Pippa was shocked. Had she heard him correctly? ‘What did you just say?’
Oliver smiled, ‘I said, this tea has some clout... Erm, is it Yorkshire tea?’
Pippa frowned. Was she hearing things she wanted to hear because she was still carrying a torch for Oliver?
She nodded. ‘Oh...yes it is. Dad will only drink Yorkshire tea. He likes it because it’s strong.’
Ginger bounded into the kitchen with his favourite cuddly toy in his mouth and headed straight for Oliver. Oliver went down on his haunches and ruffled Ginger’s fur. ‘I’d love to play with you buddy, but mummy and daddy have work to do.’ Pippa’s mouth dropped open. Daddy? What the heck did he mean by that? ‘Mummy has to do techy stuff with me and daddy has gone with Morgan to shop for new kitchen equipment.’ He glanced at her with a twinkle in his eye.
Pippa’s hand lifted to her mouth.Ohhh. Oliver was referring to her father and the little white lie she’d had to tell him in order to conceal where her father had really gone this weekend. The realisation that he hadn’t been referring to himself as daddy actually left her a little deflated. She liked the thought of Oliver being Ginger’s daddy. That would mean she’d also be mommy to his fur baby—Jess.
Oliver’s voice broke through her daydream. ‘Shall I carry the tea through to the dining room? We can work on our laptops far easier in there side by side.’
Pippa blinked away her hazy daydream and nodded with a smile. ‘Yes, perfect. I’ll get my laptop.’
When she came back into the dining room, Oliver was sitting back in his chair at the dining table with Ginger balancing on his thighs as he tickled him behind the ears, and by the looks of both Ginger and Oliver’s drooping eyelids, not much would be getting done anytime soon.
Pippa walked up to the table and placed her laptop down. ‘You are a very naughty boy.’
Oliver’s eyes opened wider. ‘Oh, leave him alone. He’s enjoying this.’
‘I’m not talking to the dog.’
Oliver’s brow shot up. ‘What haveIdone?’
‘You made me feel guilty for wanting to take a nap and there you are, practically face-planting your keyboard.’
Oliver shook his head, as if trying to wake himself up. ‘Sorry Pippa. I’ve never felt so physically drained. I don’t know how your father and aunt continue to work here at their age. Both sides of the business, the pub and the hotel, are physically exhausting.’
Pippa saw a chance to hint at them selling up. ‘Nor me, neither of them are getting any younger. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sold up and retired soon.’
‘Really?’ Oliver’s interest appeared to be more than friendly concern. ‘Although, it will be weird not seeing Brett behind the bar. When you think of The Cheese Wedge and Pickles, you think of Brett...and of course your lovely mother, Marie.’
The mere mention of the name Marie conjured up images of her mother laughing behind the bar and it made a lump magically appear from nowhere in her throat and tears brim on her lashes.
Ginger must have picked up on her change of emotions because he lifted his head and whimpered before jumping off Oliver’s lap to paw at her leg. Oliver surprised her by jumping to his feet too and rushing towards her. He pulled her to him and encompassed her in his big, strong arms. ‘I’m sorry, Pippa. I didn’t mean to upset you by mentioning your mum. In fact, I’ve been wanting to offer my condolences since I met you, but there’s never seemed an appropriate time. I-I really liked your mom.’
Pippa’s nose was being pushed against Oliver’s shirt and she couldn’t help but inhale his personal odour. He smelt of day old cologne, musky soap and...him. Just how she remembered he used to smell way back in high school. But how was that possible? How could she rememberhissmell? It had been almost a decade and a half since she last laid her cheek on his chest.
Pippa sniffed back a sob. ‘Thank you, Oliver. I’m not normally a weeping wreck. I think being back here again without her...amongst other things, has just got to me today.’
He grabbed hold of her shoulders and held her at arm’s length to study her face. She immediately missed the closeness of him, then scolded herself for admitting such a thing to herself, even if it was just in her head.
She couldn’t meet Oliver’s eyes. If she did, she couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t properly break down this time. ‘Shall we make a start? Even if dad decides to sell the business, he still needs to update his website and hire more staff,’ she said.
‘Yes. If you’re sure you are up to it.’
Pippa pulled herself from Oliver’s grip. ‘Yes, I’m fine. Honestly.’ She sat down and pulled her laptop towards herself, opening it up.
Oliver walked around her chair and settled back into his seat. She could feel his gaze studying her profile. ‘Just like old times, eh?’ Pippa turned to look at him with a slightly puzzled frown. ‘Studying in the library together after school,’ he reminded her.
His comment made Pippa smile. ‘Studying? Since when has stealing a quick kiss ever been classed as studying?’
Oliver’s eyes twinkled. ‘You remembered... Oh, to be young and carefree again, eh?’
The sadness Pippa felt a moment ago was now gone. They had been quite the young, loved up couple back in high school. It just wasn’t meant to be. She could see that now, but at least they could be good friends.
Pippa shook her head. ‘Yes to being young, but the pimples and the mood swings...no thank you. I like this age. I have my own place, a great job and a loving pet. What more could I want?’ Oliver fell silent and his eyes roamed her face. Pippa squirmed under their scrutiny. If she was so happy, why did she have a nagging voice in the back of her mind keep repeating, ‘he’s the one who got away.’ Pippa’s hands flew to her face and onto her cheeks. ‘What are you staring at? Have some of those pimples come back to haunt me?’
