Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

7

Erin

‘Your home is lovely, Ty,’ said Erin, mooching around the open space of the light living room.

‘Thanks. There’s not much going on. I went for neutral tones, not really knowing what to do with the place.’ Tyler offered her a seat on a cream corner sofa.

‘So this used to be a barn?’

‘It was more of an outbuilding. When I wanted my own space, Heath renovated this for me.’

Erin glanced up at the light-wood beams across the ceiling. ‘He’s good, isn’t he?’

‘Yep. Although he did have some help.’ Tyler motioned towards the low brick wall making the base of the conservatory over by the open plan kitchen.

Sitting down, Erin smiled at the wood burner. ‘It reminds me of a showroom in here.’

Tyler laughed. ‘Not lived in, you mean?’

‘No, I wasn’t saying that. It’s just so beautiful.’ She winced as she settled back. ‘I love it.’

‘Hey, you okay?’

‘Just feeling the bruises.’

‘I’ll just take your things to your room, then I’ll pop the kettle on.’ He gestured down a passageway. ‘Yours in the last door on the left. I’m opposite.’

‘Thanks,’ Erin called, watching him walk away. She took in her surroundings once more.

Wish I had a place like this .

With that in mind, she thought it best to sort her living arrangements with her flatmate back in London. Pulling her phone out her handbag, and finding every movement awkward with one arm, she sent a text to Sandi to let her know the news. It was only fair she paid the rent owed so Sandi wouldn’t be left in the lurch.

Within seconds Sandi had replied, stating she thought Erin had already moved, seeing how she had been given a shop.

‘We didn’t discuss that.’ Erin huffed, then tapped out a reply, letting her flatmate know she hadn’t actually made a final decision.

Sandi told her another flatmate was already lined up to move in next month.

What a cheek!

Erin quickly reminded her she still had her things there, but Sandi told her she’d packed them already and was just waiting for a courier to collect them and wanted to know when that would be.

‘Oh, you’re fast. Boyfriend moving in, I bet.’

‘You talking to yourself?’ asked Tyler, grinning.

Erin waggled her phone, causing a twinge of pain to run along her shoulders. ‘It’s my flatmate, Sandi. Reckons I told her I was moving to the Isle of Wight. She’s moving someone else in to my room, and she’s packed my stuff.’ It wasn’t a nice feeling having someone rummage around in her drawers, even if she didn’t have much. ‘Serves me right for not having a contract with her.’

‘Oh, erm, I can use Heath’s truck to take you back to pick up your things if you like.’

The thought of being on a ferry again had her shaking her head before she could speak. ‘I don’t want to travel again just yet. I’ll arrange a courier.’ She gazed his way and frowned. ‘How much do you think that costs?’

Tyler shrugged. ‘Not sure, but don’t bother yourself, I’ve just had a better idea. I know someone who is always back and forth between London and here. I’ll ask him if he’ll pick up your stuff.’

‘Really? That would be great.’

‘Right, that’s another problem solved, let’s order pizza.’

Erin smiled as she told him what topping she wanted. He seemed to be good at solving problems. She wished she had the ability to jump straight into that mode, rather than stressing first.

Tyler put his phone on a cream footstool. ‘It won’t be long. Do you still want a cuppa while we wait?’

‘Yes, please, but let me help.’

He flapped her back down. ‘No. You sit there. Firstly, you’re injured, and secondly, you’re my houseguest.’ He glanced over his shoulder as he headed for the kitchen. ‘I’ve not had one in a while.’

‘Do you have many?’

‘Just a couple since I moved in. You know, helping out a mate when needed.’

‘At least that means you’re used to sharing your personal space.’

Tyler laughed. ‘I grew up with a mum, dad, and two brothers, and my niece is only seven years younger than me and was always around, so personal space and me are strangers.’

‘Do you all get on?’

‘Yeah, we’re pretty close. You can meet them soon. My mum has already texted me asking to bring you over for lunch whenever you want.’

Erin smiled. ‘Aw, that’s nice of her.’ She sighed deeply, ignoring all aches and pains. ‘I guess I’m going to have to figure out some sort of schedule now I’m here. I feel so unorganised.’

‘Are you normally organised?’

‘No different to anyone else, I guess. But since my job came to a spectacular end, I’ve been all over the place. It was one of the reasons I decided to come here and sort the shop. I needed something to do.’

Tyler sat at the other end of the sofa. ‘Like I said before, you could make a real go of that place. At least you’ll have a home, a steady income, and it’s something to do.’

‘Yeah, I get it. You don’t want to lose your job there.’

‘No, that’s not it, Erin. I’ll admit, I do love the shop, but now I’ve met you, and can see what a mess you’re in, I think it makes perfect sense.’

‘Cheers, Ty!’

‘Wait, that came out wrong.’

Erin shook her head. ‘Never mind. My life is a mess right now, and whether I like it or not, this is all I have.’ She took a moment to think about that as Tyler went off to make the tea.

I should feel grateful. If it wasn’t for Chester, I would still be plodding around London, begging for a job .

The memory made her cringe, especially the last interviewer telling her that violent behaviour wasn’t exactly what they were looking for at their company. She knew she should have lied about why she didn’t have a reference from her last job, but she didn’t think taking her bad mood out on an office desk would be classed as violent.

A knock on the door brought her out of her dismal thoughts.

‘I’ll get it,’ called Tyler, sprinting across the room. ‘Pizza was quick.’ He flung the door open, and she saw his cheery expression change to surprised.

‘Hello, Ty. I’ve got your things from the hotel,’ said a male voice.

Erin sat forward, trying to see who was on the doorstep.

‘Oh, right, yeah. Erm, come in, mate.’ Tyler stepped back, and a short man with fair hair walked in, carrying a small case.

‘Sorry about all that…’ The man thumbed behind him. ‘You know.’ He noticed Erin and smiled.

Tyler gestured her way. ‘This is Erin.’

‘Hiya, Erin.’

She waved her free hand.

Tyler took the case from his friend. ‘Erin, this is my mate, Conor.’ He turned back to him. ‘You just got back?’

‘Yeah, and I’m not stopping. I just wanted to drop this off before I head home, and make sure you’re okay.’

Tyler glanced at Erin before shrugging. ‘Not in the mood to talk about it, Con.’

Conor nodded. ‘I know. I was worried about you, that’s all.’

‘I’m okay. I just had to get out of there. I couldn’t take Tammy glaring at me anymore as if it were my fault.’ Tyler tapped his chest. ‘It wasn’t my fault her wedding was called off. All I did was walk in on the groom with his tongue down my girlfriend’s throat. Didn’t she deserve to know that?’

Oh goodness. Poor Tyler. Poor Tammy .

Erin sat in silence whilst the two men spoke about the wedding day from hell. She knew all about those but didn’t feel the need to chip in with her own disaster story. Three years later, and it still had the ability to haunt her. Giving herself a mental shake, she continued to listen.

‘She did what?’ scoffed Tyler.

Conor’s lips were twisted to one side. ‘Yeah, she still married him.’

‘But what about Mandy?’

‘She took off not long after you.’

Tyler glanced over his shoulder. ‘Where is she now?’

Conor shrugged. ‘Don’t know. Lying low for a few days, I guess.’

Tyler’s face screwed up. ‘And where’s he ?’

‘Honeymoon.’

Wow! Some people just don’t care .

Erin offered a sympathetic smile as soon as Tyler turned her way. There wasn’t much else she could do.

Conor patted Tyler’s arm. ‘Look, I’ve got to get home, but I’ll see you soon, okay. You are still coming to mine for the reunion, right?’

Tyler nodded and walked back to the door with him, staying there for a while.

Erin didn’t know what to say. It was obvious Tyler was hurting. ‘You okay?’ she asked quietly.

‘Not really.’ He closed the door and stood there, looking quite lost. ‘It’s not fair, is it? Howie cheats on his partner with my girlfriend, then still gets married and is off on his honeymoon.’

‘That Tammy woman must really love him,’ was all she could think to say.

‘I wonder where Mandy is?’

‘Are you worried about her?’ Erin saw his lips tighten.

‘No,’ he snapped.

Change the subject. Think, think .

‘Erm, so, reunion, eh? Sounds like fun.’

Tyler hadn’t lost his scowl. ‘Not really. Howie and Mandy are invited too, seeing how we were all at school together.’

Great. Well done, Erin .

She wrinkled her nose. ‘Oh, they can be a bit much anyway, can’t they? People talking up their jobs and lives. You’re better off staying away.’

Tyler turned sharply. ‘I’m still going. They’re not ruining anything else for me. One of my friends will be over from Germany, and I haven’t seen him in years.’

‘As long as you’re sure, Ty. Let’s face it, it won’t be easy for you the next time you see them. Saying that, after all that’s happened, I bet they don’t show.’

He sat by her side and exhaled slowly. ‘I hope they don’t show up.’

Erin chuckled. ‘You can always take me with you as your fake girlfriend. That’s one way to stick two fingers up to them if they are there.’ It was good to see him smiling again.

‘I’ll think about it.’

‘When is it?’

‘A couple of weeks. Ooh, speaking of which. Hope Park hosts the Sandly Christmas Market on the first of December every year. How about you check it out with me tomorrow? We won’t be able to get a stall there now, as it’s too late for that, but if you see what it’s like, we can hire one for next year to sell the sweets. I’ve always thought it a good idea, but, well, you know.’

It was obvious he was done talking about his problems, so Erin joined in with the new subject just as the pizza delivery man knocked.

‘Sure, that sounds like a nice day out, but aren’t we supposed to be clearing the flat?’

‘We can do a bit in the morning or evening. Start with the recycling bits. That won’t take any sorting through.’

Tyler took the pizza over to the kitchen table, gesturing for Erin to follow. It smelled so good, she couldn’t wait to tuck in.

‘I wonder if it would be possible to get the shop ready for Christmas.’

Tyler flashed her a smile. ‘You want to open up?’

‘I don’t know. Maybe. We could at least string up some twinkling lights in the window. Perhaps put a few sweet hampers on display.’

‘Now you’re talking.’

Erin glanced around. ‘How come you haven’t got any Christmas bits up yet? I noticed the garden centre all lit up when we drove in. Ooh, I love the sleigh you have out front.’

‘Heath made that.’

‘You have a lot of Christmas trees out front as well, but not one in here.’

Tyler passed her a piece of kitchen roll. ‘I haven’t had time. But not to worry. It’s not December till tomorrow.’

‘Do you think we should put a tree in the shop?’

He laughed through his mouthful of pepperoni. ‘Oh yeah.’

‘You’ve been wanting to do that, haven’t you?’

‘Forever.’

She laughed, snaffling some pizza. ‘Well, that should keep me busy.’

‘Oh, you’ll be busy all right. What with helping me get this place decorated for the season, we’ve got the flat to clear, sweet treats to advertise, a shop to make twinkle, the Frozen Forest to run, and we really need to spend time rehearsing.’

‘Rehearsing for what?’

‘You being my fake girlfriend.’

Erin almost choked on her mouthful of food. ‘You seriously want to do that?’

‘Hell yeah.’

She had to laugh. ‘Okay. Well, we’ve already shared a bedroom, food, and now a house, so I’m pretty sure we can manage hand holding.’

He raised a slice of pizza in a toast. ‘Here’s to you, Erin Mason.’

She smiled as he continued to eat.

Aw, I can be his fake girlfriend for his party if it keeps that smile on his face, bless him. He deserves a break, besides, what’s the worst that can happen?