the crime novels and articles I’d read him.
‘At the time I didn’t know how much he was giving me. I was just glad to have wheels. I’d learned to drive so I could take Mum around, but her old car gave up not long after she did. And then a couple of years later Sam died too.’
Nic’s rubbing his thumb along his jaw. ‘The world has a way of making things right. After everything you gave up for your mum, you deserved something good for yourself.’
I can’t hold back my smile. ‘That’s a very “peace and love” attitude from a hard-headed businessman.’
He pulls a face. ‘Don’t be fooled. On the inside I’m squishy as baked Alaska. So I take it you were the one who did the van restoration?’
There’s an extra heartfelt sigh for that. ‘It was beaten up but I was happy running it round as it was, then Phoebe decided it would be great for our brand if it were shiny and new. But doing it up nearly broke me; I’m still paying back the money I borrowed.’ And that’s another heap of detail I never meant to give away and which I’m hoping Nic will instantly forget.
‘There you go, another example of Frisbee taking advantage. Poppy and Jess were talking about that too.’ He gives a cough. ‘For what it’s worth, they seem to dislike her as much as I do.’
‘You haven’t even met her.’
He lets out a splutter. ‘I don’t have to. She stole your fiancé, and from what I hear she doesn’t lift a finger. You’ve been here months doing all the work … where the hell is she?’
‘But that’s because she’s on mat leave.’ It’s out before I can think.
His forehead wrinkles. ‘Isn’t that when you have a baby?’
I sniff. ‘As an employer you should know that, Nic.’
He lets out a shout. ‘Shit, Milla, don’t go all Frisbee on me. If she’s just given birth, whose child was it? It surely can’t have been …?’ And good on him for stopping at that.
I blow out a breath. ‘It’s Phoebe and Ben’s baby. That’s why I’m here. I watched the bump grow, but when it came to the due date I ran. I’m hiding out here until it blows over.’
He’s come down the steps now ‘Oh, Milla Vanilla, you surely can’t go back to that? Babies don’t go away, they just get bigger. Haven’t they offered to buy you out of the business?’
I’m back to grinding my teeth. ‘It’s the company I put seven years of my life into building, it’s all I have left.’ I take in his stare that says he’s not buying it. ‘I’m trying to extend the business into this area. That’s what the Wild is about. But it’s very early days.’
‘Then I’m extra pleased I’m doing this now.’ He’s staring at the letters on the roof, blinking in the sunlight. ‘I haven’t quite got the pink right, have I?’
Phoebe would have thrown him in the harbour for less. And it’s true, the vibrant paint is very different from the almost-white of the other letters.
He’s frowning. ‘Why did I choose that colour? When I thought of the van it was the only pink that came to mind.’
‘I have no idea but I like it – and it pops!’
He laughs. ‘It makes the wild even wilder somehow. Don’t worry, it’s only temporary, I had the letters knocked up in the chandlery workshop, you can swap them back any time. But, for what it’s worth, I really hope you don’t.’ He glances at his phone. ‘I’ll just pop your light bulbs through the holes, then I’ll make us some coffee.’
After everything he’s done I feel I should be offering. ‘Shall I put the kettle on?’
‘I thought you’d never ask.’ It’s a guy’s voice, but Nic didn’t move his lips and as I watch him his face darkens.
‘Casper.’ Nic’s voice is stony. ‘What can we do for you today? I take it you’re only here because you want something?’
As I whip round to see him standing behind me, Casper buries his hands even deeper in the pockets of his smart wool jacket and lets his smile go. ‘We could start with that coffee you just mentioned.’ He looks to me. ‘I’m just dropping by to get ribbons from the shop for Sunday.’
Nic stares at the clouds. ‘Well, at least that might save me running halfway across the county on the day.’
Casper ignores him and grins at me. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to get