I relaxed, putting his earlier rudeness down to a combination of nerves and frustration at my lateness. I’d have been the same. Well, not rude, but I’d have been fed up if a date was late, especially if I’d already paid for tickets.
The opening credits were rolling and, as my eyes adjusted to the gloom, I saw that the cinema was packed.
‘Shit. We’re going to have to sit right at the front. Nice one, Sarah.’ He spat my name out in disgust then stormed down the slope.
I was mortified as I took in the curious gazes of the cinema-goers sat in the closest seats to our disturbance. ‘Sorry,’ I whispered, scuttling after him.
‘Sorry,’ I whispered again as I pushed past several pairs of legs to slide awkwardly into a seat beside him in the middle of the second row. ‘Sorry,’ I whispered to Steve as I sat down beside him.
He shushed me. The cheeky git actually shushed me.
As I slowly walked back towards the Old Town, I switched my phone off silent and noticed several missed calls from Clare. I decided to wait until I was back at the cottage before ringing her but she beat me to it, no doubt desperate for a progress report and probably even more desperate to score points by knowing everything before Elise. If I were a betting woman, I’d put money on her having had me on solid redial for the past half an hour.
‘How was it?’ she said, the moment I answered.
‘Absolute disaster…’
‘What an eejit,’ she cried after I’d told her about his reaction to me being late. ‘Why didn’t you just walk out?’
‘To be honest, I was so surprised at his reaction, I just followed him and sat down but I kept going over his reaction, getting angrier. I’d finally plucked up the courage to leave when he completely threw me by taking hold of my hand.’
‘No!’
‘Yes. Can you believe the nerve of the guy?’
‘What did you do?’
‘Faked a sneeze and put that hand over my mouth. He wasn’t so keen to grab it after that.’
Clare laughed. ‘You’re learning. I hope it hasn’t put you off.’
‘No. I’ll stick with it. Maybe the next Steven will be The One.’ I hoped so anyway. Because I didn’t want too many repeats of this evening. I cringed as I recalled shuffling out of the cinema with the crowd, trying to ask Steve what he thought of the film. He looked at me as though I’d asked him what he thought of shooting a few ducklings for fun. ‘I’d have enjoyed it far more if we’d got a decent seat.’
Well and truly put in my place yet again, I began rehearsing how I could bring the evening to a swift close. He beat me to it. ‘I’m going to the gents’,’ he said. ‘You don’t need to wait for me. In fact, I don’t want you to wait for me.’ Then he disappeared in the direction of the toilets. Rudey McRude from Rudesville.
17
‘I had a visit from a rep this afternoon,’ I told Elise when she dropped by on her way home from school a few days later. ‘He was called Steven.’
Her eyes widened. ‘And…?’
I smiled. ‘He was lovely.’
‘Are you going to see him again?’
‘On a work basis, yes. On a personal basis, no.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because he’s already married.’
‘Happily married?’
‘I’m guessing so seeing as he and his wife are about to renew their vows to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary. He tells me he’s never known a day’s unhappiness since he met his wife except when he had to spend a week on a training course away from home.’
‘Ah, that’s so sweet.’
‘Isn’t it? That’s what I want – to meet someone whom I can’t bear to be away from and who can’t bear to be away from me. It must make you feel so special.’
‘Yeah,’ Elise said. ‘It must be nice.’
‘What are you talking about? You’ve got that with Gary.’
‘I meant the longevity. It must be nice to still feel that way after so long.’ She turned away and gestured round the shop with her arm. ‘So, one week tomorrow till opening day. The place looks amazing, Sarah. Are you pleased?’
I looked round the shop and felt a tingle of pride. The wood floor and silver light fittings were classy, the soft cream walls added warmth, and the various glass and silver shelves and display units oozed quality. Rows of brushed silver tubs and vases eagerly awaited their first delivery of flowers, and the dark granite counter and preparation table seemed to sparkle with excitement for the first bouquet to be created on it.
‘It’s even better than I imagined,’ I admitted. ‘Although I did spend more than I hoped to get this look.’
‘I think it was money well spent. I like these.’ Elise pointed to a display containing wooden christening gifts. ‘I haven’t seen anything like these in town.’
‘Good. I wanted things that were different.’
‘What’s going on there?’ She pointed to a circular display unit.
‘Teddy bears, which are coming on Monday. I’m expecting two card deliveries on Tuesday, more gifts and vases on Wednesday, first flower delivery on Thursday, then it will be flat out on Friday making bouquets ready for opening on Saturday.’
‘You’ve certainly got your work cut out.’
‘I know. I’m trying not to panic but it feels like there’s so much to do. Are you sure you don’t mind helping out next Saturday?’
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
I smiled. ‘Thanks. I’m glad you and Mum will be here.’
‘Is Clare coming?’
‘No. She’s got a work event that she couldn’t get out of.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Don’t start…’
Elise held her hands up. ‘It wasn’t a bitchy comment. I genuinely meant it’s a shame after she helped you paint and get things ready. It would have been nice for her to be here for opening day.’
I nodded. ‘That’s more like it. Life is so much less stressful when the two of you can play nicely.’
‘It’s not me who starts it. It’s—’
But a knock on the door saved us.
‘Hi, stranger,’ I said to Nick. ‘How was Edinburgh?’ Those damn butterflies were back. Why did he have to be so attractive?
‘Edinburgh was great, thanks. How’s progress?’
‘Getting there. Do you want a sneak preview?’
He nodded eagerly. ‘Do you mind? I haven’t caught you at a bad time, have I?’
‘No. But you can only come in if you promise to say nice things.’
‘I promise to say nice things. And I’ll mean them.’
I swung the door open and inhaled deeply as he stepped past me. Whatever he was wearing smelt divine.
‘Hi. I’m Elise.’ She scowled at me as she wandered over and shook Nick’s hand. ‘Thought I’d better do the intros seeing as somebody’s forgetting their manners.’
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘Elise, this is—’
‘Steven,’ Nick interrupted.
Elise’s eyes widened and she looked from Nick to me and back to Nick again. Her mouth opened but no words came out.
‘Sorry,’ Nick said, grinning. ‘Couldn’t resist. I’m Nick.’
‘Oh, so you’re Nick.’ Elise smiled widely and I knew she was appraising him. She turned to me. ‘I didn’t realise Nick knew about Steven.’
‘I wanted the male perspective. Plus he plied me with alcohol and kind of dragged it out of me.’
‘Interesting. And what was your verdict, Nick?’
‘I thought Sarah should give her search a try. There’s a lot in this world we can’t explain or can’t prove. Just because I can’t see into the future, it doesn’t mean that nobody can. But I also suggested she doesn’t waste years on the search. If Steven doesn’t turn up in, say, three months she should look elsewhere.’ Nick looked directly at me as he said the last part. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I couldn’t hold his gaze. I pretended to find some muck on the immaculate counter and rubbed at it
with my thumbnail.
‘Good idea,’ Elise said.
‘Thank you. Anyway,’ Nick said, ‘I came in to tell you about my proposition, Sarah. I know you’ll only have been open a couple of days and probably have loads to do but are you still free a week on Monday night?’
‘I am.’ At last. I’d been dying to hear about the mystery proposition.
‘Fantastic. If you don’t like the sound of this, just say so and I won’t be offended, but I promise it’s not as geeky as it might sound.’
‘I have an open mind,’ I assured him.
‘A few years ago, I set up something called Bay Trade with my best mate, Skye, and her fiancé, Stuart. It’s a trading service for small businesses in Whitsborough Bay. Members promote each other where they can and we trade our skills for free or for a discount. I recently did a website and designed some fliers for our plumber and he fitted a new shower for me. Saved each other a fortune.’
‘Sounds like a great idea,’ I said.
‘Glad you like it because we wondered if you’d like to be our florist. We only allow one person from each type of business to join us so it doesn’t become competitive.’
‘Was Auntie Kay a member?’
Nick shook his head. ‘Stuart knows Evie who runs Blossoms but, as she’s closing down, she’s dipped out.’
‘Would it cost me to join?’
‘No.’
‘And would I have to come to regular meetings?’
‘Come when you can. It’s the second Monday of each month and it’s very informal. We ask if anyone needs some help or advice, or if there’s news, then it’s a few drinks and a chat.’
‘Could be good for business,’ Elise suggested.
I pondered for a moment then nodded. ‘Okay. I’m in. So is a week on Monday an extra one because that’s the end of the month?’
‘It’s something different. One of the group, Bob, is emigrating to New Zealand so it’s a leaving do for him.’
‘And what does Bob do?’
‘He’s our builder.’
‘No! Bob the builder? Seriously?’
Nick laughed. ‘No. He’s a physiotherapist but it was too tempting to let it pass. We’re meeting in The Old Theatre at seven then we’ve got a table booked at The Bombay Palace at nine.’
‘Okay. It’s a date,’ I said. ‘Well… not really a date… just me and you being out at the same place, and…’
‘It’s fine,’ Nick said. ‘I know what you mean. I’d best leave you both to it. Nice to meet you, Elise.’
‘And you,’ she said.
I walked Nick to the door. ‘Are there any Stevens in Bay Trade?’ I asked.
He shook his head. ‘Sorry. See you soon.’ He waved as he headed down the street.
‘He likes you,’ Elise said after I closed the door.
‘Rubbish.’
‘And you like him.’
‘I do. As a friend. Because—’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘Because he’s not called Steven.’
‘Well, he isn’t and I’m sure Steven’s about to knock on my door.’
A knock on the door made us both jump. Steven? I unlocked the door again.
‘Nick?’
‘I forgot to give you this.’ He handed me a black leather portfolio.
‘What is it?’
‘Some website ideas.’
I flicked through the portfolio to see several pages of sample layouts with little boxes explaining the logic and flow of what he’d done.
‘Nick. These look amazing. You must have spent hours on this.’
He shrugged. ‘I enjoyed it. Evenings alone in a hotel can get boring so it was refreshing to have something to do other than stare at the TV.’
‘I don’t know what to say. Thank you. Can I hang onto these?’
‘They’re yours. There’s no rush to look at them. If you like a design, let me know. If you want to pick and mix from several, I can do that too. And if I’ve completely missed the mark, please say and I’ll do some more.’
I continued to flick through image after image. ‘I think it’s going to be a case of being spoilt for choice rather than not liking them. Thank you.’
‘Pleasure. I’ll see you at Bob’s leaving do, if not before.’
‘How sweet is he?’ Elise said when I locked the door again.
‘I know.’
‘You wish he was Steven, don’t you?’
‘No!’
‘Sarah?’
‘Yes. Yes, I do.’
‘Then why don’t you give it a go with him?’ she asked. ‘You know I believe the CD but I can also see that your Auntie Kay was right about you two. What if Madame Louisa got the name wrong? What if you push Nick away and Steven never materialises? What if Nick’s moved on and found someone else by the time you accept that?’
‘And what if I go for it with Nick and Steven does appear? The poor guy’s best friend ran off with his fiancé the day before their wedding. He’s been wary of relationships ever since. Imagine if we had a few dates and things were going really well and then Steven walked into my life and swept me off my feet. If Nick’s as keen on me as you and Auntie Kay seem to think he is, imagine what that would do to him. I couldn’t put him – or me – through that. Plus, selfish as it may sound, I really like him as a friend. You’re the only friend I have who still lives in Whitsborough Bay. I like the idea of having two.’ The more friends I had, the less likely I was to end up alone like Uncle Alan.
Elise nodded. ‘Perhaps it’s too soon to rush into things with Nick. But I think you should seriously consider his suggestion of putting a timescale on it. How about two months starting from the New Year? That would mean you’ve been home for about five months. If Steven doesn’t appear in that time, I suspect he never will. And maybe then you can start considering people with other names. Like Nick. Agreed?’
‘Okay, okay. It’s agreed. Two months from New Year it is, then.’
But as I flicked through the portfolio after Elise had left, I couldn’t help thinking about Nick and wishing he had the right name.
18
✉︎ From Nick
Hope your first day is perfect and you sell loads. Can’t believe how much you’ve done to the place. Look forward to hearing about it all on Monday xx
* * *
✉︎ From Auntie Kay
Thanks for photos. The shop looks amazing. You’re amazing. So proud of you. Let me know how it goes xxxxxxxxxxx
* * *
✉︎ From Clare
Keep the customers locked in till they spend a fortune. LOL! Wish I could be there doing PR for you instead of for this bunch of numpties. Good luck! You can do it! xxx
‘I’m nervous.’ I squeezed Mum’s hand on opening day a week later. ‘What if nobody comes?’
‘They will. I know of at least a dozen of Kay’s regulars who’ve said they’ll be in today to give you their support.’
‘What if they’re the only ones?’
‘Sarah,’ Elise scolded, ‘you can’t fail. The place looks amazing. You’ve sent discount vouchers to all Kay’s regulars. You’ve done a stack of advertising. You’ve even been on Bay Radio. I think you’ll be run off your feet. I’ve already seen several people looking through the window this morning.’
‘So have I. Squashing their greasy noses on my nice clean glass.’ I turned to Mum again. ‘Do you really think Auntie Kay would like what I’ve done to her shop?’
Mum squeezed me tightly. ‘She said so in her text, didn’t she? We’re all so proud of you.’
‘And keep remembering that it’s not her shop anymore; it’s yours,’ said Cathy who’d jumped at the offer of her old job back. ‘She deliberately gave it to you as an empty shell so you could create this. I’m so excited to be working here with you. I bet Kay wishes she was here. She’d be beside herself with excitement and pride.’
I swallowed hard on the lump forming in my throat. Today was not a day for tears; I’d scare the customers away if I start
ed. I surveyed what the last five weeks of hard work had achieved and couldn’t help but be impressed. Half the shop was devoted to fresh flowers including a range of more daring modern blooms that I wanted to test on the market. The other half of the shop was now devoted to gifts. My teddy bears had arrived and looked so adorable with their pudgy tummies and cute faces, ready to be hugged. I’d spent the last week unpacking deliveries, arranging any surplus in the stockroom, and doing a final clean before a busy day of bouquet preparation.
Christmas was a month away so I’d ordered some Christmas gifts and made the shop look festive with red and white poinsettias, holly, wreathes, and beautiful Christmassy-looking bouquets and baskets. I’d decorated a small tree and hung a stack of red and white fairy lights around the shop to create ambiance.
Mum looked at her watch. ‘Nearly time. Are you ready to face your public?’
‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’ I took a deep breath, wiped my sweaty palms down my uniform – a dark green apron with the shop name and a white rose embroidered on the bib part – and picked up the keys. Placing them in the lock, I grinned at my team as I announced, ‘It gives me great pleasure to declare the newly-refurbished Seaside Blooms open.’
Mum had been right; I needn’t have worried about a lack of customers. All my hard work in promoting the shop, plus loyalty to Auntie Kay, meant there was a constant stream of customers, old, new, and just visiting the town for some Christmas shopping. I’d prepared twenty or so simple inexpensive red and white Christmas bouquets and displayed them on a wooden barrow outside the shop. They sold out within an hour so Mum and Cathy spent the next hour or so making more that sold out again by lunchtime.
The cards and gifts also sold really well, I took bookings for two wedding flower consultations, a request for a large floral arrangement for a couple’s Golden Wedding Anniversary party, and a booking for a funeral.
New Beginnings at Seaside Blooms Page 13