Chapter thirteen
‘...It is with a heavyheart I need to inform you that due to ill health, I have decided to put the pub and hotel on the market, in order to claim an early retirement. I would really love it if someone from the community could be the next owner, but in reality, I know this might not be the case. If on the off chance anyone here is interested, please come and see either myself or Morgan.’
Pippa was gobsmacked as she watched her father nod once and before turning away from the numerous wide eyes steered towards him, which quickly fell away to look at each other with amazement. Oliver patted her father on the shoulder and leaned in to him to talk as an excited buzz of chatter spread through the pub like wildfire.
‘I don’t believe it!’ said Mina.
‘Did you know about this?’ asked Hayley.
Pippa’s mouth fell open unsure how to answer. ‘Aunt Morgan mentioned dad’s health hasn’t been the greatest lately, and that she was trying to talk him into retiring early. Then this morning when I woke up, she informed me an estate agent was coming to value the property. I’m as shocked by this sudden announcement as you are.’
Pippa got up before her friends could pry more answers from out of her and walked on numb legs towards the bar. She sat down on a bar stool at the end of the bar and studied Oliver and her father who were as thick as thieves with their heads glued together still quietly talking.
Her aunt who was also watching them as keenly as Pippa walked over to her side. ‘Before you ask, I didn’t know that little speech was going to happen either, but people with this type of dementia often experience heightened emotions, so I suppose it was inevitable.’ Morgan’s hand rubbed the small of Pippa’s back. ‘Are you okay?’ Pippa turned to look at her aunt and nodded. Morgan’s brow pulled together the way it did when she was thinking. ‘I wonder if Oliver is voicing his interest?’
Pippa shrugged, unable to find her voice yet. The surprise announcement had really knocked her for six. Now it was out in the open it made it more real, and the thought of her family being severed from the pub felt as if a knife had been thrust into her heart. She knew the dull ache would remain there now forever. She would never be able to wander the rooms of their living quarters and visualise her mother in every room.
Turning her head, she noticed her aunt and her weren’t the only ones interested in Brett and Oliver’s tête-à-tête. Ava was sitting at a table close to the bar nursing a drink, watching them with as much interest as she was.
Pippa’s chest tightened, and she realised this feeling was different from how she felt thinking about losing the pub. This was a pang of jealousy for Ava’s continued interest in the man who was an ex for both of them. She quickly analysed her reaction. Was this feeling so strong because she didn’t want to see their relationship reignite? If so...why? Was she hoping the same would happen for herself?
***
On the beach with Ginger, Pippa unhooked the lead from his collar and watched him bound towards the surf. She pocketed the lead as she watched him play, remembering she hadn’t yet attached the tracker. She must attach it to his collar later and download the app for it.
He father had gone for a lie down immediately after talking to Oliver and he’d disappeared with Ava after closing time, so she and her aunt were none the wiser about their little rendezvous.
She saw a figure at the end of the beach walking two pugs towards the froth of the waves and immediately recognised his lively strides. Holding up her arm, she waved and shouted. ‘Ned!’
Ned turned his head in her direction and waved back, before changing directions and heading her way. Pippa glanced towards Ginger. She thought it best to put him back on his lead. He’d been good around Oliver’s pet Labrador Jess, but she was a girl. Pippa wasn’t so sure how he’d be if Ned had male dogs, even though they were only small.
She pulled out her lead and patted her thighs. ‘Ginger...here boy.’ Ginger continued to jump over the waves. Pippa glanced Ned’s way to see him putting his dogs on their leads. It was owner etiquette to put dogs on leads if they were passing or meeting new dogs; she didn’t want Ginger to let her down, or vice versa. She walked towards him. ‘Ginger. Come here, boy.’ He continued to splash. Pippa had to wade into the surf to grab him. She prised her initiative for putting on her wellingtons instead of her trainers like she usually did when she walked Ginger.
Pippa was leading Ginger out of the waves as Ned walked up to her. ‘Hello Pippa. Is he in a rebellious mood?’ Ned jutted his chin out towards Ginger.
Pippa blew out the air from her inflated cheeks as she nodded. ‘Hello Ned. I think he’s a bit excitable being back here in the fresh air. He’s never had so much freedom. A quick walk around concrete city is all I’ve managed of late. I’ll feel so guilty when I head back home and drag him away from this natural beauty.’
Pippa watched cautiously as the three dogs looked at each other. Maybe Ned’s dogs weren’t as friendly as Jess had been with Ginger.
Ned pointed out their tails. ‘Don’t worry, Pippa. Those quick wags show me all three dogs are happy to meet. The time to worry is when the wag is slow. That means the dog is feeling insecure. Then there’s no predicting how the dog might react. I tend to pull my dogs away if I see that.’
Pippa’s mouth dropped open. ‘Wow, that’s amazing, Ned. I should know that really being a dog owner, but I don’t think I’ve invested enough time in research and training since getting Ginger. I think I got him on impulse after losing mom...maybe as a way of filling the vast hole in my heart after she’d gone.’
