‘Isn’t that the point of mebeing here?’
Daisy moved it as suggested. She hadn’t realised how heavy the tree was when you had to hold it for someone to walk around and inspect from different angles like Joshua was doing now. He was being pretty pedantic about it too. And pulling faces, running a hand across his chin, thinking hard. ‘What? Come on, this thing isn’t getting any lighter,’ she groaned.
He smiled and croucheddown to turn the screws in the base of the stand. Daisy, arm aching from holding the tree, now not only had the stunning tree to admire, but Joshua’s physique in black cargo trousers when he moved round and bent over.
He stood up and when he turned his chest was almost against hers. ‘Daisy, you can let go.’
She shook herself. ‘Oh … right …’ And she stepped away from him to admire the tree. ‘It’sperfect. Thank you for helping.’
‘My pleasure,’ he said.
She felt a crackle of electricity as his arm brushed hers but when Loretta brought through tea and cake the moment was over and it wasn’t much longer before Joshua headed for home himself. Daisy had gone to bed wondering whether she was a fool to have made up her mind a long while ago that relationships just weren’t worth it. They weremessy, even the people you loved and trusted the most could hurt you somewhere along the way, and she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to open herself up to that pain.
Ernest brought over the knitted green that he’d fixed around a piece of sponge so it resembled a gift and stopped Daisy staring at the Butterbury Lodge Christmas tree and thinking of Joshua, strong arms bringing in the tree at homeand carrying it along the length of the corridor to the sitting room …
‘I can’t claim credit for the knitting,’ Ernest explained. ‘That was a friend.’
Daisy touched him on the shoulder. ‘It’s wonderful. Could you do another two between you and your friend in different colours for me?’ She waved over at Carrie when she noticed her leaving and then Betty called out for some help with her crocheting.Grabbing some yarn and an extra crochet hook, Daisy suggested they do it together, both going through the same motions, side-by-side. After three rows, Betty had a bit of confidence and Daisy left her working away. With residents dotted around working on various crochet, knitting and sewing projects Daisy didn’t miss an opportunity. She took out her camera from her bag she’d left at the sideof the room.
Surreptitiously moving around the space Daisy captured the smiles of delight, the furrowed brows of concentration, laughter when mistakes were made, serious chatter about what they were doing. When Daisy and her grandad had thought of this idea it had been met with a great deal of enthusiasm from complete beginners to the advanced. Even the naysayers who’d insisted they wouldn’tbe around by Christmas had jumped on board and got involved. And so since Easter when she’d introduced the concept, Daisy had been planning this with military precision. She’d timetabled it all and estimated how long it would take to make the items they needed, then she’d doubled her estimate. She always checked the work too – discreetly, of course – before she put it away in the cupboard. Sometimesshe’d add a bit more stitching for extra security. And they were well on track to be finished in time for Christmas.
Daisy made sure she got plenty of photographs. She planned to display them on the big pinboard in reception once they went public with the project so everyone could see what a mammoth task this had been.
Betty’s son had been hovering on the periphery drinking a cup of tea. Daisysensed he’d seen his mum but she’d shooed him away for a few minutes so she didn’t lose concentration. He’d been talking with Maggie but came over to Daisy’s side and thanked her for helping Betty.
‘It’s my pleasure, she’s getting the hang of it finally, I think.’ They looked her way. ‘She’s one of the keenest, I’ll give her that.’
‘Did you get any good photographs today?’
‘Loads,’ she confessedand proceeded to show him some of the shots.
He admired them all, especially the one where Betty’s cheeks were flushed and she had an air of delight and accomplishment on her face as she pushed a chunky needle through two pieces of wool to fix them together.
‘I’ve been worried about her settling in,’ he confided in Daisy. ‘But after talking with Maggie and seeing her here immersing herself inwhat’s going on, I feel much more reassured.’ He hesitated and then told her, ‘If you don’t mind me saying, your talents are rather wasted.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘Those photographs really are quite something. In fact, I wouldn’t mind buying the photograph of my mother from you. It captures her happiness well and it’s the way I like to think of her between visits.’
Daisy was touched her photograph hadconveyed so much meaning for him. ‘I’ll have a copy waiting for you the next time you come. But I don’t need payment.’ She had something far better than money in her hand. She had approval, an accolade from a stranger, and it meant more to her than the man would probably ever realise.
