In Just One Day

by Helen Mcginn

  ‘No, it’ll just be me.’ Colin headed for the door. ‘It looks wonderful in here, Mack. It really does.’

  ‘Thank you, Colin. Yes, see you later.’

  Mack waited until Colin was out of sight, then opened the box and popped a still-warm biscuit in his mouth, letting it melt a little on his tongue. They’d work a treat with the Crémant de Bourgogne he’d picked to be served that night.

  ‘Ooh, have I missed breakfast?’ Flora came through the door, catching Mack still finishing off his mouthful.

  ‘That was Colin…’

  ‘Yes, I just passed him. He’s very excited about tonight.’

  ‘He just brought these in, he made them himself.’ Mack pointed to the box.

  Flora lifted the lid slightly and inhaled deeply, the smell making her mouth water. ‘Oh, my word, those look amazing. May I?’ She took a bite of one, catching the crumbs with her free hand. ‘Absolutely delicious…’ She nodded her head in appreciation whilst finishing her mouthful. Then she reached into one of the bags she was carrying over her shoulder and pulled out a handful of brightly coloured tissue paper. ‘Look what I’ve got for the garden.’

  ‘What on earth are those?’ Mack squinted at them.

  ‘Paper lanterns. I’m going to tie them to strings of lights. It’s going to look so gorgeous, Mack.’

  ‘I know you will make it just so, Flora.’ Mack picked up the box. ‘Right, I’m going to take these upstairs before I eat any more of them. Then shall we make a start on setting up what we’re tasting tonight?’

  ‘Good plan.’ Flora beamed at him. ‘Honestly, Mack, I can’t quite believe this is really happening.’ Just then her phone pinged in her pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen, reading the first few words of a message from Billy. ‘Oh, no…’ Her shoulders sank.

  ‘Everything OK?’ asked Mack.

  ‘It’s my brother, he can’t make it tonight.’

  ‘Oh, that is a shame. I was looking forward to meeting him. He sounds like quite a character.’ Mack laughed.

  ‘Yes, he is. But also really annoying sometimes, especially when he doesn’t show up at the last minute.’ Flora rolled her eyes. ‘Never mind, his loss. I’ll give him a call – and a piece of my mind – later. Come on, we’ve got lots to do and no time to waste.’

  13

  The first guests were by the door on the dot of 7 p.m. The evening air was warm, the sky clear despite the forecast predicting otherwise. As people arrived and moved through the shop they cooed over the fresh interior, peering at bottles on the shelves, before spilling out into the courtyard.

  Flora and Johnny worked the room with perfectly chilled bottles of Crémant in each hand, topping up glasses as they moved through the increasingly noisy crowd. Mack stood at one end of the tasting table, pouring wines for a rapt audience.

  Upstairs Pip and Tom sat by the window, watching the grown-ups moving underneath strings of lights and paper lanterns Flora had hung below.

  ‘Here you are, darlings!’ Kate appeared at the top of the stairs.

  ‘Hi, Granny!’ they chorused.

  She came to join them at the window. ‘Doesn’t it look lovely from here? Although this place could do with a tidy up.’ Kate glanced back around Mack’s sitting room, noting the piles of books and papers, the dark walls and furniture giving the place a heaviness that made her feel quite claustrophobic. ‘How on earth does he live in this mess? It could be wonderful with a bit of TLC…’

  ‘Can we come downstairs for a bit? Please, Granny?’ Tom looked up hopefully, deploying his best puppy-dog eyes.

  ‘Darling, I think Mummy wants you both to stay up here. It’s not for long.’

  Pip fixed Kate with a pleading look. ‘Please, Granny? Just for a few minutes…’

  ‘OK, but just for a bit. I don’t want you getting me into trouble. Perhaps if you do something useful, like pass some food around, your mother won’t mind.’

  Just then the sounds of a piano, bass and trumpet floated up from the courtyard. Pip ran back to the window, peering down.

  ‘Listen! There’s music! Come on…’ Pip grabbed Kate’s hand and together they headed downstairs, Tom close behind.

  They moved through the crowd in the shop and out into the courtyard. Flora stood by the DJs where they’d set up against the back wall.

  Clocking the children, Flora saw her mother was with them. ‘Hey, what are you two doing down here? I said you could watch a film upstairs.’ She looked at them, their eyes shining with excitement. ‘OK, you can stay down here just for a bit, then back upstairs.’ She ruffled the tops of their heads then turned to her mother, giving her a disapproving look.

  ‘I said they could come down for a little while, then I’ll take them back up, I promise.’

  ‘It’s fine, I just didn’t want them getting in people’s way. And a wine shop isn’t the ideal place for a couple of kids to hang out, Mum.’

  ‘I know, I’m sorry… Who are these guys? They’re great!’ Behind the decks the DJs worked away, overlaying the music with their own percussion instruments.

  ‘Take a guess who sent them.’ Flora spoke in Kate’s ear over the music.

  ‘Billy?’ Kate looked around for him.

  ‘He’s not coming, Mum. Something came up, apparently. He messaged this morning. A work meeting up north – he couldn’t get out of it.’

  ‘Oh, that’s so disappointing.’ Kate’s face fell, then recovered as she held her glass out when someone passed with a bottle.

  ‘Oh, Mum, this is Colin. You must meet him.’ Flora put her hand out to stop him, resplendent in yellow. ‘Colin, this is my mother, Kate.’

  Colin did a little bow. ‘It’s an honour to meet you, Kate. You must be very proud of your lovely daughter. She and Johnny really did come to the rescue with the shop.’

  ‘Yes, we are very proud. Aren’t we, darling?’ Kate looked at Flora, smiling.

  Flora remembered her mother’s reaction when she’d first mentioned the shop, but she resisted the urge to remind her. ‘Yes, hopefully this is just the start of something good.’ She smiled back then gestured to the bottle in Colin’s hand. ‘You don’t have to do that, you’re a guest.’

  ‘I’m very happy keeping people topped up, Flora. It’s so nice to see everyone. And I’m telling them all to join the mailing list.’

  ‘You are brilliant, thank you.’ Flora turned back to her mother. ‘Colin’s a regular, Mum. He’s been buying wine from Mack for years.’

  ‘Since he first opened, in fact.’ Colin topped up his own glass. ‘I remember when he first moved here and he brought all these new wines nobody had ever heard of. We all thought he was quite mad.’

  ‘Well, this is lovely, whatever it is.’ Kate raised her glass, taking a sip.

  ‘Oh, look, there’s Tilda.’ Flora called out and waved. ‘I’m just going to go and say hello. She’s brought a few of the other mums from school, too. Back in a minute.’

  ‘Hey, you!’ Tilda called out, glass in hand. ‘Look how beautiful you’ve made it out here! It looks amazing!’

  ‘Ah, thank you.’ Flora squeezed her friend’s hand then turned to the others. ‘Have you all got drinks? Good. Mack’s opening some bottles at the new tasting table and there’s plenty to eat, but be quick, it’s going fast.’ Flora pointed to the counter covered with plates of cheese, smoked salmon-topped blinis and bowls of olives.

  ‘Sorry I’m late!’ A clearly flustered Susie appeared by Flora’s side.

  ‘You’re really not late, and I’m so happy you’re here. Let me get you a glass of something. Is Julian with you?’

  ‘No, he said he had to work, but he might come later. I’m sorry…’

  ‘Really, don’t worry. It’s much more important that you’re here. I’ll get you some fizz, don’t move.’ Flora glanced around as she crossed the room to see if she could see her father. No sign.

  Just then, Johnny appeared at her side. ‘Hey, I was just thinking we should probably say a few words
now that most people are here, what do you think?’

  Flora nodded. ‘Good idea. Shall we get Mack, too?’

  ‘He’d rather I spoke. I did ask him but he’s very happy to leave it to us.’

  ‘Then let’s do it. Just a quick welcome and thank you. I’ll give this to Susie and go and ask them to stop the music for a moment.’

  Flora made her way back out to the courtyard. Her father was standing in the corner.

  ‘Hey, Dad, I didn’t see you come in. What do you think?’

  ‘It looks fantastic, Flora. You’ve both done a brilliant job.’ He raised his glass to hers. ‘Music’s a bit loud, though? Sorry to sound like an old man.’ He smiled apologetically.

  She leaned towards him, speaking into his ear. ‘I’m about to ask them to turn it down anyway. We’re going to say a few words to thank everyone for coming. But I need to ask you something before you leave.’ Flora swallowed hard. She knew it wasn’t the best time but given it might be the only one for a while when she’d be able to get him on his own, she’d resolved to ask her father this evening about what she’d seen.

  Robin looked at her. ‘What is it, Flora? Is everything all right?’

  ‘I don’t know, Dad. I was hoping you’d tell me before I had to ask, actually…’

  ‘Flora, what are you talking about?’ If he knew what she was getting at, he wasn’t showing it.

  ‘Hi, Robin!’ Tilda appeared at Robin’s side, cheeks flushed with Crémant.

  ‘Hello, Tilda. How are you?’ Robin smiled warmly.

  Flora looked at her father. ‘Before you go, OK?’ She looked back at Tilda. ‘If you’d like to go inside, Johnny’s going to say a few words.’

  ‘Be right there.’ Tilda held out her glass as Colin passed.

  ‘… And last but not least, we’d like to thank Mack for not only running the best wine shop in town – OK, the only wine shop in town…’ Flora winked at Mack and the crowd laughed, ‘but for having faith in us and our plan for Ten Green Bottles. Johnny and I couldn’t wish for a better person to guide us through our next adventure. To Mack!’ Flora raised her glass to him.

  ‘To Mack!’ The crowd echoed his name, raising their glasses high too, then whooping and cheering.

  ‘Now, everyone, please make sure your glass is full. You’re welcome to stay a while. And for God’s sake make Johnny happy by giving him your email address before you leave!’ Flora pointed Johnny out in the crowd.

  Soon the noise of chatter resumed and the party – and wine – was in full flow. Kate and Colin sat on the wall outside, deep in discussion about interior design. Tilda and Susie perched on the opposite wall, an open bottle of wine between them. The children, having managed to successfully avoid detection, stood behind the decks, Tom banging a cymbal, Pip hitting a cowbell whenever one of the DJs gave them the nod.

  ‘Mack, are you OK staying on the till for a bit?’ Flora asked, conscious that he’d been on his feet for much of the day.

  ‘I’m very happy, Flora. Nothing like sending a good wine home with a happy customer.’ He winked at her, seeming genuinely happy.

  ‘As long as you’re sure… Would you mind if I just go and catch my father? I can see him by the door.’

  ‘Of course, go.’ He shooed her away.

  Flora slipped behind Mack and caught Robin just as he was putting on his coat. ‘You’re not leaving Mum here, are you?’

  ‘No, I’m just going to get the car. I had to park further down the high street earlier but I said I’d pick your mother up outside in ten minutes.’

  ‘Dad, does Mum know?’

  ‘Of course she knows, I’ve just told her.’

  ‘I don’t mean that, Dad.’ Flora looked around, then back at her father. ‘Does she know about the other woman? The one I saw you with at the station the other day. Does she know about that?’ Flora felt her neck and cheeks redden. She clenched her fists. ‘I’m sorry, I know this isn’t exactly the best time to bring this up, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it and I just need to know. Because…’ Flora took a breath, ‘you need to stop it and if you don’t, Dad, I’ll tell her what I saw.’

  Her father’s look of surprise was almost immediately replaced by one of guilt. ‘Flora, I…’ He cleared his throat. ‘Yes, I think she does know.’ Robin lowered his eyes for a brief moment before meeting her gaze again. ‘It’s complicated, Flora.’

  ‘Really? Because actually it’s very simple, I think. You’re married. And that means you shouldn’t be with another woman at the station. I was there, Dad, I saw it. And I feel sick that I know and Mum doesn’t. It’s not fair…’

  ‘But, darling—’

  ‘I haven’t finished, Dad. I notice you’re not denying you’re having a relationship with this woman, and you need to stop it. Right now. I’m sorry I saw what I saw, but I did and there’s nothing I can do to unsee it. Please tell me you’ll stop seeing her, whoever she is.’ Flora felt a tear on her cheek, quickly wiping it away.

  Robin stood, now looking at the floor again. He spoke softly. ‘Flora, I’m so sorry—’

  ‘Is everything OK?’ Johnny appeared at Flora’s side. ‘Flora?’ He looked at Robin. ‘What’s going on?’

  Flora fixed Robin with a gimlet stare.

  ‘I was just going to get the car, Johnny. Thank you so much. What a wonderful party.’ Robin put on his coat. ‘Flora, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’ The door closed quietly behind him.

  ‘Flo, what was that all about?’

  ‘I’ll tell you later. Let’s get this party finished and this place cleared up.’ She managed a smile.

  ‘Sure?’

  ‘Sure.’ She kissed him briefly, needing to feel his skin on hers. ‘Time to get this lot out.’

  14

  The last of the guests stood in small groups in the courtyard, laughter still in the air. Tilda and Susie collected empty glasses, sloshing leftovers into an ice bucket on the counter as they went.

  ‘No sign of Julian, then?’ Tilda looked around the room.

  ‘Nope, he didn’t make it, but he had told me he probably wouldn’t. Surprise, surprise…’ Susie sighed, draining the wine in the glass in her hand. ‘Pete here?’

  ‘Yes, he’s outside, being cornered by that Year 4 mum. Or more accurately, her tits.’ Tilda rolled her eyes.

  ‘Doesn’t that annoy you?’ Susie peered outside, catching the Year 4 mum in question as she employed her very best hair toss followed by a killer pout aimed directly at Pete. In turn, Pete swayed slightly before dropping his wine glass on the floor.

  ‘God no, Pete wouldn’t actually do anything. If she tried, he’d run a mile.’

  ‘How can you be so sure?’ Susie suddenly realised how that sounded. ‘I mean, I know he wouldn’t because he’s got you, for goodness’ sake. But doesn’t that make you feel jealous?’

  ‘Of course! I’d kill for those tits!’ Tilda laughed heartily at her own joke.

  ‘Tilda, that’s not what I meant.’ Susie plonked a few more empty glasses on the counter.

  ‘I know, Susie, sorry… It’s just that Pete and I, well, we trust each other. Because if you don’t trust each other, then, man…’ Tilda shook her head gently, ‘marriage is going to be one very long, painful journey.’

  ‘But how do you get there? I mean, to a place where you can trust them completely?’

  ‘Shit, Susie, I don’t know. I’m hardly an expert, I’m afraid. I’ve only done it once.’ She grinned at her friend.

  ‘I mean, you seem to just assume it’s all going to be OK. How do you do that?’

  ‘Because I’d rather that than anything else. I’d rather have Pete than not and, I don’t know, maybe it won’t last forever but I love him, and if that means trusting him when he’s face to face with much bigger tits than mine then that’s what I have to do.’

  ‘God, I wish I could be so… I don’t know…’ Susie looked at her friend.

  ‘Drunk?’ Tilda held up an empty glass.

  Susie lau
ghed, then shook her head. ‘No, thank you. Actually, I think I’d better get home. I didn’t realise it was so late.’

  ‘You go. We can stay and help here.’ Tilda looked over at Pete. ‘I think it’s time I went and retrieved him.’ She rolled her eyes at Susie. ‘What is it about boys and boobs? See you tomorrow.’ Kissing her friend on the cheek, Tilda turned and headed for the courtyard.

  Mack, Flora and Johnny sat around the tasting table, a small glass of dark amber liquid in front of each of them.

  ‘What on earth is this?’ Johnny sniffed at the glass. ‘Smells like burnt toffee… in a good way.’

  Mack picked up his glass and took a sniff, closing his eyes. ‘It’s 1976 Terrantez Madeira, aged in American oak casks for twenty-one years.’ He took a slow sip and was instantly transported to the small hillside vineyard on the island he’d once visited with Elizabeth many years ago. He could almost see her standing in front of him, straw hat on her head, smiling right at him. ‘I opened it yesterday to give it a bit of time to recover. I’d been saving it for a special occasion and this definitely qualifies.’ He looked at Flora. ‘What do you think?’

  Flora lifted the glass to her nose, swirling the liquid gently around. She, too, took a long sniff. ‘Oh, my goodness…’ she opened her eyes, ‘… that’s insane, Mack.’

  ‘Isn’t it?’ He smiled at her, then stuck his nose back in the glass.

  Flora took a sip, letting the liquid roll around her tongue, taking in the tiniest bit of air to get as much flavour out of it as she could.

  Johnny watched them both, amused and amazed at how this drink could seemingly transport both Mack and Flora to another vinous place. Finally, after various noises of appreciation, Flora declared it heavenly.

  ‘And if you try it with a bit of cheese, this one especially…’ Mack picked up a piece of crumbling blue cheese and popped it into his mouth.

  ‘Ooh, good idea.’ Flora did the same.

  ‘So, what makes this so special, Mack?’ Johnny reached for a piece of cheese too.