Chapter 25 #2
‘So, you can be indoors but sort of outdoors at the same time whatever the weather.’
‘Exactly,’ he smiled.
‘It feels even more spectacular now, given what you just said about SAD and your busy lives, that you pulled the fundraiser off at such short notice,’ I praised.
With the days shortening, especially now the clocks had changed, Luke had probably noticed the impact of that more than the rest of us.
‘Ah,’ Kate said, ‘but we didn’t, did we? That was all you, Skylar.’
I couldn’t accept that. ‘It was partly me,’ I told her, because once Erik had talked to me, I’d stepped quite a way back. ‘It was a team effort.’
‘Not in the beginning,’ Luke said. ‘And that’s why we wanted to tell you about the Winterfest.’
‘You aren’t going to ask me to set that up this year, are you?’ I joked. ‘It’s November already!’
‘Not this year,’ Kate smiled. ‘But maybe next.’
‘I don’t understand,’ I frowned.
‘We’ve always wanted the house and grounds of Prosperous Place to be somewhere that works for the community as well as a family home,’ Luke elaborated.
‘And seeing it come to life last week for both adults and youngsters during what is generally considered a dreary time of year was such a boost that it’s given us the impetus to want to put on more events on a regular basis.
We want to plan a proper calendar of things that people can rely on to happen, rather than having them popping up every now and then. ’
‘The Winterfest, and now Halloween week, could be just the start of that,’ Kate joined in.
‘Perhaps even another summer fair with Prosperous Place playing an even bigger part than last time,’ Luke chimed in thoughtfully.
That was something else I hadn’t heard about.
‘But the point is, having to put off the Winterfest this year has shown us that we can’t do it all ourselves,’ Kate continued. ‘And nor would we want to because it would take up so much of our time. It could easily become too much for us and feel like a burden.’
‘What we need is someone to take on the role for us. A professional event planner who has the experience and vision to help us make a success of it all, not just the Winterfest, but the entire year,’ Luke beamed. ‘And working in a paid role, rather than as a volunteer.’
‘Someone who can get things up and running but who is also able to work in a team because we’d still want to play a part, just not such a major one,’ Kate elaborated.
‘I see,’ I swallowed.
‘So, what we’re asking, Skylar—’ Luke said.
‘But with no expectation of an immediate answer,’ Kate insisted.
‘Is if you’d like to be that event planner for us?’ Luke asked. ‘Would you consider taking on the role of event planner for Prosperous Place?’
My heart began to skitter, and I felt my face flood with colour.
I had assumed I was coming over to hear how much we’d made for The Chapel and possibly help with the last bit of decoration dismantling, but I was being offered a job.
And not just any job! A job doing what I loved, that was right on my doorstep and would potentially secure my future in Nightingale Square!
‘Will you?’ Kate asked. ‘Will you consider it?’
‘Of course I’ll consider it!’ I told them. ‘I can’t believe it.’
I was already keen to accept, in principle, but didn’t get carried far enough away to say that.
And I thought I would keep the offer to myself for now, because if Rafe knew he’d be as thrilled as I was and all objectivity would go out the window.
I wanted long enough to weigh up the pros (many) and cons (not even one so far) for myself, just to be completely sure.
‘You might be interested then?’ Luke asked and Kate swatted his arm.
‘Don’t pressure her,’ she scolded. ‘But are you, Skylar?’
I laughed at the contradiction.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I’m very interested indeed.’
‘Feel free to fire as many or as few questions at us as you like while you’re mulling it over,’ Kate said.
The back door banged and we all fell silent.
‘Only me!’ Erik called.
‘And for now,’ Luke whispered, ‘we won’t tell a soul.’
‘Agreed,’ I nodded as Erik walked in bringing a blast of crisp cold smelling air with him.
‘Hey Skylar,’ he smiled. ‘How’s your head?’
I looked over at him and my heart skittered again.
It was in that moment that a difficulty regarding accepting the job hit me straight in the solar plexus.
Working at Prosperous Place, depending now on what Erik’s plans were, might put me in constant contact with the friend I was still wrestling to think of as a platonic pal only.
Rather than seeing the change in my circumstances as a Big Love opportunity it was potentially a barrier to accepting the job because Erik had made it very clear that it was friendship that he wanted.
He had ruled himself out of being interested in any kind of love.
As had I when we first discussed our relationship status.
But that was before I’d got to properly know him. And kissed him. Twice.
If I took the job, and if Erik didn’t succumb to what his father wanted, was I going to be able to get used to living with us being just friends long-term and at such close quarters?
‘My head?’ I frowned.
‘You had a headache?’
‘Oh, yes, sorry,’ I gabbled. ‘It’s fine, thanks. In fact, I think I’ll take it for a walk around the garden and then treat it to a trip to The Dragon for lunch.’
Now I knew that the photographer had disappeared with a flea in his ear, I felt more relaxed about going out again.
‘Sounds like a good idea,’ Erik nodded. ‘I might see you in the pub later.’
‘I’ll save you some chips,’ I said automatically, as I carefully returned the mugs to the box they’d been packed in.
‘I’ve heard that before,’ he grinned and I looked away. ‘Whatever you want to tell me you two, keep it brief,’ he added, ‘because I’ll need to get to The Dragon before Skylar’s eaten every potato in the place.’
Pretending to be offended, I left them to it and let myself out.
As I walked around the grounds, it didn’t take any imagination to picture the building Luke had talked about having built and it working as the ideal venue for the Winterfest and more.
I could also imagine myself there, in all seasons, working alongside him, Kate and Freya to create the most exciting and inspiring calendar of events.
I tried to put the Erik conundrum to the back of my mind and almost had a spring in my step once I’d checked the bulbs in the bothy and had a walk through the Winter Garden which I hadn’t taken all that much notice of before but could now see was just starting to come into its own.
In something of a daze, I dropped the mugs at home and wandered down to The Dragon.
‘So, have you hogged all the chips?’ Erik asked, when he arrived.
He sounded perfectly friendly and I resolved to work much harder and loads faster to reassign him to the zone he’d obviously had no struggle sending me back to.
Ultimately, and with my common-sense cap on, I was grateful for that because no matter how long we were both in Norwich for, it would mean no crossed wires going forward.
‘No,’ I said, putting on my brightest smile while also pretending to be offended. ‘I haven’t hogged all the chips. I haven’t even ordered any food yet.’
‘There’s hope for me yet then,’ he commented, then pulled off the beanie he was wearing and ran a hand through his hair.
I ignored my traitorous quickening pulse and nodded to the chalkboard above the bar.
‘I thought I might go for something other than a spud today,’ I told him.
‘Such as?’
‘The Brancaster mussels seem to be calling me,’ I said and my tummy rumbled. ‘Served in a white wine and garlic sauce and with Blossom’s crusty wholemeal baguette.’
‘That does sound good,’ Erik agreed. ‘And if you’re having garlic, maybe I should, too.’
‘Why?’ I laughed. ‘Are you thinking of kissing me again?’
‘No,’ Erik blushed. ‘And as I recall it was you—’