I smiled. ‘I wouldn’t have disturbed you but apparently Mum and Dad are in Paris for the weekend.’
‘Ah yes. The romantic break. Your dad surprised her with the tickets yesterday. Apparently it’s thirty-five years since he proposed.’
I sighed. ‘All right for some. Jason never whisks – whisked – me away on romantic weekends.’
‘Then it’s probably just as well you’ve ditched him. It’s time to find someone who will.’
I shook my head. ‘Maybe not just yet. I think I need to find me again first.’ Even though that meant being alone for a while. Panic started to well and I repeated the mantra I’d developed when I was twenty-two and distraught by the break-up of my first serious relationship.Alone as in single… but not lonely. I have friends. Alone as in single…I stood up and took a deep breath. ‘How about you get back to your bouquet, I’ll make us all a drink and then I can give you a hand with the flowers?’
‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’
‘I’m sure. I’ll enjoy it.’
‘Your help would be a godsend,’ she said. ‘There should have been four of us in, but Wendy’s at a wedding and Gemma was a no-show. She says gastric flu but I say hangover. She’s on a final warning and we’re way behind. Bridesmaids’ bouquets or buttonholes?’
‘Buttonholes please. I’ve not slept so I don’t think I’m awake enough to do justice to the bouquets.’ The truth was I was worried about messing up. The situation at home had started to affect me in my job as a Marketing Assistant for a high street bank. I’d made a couple of careless mistakes recently and had been given a lecture on not bringing my personal problems into work. My confidence was at an all-time low.
As if sensing my crisis of confidence, Auntie Kay said, ‘Tired or not, I know you can do this. You are, and always have been, the most naturally talented florist I’ve ever had the pleasure to train and you’ve got the qualifications to prove it. You could make those bouquets in your sleep with your hands tied behind your back. But I’ll let you off seeing as you’ve had a traumatic birthday. You can start on the buttonholes, but if it gets busy I’ll need to promote you to bouquets. And I need all the details about Jason while you work. I can’t wait till later.’
A couple of hours later, Auntie Kay studied the three bridesmaids’ bouquets, two children’s posies and eight buttonholes I’d created. ‘Tell me again why you don’t work here. These arestunning. Those classes inthatLondon have certainly been worth the money.’
It made me laugh when she referred to my home as ‘thatLondon’ in the same tone of disgust she might use to describe ‘thatsexually transmitted infection’. She’d only visited me there once and I was left in no doubt that she thought it was one time too many. I’d never quite sussed whether it was specifically ‘thatLondon’ that she hated or the fact that I lived there instead of at home.
‘I haven’t done bouquets in a while,’ I said. ‘I’m quite pleased.’
‘You should be. You say you’ve been to your flower club more often over the last year…?’
I nodded. ‘Great Jason-avoiding activity.’
‘Well, it has paid dividends. Hey, Cathy, come and look.’
Cathy ambled over. ‘Sarah, they’re gorgeous. You know what you should do?’
‘No. What?’
‘You should move back home and work for your auntie.’
‘Did you two rehearse that?’ I said, planting my hands on my hips in mock-indignation, but I couldn’t help smiling. It was so lovely to feel wanted, especially after the past year with Jason when I’d felt anything but.
‘I’ve no idea what you mean.’ Auntie Kay looked at me all wide-eyed and innocent. ‘But it’s a good idea. Are you sure you don’t want to?’
‘Yes, Auntie Kay. I’m sure. Because?—’
‘I know, I know…’ She winked at Cathy. ‘Because floristry is just a hobby even though you’re twice as talented as most professional florists I know. Because you don’t live here anymore. Because you lovethatLondon. Because your job’s there. Because Jason doesn’t want to move.’ She paused then added dramatically, ‘Although Jason’s out of the picture now, so…’
‘Auntie Kay! This isn’t my home anymore. I moved away twelve years ago.’
‘And you could move back just as easily. I’d even brave another trip to help you pack your stuff. Cathy could hold the fort here, couldn’t you Cathy?’
‘Piece of cake,’ Cathy said. ‘Just name the date.’
‘Stop it you two.’ I put my hands over my ears and started humming until Auntie Kay made a zipping action across her mouth, lightly slapped her wrist and mouthed ‘sorry’.
‘I should think so too.’ I took my hands off my ears.
‘You’ll change your mind about moving back here soon.’
‘I doubt it. Thanks for the effort, though. I’d probably be offended if you didn’t keep trying to convince me to stay. I’d think you didn’t want me anymore.’
