‘I knew it. Let’s have a look.’ She flicked through page after page of scribbled ideas, drawings, paint swatches and photos I found online. ‘You want to sell gifts?’
‘I was thinking maybe a one-stop shop for all occasions. Buying flowers for a new mum? Why not get a card and a teddy here too?’ I tailed off. ‘It’s too much, isn’t it?’
She handed me the pad. ‘What you’ve done in here is exactly what I expected of you. It’s fresh. It’s different. And if one person can bring it to life and make a success of it, it’s you. I can’t wait to see how it looks.’
‘You’re not offended?’
‘Of course I’m not offended. My business is finished, over, ended.’ She drew a cross in the air with her hand. ‘This is now a new business with a new owner. You’ve got to imagine this was something else before… like a hairdresser’s. You’ve had to rip out all the sinks and mirrors and you’re about to turn it into a florist’s from scratch. The only thing I’m leaving you with is my till because it’s new, my supplier details because you’ll need those, and any bookings from January onwards. I’ve transferred my last few bookings for the year to Evie Chandler who runs Blossoms on Park View. Her lease runs out in March and it’s being taken over by a charity shop. The rest is up to you.’
‘What about the staff?’
‘A bit depleted. Gemma failed to show for work on Monday so I told her not to bother coming back. Pat left a couple of months ago. Wendy was due to retire at the end of the year so I’ve paid her till then. My Saturday girl left for university. That just leaves Cathy andTrish, my delivery driver. I’ve not promised them anything but I’d strongly recommend you take them both on.’
I nodded vigorously. ‘Definitely. I’ll call them this morning. Will that be enough staff? Mum said she doesn’t want a permanent job but she’s happy to help out for a few months.’
‘I’d take her up on the offer and find yourself a Saturday kid. Give it a couple of months to work out who else you need and when. Evie’s volunteered to help if you’re ever stuck. I think she’s keen to keep her hand in.’
‘That’s kind of her,’ I said. ‘Okay, sounds like we have a plan.’
Auntie Kay headed into The Outback. I took a slurp of my hot chocolate as I slowly turned in a circle looking round my ‘blank canvas’, my mind racing with ideas.It’s going to look fabulous. The lino can go for a start. And that horrible strip lighting. I want solid wood floors and ceiling spotlights. A large granite counter over there with loads of room to create…
‘You’re visualising it, aren’t you?’ she said, coming back into the shop.
I nodded sheepishly. No matter what she said or did, I couldn’t help but feel guilty that I wanted to change what she’d lovingly created.
‘Has it sunk in yet that this is yours?’ she asked.
‘Not in the slightest.’
‘Then claim it.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Stand in the middle of the shop and say, “this is mine”. Don’t look at me like that. I haven’t lost the plot if that’s what you’re thinking.’
‘It’sexactlywhat I was thinking.’
‘It doesn’t get you out of doing it, though.’
Deciding I might as well humour her, I put my drink and croissant down on the floor and walked into the centre of the shop. ‘This is mine,’ I said, pulling a face at her.
‘Rubbish. Louder.’
‘This is mine,’ I repeated, a bit louder.
‘Louder.’
I smiled and shook my head at her. ‘This is mine.’
‘Again.’
‘This is mine.’
‘Arms in the air. Jump up and down and shout it again and again.’
‘This is mine,’ I yelled, jumping up and down like a cheerleader. ‘This is mine.’
‘Has it sunk in yet?’ she asked.
