‘I’m so sorry.’ Blonde handed me the empty glass a short while later. ‘I don’t normally lose it in front of complete strangers.’
‘It’s okay. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to lose your husband.’
‘It’s agony. I hope you never have to go through it. Are you married?’
‘No.’ My eyes flicked to the bridal bouquet on the counter. ‘Always hoping.’
‘I always wanted to get married,’ she said. ‘When I was little, I was obsessed with weddings. I had all my dolls and teddies married to each other. Made my mum mad when I got hold of her veil and cut it into several pieces so all my girl-bears could have one.’ She smiled at the memory. ‘I was so desperate for my day to come that I nearly married the wrong person. He was more like a friend, though. The chemistry wasn’t there and I realised I couldn’t keep trying to create it just so I could have my big day. The hardest part was that the person Ididmarry – Alex – was his best friend and that was the end of a brilliant friendship for the two of them.’
Oh my God! She’s talking about Nick. She’s his ex-fiancée.‘Are you Lisa?’
‘Yes. How did you…?’
‘Were you talking about Nick just now?’
Her eyes widened. ‘He told you about me?’
‘Bits. I know about the wedding being called off.’
‘Did he tell you he was with Alex when he died?’
‘I… I haven’t spoken to him recently.’ He was with Alex when he died? That must mean he knew about the cancer. Which must mean Lisa told him. I wonder when she…? ‘Do you mind me asking how he knew about Alex? I thought they weren’t in touch.’
‘They weren’t but I went to see Nick just after Christmas. Alex told me not to but I knew what it would mean to him to get Nick’s forgiveness before…’ She wiped her eyes again. ‘I knew it was a big ask. I must have driven around the block a dozen times before I had the courage to knock on his door. I braced myself for a scene but I should’ve known I had nothing to worry about. He’s not that kind of man. I didn’t even need to beg him to visit. As soon as I told him about Alex, he asked to see him. After everything we did to him, he just came straight out with it, no excuses, no hesitations. He visited every day since and…’ Her tears started again. ‘I don’t think he’ll ever know how much that meant to us both. We knew we had to be together but regretted every day that we hurt Nick in the process. Watching Nick and Alex together these past couple of months was like old times. He was there right at the end too. I don’t know how I’d have got through it all without Nick’s support.’
My throat constricted again. I tried to imagine how Nick felt when given the news that the man who stole his fiancée was about to die and how he was feeling right now, knowing that he was with him at the end. I longed to be there to comfort him. I was also acutely aware of the huge mistake I’d made about him and Lisa, which had kept us apart at a time when he could probably have used my support. No wonder they’d hugged for so long on Lighthouse Point on New Year’s Day; they’d had a lot of comforting to do.
‘I’m keeping you from your work.’ Lisa wiped her eyes again and rose from the chair.
‘It’s no trouble. Quiet day.’ But the minute I said it, the dooropened and a couple of customers came in. Cathy was able to help one but the other loitered by the counter.
‘I’d best do what I came in to do,’ Lisa said as we walked to the counter. ‘Can I order two wreaths please? A large white and purple one from me and a smaller yellow and orange one from the kids.’
I’d forgotten they had children, poor little mites. I noted down the messages Lisa wanted on the wreaths and discussed delivery arrangements. She thanked me for my kindness. ‘Nick’s a great guy,’ she said as she turned towards the door. ‘You’re not an item, are you?’
I shook my head. ‘We were. Briefly. But I messed it up.’
‘You will be again. I’m sure of it.’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘The way he lights up when he talks about you. You did the same when you said his name. I don’t know what happened between the two of you but, if it can be repaired, repair it. Life’s too short. I should know.’
‘A twenty-pound bouquet when you’ve finished gossiping.’ An angry male voice drew my eyes away from the door for a moment. When I looked up again, Lisa had gone.
‘For now or collection later?’ I muttered.
‘Now. Be quick.’
Yes sir!I quickly set about selecting flowers. To my dismay, the door opened again and another couple of customers came in and loitered by the counter. No chance of me reflecting on Lisa’s surprise revelations then.
38
?? To Stevie
Do you have time for a drink before the cinema tonight? Blonde came into the shop today! She’s not seeing Nick. Big misunderstanding. Not sure what to do next. Would welcome some advice xx
?? From Stevie
