The Garden of Little Rose

by Suzanne Snow

  Flora returned to the beachside cottages but there was no sign of either Mac or Chloe, and she was relieved. She let herself into Cassie’s cottage and dumped her things, suddenly feeling tired. She started to pack, folding her clothes neatly and sliding them into her case. The bed looked very inviting, but she knew it would take more than sleep to relieve the ache pounding through her head. She looked around one last time and then walked out with her belongings, locking the cottage and placing the key under a blue-and-white pot beside the door.

  She needed to try to see Tamsin before she left the island. They had made no further plans to meet, but Flora couldn’t go without offering a goodbye and whatever hope she could, so she drove to the B&B. A fine, misty rain was drizzling and disguising the views as she approached the headland; the stone house was surrounded by clouds that seemed to dangle almost within reach. Flora got out of the car, a sudden anxiety at the thought of a final goodbye spinning in her stomach, as she approached the house. Her knock was soon answered by Moira, who smiled when she saw it was Flora.

  ‘Flora! How lovely, come in.’ Moira pulled the door back. ‘I hope you were all right after supper the other night. I know the damson gin can be a bit strong and Doug’s very generous with it. I think he forgets that not everyone has an island constitution! What can I do for you?’

  Flora’s answering smile was wry as she followed Moira into the sitting room. ‘Let’s just say it was delicious and my head certainly knew that I’d tried it!’ They drew to a halt beside the sofa and Flora’s gaze went naturally to the view. She listened out for little footsteps but there were none, and she looked at Moira, swallowing down her feelings. ‘I was hoping to see Tamsin to say goodbye. Something has come up and I’m leaving today. Now, actually.’ Her voice was strained, and she smiled, trying to relieve the tension. ‘Is she here?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Flora, she’s not.’ Moira explained. ‘She’s gone over to the mainland with Doug; it’s market day and she loves to see the animals. She wasn’t feeling too well this morning and I kept her off school but as she perked up, I thought it wouldn’t do her any harm to have a bit of fresh air. I’m not expecting them back before teatime.’ Moira’s hands were twisting together, and Flora noticed the questions written across the older woman’s face. ‘Can you wait and have a cup of tea and some cake? There’s a lemon drizzle just out of the oven.’ Moira paused. ‘I know she’d love to see you. She’s asked Doug to take her to Róisín again tomorrow after school. I think she was hoping to see you there, before you go.’

  Flora shook her head slowly after a glance at her watch. It was almost four o’clock already and she knew the ferry to the mainland would be leaving at five. If she didn’t make it, she would be forced to stay another night on the island. She couldn’t go back to the hotel and she certainly didn’t want to hang around the cottages, with Mac and Chloe next door. ‘I’m so sorry, I can’t. I need to make the ferry. I really am sorry to miss her.’ She thought about what to do, how best to say goodbye to the little girl who had so touched her heart. ‘I’ll write her a note, if that’s okay with you?’

  ‘I think that would be very nice and I’m sure she’ll love it.’

  Flora didn’t have anything in her bag that would do, so Moira brought her a notecard and envelope, and Flora thought for a few moments about what to say. In the end she wrote of how much she had enjoyed getting to know Tamsin, and her hope that she and her grandparents would be able to make a garden at home, and that her sweet pea seedlings would be beautiful and very pink. She promised to email and apologised for not being able to share a hug goodbye. She folded the piece of paper into its envelope and handed it to Moira with a sad smile. Their eyes met, as some form of understanding passed between them, and Flora made her way back to the front door. She had her hand on the latch when Moira spoke again.

  ‘Flora? I’ve no idea why you’ve suddenly got to go, and I know it’s none of my business, but I hope it’s not something to do with Mac.’

  Flora froze, her heart skidding in her chest as she slowly turned around. Moira’s expression had softened, and her hand reached out, quickly touching Flora’s arm with cool fingers, before slipping away.

  ‘Doug and I have known him most of his life and he’s like another son to us, especially after what happened.’ Moira swallowed and then smiled brightly as she continued, using the gesture to disguise her sadness. ‘He’s only ever brought one or two girls here before and I know you’ll tell me your being here is all to do with the garden. That might’ve been the start of it but, TV girlfriend or not, I’ve never seen him look at anyone like he looks at you. He’s a very good man. The best, really, and we think the world of him. Don’t dash off without sorting out what’s happening between you both. You could start by asking him why he wanted us to make up a room for you here and keep it on standby, just in case.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  With every mile, it seemed to Flora that the real world was beckoning, dragging her back to normality, as the romanticism of the island dimmed with each grey cloud in the sky, reflecting her mood. Her phone was still dead; she’d forgotten to charge it before she had left the cottage in such a hurry and it was stuffed somewhere in her handbag.

  She was supposed to be going home to Middlebrook and wanted nothing more than the long journey to be over. But soon after ten p.m., just as it was turning dark, she changed her mind and drove to Thorndale instead. When she finally pulled up outside the vicarage, she was exhausted and suffering from a terrible headache. She had hardly stopped, and the busyness of the roads as people hurtled from place to place on the mainland, after the peace of the island, had left her drained. She was extremely glad that the journey was finally over. She wanted to see Charlie, not the silent shadows in her cottage, to feel the peace and sense of home she always found with her brother and his little family.

  She dragged her case up the steps to the front door and knocked, hoping they would not mind her late arrival, and give her a bed for the night. Their baby daughter, Esther, would hopefully be sleeping peacefully, and Flora was just about to knock again when the door was opened and her brother appeared, a welcome smile already lighting up his face as he spotted Flora.

  ‘Hey, sis, what are you doing here?’ he said, keeping his voice low. He immediately reached for her case and lifted it easily into the hall. ‘We were expecting you first thing on Saturday. Have we got it wrong?’

  ‘I’ll go then, shall I?’ Flora retorted as she followed him inside. Her emotions were very close to the surface and she resorted to irritation in an attempt to disguise her sadness.

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ Charlie told her, as he dumped her stuff on the floor. He was a couple of inches taller than Flora but broader, the professional rugby player’s physique still retained. His dark, curly hair was slightly longer than the last time she had seen him, and it made him look more boyish. A door opened along the hall and Flora saw Sam, her sister-in-law, emerge. Her small round face broke into a grin when she realised who it was.

  ‘Flora!’ she exclaimed quietly, dashing down the hallway to envelop Flora in a tight hug and trying not to spill the glass she was holding at the same time. ‘Urgh, sorry, I think I’ve just sloshed some wine down your back! Never mind, it was white – it’ll wash out! How lovely you came early; Esther will be ecstatic to see you.’

  Despite her headache, Flora giggled as she pulled back and then Charlie dragged her into his embrace, too, tipping his head back to peer at her critically. ‘You look tired.’

  ‘So would you if you’d just taken a ferry and driven for five hours to get here.’ Flora shoved him away. She saw the glance that passed between Charlie and Sam, and took a deep breath. ‘I’m fine, it’s just the drive. Any chance of a cup of tea and a bed for the night?’

  ‘You go on up and I’ll bring you one,’ Sam said gently. ‘Charlie will carry your case to the room. We can catch up properly tomorrow.’

  Flora thanked her gratefully and trudged upstairs after Charlie.
She managed to brush her teeth and change into pyjamas, before she slid into the cool bed in the big, high-ceilinged room. She could barely believe it was only twenty-four hours since she had been sharing supper on the beach with Mac, and memories of seclusion, sunshine and swimming tumbled into her mind. She snuggled under the covers and was asleep long before Sam crept in with a cup of tea.

  Several hours later, Flora stumbled groggily out of bed, pulled the curtains back and blinked in the bright sunlight that met her. Windows on the south and east walls gave the room a lovely view of the garden and the village just beyond the trees. After a quick shower, she unpacked and discovered her phone still in her bag. She plugged it in to charge and went downstairs, making her way to the warmth and welcome of the kitchen. Sam was up already, busy unloading the dishwasher while also setting the huge oak table. She noticed Flora at the same moment as the baby sitting in her highchair squealed in delight.

  Flora grinned and heard Sam’s chuckle as she hurried over to Esther. She knew she was biased, but Esther really was the most beautiful baby. She had inherited her mother’s large brown eyes and pink cheeks, and her growing hair resembled her father’s dark curls. Esther offered Flora a heart-melting smile, and grasped a clump of her aunt’s hair as she bent down for a kiss.

  ‘Ow!’ Flora said laughingly, as she carefully disentangled herself from her niece’s chubby fingers. ‘Come and give your Auntie Flora a cuddle, you gorgeous girl. She looks more like Charlie every time I see her, Sam.’

  Sam was watching Flora lifting Esther from the highchair. ‘I know. Thank goodness he’s so handsome, otherwise it might’ve been a disaster! Watch she doesn’t transfer soggy Weetabix onto your top.’

  ‘I don’t need to ask how you are,’ Flora said, reaching for a wipe to clean Esther’s sticky fingers. ‘You look amazing, Sam.’

  Motherhood clearly suited her sister-in-law. Flora had first met her more than ten years ago and she had always been cheerful and merry, able to see the best in everything and just about everyone. Flora noticed two new rings high in one ear lobe to compliment her other piercings, and pink and green highlights in her short blonde hair. Sam suited her role as Charlie’s wife perfectly, and together they made a whole that was enriching to be around.

  ‘Thank you. You look great, too, Flora. Your summer glow is coming along well. I can’t wait to hear all about your time on the island – the garden sounds amazing. Did you fall in love?’

  Startled, Flora’s eyes shot up from Esther wriggling on her knee to find Sam’s gaze casually waiting as she pushed a cup of coffee across the table to her.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Sam looked puzzled, her hand hovering somewhere above the table. ‘The garden? I bet you fell in love with it, didn’t you?’

  ‘Oh, well, maybe a little. But you know how it is, you always have to go home.’ Flora fell silent, her mind suddenly full of Mac and the memories linked to him. She busied herself with Esther, lifting her up and pulling her against one shoulder to chatter nonsense, hiding her eyes from Sam.

  ‘Do you?’

  Before Flora could reply, the door opened and Charlie stepped into the kitchen. Flora knew at once from his expression that something was wrong, and she felt nerves spike in her stomach. Was it her mum? Or something else? She watched as he absently reached out to take Esther from her, his expression tense.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ It was Sam who had spoken, and she pulled out a chair, sitting opposite him. ‘I heard your phone before and I thought it was early. Is it family?’

  Charlie shook his head slowly, expelling a long breath, and then his look settled on Flora.

  ‘Just say it,’ she blurted out. ‘You’re really worrying me.’

  ‘Sophie called me,’ Charlie told her quietly. Flora’s mouth opened immediately to ask what was wrong but he held up a hand. ‘She’s fine; they all are, Flora, don’t worry. She’s been trying to get hold of you since yesterday afternoon but apparently your phone is switched off and she tried me because she knew you were coming here at some point. She really wanted to be the one to speak with you.’

  ‘Why?’ Dread had reduced Flora’s voice to a whisper and Charlie sighed again.

  ‘Mac, is it? The guy you were advising on the island? Apparently, he has a rather high-profile girlfriend, and it seems she’s having a thing with a Hollywood actor that’s now splashed all over the internet. Sophie said there’s going to be pictures in the press, too, any day now. The girlfriend’s apparently done a runner from the show she’s filming and disappeared, presumably to wait for the fuss to die down.’

  Flora knew exactly where she was, understanding now why Chloe had appeared on Alana so suddenly. Was that what Mac had meant when he’d said that things with Chloe were not as they seemed? Was it over? A flicker of hope flared in her mind before she registered that Charlie still looked serious and his hand reached out to hers, squeezing it tightly.

  ‘That’s not quite everything,’ he told her gently, and her stomach lurched at the sympathy she read in his face. ‘It seems you’re involved, too, Flora.’

  ‘Me? But how?’ Her voice had risen to a shocked screech and Charlie clung to her fingers, while Sam bustled over to take Esther from him. ‘I’ve only clapped eyes on Chloe for about two minutes and I know next to nothing about her! How the hell am I involved?’

  ‘There’s a couple of pictures of you and Mac online, too, from Mel’s wedding. The gossip sites are suggesting he won’t be too cut-up about Chloe, because you’re comforting him. Somebody must have made the connection and leaked them. I’m so sorry. Sophie’s been trying to track you down to tell you, before you found it somewhere.’

  Flora’s eyes widened in horror as a wave of nausea rushed into her mouth. She stood up quickly, staring from Charlie to Sam, as though they might suddenly laugh and tell her it was all a joke.

  ‘If they go looking for me, then they’ll find Dad,’ she whispered brokenly, staring at Charlie again. ‘Then Mum and Liam, and they’ll have to go through the gossip and speculation all over again. It’ll be even worse this time, if it gets in the media because of me.’

  Her chair fell back as she pushed it away and hurried from the room. She raced upstairs, just making it to the bathroom in time before she retched, and hot flashes of shame shot through her body, feeling responsible for dragging her family into the public glare, however unwittingly she had done so. She crept back to her room and switched on her phone, now fully charged. There were five missed calls from Sophie and seven from Mac, as well as more than a dozen voicemails. She began to play the ones from Sophie. Each had urged her to call as soon as she could but not to worry.

  She leant back on her bed as she looked at the calls from Mac. The first had been at ten thirty yesterday morning, when she had still been at the island school with Maggie. Then the calls had followed at twelve thirty, two fifteen, three p.m., three forty-five, five twenty and finally seven fifty, before he had given up. Her finger hovered over the list of voice messages and she selected his first.

  ‘Flora, it’s Mac. Call me as soon as you get this, okay? I’m guessing you’re still at the school, and I know the signal’s not great. I need to see you.’

  She deleted it. She pressed play on the second one, the third, and so on, until she had heard, and deleted, all but the last one.

  ‘So, I know you’ve left, and I can’t say I blame you. I’m so sorry about last night and Chloe turning up. Look, Flora, if you haven’t already heard, there’s some stuff about Chloe and her co-star on social media, and it includes pictures of us, too. I can’t tell you how sorry I am that you’ve been brought into this. I wish I could just make it all go away. I didn’t want to have to discuss it over the phone and I’m hoping you’ve gone home, as you’re not here. I’ll try you again tomorrow. Call me, please. There’s so much I have to tell you.’

  He hadn’t called this morning yet and Flora replayed the last message again, thinking about what might happen next and how much scrutiny sh
e and her family might be subjected to. There was a tap on her door, and Charlie’s head peeped around it, holding a tray. He carried it over and settled on the other side of her bed, the mattress shifting under his weight.

  ‘You should eat,’ he said, sliding the tray onto her lap and offering her a plate of toast. She shook her head with a shrug.

  ‘I’m not hungry.’ She stared at him quizzically. ‘Have you seen the photos?’

  ‘I looked them up. I thought I should see them.’

  ‘And?’

  Charlie sighed, as Flora replaced the toast on the tray. ‘Anyone can capture a moment in a picture and make it seem like it’s something it’s not. You and Mac look very close, and I can see why people believe that there’s something going on. I don’t think we should call Mum yet, in case the story just disappears, but we’ll have to if it looks like it’s going to keep on running.’

  Her phone rang then, making her jump, and Charlie stood up, dropping a kiss on her head as he left the room. Flora stared at the screen, her finger trembling anxiously over Mac’s name, and she stared until the ringing stopped. A moment later the voicemail icon popped up and she deleted his message without listening to it. She typed a quick text to Sophie to let her know she was fine and would call later, and then tossed the phone onto her bedside table. Anxiety and fear were churning in her stomach. She knew there was only one place where she would be able to leave her thoughts behind: in a garden. She stood up and crossed to her case, angrily pulling out her work clothes as she hunted for a clean set. Soon she was ready; she left the phone in her room and carried the tray, the food uneaten, back to the kitchen.

  Charlie and Sam were talking quietly and they both looked up as Flora entered. She gave them a wan smile, bending down to kiss Esther, who squealed, raising her arms to be lifted up. Flora obliged, snuggling the tiny girl’s plump body against hers. For some reason, the gesture reminded her of Tamsin, and she wondered how she had reacted to her note and whether she would still go to Róisín today.