I swallowed a lump in my throat, floored by the deli- ciousness of his presence. ‘They’re not even finished.’
‘You mean it’s possible to get better than this?’ He smiled playfully and rested his arm lightly on my shoulder. ‘I never really thought about it before but floristry is art. Looking at these flowers and smelling their scent, how could anyone stay down for long?’
‘I seem to be managing quite nicely,’ I grumbled. ‘You know, I got into flowers after my brother died, as a way of bringing happiness into my life. But all I seem to be doing at the moment is wreaking havoc.’ I glanced sideways at him. ‘And not only mine. I’m so sorry, Sam. About Saturday. About letting you see that flower order for Pandora.’
‘Don’t be.’ He withdrew his arm, picked up the tangle of fairy lights and began winding them in a loop around his hand and his elbow. ‘The damage had been done years ago. You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m the one who should be apologising for letting my personal life spoil the end of the workshop for the cricket team. They loved it, by the way. I could write a book about the mistakes I made in my marriage, and, spoiler alert, it won’t have a happy ending. There’s no way back for her and me this time.’
His smile slipped and my heart ached for him. No matter how angry you were with someone, ending a relationship was sad and exhausting. Sam frowned, setting the lights neatly on the floor and starting on the second set.
‘And Annabel and Will, are they OK?’
His eyes lit up. ‘You remember their names? I’m impressed’
‘Occupational hazard,’ I said, laughing. Actually laughing. Sam had been here less than five minutes and he’d already lifted my mood. ‘I used to work in market research, collecting data on people is what I do.’
He held his hands up and pretended to look scared. ‘I’d better watch what I say, then.’
‘Probably wise.’ I remembered everything he’d told me, every detail. Stick me on a quiz show and Sam Diamond could be my specialist subject. I didn’t say that though, because there’s healthy interest and then there’s being a stalker.
‘Sam …’
‘Fearne …’
We spoke at the same time and then laughed. He pointed at me to go first.
‘I just wanted to say that I’m so glad you’re here,’ I said, feeling suddenly exposed under his direct gaze. ‘I’ve been muddling along OK without Nina but this Edelweiss thing has really taken the wind out of my sails. It’s nice to have someone to share the load. You’re very kind.’
‘Just call me the Good Samaritan. Get it? Sam?’ He gave me a lopsided smile as I groaned at his bad joke. He clapped his hands together. ‘So how can I help, what are we going to do with it all?’
‘Good question.’ I took a deep breath. ‘For starters, I guess I should get everything back to the shop, see what I can salvage, then write a letter of resignation to Nina. And for the rest of the day, I might just get drunk and wait for an old friend of mine to arrive for afternoon tea.’
He grinned. ‘Why don’t I help you with the first one and we can talk about the rest when we get to Barnaby.’
I twisted a lock of my hair around my fingers and counted to ten while I swallowed the lump in my throat. Kindness always did that to me; knocked me off kilter and brought the tears close to the surface.
‘Sounds like a plan.’ I said gruffly, managing a weak smile. ‘And you? What was it you wanted to say?’
‘Just that, like you I’ve been muddling along on my own for a couple of days.’ His eyes lost their shine for a moment. ‘But it’s nice to do something positive and it’s good to be useful.’
He ran the back of his fingers along his jaw and the rasping sound caught my attention.
‘You’ve stopped shaving again!’
He grinned sheepishly. ‘Apparently some women like bearded men. In general.’
Hearing him quote my words back to me gave me a little thrill but I was careful not to read too much into it. If there was a spark between Sam and me I wanted it to have the best chance of staying alight, which meant taking it slowly.
‘But do you like it?’ I said softly.
He thought about it, scratching his chin. ‘I do. It suits my mood. Unkempt and scruffy. Although it’s getting to the itchy stage. Feel.’
I stepped closer until I could feel the heat from him. I brought my hand to his face; the rough hair prickled my fingers and woke up all sorts of sensations I hadn’t felt for a while.
‘It’s not unkempt and you’re not scruffy.’ You’re lovely.
Sam’s hand covered mine and the connection between us sparkled like a million stars. A small part of me worried about what was happening, but the other part was thoroughly enjoying the moment.
A harsh laugh from the doorway made us spring apart. Pandora folded her arms and smirked.
‘I’d say get a room, but you already have one.’
‘Pandora?’ Sam’s jaw dropped and he glanced at the clock on the wall. My eyes followed suit. It was still only eight o’clock. Today was endless.
‘Well, well, well,’ she drawled. ‘It’s like déjà vu. I thought I recognised you earlier in reception, Fearne, I followed the cloying smell of flowers to find you, but I must say, I didn’t expect to see you here, Sam.’
Sam exhaled impatiently. ‘Your dad owns the lease on the florist business, that’s how Fearne and I know each other. There’s no déjà vu about it. We had nothing to hide when you saw us together on Saturday and this time …’ His blue eyes glinted defiantly. ‘And this time, it’s none of your business what I do.’
‘Whatever.’ She pursed her lips. ‘I came for the Edelweiss thing. More fool me. I thought it sounded like a fab idea: natural beauty products, combined with a yoga studio. Because whether you believe me or not, I am serious about setting up my own wellbeing business.’
Sam planted a hand on his forehead and groaned. ‘Great. So we’ve just lost a grand?’
‘A thousand pounds?’ I gasped. No wonder the guests were so annoyed about being denied their breakfast.
‘Someone else who witters about money.’ Pandora gave me a withering look. ‘You two are a perfect match. Are these flowers going spare?’
‘They’re for sale,’ I corrected her swiftly. ‘The large arrangement is seventy-five and—’
‘For a few lousy flowers?’ she shrieked. ‘I’d rather have new shoes.’
‘Pandora.’ Sam’s voice was low. ‘The money for Edelweiss: spending that sort of money without consulting me—’
‘Oh, stop fussing.’ She stalked further into the room, peering at everything sniffily. ‘Of course we haven’t. As if you give me enough money to come to something innova- tive and exciting like this.’
Sam and I exchanged bemused looks. So exciting and innovative that it was actually a scam.
He shook his head in disgust. ‘So, your dad paid?’
She stopped strutting and fiddled with a huge rock of a diamond earring (surely that couldn’t be real). ‘Daddy doesn’t know anything about it. Probably best if it stays that way for now. The whole thing is very disappointing and they’re being totally unreasonable about the hotel room.’
‘What hotel room?’ Sam stared at her. ‘Are the kids with you?’
‘No.’ She stiffened and then walked swiftly towards the door. ‘They’re with my mum.’
‘OK,’ he relaxed. ‘Fine. But please let Sybil know that I’m collecting them from the school bus and taking them to my mum’s tonight?’
Her make-up couldn’t conceal her blushes. ‘They’re with my mum in Lanzarote. Or at least they will be by lunchtime.’
Sam’s jaw dropped; he looked so wounded that my heart melted for him. ‘You’ve sent them away?’
I decided to give them some privacy. I picked up one of the large arrangements.
‘I’ll start loading up,’ I mumbled.
Sam caught my arm as I passed him. ‘Sorry. Again. I’ll be right with you.’
I tried to convey s
olidarity through my smile. ‘It’s fine. You take all the time you need.’
I could still hear them when I stepped out into the corridor and despite feeling guilty for eavesdropping, I slowed my pace.
‘My children have left the country and you didn’t think to let me know?’ Sam’s voice was low and angry. ‘What about school? When will they be back?’
‘Next week. Probably,’ Pandora replied vaguely. ‘I needed some space, OK? I needed to process what happened this weekend. Mum offered to help out.’
‘I’d have had them! Jeez, Pandora, you’ve overstepped the mark this time,’ he growled. ‘I’m going to apply for custody. I’m not dancing to your tune any more.’
‘You think I’m enjoying all this?’ Her voice trembled as if she was close to tears. I reached the service door which led to the car park but I didn’t open it. It was like when Freddie had begged me to watch a scary film with him; I couldn’t bear to watch but I couldn’t drag myself away either. ‘Us separating is stressful.’
‘We’re not separating. That implies a joint decision. You told me to leave last summer. You told me you wanted to try again. As we both know, you’ve always called the shots in this marriage. Until now. Goodbye, Pandora.’
He was on his way out. I quickly put down the flowers and opened the door. The doorknob turned easily, I held the door open with my bottom, picked the flowers up and noticed a flash of movement in my peripheral vision. I stood at the door and waited.
Poor Sam. I really felt for him, there was still so much anger and frustration in him towards his wife. Ex-wife, I corrected myself.
‘Steady, fella!’ said a jovial voice.
‘What the hell?!’ Sam yelled.
There was a series of thumps and some serious swearing and I turned back to see Sam and another tall skinny man with fine blond hair fronting up to each other and several cartons of my flowers in a heap on the floor.
‘Gareth bloody Weaver,’ Sam said with considerable menace. ‘I might have known.’
‘Please be careful!’ I scooted down to them, heart in my mouth, praying that my precious blooms were still intact. If those Columbian roses ended up as a pile of petal confetti it would be the cherry on top of the worst cake ever. Also, shamelessly, I really wanted a closer look at the man Pandora had thrown away her marriage to Sam for. Surely he’d have to be something really special.
‘Totally my fault,’ said Gareth in such a posh accent I assumed he must be putting it on. He flapped about, all elbows and knees, trying to pick up boxes and making matters much worse. ‘Such a clumsy oaf, I’ll cover any damages of course.’
‘Of course you will.’ Sam’s face was expressionless. ‘A man who can afford to take on Pandora will be used to forking out large sums of money unexpectedly.’
Gareth guffawed until realising Sam wasn’t joining in and grimaced. ‘Yes, know what you mean. Here, please, I insist.’ He pulled what looked to be two fifty-pound notes from his wallet and handed them to me. The offer was tempting, I was considerably down financially after today’s non-event, but even so, one hundred pounds just for having my flowers knocked to the floor?
‘I, er, well, I’m not sure …’ I looked quickly at Sam for help; he gave the tiniest nod. I took the notes and tucked them into my pocket. ‘Thank you, very decent of you.’
‘Well this is awkward, but had to happen sometime.’ Gareth smiled tentatively at Sam and held out his hand. ‘Let’s be gentlemen about this.’
‘Gentlemen don’t have affairs with married women.’ Sam’s face was grim. He restacked the flowers and picked them up.
‘Married? Hold on just a minute.’ Gareth’s face turned puce. ‘Pandora was separated.’
Pandora emerged from the room in a rush and came to an abrupt halt when she saw both men together. ‘Oh.’
‘Here she is!’ Gareth beamed, holding his arms out to her. ‘Right, I’ve spoken to my solicitor about Edelweiss, we’re going to pursue these charlatans, even if it costs me ten times more than we’ve already spent. I will avenge you!’ He thrust his arm into the air like a red-faced, lanky superhero.
I was confused; did the man have no shame, being so open about his relationship in front of Sam?
‘Hmm.’ She stuck her nose in the air. ‘I’ll be waiting in the Rolls.’
‘Rightio, darling.’ Gareth bent down, lips puckered to kiss her, but she flounced past without a second glance. ‘Be right there, Kitten.’
Pandora’s retreating form made a noise not unlike a cat getting ready for a fight. A burst of laughter escaped from me before I could catch it. I covered it up with a cough.
‘I’ll do the same,’ I said, sending Sam a smile of solidarity. ‘Not the Rolls, obviously. The erm, van.’
The corners of Sam’s mouth twitched. ‘Be right there. After I’ve put Gareth right on a few things.’
I headed back to the doors to the car park, thinking that Sam had had a lucky escape and actually feeling a bit sorry for Gareth. Although, I reminded myself, he had a Rolls and a wallet stuffed full of cash, so not that sorry.
Chapter Ten
An hour later we were back in the florist’s shop. Sam filled the dog’s water bowl while I made us both coffee, each lost in our own thoughts. I’d got back to the shop shortly before him, bought us both breakfast from the Lemon Tree Café and fetched Scamp from Biddy’s.
I’d had time to think on the way back from the hotel. I wasn’t going to waste any more time moping about my mistakes; I had a lot of stock to sell and as Sam seemed to be in no hurry to go, I decided to rope him in. We made space on the workshop table and sat down to eat hot paninis and drink our coffees.
‘Which do you prefer,’ I held up the two brown paper bags: ‘Portobello mushroom and mascarpone, or smoked bacon and mozzarella?’
‘Ooh, tough one.’ Sam deliberated. ‘Can we have half and half?’
I grinned; this man got more amazing by the second. ‘Good call.’
I divvied them up and put a bit of my bacon to one side for Scamp, who was poised between us watching our every move like a tennis fan at Wimbledon.
‘Do you ever watch The Apprentice?’ I said.
‘You’re fired.’ Sam jabbed a finger at me. He winced. ‘Actually more like I’m fired. Ugh. Forget I said that. I don’t want to think about Hogg Property Services today.’
‘If you do get fired, which I don’t believe for a moment, but if you do, maybe it could be a good thing,’ I said gently. ‘You could have a change of direction. Like I did coming here. This could be your opportunity to go into catering.’
His eyes lit up. ‘You really do remember everything I say, don’t you?’
I shrugged nonchalantly. ‘Of course.’
Then he screwed his face up. ‘I dunno, I think maybe that ship has sailed. But thanks for the encouragement. Why did you ask about The Apprentice?’
‘OK.’ I took a sip of coffee, noting the change of subject. ‘You know how there’s always a task to make products and then sell them by the end of the day for a profit?’
He swallowed his mouthful, nodding. ‘And then the team who makes the most profit wins.’
‘Exactly, so …’ I waggled my eyebrows. ‘How do you fancy a challenge?’
‘Hmm.’ He narrowed his eyes as if sizing me up. ‘I fancy it a lot.’
Suddenly the day was looking a hell of a lot better. I felt a frisson of excitement. ‘Fantastic! I hope you’re not a bad loser because I’ll win.’
‘That’s what you think.’ He clapped his hands together with glee. ‘I can sell ice to the Eskimos.’
‘A-ha! Your first mistake. They don’t need ice,’ I said triumphantly, slipping Scamp’s bacon to him. You could only do that when you’d finished eating, otherwise he’d be on your knee clamouring for more. ‘A clever sales person would sell them something they’ll really appreciate, like those hand warmers you put in your gloves that get hot when you crack them, or Kendal mint cake to give them energy in the cold. Not something the
y have by the bucketload. Are you laughing at me?’
Sam was sniggering into his coffee cup. ‘No. Well, yes, a bit. You’re very sweet. I just mean I can convince people to buy things they didn’t even know they needed.’
I was sweet. Which was all right, I supposed, but I’d rather be heart-stoppingly gorgeous. Of course, he might think I was gorgeous but not want to say so. On the other hand, he might be reeling from splitting up with his wife and not thinking about me in any other terms than a friend with a lot of flowers to sell. Probably that one.
Sam was still smiling, I smiled back.
‘Things they don’t know they need – you mean like flowers?’ I gasped in mock offence. ‘Flowers are very important things.’
‘You’re right, I apologise,’ he said softly, holding my gaze. ‘Thanks, this is just what I need.’
His hand covered mine and all my nerve endings jumped up and yelled YES.
‘What, breakfast?’ It came out a bit wonky because my mouth had gone dry.
‘No, you crazy woman, a day doing something fun.’
‘You’re welcome.’ My heart was clanging against my ribs like the pipe to the bathroom radiator but I thought I’d just about managed to stay cool.
‘So what’s the prize?’ He chewed on his last mouthful of panini.
‘Oh, er, I hadn’t thought about a prize.’ As far as I was concerned I was already the winner: I got to sell all these excess flowers and spend the day with Sam.
‘How about … I dunno, the loser buys dinner?’ he said casually.
There was a beat of silence while I processed this and tried to work out whether there was a subtext here or whether it was simply wishful thinking on my part. But then he went slightly pink.
‘I know, sorry.’ He held up his hands. ‘Forget I said that. Why on earth would you want to spend even more time with a bitter and twisted old misery guts? But how about I promise not to say a single word about Pandora? And a girl has got to eat.’
My Kind of Happy - Part Three: A new feel-good, funny serial from the Sunday Times bestseller Page 9