Chapter 30 #2
‘And before you make a start,’ Luke said and he also stood up, ‘I just want to ask you about that tree limb I mentioned. I’ll be back in a minute,’ he said to Kate. ‘You haven’t got to rush off, have you, Skylar?’
‘No, I can wait.’
I accepted the coffee Kate offered me and while she was pouring it I took a photo of the list of garden tour dates Freya had left on the table.
‘It’s good to know the tours are so popular,’ I said. ‘It’s not always easy is it, wanting to spend time outside when the short dark days arrive?’
‘You’re right,’ Kate agreed. ‘And that was why we wanted to set them up. That and the Winterfest have helped so many people impacted by SAD. And talking of the Winterfest,’ she wheedled, ‘have you given any further thought to our job offer?’
‘Of course, I have,’ I laughed. ‘But I’ll wait until Luke’s back…’ my words trailed off as we heard the back door open and slam shut.
‘You were quick,’ Kate said as he rushed in, rubbing his hands together and blowing on them.
It might have been sunny, but it was chilly, too.
‘I pointed out the tree needing Freya’s attention from the edge of the lawn and came straight back in,’ he told her. ‘What have I missed?’
‘I was just telling Kate that I wanted to wait until you came back before I said that I’ve decided to accept your job offer,’ I grinned. ‘I would love to work with you here at Prosperous Place.’
‘Oh, Skylar!’ exclaimed Kate. ‘That’s the best news!’
‘It certainly is,’ Luke added. ‘Wow, I’m thrilled and excited, too.’
‘We’re going to have the most amazing time!’ Kate clapped. ‘What did Rafe say about it?’
‘I haven’t told him yet,’ I confessed. ‘I didn’t want his opinion to impact on my decision, so I thought I’d wait until I’d made up my own mind.’
I didn’t add that I also hadn’t mentioned it because I was still waiting to see if I could curb my feelings for Erik. I hadn’t kept them in check so far but hoped that would improve in time. If he kept avoiding me it might end up being easier than I thought!
‘Well, we’ll keep it to ourselves until you’ve had time to tell your father,’ Kate promised.
‘And Grandad George,’ I said.
‘And him too,’ Luke smiled. ‘I’m going to have another coffee to celebrate. Anyone else want more?’
‘Not for me, thanks,’ I said. ‘Mine’s still half-full.’
I remembered the delicious coffee I’d enjoyed in The Cherry Tree Café and also that I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to talk with them about the Wynbridge Autumn Festival.
‘And I daresay Erik has mentioned all of this already,’ I said once we’d toasted my acceptance of the job. ‘But we saw a few things in Wynbridge that might come in handy for the Spooktacular next year.’
‘I can’t believe my silly name for it has stuck,’ Kate laughed.
‘I think it’s perfect,’ I laughed, too. ‘And The Cherry Tree Café was also perfect. Your sister-in-law makes the best harvest pancakes. Did Erik tell you?’
‘She’s a culinary genius, isn’t she?’ Kate smiled, but then her expression changed. ‘But Erik hasn’t told us anything because he isn’t here.’
‘Oh?’ I frowned.
‘Did he not tell you that he was going away?’ Luke questioned.
I felt like I’d had the breath knocked out of me.
‘Going away?’ I swallowed. ‘When?’
‘He left first thing yesterday morning,’ Kate filled me in. ‘And I can’t believe I forgot to say as soon as you arrived, but he left you something. I’m sorry I haven’t had time to deliver it.’
She searched on the worktop and found a tiny box with an even tinier red ribbon wrapped around it and tied in a bow. I knew what was inside even before I opened it and felt a lump form in my throat.
‘Skylar?’
‘Sorry,’ I swallowed. ‘What did you say?’
‘I was just apologising for not bringing it over,’ Kate said again. ‘Though why Erik couldn’t deliver it, I don’t know because it would have easily slipped through your letterbox if you hadn’t been in. Do you know what’s inside?’
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I think so.’ I made no move to open it. ‘Do you know where Erik’s gone?’
‘London,’ Luke said. ‘He’s going to be away all week.’
There was only one reason I could think of that warranted a trip to London, but I hoped there was something else I didn’t know about.
‘Did he say what he was going to be doing there?’ I asked.
‘Not specifically but he did say he’d be seeing his agent,’ Kate told me. ‘And that his dad was planning to fly over from Sweden to spend some time with him, too.’
‘Right,’ I said and looked at the package on the table.
‘I’m surprised he didn’t tell you,’ Luke commented.
I had been initially too, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Erik had moved on. Granted a lot further and faster than I had and in a way I hadn’t in the least expected, but he was sticking to what we’d agreed.
Despite my former misgivings, I was clearly back to being his friend, granted one he wasn’t currently maintaining contact with but a pal, nonetheless. I guessed that having mulled everything over he had decided to take the TV job.
I hadn’t ever thought he was seriously considering it, especially when Kate and Luke were offering him a settled future at Prosperous Place but perhaps it did make sense for him to make hay while the sun still shone on his success on the rugby pitch.
I supposed time would tell and he’d let me know at some point.