‘Since I was sixteen. I’ll bring a spare helmet one of thesee days and take you for a spin if you like?’
Pippa nodded eagerly. ‘Yes please, that would be awesome.’ She lifted her phone to check the time. ‘You’re early.’
‘I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to get my bearings around the kitchen and study the menu.’
Pippa shook her head. ‘Not at all.’
Declan pointed to Ginger. ‘Is he friendly? Can I stroke him?’
Pippa nodded, ‘Yes and yes. If you don’t mind being licked to death.’
Declan walked over to Ginger. Going down on his haunches, he placed his helmet on the ground beside him and ruffled Ginger’s ears. ‘You are a handsome boy.’ Ginger lifted his front paws onto Declan’s knees, almost sending him falling backward, and proceeded to give him a doggy wash.
A bark from behind made Pippa turn around. It was Oliver and Jess. Oliver looked at Declan frolicking with Ginger and then looked at Pippa, his chin jutting out as if he was disgruntled by what he saw. ‘I was just about to call on you to see if you and Ginger fancied an early walk on the beach.’
‘Oh, we’ve already been for a walk.’ Declan stood up and Pippa gestured to him. ‘You’ve met Declan haven’t you?’
Oliver shook his head. ‘No, it was Morgan who spoke to him last night.’
Declan smiled and held his hand out, stepping forward to shake hands with Oliver. ‘Hi, you are the barman aren’t you?’
Oliver eyed Declan’s hand for a moment before he took it, shaking his head. ‘No. I run my own website company. I’m just helpingclosefriends out in a tight spot.’
‘Ah, right. Hi. I’m Declan, the new chef.’
‘Oliver—the close friend.’
Pippa watched on bemused at the introductions and the very firm handshake that followed. She turned to Declan. ‘I’ll let you in and show you to the kitchen.’
Declan released Oliver’s hand and nodded. ‘Great.’ He picked up his helmet.
Pippa turned to Oliver. ‘Why don’t you ask Ava?’ Oliver’s brow lifted. She instantly regretted saying the words as soon as they’d tumbled from her lips.
‘Ask Ava what?’
‘To go for a walk.’
‘Good idea.’ Oliver turned his back on her and tried to walk away, but Jess was sniffing noses with Ginger, her tail wagging furiously, refusing to follow. ‘Come, Jess. Ginger has already been for a walk.’
Pippa’s stomach knotted as she looked at how happy their pets were together. Ginger would be upset if he didn’t get to see Jess again. Oliver finally managed to pull Jess away and strode away purposely.
‘Have a good walk,’ Pippa called after him, but he either didn’t hear her, or he chose to ignore her.
Pippa mustered a smile, even though her chest felt tight, and turned to face Declan. She gestured towards the door at the side of the pub. ‘Shall we?’
***
The dinnertime shiftran smoothly. Pippa stayed in the kitchen with Declan, standing back on the sidelines and only interjecting when he appeared unsure of something. She was impressed. He was a true professional and he’d naturally fallen into the role as if he’d worked at the pub for years.
Pippa was baffled by Oliver’s behaviour each time he brought a new food order through. He appeared to spend longer than usual in the kitchen with them than he’d done any time previously when Pippa had worked in there alone. It made her wonder if he was as jealous of her with Declan as she was of him with Ava.
When the lunchtime shift was over and Pippa and Declan were cleaning up, Oliver appeared again. ‘I thought we’d better discuss the dog competition seeing as it’s tomorrow. Are we planning on doing any special doggy related meals?’
Declan stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Oliver. ‘A dog competition? Are employees’ pets allowed to join in?’
Pippa spun to face him with a growing smile and wide eyes. ‘Oo, I suppose so, but only if there is someone to represent them on their behalf. What breed of dog do you have, Declan?’
Declan grinned. ‘A St Bernard. He’s partly the reason why things didn’t work out between my ex and me. She wasn’t really a dog lover.’
