by Helen Mcginn
‘I know, Flo.’ Johnny sighed. ‘We’ll think of something.’
‘OK, how about this…?’ Flora picked up the bottle on the table, one of her favourite Italian reds, and refilled their glasses. The scent of tar and roses hit her as she lifted the glass to her lips. ‘So, if you could do anything now, like change career completely, what would you do?’
Johnny sat back down opposite her, picking up his glass and looking thoughtful. He took a sip, without bothering to sniff, Flora noticed. ‘You forgot to smell it first! What have I been telling you all this time? Sipping without sniffing is like looking at a picture with one eye closed. You’re missing out on most of the fun.’
‘I happen to think the fun part is drinking it, but whatever.’ Johnny laughed. ‘OK, if it makes you happy.’ He lifted his glass and gave it a swirl. Wine went straight down the front of his shirt and he let out a laugh. ‘Well, at least I don’t need this one for work again anytime soon.’
But Flora was on a roll. ‘Gently, Johnny. Swirl it like this…’ She held the glass by the stem and moved her hand very slightly, making the wine in the glass move around in a small circular motion. ‘Come on, you’ve done this before.’
Johnny did the same with what was left in his glass.
‘Right, now sniff.’
Johnny took a long, loud sniff of his glass. His head shot up. ‘Oh, wow, that’s amazing. It smells of… what is that?’
‘Mack gave it to me today, said to enjoy it before we tackle the stock count next week. It’s a Barolo from a small family producer. Earthy but elegant with a whiff of roses, in my humble opinion.’
Johnny took another sip, this time taking a little longer over it. ‘That’s exactly it. You’re good at this.’ He grinned at her.
‘Why, thank you. Now, as I was saying, if you could do anything, anything at all, what would it be?’
‘Well, assuming you don’t mean watching films, uninterrupted, whilst sitting on my luxury yacht, I think what I’d really like is to be my own boss. I just don’t want to do the big company thing any more.’
‘Fine. And say you are your own boss, what does your company do?’
‘I don’t really know. Except I know I don’t want it to be software.’ Johnny laughed a little. ‘Definitely not software.’
‘So…’ Flora put her glass down on the table. ‘How about we run a wine shop?’
Johnny put his glass down too. ‘What, you mean Mack’s shop?’
‘Well, it’s not going to be Mack’s shop for much longer. Before we know it it’ll probably be another Starbucks or whatever. Unless, that is…’
‘We take on the lease?’
‘Exactly! What do you think?’
‘Well, for starters, I don’t know anything about wine.’
‘But that’s the point: you can leave that bit to me. Your job could be to make sure the shop runs profitably. And with your experience, we can move the business online, too. Come on, Johnny, what have we got to lose? I’ve been longing to do it for ages, but now we’re both out of a job, well, it’s the perfect time.’
Johnny picked up his glass again, swirling the wine slowly. ‘Hmm, I suppose you’re right. We really don’t have much to lose, although I’d have to look at Mack’s numbers.’
‘Actually, I’m not sure they’ll help. But his experience will. He’s so good at things like running tastings, and once I get my diploma I can start teaching wine courses.’
‘I think you’re on to something here. Hang on, I’ll get the laptop. Let’s have a look at what other online wine shops there are. Might pour myself a whisky for this bit. Want one?’
Flora shook her head. ‘I’ll stick with this.’ She raised the half-glass of red in her hand.
Hours later, having filled a notepad with thoughts and ideas, they fell into bed. Johnny was asleep within minutes. Looking across at him, Flora felt terrible for not seeing how unhappy he’d been in his work. He’d always gently pushed her to pursue her wish to make a living through her love of wine. Was she now talking him into doing something just to keep him busy? Then again, he did seem genuinely excited at the prospect of taking a failing business and turning it into something successful – profitable, even.
Flora looked at the clock by the bed, the illuminated numbers telling her she had about four hours until Tom, an early riser even by a six-year-old’s standards, would be by their bed asking if it was time for breakfast. An owl hooted in the woods, the sound clear in the quiet night. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her thoughts. Beside her, the numbers on the clock continued to climb.
6
Flora stood at the top of a small stepladder holding a string of lights, trying to loop an end over a branch of the birch in the garden.
‘Why don’t you let me do that?’ Johnny called over from the back door. ‘It’s not even going to be dark when they’re here – why do we need lights in the tree?’
‘Because I want them up, at least… and anyway, Billy said he’d stay after Mum and Dad have gone so I thought we could sit out here.’
‘Honestly, let me do that.’
‘Actually, I’ve just got to finish laying the table. Pip and Tom can help me. Where are they, anyway?’
‘Still in their pyjamas, last time I saw them.’
‘What? Their grandparents will be here any minute and I don’t want them thinking our kids don’t get dressed before midday!’
‘Well, they don’t usually on a Sunday.’
‘That’s not the point! My mother will never let me forget it. Right, I’m going to sort them out. Please can you finish doing the table?’
‘Before or after I finish putting up the lights?’
‘Johnny, please don’t. I need your help here.’
He held his hand out to her as she climbed down the ladder. ‘Flo, relax. It’s only your parents, not a royal visit.’
‘God, I know. It’s just… I want them to see that we’re fine, you know? I mean, they are going to freak out when we tell them about our jobs. Well, Dad probably won’t, but Mum definitely will. And it doesn’t help that Billy is so bloody sorted they don’t have to worry about him at all.’
‘Flora, stop. We’re more than fine. Now, go and do whatever you’ve got to do and leave this stuff out here to me.’ He leaned down to kiss her, slipping his hand under her loose white shirt and around her waist.
‘Now you stop!’ she laughed, grabbing his hand and removing it firmly. ‘Come on, we’ve got work to do.’
Inside she found her children sitting together on the sofa, glued to the television. ‘Hey, you two, go and get dressed, please. Grandpa and Granny Kate will be here soon and I need you looking presentable. Same goes for this room.’
‘But, Mum…’ Both started their separate protests but Flora had already moved on to the kitchen to finish chopping vegetables. She’d been up early tidying the house and getting things ready; her mother was bringing a pudding and Billy was on cheese duty.
Picking up the phone, she hit Billy’s number. Predictably, it went straight to voicemail. She quickly tapped out a message.
Just checking you haven’t forgotten lunch at ours today?! x ps don’t be late x
Flora watched, waiting for the ticks to turn blue. They stayed grey. If he had forgotten, she’d never forgive him.
The traffic on the road was sluggish. Kate sighed. ‘I don’t understand why people come and spend the day in the country, then park their cars right by the side of the road to have a picnic.’
‘Maybe they’re happy with the view from there?’ Robin ventured.
She looked at the queue of cars, snaking slowly around the roundabout ahead. ‘We’ll have to leave not long after we get there at this rate. I’m going to text Flora. She’ll be wondering what’s happened to us.’
‘We’re literally ten minutes away. I don’t think she’ll mind terribly.’
‘Honestly, I can’t wait to see the children. Hopefully they won’t look quite as scruffy as they did the last time
we were there. I’m sure Tom had nits; he couldn’t stop scratching his head. And Pip could be so pretty but you can barely see her eyes with that long fringe in the way, and she does insist on dressing like a tomboy. It doesn’t appear to bother Flora at all. Perhaps you should say something? I mean, she gets so touchy when I try and gently suggest something as simple as a haircut, or perhaps a few new clothes.’
‘Darling, I really wouldn’t worry about it. You’ve got to let Flora and Johnny do it their way. The most important thing is that the kids are happy. And they are, they’re a delight.’
‘Of course they are. I’m not saying they’re not. It’s just that making an effort doesn’t cost much and it makes all the difference. That’s all.’
Robin weighed up whether to take Kate to task over this, but decided to engineer the conversation away from a row, given their imminent arrival at their daughter’s. ‘Well, it’ll be good to see Bill, too.’
‘Oh, I know, I can’t wait. It feels like months since we last saw him.’
‘Nearly six months.’
‘Has it been that long? It can’t have been. Are you sure it’s that long?’ Kate glanced at Robin.
‘Yes, almost. It was just before Christmas, anyway.’
‘Goodness, time flies. I’m just thrilled he’s got time to pop down to see us all together.’
‘Yes, aren’t we lucky?’ Robin couldn’t hide the note of sarcasm in his voice.
‘There’s no need to be like that, darling. He’s very busy, as you know.’
‘I’m just saying it’s been a while, that’s all. And you cut him a lot more slack than you allow Flora.’ And just like that the words were out there.
‘I’m sorry but that’s just not true. I mean, how could you say that?’
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…’ Robin realised his timing was terrible. He needed to get Kate back on side if he wanted to get through the afternoon without her scowling at him every time he spoke. ‘He’s very busy, I do understand.’
‘Yes, he is. His job is very demanding, as you well know. Flora has her hands full too – I’m not saying that what she does isn’t equally important – it’s just different, that’s all.’ They turned into the track leading to Flora and Johnny’s house.
‘Right, come on, darling,’ said Robin. ‘Let’s enjoy our day.’
Lunch was a jolly affair, despite the empty chair. Billy had finally replied to Flora’s message to say he was running late and to start without him. Flora popped up and down, whack-a-mole-like, fetching plates, grabbing glasses, passing dishes around. Johnny offered to help but, in an unspoken trade-off, agreed with a glance between them that he was on hosting duty. He knew Flora was happy as long as he carried on talking to her parents. The children were on their best behaviour, answering questions politely; Flora’s promise of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows before bed had worked like a dream.
Robin sat at one end of the table, shaded by the branches of the horse chestnut at the bottom of the garden now in spectacular flower. ‘You’re going to have plenty of conkers later this year, by the looks of it,’ he said, glancing up. ‘You must have played conkers at school, Tom?’
Tom looked at his grandfather blankly.
Johnny came to his rescue. ‘They banned it at school, apparently.’
‘Why on earth would they do that?’ Kate was incredulous.
‘Too dangerous, they said.’ Johnny shrugged to show his solidarity.
Robin looked at Pip and Tom. ‘Well, when you come this year I’ll show you both how to make a champion conker. I used to be a demon at it in my day.’ His blue eyes lit up as he spoke.
‘Any news from your brother?’ said Kate.
Flora could sense the effort in her mother’s voice as Kate tried to sound calm, despite her obvious annoyance at her son’s tardiness.
‘Yes, he’ll be here any minute. I’ve saved him some food. Kids, why don’t you go and wait for him out the front, wave him down?’ But before they could get there, a screech of tyres on gravel signalled Billy’s arrival. The children squealed and jumped from their seats, racing to greet him.
‘I’ll just grab his plate.’ Flora went inside, hoping to intercept him. She planned to prime him on the job-news front so that he could at least act like it wasn’t a total disaster – in fact, maybe a blessing in disguise – even if she didn’t quite feel that way about it now she was faced with the prospect of telling her parents.
But Pip and Tom had pulled their uncle from the car, dragging him through the small gate at the side of the house. He walked into the garden, carrying each child like a rugby ball under his arms as they wriggled, helpless with laughter.
‘Look what I found!’ Billy grinned, blond hair falling into his eyes.
‘Put me down!’ Pip protested, beating his chest with her fists.
‘OK, fine… here you go.’ He put them both back on their feet. ‘Sorry I’m late, Johnny.’ They shook hands warmly. ‘Hi, Mum.’ He moved to kiss Kate first, ducking down to reach under the brim of her wide straw hat. ‘Hey, Dad, how are you?’ He kissed his father on the cheek.
‘Finally!’ Flora came out of the back door, walking towards her brother with her arms outstretched. ‘Take your time, why don’t you?’
Billy gave her a bear hug. ‘I’m so sorry, Flo. Traffic was terrible…’
‘You also had a late night, I can tell.’ She spoke quietly so their parents wouldn’t hear. ‘Your eyes are still bloodshot.’
‘Oh God, really?’ Billy rubbed his eyes with his fists. ‘I’ll stick my sunglasses on.’
‘Good plan. Now go and sit down next to Mum, give Johnny a break. I’ll get your food. Hair of the dog?’
‘Just water for now, thanks.’ He turned back to the table, sunglasses in place, and took Flora’s empty seat. ‘So, how is everyone?’
The afternoon wore on gently, the sun dipping down behind the trees on the other side of the garden. They sipped bright, juicy Beaujolais from tumblers and picked at grapes and hunks of cheese (Billy hadn’t forgotten to bring some, much to Flora’s surprise) from a thick wooden board in the middle of the table. Then came Kate’s pudding, bowls of fresh summer berries topped with Barbados cream, a childhood favourite of both Flora and Billy’s. She used to make it, bringing it to the table like a giant white cloud in a bowl, every Sunday. They’d then wipe their own bowls clean with their fingers when their mother wasn’t looking.
As Flora carried a tray of strong coffees to the table, she caught the tail end of her father’s question to Johnny.
‘Yes, well, there’s been a slight change on that front, Robin.’
Shit, thought Flora. Here we go. She gripped the sides of the tray a little harder.
Johnny shifted in his chair. Kate stopped mid-sentence, turning her attention from her son to Johnny.
‘Have you been promoted? Oh, I knew it! Didn’t I say so, Robin?’
Flora shot Billy a look; he recognised the plea for backup in her eyes. He threw his sister a gentle nod, noticeable to no one other than her.
Johnny spoke evenly. ‘Actually, it’s not good news, I’m afraid. I’ve been made redundant.’
A short silence followed. Then Robin said, ‘Oh, my dear fellow, I’m so sorry to hear that.’
‘Yes, bit of a shock, to say the least. But still, we have a plan, don’t we, Flo?’ Johnny looked at Flora across the table. ‘Well, Flora came up with the idea and I think it’s a pretty good one, given the circumstances.’
Kate adjusted her hat, lifting the brim. She turned to Flora. ‘So, what’s this great idea of yours, darling?’ She smiled at her daughter, her face expectant.
‘Um… well.’ Flora’s cheeks burned. She took a breath. ‘Johnny’s always wanted to run his own business and I, as you know, love working in the wine shop. So, as fate would have it, it looks like Mack is selling the lease to the shop and we thought we might buy it – we’ll put Johnny’s redundancy money towards it – and, you know, try and make a go of it as a
business.’ With some effort, Flora fixed a smile on her face. Her fingers dug into her palms. She looked at Johnny.
‘It just seems like a really good opportunity for us to do something we both want to do,’ Johnny continued.
‘It’s a lovely idea but is that really going to be enough to replace your job, Johnny?’ Kate turned to Johnny, adjusting her hat so she could see him.
‘I think it sounds like a great idea.’ Billy reached for a chunk of cheese, winking at his sister across the table.
Flora picked up her glass. ‘Thank you. I think it could be something really exciting, actually. The shop used to do great business years ago, according to Mack, but then what with the supermarket opposite and the fact that he’s never moved the business online, it’s been struggling for a while.’
Johnny grabbed the figurative baton from Flora. ‘But now I’ve got some time, we can put together proper plans. We’re going to talk to Mack about it next week, see what he thinks. If we can make it work, we’re hoping he doesn’t have to sell the building so he can continue to live above the shop.’
‘Does that mean we get a family discount?’ Billy looked hopefully at his brother-in-law.
‘I’ll see if I can work it into the plan. But knowing your consumption…’
‘Fair enough,’ Billy laughed.
Robin raised his glass. ‘Well, I’m delighted for you both. I think you make a great team. To Flora and Johnny’s wine shop…’
Billy clinked his father’s glass enthusiastically. ‘Me, too – here’s to it.’
Kate kept her hands in her lap. ‘Well, if you manage to make a living out of a hobby then good for you.’
Flora looked like she was about to say something but Johnny cut in, catching her eye as he raised his glass to meet the others. ‘Thanks, Kate, we’ll do our best.’
7
‘I mean, why does she do that? Why can’t she just be happy for us? Or actually, it’s not even that… Why sound like she’s kind of hoping something goes wrong?’