into the house.’
‘Apart from the braziers.’
‘There’s a huge fire in the sitting room and I’m sure Kate and Luke would be willing to light that for us,’ he said, solving the problem. ‘And Greengages will have everything you need for the table decorations.’
‘Thank goodness for you, Erik,’ I said gratefully. ‘You know all the best places.’
‘And so will you soon, now you’re a local,’ he smiled. ‘Look, here comes our lunch.’
He moved his chair a little away from mine and we talked further about the party while we ate. Erik had a steak sandwich and a bowl of chips, while I enjoyed a crab salad. He kept offering to share the chips, but I resisted. Just.
‘I’d better get back,’ he said eventually, having checked the time on his phone. ‘I’ve been gone ages. Are you staying?’
‘No,’ I told him, ‘I’m going to head back too, so we can walk together, if you like.’
We’d just finished deciding when to go to the garden centre when we caught sight of my father and a man I didn’t recognise walking towards us on the other side of the road.
‘Hey, look,’ Erik said. ‘There’s your dad.’
He went to call out but I put a hand on his arm to stop him.
‘No,’ I said. ‘Don’t say anything.’
‘Why not?’ Erik frowned, as I ducked behind him in case Rafe happened to look across and spot me. ‘Don’t you want him to see us? I can’t imagine he’ll make comments like Mark and try to shove us together.’
‘So, you’ve picked up on Mark doing that, too?’
‘How could I not?’ Erik laughed. ‘But don’t worry, he’ll soon get bored and move on to teasing someone else.’ The sooner the better as far as I was concerned. ‘But what’s the deal with your dad?’
I watched as Rafe and the mystery man, who was something of a silver fox, passed by.
They were completely engrossed in their conversation and looked to be of a similar age, height and build.
Rafe was carrying a tote bag from the bookshop, but I was certain the man with him wasn’t Colin, the shop owner.
‘I have a feeling,’ I told Erik, ‘that the guy Rafe is with is someone he’s just met and is rather taken with.’
‘They look equally taken with each other.’
‘You’re right, but Rafe hasn’t introduced him to me yet and I’d hate to force his hand.’
‘Ah right,’ Erik said and we moved off again.
‘I can’t believe he’s met someone he really likes already,’ I said in wonder. ‘We’ve only been living here a fortnight.’
‘But you’ve already met lots of people that you like in that time.’
‘You know what I mean.’
‘But that’s how it works sometimes, isn’t it?’ Erik said. His eyes were focused on his feet now rather than where he was going. ‘I mean, I’ve only just met you, Skylar, but I know I really like you.’
‘You do?’ I squeaked, feeling myself go warmer than the weather warranted.
‘Of course,’ he said and gave me a fleeting glance. ‘I mean, you’re the perfect PPO for a start, aren’t you?’
I’d foolishly jumped to the wrong conclusion, but to be fair his words were ripe for misinterpretation.
‘Well yes,’ I said, feeling flustered. ‘I really like you in that way, too Erik. And this is the perfect street for people spotting, isn’t it?’ I forged quickly on.
‘Why? Who else have you seen?’ He looked up from the pavement and behind him to see who might also be around.
‘I meant in general.’
There was no point trying to backtrack because the smile Erik was now wearing told me he’d realised I’d put my foot in it, and my flushed complexion was probably a bit of a giveaway too. In trying to steer the conversation in another direction I’d dropped myself right in it.
‘So, I did see you here in the street last Friday!’ He teased. ‘And you saw me and took off to avoid me, didn’t you?’
‘Maybe,’ I blushed.
‘But why?’
‘Why do you think?’ I tutted. ‘It may have slipped your mind but on the two previous occasions we’d met, you’d been rather mean to me.’
He was quiet for a few steps.
‘Well, yes,’ he said, and puffed out his cheeks, ‘I suppose I was a bit of a bear, but I promise I’ll never be horrible to you again.’
‘I should think not,’ I recovered. ‘Us Nightingale Square singletons have to stick together.’