The Little Flower Shop by the Sea

by Ali McNamara

  ‘I assume you mean Ash?’ I reply, pretending to be aghast. ‘We’ve only been on one date!’

  ‘But what a long, and if I might say, very noisy date that was.’ Amber winks as she places her final stem into the green oasis holding her arrangement in place.

  I blush. ‘He says he’ll call me, if you must know.’

  ‘Ooh, like “I can’t wait to see you again” call you? Or “I’ll see ya around” call you?’

  ‘I guess the first. But —’ I cut Amber off before she can say anything. ‘It’s not anything serious. Ash isn’t that kind of guy, and I’m not interested in anything too heavy right now.’

  Amber shrugs. ‘OK, if you say so.’ But as she swivels the arrangement round on the desk to check it, she murmurs, ‘Not with Ash, anyway.’

  ‘What did you say?’

  ‘Nothing!’ she sings. ‘Oh look, here’s our bride and groom, I’ll just take this out back.’

  Katie and Jonathan appear in the doorway of the shop, and I go over to greet them.

  ‘Hello,’ I say, shaking Katie’s hand. ‘And you must be the happy groom,’ I say to a not-too-happy-looking Jonathan, who shakes my hand dismally. ‘Is everything all right?’ I ask as they sit down on the chairs we’ve placed in a corner of the shop for our meeting. ‘You seem worried.’

  Katie looks at Jonathan as if she’s going to burst into tears.

  ‘The wedding is going to have to be cancelled!’ she says, fighting back tears as Amber appears from the back room and hurries to join us. ‘Our perfect day is off.’

  ‘No, it’s not, darling.’ Jonathan puts his arm around Katie and tries to console her. ‘Not yet anyway,’ he says to us.

  ‘But why?’ I ask. ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘The hotel has had a mix-up with our booking,’ Jonathan explains, while Katie sniffs on his shoulder. ‘They say they can’t hold our wedding on that day because they already have another wedding booked. The other couple take priority because they paid their deposit first.’

  ‘They can’t just cancel you altogether,’ I insist. ‘Surely they can offer you another date instead?’

  Katie shakes her head sadly. ‘Not anything that works for us. It’s either midweek or much later in the year – they’re fully booked. That’s why we wanted to hold our perfect day there, because they have such a great reputation. Plus their grounds are absolutely stunning, it would have been perfect for our photos.’

  ‘It happens,’ Amber says. ‘When I was at the florist’s in New York, we had a couple who got double-booked at the Plaza! Can you imagine a hotel like that double-booking you? It worked out well for them in the end though – they got married in Central Park, it was very romantic, so I hear. Much nicer than the Plaza would have been.’

  ‘Maybe you could find somewhere else?’ I suggest. We can’t afford to lose this booking, it’s too important, both financially and for Amber’s confidence.

  Jonathan shakes his head. ‘Nope, everywhere local is fully booked throughout the summer. We may have to put it off until next year…’

  Katie lets out another huge sob, and scrabbles in her bag for a tissue.

  Amber produces a beautiful white lace handkerchief and passes it to her instead.

  ‘Thank you,’ Katie sniffs. ‘You’re both so lovely, that’s why we wanted you to do our wedding. It would have been so special to have had Daisy Chain providing the flowers. My mother was a huge fan of your grandmother’s way with flowers; she never stopped raving about her before she died. Your grandmother did the flowers for her funeral.’

  I nod. I’m thinking. Something Amber said has given me an idea.

  ‘How would you feel about having a different sort of wedding?’ I ask tentatively, my brain still trying to keep up with all the ideas that are suddenly flooding in. ‘Like Amber’s New York couple?’

  ‘How do you mean?’ Jonathan asks, looking dubious.

  ‘I have an idea… I can’t promise anything, but if it works out it would guarantee you something much more memorable than a dull old country hotel. And,’ I add when I see I’ve got them interested, ‘your photos would be absolutely stunning.’

  Twenty-six

  Chamomile – Energy in Adversity

  It’s all very well coming up with an idea, but how on earth am I going to bring it to fruition, I wonder as I tap on the cover of my notebook with the end of my pen, and take another sip of my orange juice.

  I’m sitting in the Merry Mermaid waiting for Amber. This will be our first proper meeting to discuss the wedding since I put my idea to Katie and Jonathan earlier today. The shop had been unusually busy after they’d left us – looking an awful lot happier than they’d been when they arrived – and we’d not had a chance to discuss my plan any further.

  My idea was for Katie and Jonathan to hold their wedding at Trecarlan Castle. I was sure I could persuade the Parish Council to agree. Why not? The place wasn’t being used for anything, and it would be a fantastic setting for a wedding.

  I smile to myself as I think what Stan would make of the idea. I know he would love it. He liked nothing better than to see Trecarlan filled with people; he always said the house was miserable on its own. I knew he would agree to my idea if I could only ask him. But I didn’t know where Stan was, and no one else seemed to know either. So I was just going to have to try to persuade Caroline and the rest the Parish Council to give it the green light in his absence.

  ‘Evening, Poppy. On your own tonight?’ Woody asks, standing hesitantly by my table in his civilian clothes: a navy blue sweater, dark blue jeans, and a blue-and-white check shirt.

  ‘Yes – I mean no. I’m expecting Amber in a bit.’

  Woody’s eyes light up at the mention of her name.

  ‘Why don’t you sit down with me, Woody?’ I say, grinning at him. ‘She’ll be here soon.’

  Woody tries unsuccessfully to look cool about my invite. ‘That’s nice,’ he says, hovering by the seat next to me. ‘But it really doesn’t bother me either way, you know?’ He rubs the palm of his hand over his hair to smooth it down, and glances towards the door.

  ‘Yeah, right, whatever you say, Woody.’ I wink.

  He pretends to be shocked, then drops the fake expression. ‘OK, you’ve found me out,’ he says, sliding into the seat next to me. ‘I do find your American friend a very attractive lady.’

  I just adore Woody’s style, he’s very… proper. Yes, that’s exactly what it is. Polite and proper should be Woody’s middle names.

  ‘I’m sorry, how impolite of me, can I get you a drink?’ he asks, looking at my glass.

  ‘No, I’m fine just now, thank you,’ I say, lifting my half-drunk orange juice.

  ‘So what are you up to?’ He nods at my notebook.

  ‘Ah, it’s a long story.’

  ‘I like stories, why don’t you tell me?’ says Woody, glancing towards the door in case Amber has arrived.

  I need as many people onside as possible if I’m going to persuade the council to let me do this. And it wouldn’t do any harm to have our local police constable as one of them. So I tell Woody about the couple and their setback, and my idea for the wedding.

  ‘What a lovely idea,’ he says when I’ve finished. ‘You have my blessing. I love a good wedding, me. I always end up crying though. Ruins my hard man reputation.’

  I smile at him. ‘Yes, I bet it does.’

  ‘So how far have you got with your plans?’ he asks, sliding my notebook across the table. ‘Oh,’ he says, when he sees the blank page. ‘It’s still in the early stages then?’

  I grimace. ‘The thing is, I’ve never done anything like this before. I really don’t know where to start.’

  ‘Teamwork,’ Woody says knowingly. ‘That’s what they taught us in the army. In a team: Together Everyone Achieves More.’

  ‘Cool, I like it. So you were in the army too?’ I ask, surprised by this. Gentle Woody as an officer of the law I can about believe. But a soldier?

  ‘I wa
s before I joined the force. Not for too long, mind,’ he adds. ‘We weren’t really suited, the army and I.’

  ‘Yes, I can imagine that… I mean, I think you’re much better in charge of a small seaside community like St Felix. It suits you.’

  ‘Do you think?’ Woody looks surprised.

  ‘Yes. A place like this, you have to know how to treat people to get the best out of them. You need a delicate touch.’

  Woody nods thoughtfully. ‘Yes, I like that. I do have a delicate touch. My sarge at police training college always said I was a soft touch. I guess that’s why they sent me here.’

  I smile at him again. ‘You bet it is.’

  Lovely Woody was definitely one of my favourite people here in St Felix. Aside from being very proper, he was also kind, and very gentle and understanding with everyone who needed his help. Even though Woody didn’t have a hope of ever preventing any crime here in the town, or achieving the air of authority he longed for, everyone knew Woody, and more importantly everyone loved him.

  ‘You were saying something about team work,’ I remind him.

  ‘Ah yes. I may not have been here in the town that long, Poppy, but during that time I have learnt that places like St Felix run on committees, organisations, societies and the like. You won’t get far without them onside.’

  ‘You mean like the Women’s Guild?’

  ‘Yes, and the Parish Council.’ He screws up his face. ‘They’re a tough nut to crack. Even I’ve had problems with them. Me, in my position!’

  ‘I’m not looking forward to dealing with them – especially Caroline. I don’t think she likes me very much.’

  ‘I don’t think Caroline likes many people,’ says Woody. ‘But you can deal with her, Poppy, I know you can. And do you know how I know?’

  I shake my head.

  He leans in towards me. ‘Because you already have someone very important on your side.’

  ‘I do?’

  ‘Yes.’ Woody nods keenly. ‘Who in a small town such as this commands the most admiration and respect from people?’

  ‘Erm…’

  ‘Who do people look up to and listen to when they talk?’

  ‘Clarence?’ I try, hoping I’ve got it right with our local priest.

  Woody looks dismayed, but carries on regardless: ‘Yes… Father Claybourne is definitely one of your allies, and…’

  There’s more than one?

  ‘Jake?’ I ask, shrugging my shoulders.

  Woody tries not to let his irritation show as he leans back in his chair.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure Jake has your back too. But I feel the description applied more to myself than the local flower grower.’

  ‘Oh! Well, it goes without saying, Woody, surely?’ I reach forward and grab his hand. ‘Of course I know you’re on my side.’

  Woody blushes and looks down at my hand holding his. ‘Whatever I can do to help – you know that?’

  ‘Ooh, what are you two up to!’ Amber calls as she appears behind us, peeping over our shoulders.

  Woody immediately snatches his hand away and leaps up, knocking over his chair in the process. ‘Nothing! Nothing at all, Amber!’

  Amber grins. ‘As if, Woody. Poppy only has eyes for Jake anyway!’

  Amber picks up Woody’s chair for him and heads around to the other side of the table. ‘Thank you, Woody,’ she says, as he dives in front of her and whisks her chair back from the table. ‘Very kind.’

  I stare at her across the table while Woody enquires if Amber would like a drink.

  ‘Guinness, please, Woody,’ she replies, and he heads off to the bar. What?’ she asks innocently, seeing my glare.

  ‘What you said about Jake,’ I hiss. ‘Didn’t you mean Ash?’

  ‘Oops, sorry, slip of the tongue!’ Amber grins, not looking at all embarrassed she’s said the wrong name.

  ‘Will you stop trying to get me and Jake together! We’re just friends and you know it. There’s nothing more going on between us and there never will be.’

  ‘Sure, I understand,’ Amber says, not looking as though she believes me.

  ‘It’s the truth!’

  ‘And you know 100 per cent that Jake feels that way?’

  ‘Feels that way about what?’

  We both turn in the direction of the deep, gentle voice joining our conversation.

  ‘Hey, Jake,’ Amber manages first. As she turns back she pulls a face at me that Jake over her shoulder can’t see.

  ‘Feels that way about… women buying men drinks!’ I recover, breathing an internal sigh of relief. ‘Amber said you were still against it, and I said you were fine about it after I bought you one last night.’

  Jake looks at us, puzzled, as Woody arrives with Amber’s Guinness.

  ‘Oh, Jake, you’re here.’ Woody glances with dismay at the pint he’s just bought for Amber. ‘Can I get you anything?’

  ‘A pint of my usual would be great, thanks, mate.’ Jake pats Woody on the shoulder and sits down in his seat.

  Woody sighs and heads back to the bar.

  ‘So, no Ash tonight?’ Jake asks, casually picking up a bar menu from the middle of the table.

  ‘No, he’s at a stag party in Newquay,’ I tell him, feeling most awkward discussing Ash with him. ‘He’ll be back tomorrow.’

  ‘Nice. Can’t remember the last time I went to a stag do,’ Jake says, browsing the menu. ‘I’m sure he’ll have fun.’

  I glance at Amber. She grimaces.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure he will,’ I say tersely. Obviously Jake isn’t at all bothered about Ash. My assumptions last night had been spot on.

  ‘So, are you getting food tonight?’ Jake asks, looking up from his menu.

  ‘Erm…’ I turn to Amber.

  She nods enthusiastically.

  ‘Yes, why not?’ I say, determined not to feel so awkward around Jake. ‘We only had time for a quick snack at lunch, the shop was really busy today. I notice Richie has an ale pie on his specials board tonight, that’s always good.’

  ‘Sounds good to me!’ Jake says, putting down the menu. ‘What about you, Amber?’

  ‘I’m vegetarian,’ Amber says. ‘I’ll have whatever the veggie option is.’

  ‘Don’t you find that limiting when you go out to eat?’ Jake asks with interest. ‘I admire what you’re doing and everything – and I love animals, don’t get me wrong – but I’d miss my meat if I had to give it up.’

  ‘It depends where you go. Most restaurants have at least one non-meat option on the menu these days, if not more.’

  Jake nods. ‘Well, good on you. It’s a great thing you do for our animal friends.’

  ‘Talking of which, where’s Miley tonight?’ I ask, suddenly missing her. Basil is back at the cottage, snuggled up in his bed. But Miley’s unlikely to be doing the same.

  ‘Bronte is making some sort of collage tonight for her art project at school, and Miley loves sticking stuff with glue. We figure it’s best to give her something we don’t mind being stuck down to play with, rather than finding our socks stuck to the walls when she’s a bit bored one day.’

  Amber and I are both laughing as Woody returns with Jake’s drink.

  ‘Cheers, Woody,’ Jake says, holding up his pint of beer. ‘My round next.’

  We all decide on, then order, some food from Rita at the bar, then we begin chatting amiably around the pub table while we wait. The earlier awkwardness I thought might be there between me and Jake seems to melt away, and Woody and Amber are getting on very well too.

  ‘Poppy is going to try and hold a wedding at Trecarlan,’ Woody tells Jake. ‘And lovely Amber is going to do all their beautiful flowers.’ He smiles dreamily at Amber.

  ‘Really?’ Jake asks, looking at me in astonishment. ‘How on earth are you going to do that – it’s derelict, isn’t it?’

  ‘No. It’s just not lived in. Mad Stan, the previous owner, had to go into a home when he couldn’t live there any more.’

  ‘Mad Stan?’
Jake enquires. ‘I’ve never heard him called that before.’

  ‘That’s what the locals used to call him. Stan was a bit… eccentric, I guess you’d call it. How long have you lived in St Felix if you don’t remember Stan?’

  Jake thinks. ‘Erm, we moved here about seven years ago when I got the flower business, and we were here two years before… well, you know.’