I come off the phone, not sure if I want to dance gleefullyaround the room or flake out on the sofa in a panic. I do the latter, staringwide-eyed at the ceiling, my heart drumming as fast as a leaky drainpipe in adownpour.
This is getting all too real! But it’s exactly what must happenif I’m to have a successful business that will enable me to stay here. The factthat it’s quite a substantial order means it will be well worth the cost of thepetrol to drive down there and deliver them in person, although I need to lookinto other methods of delivery if the business is going to take off.
I don’t have an awful lot of time to get the order ready.
But even if I have to work through the night, every night,I’ll do it!
*****
By the time Saturday rolls around, I’m exhausted from the longhours, working late into the night, but I’m happy with the results of myefforts.
After my shift at the café, and before I set off forBrighton, I call in at Jenny’s flower shop in the village and pick up my usualorder. They’re Oriental lilies this time, and they perfume the air deliciouslyon my drive.
When I walk into the Brighton gift shop with the first oftwo boxes, Connie – the shop owner – is busy serving a customer so I put downthe box and signal that I’ll be back with the rest.
Unpacking the mugs and piggy banks on the counter, I waitanxiously for her reaction.
‘Lovely.’ She picks up a lilac mug and examines it. ‘Andthose piggy banks are just so cute. My customers won’t be able to resist them.’
I smile, relief flowing through every cell in my body. ‘I’mso glad you like them.’
We chat for a while, then a customer approaches the till, sowe have to wind up our conversation quickly.
‘I’ll phone and let you know how sales are going and we canorganise payment.’ Connie gives me an encouraging smile. ‘And hopefully,fingers crossed, we can think about sorting out a regular order.’
‘Great! I’ll wait to hear from you, then.’ I leave the shopwith a spring in my step and get in the car for my drive to Torminster.
*****
I’m panicking a little as I set off, hoping I’m not takingon too much.
Brighton is a popular place for tourists. What if I can’tkeep up with demand? Should I take on another potter to help out? I’d hate myfledgling business to go under just because my productivity starts laggingbehind the orders.
But I dismiss that idea immediately. It’s far too soon to bethinking about employing someone. I need to know for certain that the businessis really going to work before I make a huge commitment like that.
I’m still deep in thought as I park up in Torminster townsquare. But getting out of the car and hurrying over to Hannah’s gift shop, Ifeel weirdly self-conscious all of a sudden, as if Mystery Man is going to popout from behind a lamp-post at any second.
The news from Hannah is good – the mugs are selling well andshe’d like some more – and I’m feeling light-hearted and full of optimism as Iemerge from the shop. But as I wait to cross the road, I happen to glancebehind me in the charity shop window and my heart gives a sickening lurch.
I walk over to look more closely.
It’s the bear I bought Poppy for Christmas. I rememberlooking at him and thinking maybe Poppy was a little old at eight to stillappreciate soft toys. But I needn’t have worried. She loved him on sight.
‘I’m going to call him Barney,’ she declared, dancing aroundthe room with him.
‘Barney Bear.’ I smiled. ‘Nice. It’s got a definite ring toit.’
She ran over, sat beside me on the sofa and stared solemnlyup at me with those big brown eyes. ‘Auntie Enzie?’
‘Yes, love?’
‘Barney Bear wants to live here with you.’
My eyes widened in surprise. ‘He does?’
She nodded firmly. ‘He likes it here at your house. But Ican come and visit him every day, can’t I?’
I felt my heart squeeze at her hopeful expression. ‘Ofcourse you can. As long as your mummy says it’s okay.’
