Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

12

Tyler

Tyler thought it would be nice to take Erin for dinner at The Ugly Duckling. They were both so grateful to the Sparrows for helping to cart away some more junk from the flat. Plus, he noticed Erin looking glum so wanted to cheer her up. She’d had such a good day up until she read a message on her phone, and it was disheartening to see her lose the sparkle that had been steadily building all day.

‘Ooh, it’s cosy in here,’ said Erin, stepping inside the pub.

A waft of beer and grilled steak filled the warm air as Tyler led Erin over to the table by the open fireplace.

‘I think I’ll be having a lot more dinners in here,’ she said, removing her coat to sit.

‘It is nice here.’ Tyler grabbed some menus from the long tinsel-adorned bar. ‘I’m happy you’re happy with Pepper Bay so far.’

Erin laughed into her menu. ‘Yes, so you don’t need to keep selling it to me.’

Slapping a hand to his chest, he mocked hurt. ‘Moi? Never. I’m just buying dinner.’

‘Ooh, it’s on you, is it?’

Tyler shrugged as he sat opposite her, warming his back on the crackling small flames in the fireplace. ‘We can call it payment for helping out at the Frozen Forest this morning.’

‘And there was me thinking it was a treat.’

‘It is. I was joking.’ He was worried for a moment, but then she smiled.

Erin started to peruse the menu. ‘Once the flat is sorted, it would be nice to do some exploring. It’s so busy this time of year, isn’t it? I’m glad we’re only going to open the shop for a few days over the next two weeks. I honestly don’t think I could cope with much more right now.’

Tyler whipped his phone out of his coat as it vibrated. ‘It’s Mum. Your things have arrived from London.’

‘That was quick. Tell your friend thanks from me. He can have a sweet hamper for his troubles.’

‘I’ll pop one to him before the big day.’

Erin sat back, placing her menu down. ‘You have some good friends.’

‘Have you never had a close circle?’

She started laughing. ‘Sorry. I don’t know why I thought that was funny. I guess I’m used to being alone. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some friends over the years, but no one I’d call a bestie, and certainly no one who would collect my things from London for me just because they were in town.’

It made Tyler realise just how much he’d always been surrounded by love. It was all quite normal to him. Erin, however, looked blown away every time someone stepped forward to offer assistance with anything.

‘What can I get you two?’ asked Elaine, approaching with a pen and notepad.

Tyler didn’t need to check the menu, already knowing what was on offer. ‘Roast chicken for me, please, with chips and peas.’

‘Ooh, I’ll have the same,’ said Erin. ‘And could I get an orange juice, please?’

Elaine scribbled down their order.

‘Same,’ said Tyler.

‘Well, that makes life easy.’ Elaine smiled, then headed back to the bar.

‘Hey, do you want a quick peep at the beer garden?’ asked Tyler. ‘Elaine really goes to town this time of year.’

‘Come on then, but just from the doorway. I’m too warm to want to go back outside.’

Tyler led her to the back door, where a large Christmas tree stood, twinkling. He motioned to the garden. ‘Magical, right?’

He watched Erin’s eyes widened as she gazed at the winding pathways leading to wooden tables topped with bottles filled with white sparkling lights. He pointed out small colourful lamps poking out of fake snow-covered verges.

‘I love the Victorian streetlights on the decking,’ she said, stepping a little more outside.

Multicoloured fairy lights draped across the rope rails, stretching from each upright sleeper to the other, and suddenly light snowflakes started to fall.

‘There’s a snow machine above the door,’ Tyler told her as she cooed with delight.

Thanks, Elaine .

Once more, Erin’s eyes held a twinkle. ‘I wish it would snow.’

‘If it does, you’ll have to make snow angels with me.’

Erin swirled beneath the flakes. ‘Deal.’

Tyler couldn’t resist. He pulled her into his body and twirled with her just as Elaine switched on some Christmas music.

Erin was laughing and looking so relaxed in his arms, and it felt good to know he had helped bring the smile back to her face. He wished he knew what had made her low earlier, but it wasn’t his place to pry.

Taking him completely by surprise, Erin kissed his cheek.

‘Thanks, Ty,’ she said softly, still beaming.

‘For what?’

‘Being my friend.’

His smile stretched as far as it could go as she slipped by to go back to the warmth of the pub.

‘Icy out there now,’ called over Elaine.

Tyler and Erin huddled by the fire to warm their hands before sitting back at their table.

‘I’ve decided I’m going to make a real go of it here, Ty.’ Erin shrugged. ‘It’s all I have now, so I’ll give it my best shot.’

‘Good for you.’

‘And maybe soon I’ll have some family to visit during the holidays as well.’

He loved how hopeful she looked. He wished he could feel something good too. It didn’t matter how much work he gave himself, the pain of losing his girlfriend and best mate at the same time was still lurking.

Could I make a fresh start somewhere new? Is it time for me to leave here? Should I go?

The Christmas tree farm in the Scottish Highlands came to mind. His family and the Hart family up there were friends. Perhaps Honeydale was the place for him. At least then he wouldn’t have to worry about bumping into people he didn’t want to see ever again.

It was no good. Tyler loved his home. And his family meant everything to him. Now he wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse. He was stuck in Pepper Bay because he didn’t want to be anywhere else. It was only Howie and Mandy who had ruined it for him. That and his dad dying. How was life ever going to feel the same again?

Erin’s hand rested on his, waking him from the trance he had with the table. ‘You okay? You look a million miles away.’

‘I was just wondering if I could ever be as brave as you.’

Erin chuckled. ‘I’m not brave.’

‘You’re making plans to move somewhere new, starting a business, off to search for family members, and what am I doing? Feeling sorry for myself half the time.’

‘Hey, you have every right to feel down. What happened to you was horrible. Don’t beat yourself up about wanting to cry. Love can hurt.’

‘Love doesn’t hurt you, people do. Anyway, I’m not sure I want to attach that word to what I felt for Mandy. That kind of relationship doesn’t hold love. I know what love looks like. I grew up watching my parents.’

‘I don’t think some people know what love is. My mum didn’t. I lost count of how many partners she had over the years. Can’t say I ever witnessed any love from any of them.’

Tyler met her gaze. ‘It would be nice, wouldn’t it? To love someone and have them love you back.’

‘Yes, it would be nice.’ Erin broke eye contact as Elaine brought their food over.

‘I can hear you two talking about love,’ said Elaine, glancing over at the bald man behind the bar. ‘My Ed is my soulmate, and yet we were worlds apart when we met.’

Tyler chuckled, nodding at Erin. ‘Elaine used to be one of those lady of the manor types.’

Elaine tapped his shoulder with her tea towel. ‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that.’ She grinned as Ed winked. ‘Okay, so maybe I was.’

Erin frowned. ‘How did you meet Ed and end up owning a pub?’

‘This place has been in Ed’s family for years. We met on the mainland. It was a strange moment. It still makes me laugh. I don’t know what it was if I’m honest. All I can say is, I just knew he was the one for me.’ She went to the bar and brought over their drinks. ‘Falling in love can be so surreal. You can just bump into someone and have an immediate spark.’

Tyler locked eyes with Erin again, offering the smallest of smiles.

‘Right, I’ll let you get on. Enjoy your meal.’ Elaine walked off, and Erin picked up her knife and fork.

Is this your doing, Dad? Are you trying to tell me something?

Erin glanced up and smiled, and Tyler felt fizz hit his stomach along with the chip he grabbed from his plate. He glanced around the pub as he ate, imagining his dad sitting up the bar, raising a glass his way. If only it were real and he could reach out and tell his father one more time just how much he loved him.

‘Thanks, Ty,’ said Erin, breaking into his thoughts.

‘What for this time?’

Erin clinked her fork against his. ‘My lovely dinner.’

Tyler saw his dad smile. ‘You’re welcome,’ he said softly.

‘Ty?’

‘Hmm?’

‘Everything’s going to be all right.’

Tyler met her smiling eyes.

‘I have a feeling,’ she added.

He had a feeling too that was getting stronger each day, but he didn’t want to talk about it or feel that way. He was done with women, which meant no falling for the one in front of him.

‘Eat up, Erin, and I’ll take you up to Castle on the Mead for a hot chocolate and a walk in their winter wonderland garden.’

Because I don’t listen to myself .

Erin looked pleased with the idea, and that was good enough. And in that moment, he noticed how much better he always felt whenever he made her smile.