Arriving in front of Seaside Blooms, Auntie Kay handed me her drink and pastry while she rummaged in her bag. ‘You should inviteClare up here soon if you’re worried,’ she said. ‘Make her feel like she’s part of your new life. Let her escape fromthatLondon.’
‘I’ve already invited her up for the weekend. She said I have a new life and need time to settle in, but I managed to convince her. I hope she doesn’t cancel on me.’
‘I’m sure she won’t, sweetie. She probably just needs a bit of time to adjust to life without her best friend on her doorstep. Can’t be easy knowing that Elise is on your doorstep instead. They don’t get along, do they?’
‘Never have done.’
‘Classic case of the green-eyed monster.’
‘Jealousy? Of what?’
‘You, of course. They’ve both been part of your life at key moments and both are jealous that they have to share you with the other.’
I mulled this over while Auntie Kay continued to rummage in her bag. It would certainly explain the ridiculous need to be the first to hear information and the constant snipes at each other. But it seemed so juvenile. ‘I just assumed it was a personality clash. Perhaps you’re right.’
‘I think there’s something in your theory too,’ she continued. ‘They’re definitely chalk and cheese and, in their case, I think opposites repel rather than attract. They’re a great balance for you, sweetheart, because you’re somewhere in the middle. Gotcha!’ She finally found what she’d been rummaging for: a small bunch of keys attached to a plastic daisy. She handed them to me. ‘These are yours now. Are you going to open up?’
‘I’d be delighted to.’
‘Are you ready for new beginnings at Seaside Blooms?’
‘After the year I’ve just had, I couldn’t be more ready to start afresh.’ I handed her the food and drinks, and grinned as I unlocked the door to my shop.Myshop.It didn’t feel real. The little bell tinkled delicately overhead as I pushed open the door and allowed Auntie Kay to step past me. She stooped down to pick up a small pile of post on her way, giving me my first clear view into the shop. I gasped. What the…?‘Auntie Kay, what have you done? It’s empty.’
‘I know. Surprise!’
‘Why?’
‘Because I want you to make it yours and you wouldn’t do that if it had all my fittings in it. You’ve just said you couldn’t be more ready to start afresh and this is definitely starting afresh.’
I looked for somewhere to dump my drink but she’d even had the counter ripped out. There was nothing except grubby-looking lino and bare, scuffed white walls.
‘Say something,’ she said. ‘You’re making me nervous.’
‘I’m in shock. You said something about closing the shop for a month or so while I got sorted out but I assumed you meant opening a bank account and changing names with the suppliers. Not this.’ That earlier feeling of contentment and relaxation was replaced by a feeling of rising panic.
‘This isn’t quite the reaction I was expecting. I thought you’d be pleased.’
‘I am. Sorry. It’s just that there’s so much to do and I don’t know if I can afford it. I’ve only got a few grand in savings, which won’t go far. When Jason sells the car, I’ll get my share, but I don’t know when that will be.’
‘Don’t worry about the money side of things.’ Auntie Kay gave me a reassuring smile. ‘Do you really think I’d rip the fittings out and not leave you with any money to replace them?’
‘No! Absolutely not! You can’t give me any money. You’ve already given me the shop, which is way too generous as it is.’
She laughed. ‘I thought you might say that. How would you feel if we called it a loan?’
I was about to object but, without the money to kit the place out, I wouldn’t have a business to run. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, and I don’t want you to pay anything back until you’ve been open at least six months and found your feet.’
‘Thank you so much.’ I hugged her then looked around the empty shop again. ‘Where do I start?’
Auntie Kay laughed. ‘With a vision, of course. What do you want to sell?’
I frowned. ‘It’s a florist’s so I’m kind of thinking flowers and plants could be on the right lines.’
‘Come on, Sarah, where’s your imagination? If I know you, you’ll have given this loads of thought. I bet you even bought a new notepad. Where is it?’
I laughed as I unzipped my bag and pulled out a gorgeous new A5 notepad with a silk beaded cover and soft pastel pages. ‘Guilty.’ I’d been fantasising all week about the changes I’d love to make. I’d rushed out at lunchtime on the day I resigned to buy a pad and spent the next few evenings filling it when I should have been packing.
