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Maybe being back wouldn’t be so bad after all.
* * *
‘How come you’re so busy?’Holly asked as she positioned herself behind the counter, suitcase and jacket safely stowed downstairs.
‘Did Mum not say? It’s Lovefest,’ Dad replied, trying to say the name like Barry White. As a middle-aged white guy with thinning hair, he didn’t quite pull it off.
Holly screwed up her face in confusion. ‘The heck is that?’
Mum spoke over her shoulder as she put another toastie on the grill. ‘It’s a festival the local Business Initiative group invented. Runs for the whole of August. There’s loads of events on, all aimed at sparking romance.’
‘Yep, all the businesses are getting involved. So we’ve got special hampers available for the month. Your mum’s idea. And then there’s matchmaking events, games, stuff like that.’ Dad explained, giving Mum a wry look.
‘What was that look for?’ Holly asked, keeping out of the way near the coffee machine.
‘What look?’ Dad asked, appearing even more guilty.
‘That look,’ Holly said, with a nervous laugh. Time to shut this down. ‘It’s only been four months since Shona and I broke up. I’m not ready.’
Mum shook her head vigorously. ‘No, no. We’re not going to rush you into anything. We’re just excited to have you home, that’s all.’
‘Likely story. So, tell me more about these hampers.’
Dad beamed. ‘As usual, your mother is the mastermind behind it all. One min.’ He bounced off to serve a customer a selection of deli meats.
Mum picked up the conversational baton without missing a beat. ‘They’re called sharing platters. So, you get everything you need for a night in with a loved one plus a set of cards designed to encourage conversation.’
The baton passed back to Dad. ‘Yep, so stuff like “What was your first pet?” et cetera. Ice-breakers, really. Perfect for couples who have just met.’
‘Nice. You guys really are the dream team.’
‘Trying our best,’ Dad replied, his eyes firmly set on a generous serving of prosciutto.
‘So, is that what I’m delivering for you?’
‘Mainly yes, and a few other bits and pieces,’ Mum said before turning her attention back to a customer. It was hard to believe the place would close in ten minutes. The crowd showed no sign of letting up.
‘I’m so sorry to have you working when you’ve only just got here, but I don’t think my back can handle lugging stuff upstairs.’
‘It’s okay, really. I’m glad I can be helpful.’
Mum took her chance as the queue neglected to move forward – the guy was studying his phone with a goofy look – and leaned in for a side-hug, planting a big kiss on Holly’s forehead. ‘So good to have you back.’
Holly gave her a squeeze in return. ‘Want me to take the bin out? It’s looking pretty full.’
‘Yes, please!’ her parents chorused in unison.
* * *
The basement was as longand wide as the shop floor above and was packed to the rafters with boxes of produce. Carefully stacked on the nearest table were what Holly assumed were today’s orders. She surveyed them, hands on hips. The hampers looked lovely; Mum and Dad had chosen weathered wicker with tan leather straps. Very luxurious. None were fastened closed, presumably for the refrigerated goods to be added last minute, so she carefully lifted the lid of the top hamper.Wow.Biscuits, pickles, booze, and nibbles stared back, all nestled safely in a mound of ivory shred. Whoever got this was lucky. Kind of cool to think that Mum and Dad could be instrumental in starting romances all over the Southside. Dozens just from today, by the looks of it. Who knew how many futures they would be changing?
She closed the lid and walked towards the fire exit, absent-mindedly running a finger along the table’s edge as she did so. The sour feeling from earlier had lifted; this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.
The bin bag was heavy, so she hauled it up with two hands and shoved the door open, using her back for leverage against the security bar. She hadn’t expected it to open so forcefully and stumbled backwards, only just keeping her footing.
She expected the cascade of lukewarm water that hit her face even less.
Her breath caught in her lungs, the bag dropping to the floor with a crack.
