Sunshine at Daisy's Guesthouse

by Lottie Phillips

  Dear Daisy, sorry for leaving so suddenly – business called. I know you didn’t want me to come in here but I knew you would and I wanted you see this. I printed it off – an email from Hugh. Hopefully you can see that you really are special. James xx

  Why would he ignore her wish? She’d simply asked him not to go into Hugh’s office; it felt sacrilegious. Her eyes flicked to the piece of paper behind. How was this meant to be helping her? Every time she saw more words from Hugh, she felt a fresh wave of grief move through her.

  With a trembling hand, she held the piece of paper and murmured aloud:

  Dearest Daisy,

  I hear you’re questioning yourself again.

  She held her free hand up to her mouth, shocked, and looked around her. It was as if he was in the room.

  I asked James to give you this letter whenever you started questioning how special you are. You are special and moreover I want you to find love again. Please, Daisy. There is no point in waiting until we meet again. I want you to be happy now. If you find love, which I am sure you will, grasp it and don’t fight it. You’re stubborn by nature but you deserve happiness. Do it for me. Love always, Hugh x

  ‘Oh, Hugh, it’s as if you are with me. How do you know I’m thinking these things?’ Daisy sighed deeply and sat in Hugh’s office chair. ‘How can I move on? Why would I want to?’

  She mindlessly caressed the paperweight she had bought Hugh the day he had proposed. It looked as tacky now as it did then but it was still so special with its Dutch flag and I LOVE AMSTERDAM emblazoned on it. Maybe she should move away, she mused. Go and live in an entirely different country, set up a whole new life.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a piercing scream. She dropped the letter and ran from the study down the stairs, and found Annabelle hanging off the bannister, her dainty, ballet-pump adorned feet hovering above the stair. Daisy looked at the carpet: a large spider stood stock-still. Daisy pushed down the laughter bubbling up inside her.

  ‘What is that?’ Annabelle nodded towards the spider. ‘It’s gigantic. We don’t get those in London.’

  Daisy narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you sure about that? Spiders don’t live exclusively in the countryside.’

  ‘Oh, no, we definitely don’t.’ Annabelle remained hanging off the bannister. ‘Can you just get rid of it?’

  Daisy bent down and gently picked the spider up in her hand. She wasn’t entirely in love with the creatures but she would sooner get rid of this one than admit that to Annabelle. As she stood straight, Annabelle floated back down to the carpet and said, ‘James… Gosh, I was told you had gone to London.’ She brushed past Daisy and gushed, ‘Would you like a night cap? I’ve just come back from the most delightfully quaint pub. It had these extraordinary beams and although it was a bit mucky, we thought to ourselves how amazing it will be to tell everyone back in London about this. You know?’ She smiled effusively at James who gave her a polite nod and smile.

  ‘You alright, Daisy?’ He stared intently at her. She knew he was referring to the note and the letter.

  Annabelle moved herself closer to James, blocking his view of Daisy.

  Daisy shook her head and tried to dismiss the strange twisting in her stomach. Why did she care if Annabelle flirted with James?

  ‘I’ll just put this fella outside.’ She indicated her hand, and because she couldn’t help herself, she walked towards them both opening her hand briefly near Annabelle’s arm. ‘Annabelle didn’t like him, so off he goes.’ Daisy giggled and exchanged a look with James; she saw the twinkle in his eyes and smiled.

  Annabelle was now almost on top of James. ‘Oh God, Daisy, can you please just put him outside… he’s vile.’

  Daisy nodded. ‘Will do.’ She walked to the back door and set their non-paying, but favourable, guest free.

  When she returned to the hall, she saw Annabelle had managed to usher James into the sitting room and he was pouring out two glasses of whisky. She felt a pang of sadness. Then she shook herself and remembered it was her house: she would join them.

  ‘So, Annabelle,’ Daisy started as she entered the room, ignoring the black look she received from her spider-hating friend, ‘where’s everyone else?’

  ‘Oh, I came back early but the others were enjoying the absolutely sweet-sounding local beer.’

  ‘Sweet-sounding?’ Daisy echoed.

  ‘Yes, it had a name about Gloucestershire pigs. Delightful.’

  ‘Oh, you mean Gloucestershire Spotted Cow?’

  Annabelle swigged some of the whisky James had handed her. ‘Oh, Daisy, that’s no way to talk about yourself!’

  Daisy, her back now to both of them, gripped the whisky decanter, her knuckles whitening. James came up and gently touched her arm. ‘Ignore her, she’s had one too many.’

  Daisy turned. ‘Annabelle, they do have another beer that you might like to try…’

  James headed towards the sofa opposite Annabelle.

  Daisy continued, ‘It’s called London Old Maid. It’s honestly matured for so long, it’s amazing, and it’s incredibly bitter.’ She smiled broadly. ‘Just like some women I know…’

  Annabelle peered at Daisy and nodded. ‘It sounds OK but I imagine it wouldn’t be to my taste.’

  Daisy nodded. ‘No, quite right, me neither.’ She glanced at James who was biting hard on his lip in an attempt to control his laughter.

  Daisy poured herself a drink and sat in the armchair.

  ‘So, Daisy darling…’ Annabelle started and Daisy inwardly cringed. ‘We were hoping to stay for the week actually.’ She glanced over at James and flashed him a coy smile. ‘Would that be OK? I mean the children are on Easter anyway and it’s such a bore having to try and keep them entertained.’ She guffawed, her perfect mouth and bright-white teeth flashing James another smile. ‘I mean there’s only so many times you can take them to Harrods before they’re like, “Mummy, this is getting boring.”.’ She paused. ‘Anyway I feel like we’re at home here.’ She fluttered her eyelashes at James at which point Daisy stood and sat next to James, leaning her shoulder against his protectively.

  ‘I think we’re full,’ Daisy said; the lie came so easily.

  ‘Oh,’ Annabelle looked perplexed. ‘It’s just I ran the idea past Tom already and he said you had plenty of room in the coming week.’

  Daisy flushed ever so slightly. She’d been caught out. ‘Well, that’s because I forgot to tell him about the party who are coming here to renew their vows.’

  ‘Oh.’ Annabelle arched a brow. ‘You’re registered for that sort of thing, are you?’

  Daisy, like a rabbit in headlamps, stood abruptly. ‘No, not really. Anyway, if you’ll excuse me.’

  ‘And what about staying?’ Annabelle prompted as Daisy left the room.

  Stopping by the door, she took a deep breath and turned. ‘Of course, you must stay. I must have got the wrong week. Tom’s better at these things than me.’

  Daisy rushed to the kitchen, tears smarting her eyes. ‘Good God, woman, pull yourself together,’ she muttered as she angrily brushed the tears away. She closed her eyes and willed the ground to swallow her up; why did she feel so vulnerable around Annabelle?

  A gentle hand on her back made her jump slightly and when she opened her eyes she found herself looking into James’s green eyes, which were filled with concern.

  ‘What happened in there?’

  Daisy’s cheeks reddened. She knew she had made a fool of herself. ‘I thought we were full up next week,’ she said lamely.

  ‘No you didn’t.’ He shook his head and smiled. ‘You gave as good as you got though.’ Daisy gave him a small smile. ‘Don’t let her get to you, she’s a paying guest, that’s all.’

  Daisy nodded. ‘Yes, I know.’

  James gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and left her once again alone in the kitchen. She could hear James talking to Tom in hushed tones in the hall and then Tom arrived in the kitchen, flinging the door wide open and then shutting it with such d
ramatic flair, Daisy couldn’t help but laugh.

  ‘Daisy, James told me you’re having some sort of nervous breakdown? What is going on with my dear friend?’

  Daisy rolled her eyes, leaning against the granite counter. ‘I am not having a nervous breakdown.’ She smarted. ‘Did he actually say that?’

  ‘No.’ Tom smiled. ‘He was much kinder. His words were something like, “Daisy might need you. Think she’s a bit upset,” and I thought, Christ almighty, she’s having a breakdown. No doubt a sophisticated one with class but still she’s on the edge.’

  Daisy chuckled. ‘Tom.’

  ‘No, seriously, my sweet, what is going on?’

  ‘I don’t know. I just don’t like that woman,’ she whispered and indicated the other side of the door.

  ‘Who? Annabelle?’

  Daisy nodded.

  ‘Surely she’s just a customer, you don’t need to like her.’

  ‘That’s what James said,’ Daisy admitted.

  ‘Well, he’s right and you should listen to him because not only is he beautiful to look at but the man has the brain of Einstein or similar.’

  ‘Why don’t you just tell him how you feel, Tom?’ Daisy mocked. ‘You’re being far too subtle.’

  ‘OK.’ Tom put his hands in the air. ‘She’s fine. She’s not having a nervous breakdown. Her tongue is still forked.’

  ‘Oh, give over.’ Daisy turned back to the sink to pour herself a glass of water.

  ‘I mean you know he’s clearly madly in love with you.’

  Daisy stiffened. ‘What?’

  ‘He’s clearly madly in love with you.’ She turned. ‘Tell me you’re not actually surprised by that.’

  Heat rose across her chest and up her neck. ‘Well, that’s ridiculous because James is our old friend. He can’t love me.’ Her heart had started to drum in her ears. ‘Can he?’

  ‘I don’t know, Daisy, can he? Can’t he? Are there are hard and fast rules when it comes to love?’ He raised a brow. ‘I think there probably aren’t.’

  ‘Well, I mean, I can’t…’ she stammered. ‘I mean, no…’

  ‘Daisy, darling, stop being so hard on yourself. He clearly fancies the pants off you and I’d go as far as to say he’s madly in love with you.’ Tom grew serious. ‘You know Hugh always wanted you to be happy. You are allowed to be happy.’

  She nodded, silent.

  Hugh had reiterated over and over again in his letters that he wanted that for her, to let James, or whomever, into her life. Maybe he really had given her approval to move on.

  ‘I might go and find him,’ Daisy whispered and Tom smiled affectionately. ‘Just to chat, mind you.’

  ‘Of course.’ Tom fluttered his camel-like eyelashes.

  ‘It’s a pity we couldn’t…’ she joked, indicating her and Tom. ‘I mean we’d be so good together.’

  ‘Oh, darling, I would think it would be a disaster.’

  Daisy laughed and left him alone. She searched the ground floor of the house, a small lamp in the hall the only light on – left for guests returning in the evening. Then her gaze caught a glimpse of a shadow in the garden, someone sitting alone. She could see the outline of James sat out on the terrace and her heart leapt.

  Taking a deep breath, she quietly pushed open the French doors and called out to him. ‘James?’

  ‘Hey.’ She thought his voice sounded forced but put it down to her own nerves. ‘You OK?’

  ‘Yeah, I was just wondering if we could have a…’ She stopped and listened. A female voice giggled and ran out of the bushes.

  ‘I found another one, James, sweetie.’ She proffered something to James who as yet hadn’t spoken. ‘What a fun game.’

  Annabelle looked up at Daisy. ‘Oh hello, we thought you’d gone to bed.’

  Daisy tried to ignore the lump in her throat. ‘Oh, you did, did you?’ She knew her voice sounded strained.

  Annabelle didn’t pick up on her tone at all and waved her lit up phone at Daisy. ‘I’m searching for tulips.’

  ‘Um, why exactly?’

  ‘Because,’ Annabelle guffawed, ‘I said to James I haven’t seen any tulips yet this year and then James made the funniest joke ever.’

  ‘Really?’ Daisy said drily. ‘Try me.’

  ‘He said that the tulips grow as they look for the light…’ She grinned. ‘So I thought brilliant, get the old iPhone out and flash it about the place, you know?’ Daisy wondered how many more whiskeys Annabelle had actually had. ‘So I’ve found a few bulbs with green bits poking out the top.’

  James turned hurriedly to Daisy. ‘I will put them back in the ground tonight.’

  Daisy didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Annabelle flung her arm around James’s shoulders and kissed him squarely on the cheek.

  ‘You know,’ she said, ‘if I wasn’t married…’

  ‘Yes, well, don’t let me interrupt you.’ Daisy turned on her heel, her stomach churning. She slammed the French doors a little too hard and stormed into the hall.

  Tom stood by the front door, his fingers flying over the keys of his phone. ‘Just letting the Dream Team know there’ll be more jobs around the house for them.’

  ‘Well,’ Daisy seethed, ‘you can start by getting them to plant the bloody bulbs back into the soil.’

  Tom stopped, looking confused.

  ‘And Tom?’ His eyes widened. ‘Don’t give me relationship advice again. I’ve just gone to find James, and he and Annabelle are having a bloody delightful time digging up my garden like dogs on heat.’

  Tom snorted so loudly he nearly dropped his phone.

  ‘Pardon?’

  Daisy knew her voice was shaking but continued unabashed. ‘Yes, little sweet Annabelle is rooting around in the foliage for tulip shoots whilst James looks on.’ She laughed an empty laugh. ‘And I thought romance was dead? Turns out it’s all about night time gardening sessions.’

  She stared at Tom who was trying so hard to compose himself.

  ‘OK,’ he eventually said, a tremble of amusement still present in his voice. ‘I’ll tell the Dream Team they need to do some gardening.’

  ‘Yes,’ Daisy nodded firmly, ‘and you can charge that little blonde thing out there for their labour.’

  Tom looked hard at her.

  ‘Don’t give me that look, Tom. You know she’s like some excitable Chihuahua.’ Daisy barely took a breath before ploughing on. ‘Actually I don’t want to belittle Barbara.’

  ‘Daisy,’ Tom said, looking furtive.

  ‘What, Tom? Am I now not allowed to voice my opinions in my own house?’

  She followed Tom’s gaze and turned slowly to find Annabelle staring at her open-mouthed.

  ‘Oh Christ,’ Daisy breathed. ‘I’m…’

  Annabelle looked at Daisy, tears filling her eyes. The silence was deafening, only the sound of the grandfather clock and Tom doing his nervous throat-clearing exercises.

  ‘Annabelle,’ she started, unsure of how she could explain away her rant.

  ‘Daisy, you said I look like a Chihuahua?’

  ‘I didn’t mean… it came out wrong,’ Daisy whispered. ‘I’m really sorry.’

  Then much to her surprise Annabelle ran up to her and hugged her. ‘You are adorable. My friend, Tilly, in London once told me I look like a Great Dane. Can you imagine how humiliating that is?’ She surveyed her audience. ‘Have you seen a Great Dane? Bloody enormous unsightly dogs.’

  Daisy, Tom and James looked on in amazement.

  ‘Yet, you’re stood there telling me I look like—’ her voice turned to saccharine goo ‘—you’re telling me I look like a cutey-beauty Chihuahua. Oh my God, that must mean my macrobiotic diet is working a treat.’ She smiled happily. ‘Actually I’m mixing macro bio’s up with high protein. It’s what they’re all doing dans LA. My nutritionist, Javier, is such a fan and goodness, the man is right, I am losing pounds left, right and centre.’ She pulled a face. ‘There’s only one downside to it and that’s that it plays
havoc with your guts.’

  Her audience of three pulled a face at the same time and then tried to disguise their disgust at Annabelle’s over-sharing.

  ‘So, thank you, Daisy, you are the perfect hostess.’ Annabelle kissed Daisy on the cheek, a definite reek of whisky wafting in front of Daisy’s nose and then skipped up the stairs. ‘I’m going to get my beauty sleep so I continue to look like a cute little pup.’

  They smiled at her, Daisy in shock that she had actually got away with the whole thing. Just as Annabelle retreated from view, Tom opened his mouth to speak, but then her petite face peered over the edge of the bannister.

  ‘Actually, Daisy-Doo, I tell you what. Shall I put Javier in touch with you so you can shed a few of those pounds?’ She blew Daisy a kiss. ‘Just a thought.’

  Daisy, open-mouthed, knew she had no right to be angry but her weight was a no-go area.

  James laid a hand on her shoulder to placate her. She softened under his touch.

  ‘Let it go,’ James whispered. Once they heard Annabelle’s door close, Tom ushered them silently to the kitchen. He closed the door behind them and turned. They exchanged looks with one another and James chuckled, setting Daisy off and then Tom. For a good few minutes there was no exchange of words except breathless murmurings of ‘Chihuahua’ and ‘dogs on heat’. Daisy literally thought she might pull a stomach muscle; her abs hadn’t seen that much exercise for a good while.

  As their laughter subsided, she said, ‘I literally can’t believe I got away with that.’

  ‘You are one lucky lady,’ Tom agreed. ‘It’s a good thing she’s not the brightest penny…’

  ‘But then to say I need Javier,’ Daisy said sternly, suddenly remembering how the meeting with Annabelle had ended. ‘Javier can stick his macrobiotics up his what’s-it.’

  James looked at her kindly. ‘You’re perfect. You don’t need to change at all.’

  ‘Anyway, we’d all prefer you didn’t gas the house out with your good bacteria…’ said Tom.

  Daisy, who had barely gathered her composure, was set off again and she went to bed happily that night, dreaming about her upturned garden, macrobiotics and Chihuahuas.