‘Katherine doesn’t want to close. She’s actually looking for someone to rent the shop from her. Come September, she has family obligations that might take her away for a few months.’ The Reverend looked from one to the other. ‘Do you know anyone who might be interested? Katherine has asked me to keep my ear to the ground. She doesn’t really want to advertise it until she knows more of her family’s circumstances.’
Oliver shook his head. ‘Sorry, I don’t.’
Pippa shook her head, too. ‘Not that I can think of, but if someone comes to mind, I’ll be sure to let you know.’
‘Wonderful. Right. Time to put an end to my stomach growls. Any louder and they will be scaring the pups.’
Oliver and Pippa laughed. Pippa waved him off as he walked away. ‘I’ll drop the poster in when it’s ready, Reverend.’
The Reverend held up his hand in acknowledgment without looking back as he headed back towards the road. ‘You know where to find me.’
Pippa and Oliver turned to look at each other again. ‘So, Pippa. Are you up for this doggy competition? If we get this right, this could be the first of many dog related community activities. We can do this.’
‘We?’
Oliver shuffled his feet awkwardly. ‘I mean your family’s business can do this.’
Pippa smiled. ‘It can only make things better. We are after all advertised as a very dog friendly pub and hotel.’ Pippa checked the time on her phone. ‘I need to get back. It won’t be long before it’s round two of the lunch-time meals.’
‘Yup, me too. I have to drop Jess home, grab a shower and some breakfast, and then I have a cellar and bar area to prep.’ They both laughed and called for their dogs as they ran playing chase across the sand with each other.
***
Pippa actually enjoyedthe lunch time shift. It wasn’t as busy as the day before, but there was a steady flow of customers. Oliver even helped out by being the server, taking the food from the kitchen out to customers when it was ready. Pippa enjoyed those brief snatches of time together the most. In between chatting about the dog competition and the doggy menu they could create, she could have sworn Oliver’s banter while they interacted was verging on flirtation.
She almost protested when her aunt came to take over, asking if Pippa minded sorting out the clean towels for the new guests in the hotel rooms. It was nice to see that her father had also come down for the last half an hour to help in the bar.
At the end of the day, when all four of them were catching up on the day’s events whilst sitting side by side at the bar, Pippa and Oliver told Brett and Morgan about the meeting on the beach with Reverend Townsend.
Morgan clapped her hands together in delight. ‘Oh, that is a wonderful idea, isn’t it, Brett?’
Brett chuckled. ‘It really is. Why haven’t we thought of doing it before now?’
‘So you’re okay if Oliver and I organise everything, Dad?’
Brett nodded. ‘Yes, of course. I’ll just serve the pints on the night and watch from behind the bar.’
‘And I’ll help out whoever is prepping and cooking in the kitchen. That reminds me, we need to place an ad for a new chef.’
‘I’ll sort it out, Aunt.’
‘Thanks, Kiddo.’ Morgan turned to look at Oliver. ‘Does this mean you’ll be judging the show?’
Oliver shrugged, ‘Unless Pippa judges it. I’ll probably be needed behind the bar.’
Pippa screwed up her face. ‘Ugh, I don’t think I could choose. I’d want them all to win. Maybe we should ask the Reverend.’
Morgan nodded. ‘Good thinking. It was his idea, after all.’
‘That’s sorted. I’ll ask him when I take the poster to the vicarage,’ said Pippa.
Morgan turned to look at Pippa, giving her a special look. ‘While we are all catching up, I need to let you both know, Brett and I will be going on that visit I mentioned to you Pippa, this weekend.’
Pippa’s mouth opened when she realised the code behind her aunt’s statement. ‘No worries, Aunt. I’m sure Oliver and I can survive without you both.’
Oliver leaned on to the bar so he could get a better view of Pippa. ‘Yes, Pippa and I make a terrific team.’
Pippa also realised there was more to Oliver’s statement, and warmth spread in her chest.
