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18
Jen pushed open the door to Taylor’s Deli, surprised but happy to find it busy. They closed half an hour after she did; there was a good chance Holly was still here.
‘Hey, Harry,’ Jen said, peering into the glass display counter and admiring a particularly tasty looking wheel of cheese. ‘Holly still about?’
Right on cue, the brunette appeared from the basement door, a panettone in her hands. On seeing Jen she fumbled, dropping the box, only to recatch it with impressive dexterity. ‘You should see me carry eggs,’ she said to the customer, passing the sweet bread over. She straightened her shirt and made her way to Jen. ‘Wandered into the wrong shop?’ she asked with a smirk.
No one had any business looking that good in an oversized shirt and skinny jeans. Never mind the way her hair looked, up in a messy bun. Memories of kissing Holly’s neck flooded back, and for a brief moment, Jen forgot why she was there.
‘Jen?’ Holly said, waving a hand in front of the blonde’s face as if to wake her from a trance.
‘Hey, Holly, hi,’ she replied, her brain finally kicking into gear.
‘Thank God, I thought you were actually having a moment there.’ Her face contorted between humour and confusion. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeah, listen: Ben’s van has a flat, and before I nip home for my car, I was wondering: do you fancy buddying up? Better for the environment and all that.’
Holly swallowed a smile, trying to look like she was having to consider the idea. ‘Depends. What’s in it for me?
‘Think of it as Rumpelstiltskin’s payment.’ She could feel Harry’s eyes on her, but ignored him.
Holly crossed her arms and her legs, putting her weight on one foot. ‘I thought we agreed on a drink for that?’
‘Always read the Ts & Cs. The first rule of business. I can change my mind at any time.’
‘So, if I help with this I don’t take you out for a drink?’
‘Think of it as a swap.’
‘Hmm. I don’t think that sounds very fair.’
‘I figure the time and conversational effort is the same, plus it will work out a heck of a lot cheaper for you.’
‘I meant it wouldn’t be fair if I don’t also get to go for a drink.’
Jen didn’t quite know what to say to that. ‘We can discuss the new terms while we deliver. I want to make sure you’re not swindling me,’ she replied, unable to hide a sly smile.
‘Me?’ Holly said, feigning offence.
‘I know what you’re like,’ Jen countered with a wink. ‘So, deal?’
‘I guess. Dad needs his van for the wholesaler, so I have his car. Do you have a lot?’
‘It should fit. You got the back seats down?’
‘Naturally.’
‘Park it out front and I’ll have a look, size it up. I don’t know what it looks like.’
‘Sorry, park it where?’
‘Out front.’
Holly took a few short strides to the front of the shop and peered out the window, her arms still crossed. ‘This front?’
Jen joined her at the window. ‘That would make the most sense, yes.’
‘And that spot?’ she asked, pointing to the only one that was available – the one right outside Jen’s.
