Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

17

Erin

Two days had passed and Erin was enjoying making up the last of the sweet hampers. Most had already been collected, and she had agreed to deliver the rest with Tyler on their way home that evening.

It was such a joyous day, filled with laughter inside the shop, and carollers outside, merrily singing as they walked along Pepper Lane. Tyler had splayed ribbons all over the floor, scoffed all the chocolates hanging on the tree, and Erin’s cheeks hadn’t stopped aching from smiling.

They flopped behind the counter, tinsel wrapped around their heads and sticky bows over Erin’s cast, as Tyler wanted to decorate her.

‘Two more hampers and we are done,’ she sang, getting in the festive mood, thanks to the carol singers.

‘Then we can have another rummage through the flat before we head off,’ said Tyler, motioning towards the ceiling.

Erin creaked to a stand as the shop door opened. ‘One last time this year, as I want to help your family now. I’m missing my Mrs Postmaster hat.’ She giggled, then turned to greet the customer who had entered to collect their hamper. Plonking the money over by the till whilst wishing the man a merry Christmas, she winked down at Tyler still on the floor, hidden from sight.

He winked back, then started cutting more ribbon.

Erin turned back to the door, wondering if they should attach a small bell.

Would it annoy me? Jingle jangle all day? Hmm, maybe I’ll try one in the new year .

She bent to a box of foil-covered chocolates, about to refill the Christmas tree, but the shop door opened again, and the man standing in the doorway took her completely by surprise.

‘Erin, there you are,’ he snapped, closing the door behind him.

‘Harvey?’ was all she could manage, thanks to her hanging jaw.

‘What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?’ he asked, his tone filled with contempt.

Had she hit her head? Was it some sort of weird hallucination brought on by eating too much chocolate? Surely she couldn’t see who she thought she could see. Why on earth would her ex turn up at her sweet shop? She really needed to pull herself together.

‘Harvey what are you doing here?’

‘I might ask you the same thing.’

‘This is my grandfather’s shop.’

Harvey raked a hand through his light locks as he gave the place the once over in three-seconds flat. ‘Yes, well, I heard about that from your flatmate. Or should I say ex-flatmate. She’s moved someone else into your room. Do you know that?’

Erin nodded meekly. ‘Yes, I’ve moved out.’

‘You didn’t tell me.’

She narrowed her eyes slightly at the comment. ‘Why would I?’

Harvey approached the Christmas tree, wrinkling his nose at the large candy-swirl topper. ‘After everything we’ve been through, I have a right to know you’re okay, not living in a cardboard box somewhere.’

‘Actually, you don’t have any right.’

Harvey sighed dramatically. ‘Oh, not that old chestnut.’

Erin folded her arms. ‘What old chestnut?’

‘Every time I show even the smallest amount of concern about your life, you shun me because I left you at the church.’

Wow, he actually sounds wounded .

It took her a moment to gather her bearings after his comment. ‘My life is none of your business, Harvey. I honestly have no idea why you are here.’

‘I’m doing you a favour, and now I’ve seen this place, I’m glad I came.’

Erin frowned. It was a sweet shop, what could possibly offend him about that? ‘What are you talking about?’

Harvey stepped closer, dipping his head and offering the smile that used to fool her into thinking she mattered to him. ‘I’ve been using my clout to get you your job back.’

‘You got me the promotion?’

Suddenly his smugness disappeared. ‘Ah, not that part. I did question the decision, but I was assured you would be in the running next time.’

Erin slapped her chest. ‘I was in the running this time. I did all the donkey work. I landed the client. That promotion was mine.’

‘Don’t act entitled, Erin. You have to work hard for these things.’

She coughed, choking on something resembling a laugh stuck in her throat. ‘I did work hard. For six months straight. I didn’t even take a weekend off.’

Harvey tapped her arm. ‘Babe, please. Don’t get emotional. It’s just one of those things.’

‘One of those things I deserved, not that kid straight out of uni. How’s that for a kick in the face?’

Shrugging, Harvey turned to peruse the jars of sweets. ‘Oh, I remember those,’ he said, pointing out the rhubarb-and-custard sweets.

Never before had Erin felt like stamping on someone’s foot, as squishing his expensive shiny shoes were one way to quash his blasé attitude. ‘You can buy some before you leave,’ she decided to say, rather than do any stamping.

Harvey’s lips tightened into a smirk as he faced her. ‘I’m taking you with me.’

‘I don’t think you understand. This is my shop. I live here now.’

‘You’re the one who doesn’t understand, Erin. You don’t have to reduce yourself to a mere shopkeeper. I’ve got you your job back. You can stop sulking and come home now. All is forgiven. And you’re not even going to be charged for trashing the office. I sorted that.’

‘Well, thank you, but I didn’t need anything to be sorted. My life has changed. I’m here now.’

Harvey scoffed, waggling a hand towards the window. ‘Come off it, Erin. Since when have you wanted this kind of life?’

‘It’s all I’ve got.’

‘Not anymore. You can come home. Sell this ramshackle thing and get back to what you love. I’m telling you, this time next year you’ll be on my level.’ He stepped closer, taking her hand. ‘I fought hard for this. I made sure… Have you broken your arm?’

Took you long enough to notice .

‘I fell down the stairs.’

The laugh that left Harvey was more of a huff. ‘You always were clumsy.’

You’re the clumsy one, not me .

Erin took a calming breath, steadying herself for another round of Harvey telling her what was best for her life. ‘While I appreciate the fact you came all the way here to find me, and that you fought long and hard on the golf course for my job, I’m not interested.’

‘Don’t be daft. Your life is in London.’

Was it? She couldn’t be sure. It was hard enough coming to terms with it all without him turning up to woo her back to what she thought was her dream job.

‘I’m heading back in the morning, Erin. I expect you to be with me. Oh, and have you changed your number? I’ve been trying to contact you. Have you any idea how much faffing around I had to do to find you?’

‘My phone’s broke,’ she lied, not wanting him to be able to contact her ever again. She was still in shock he was standing in front of her.

‘I suppose I’ll have to sort that too.’

Erin frowned. ‘You don’t have to sort anything for me. In fact, don’t you think you’ve got a bit of a cheek showing up here, making demands?’

‘How bloody ungrateful is that? I’m here for your sake, not mine.’

‘But my life has nothing to do with you.’

‘Really? You’re going to bring up the wedding again?’

Erin huffed. ‘No, I wasn’t. You’re the only one who brings it up. I got over it, and you, a long time ago, when you got married to someone else months after you were supposed to marry me.’

Harvey shook his head. ‘See. This is what I’m talking about. You’re going to let what happened between us ruin your career. Why am I the only one making sense here?’

She went to speak but stopped, as all words failed her. Most conversations with Harvey were confusing, nothing had changed there.

He entered her personal space. ‘I’ll always care about you. You know that, right?’

She daren’t nod.

‘I’m just doing what I always do. Looking out for you,’ he added quietly. ‘Come home with me. Let’s get your life back on track. Back where it should be.’ He lifted her chin and smiled. ‘You know I’m right.’

‘I—’

‘Pack your things and meet me at my hotel tonight. I’m staying at the Hotel Royale in Sandly. We’ll leave first thing, and you’ll feel better as soon as we’re on the plane.’

Plane?

Feeling a tad dazed, Erin simply watched in silence as her ex left the shop.

Tyler cleared his throat as he stood, revealing himself from behind the counter, reminding her he was there. ‘Well, that was… different.’

That was one word for it. She tightened her brow. ‘There’s an airport here?’

Tyler nodded. ‘Small airfield.’

She tipped her head to one side. ‘I’m not sure why that’s all I’m thinking about.’

‘Maybe because that’s what you find important.’

Erin pointed a shaky hand at the door. ‘That was Harvey. He got me my job back. In London. My career in London. My old life is there…’ She trailed off.

‘In London?’ he finished for her.

Nodding, she stared at the fairy lights in the window. ‘Ty, I feel really confused.’

‘I’m not surprised after that conversation.’

She glanced his way. ‘What should I do?’

Tyler’s head dipped as he smiled softly. ‘Whatever makes you happy.’

I was happy there, wasn’t I? I was stressed. Exhausted all the time. Fed up with seeing everyone else look happy. Harvey’s happy. Why wouldn’t he be? He’s got everything just how he likes it. He had me just where he wanted. Controlled. Alone. Under his watch .

Erin flew out the door, racing up the street towards the tram stop. ‘Harvey,’ she yelled. ‘Harvey.’

He stopped up by a post box built into the wall. ‘You want to leave now?’

‘No, I flipping well don’t. This is my home now, and that is my business,’ she snapped, swinging her good arm towards the shop. ‘I have a life here, which means, I’m done with the one in London, so you can tell whoever to stick their job, I don’t want it, and I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from me.’

Harvey huffed. ‘Rude!’

‘No, you’re rude, showing up here, telling me what to do, looking down your nose at my sweet shop, thinking you’re in charge of my life. You’re only here because you don’t like the fact I actually have a life, and it doesn’t involve you. So how about you go back to your missus and leave me alone?’

‘I was helping you.’

Erin lowered her voice, not wanting to draw attention. ‘I didn’t ask for it nor do I need it.’ Out of the corner of her eye she could see a few people peering her way, and it was starting to make her feel uncomfortable. Unlike Harvey, she didn’t like confrontation or public displays of rage.

Harvey stepped forward and went to say something but then stopped, peering over her shoulder, making her turn to see what he was staring at.

‘Everything all right?’ asked Tyler, placing a hand on her shoulder, which Harvey glared at.

‘Yes, it’s fine,’ she told him, offering a warm smile so he would know she meant her words.

‘Excuse me, who are you?’ asked Harvey.

Erin knew Tyler was on her side. He had been since the moment they met. ‘He’s my boyfriend.’ It was a tiny change, but she saw Harvey’s expression harden.

So now you can bugger right off .

Flashing him a tight smile, she took Tyler’s hand and walked away.

Tyler stopped her on the doorstep of the shop. ‘I’m sorry you were left at the church.’

‘It’s ancient history.’

‘I’m glad you’re not with him, Erin. You deserve so much better.’

‘I know that. And now he does too.’

Tyler glanced up the street. ‘He’s still watching.’

‘Do me a favour, Ty. Give me a pretend kiss, please.’ She expected a smile and a peck on the cheek, but Tyler pressed his lips upon hers and stayed there for a while, causing all sorts of fizz bombs to go off.

Suddenly his arms were around her, pulling her closer, and his mouth opened, deepening their kiss and taking the chill out of the air.

Erin cupped his face, forgetting where they were and who might be watching. All that mattered was Tyler and his most amazing fake kiss.

He slowly pulled away and smiled, then stole a glance up the street. ‘He’s gone.’

Should she say a great big thank you or give him a friendly fist bump? It was quite surreal and wonderful in so many ways.

‘Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say,’ added Tyler, walking back inside the shop.

Erin felt her cheeks flush as she noticed Nate over the road giving her the thumbs-up signal. She hurried inside and closed the door. ‘Erm…’ She cleared her throat and tried again, but Tyler tossed some ribbon over her head, reducing the awkwardness immediately.

‘Come on,’ he said cheerfully. ‘We’ve got work to do.’

Erin glanced at the hampers, then at him as he swiped a chocolate from the pile ready for the tree. After what he’d just done for her, he truly was her best friend, and perhaps now something a little sweeter than all the candy in her shop.