Page 19 of A Scottish Highland Surprise

I nodded as I walked along, as if convincing myself.

Carved into the brickwork of a few of the cottages was the recognisable emblem of Briar Glen: the blue rose, said to symbolise achieving the impossible. Hopefully, I could achieve the impossible and make a go of this.

The main street of Briar Glen, with its hotch-potch of shops and carriage streetlamps, hove into view. Snaking up the centre of the pedestrianised walkway was a series of rectangular planters, bulging with tulips and crocuses in bursts of white, mauve and buttercup-yellow.

The local and enthusiastic volunteers who made up “The Friends of Briar Glen” had been busy, sprucing up the place for the expected influx of spring visitors.

A Bloom with A View was halfway up the street, nestled in between the chemist and the jewellers. It possessed mullioned windows and a four-panel, half-moon frosted-glass door in varnished beechwood.

The shop exterior was painted bright white, with claret windowsills and a sign swinging from a silver pole, “A Bloom with A View” scrolled on it in wine-coloured paint. Delicate burgundy roses were inscribed either side of the shop name.

Mrs Cotter’s window display featured an assortment of yellow blooms in a variety of shapes and sizes, presumably to signify the arrival of spring.

A “Closing Down Sale Due to Retirement” sign sat in each of the two windows.

I entered, the clattering bell above the door heralding my arrival.

I was greeted by plumes of flowers and plants in an assortment of pretty, flute-like vases and ornate tubs, placed on a series of white wooden benches. It was like stepping inside an extravagant perfume bottle. The air was rich and warm with the aroma of pollen and roses. Next to the benches was an old-fashioned shop counter, with a flip hatch to get in and out.

The walls were decorated with the odd sketch and painting of flower arrangements. Towards the rear of the shop was what appeared to be a workroom, where a young woman in a candy-striped apron was busy attaching a sash of tartan ribbon to a bouquet of stargazer lilies. She gave me a small smile, before returning to what she was doing.

Mrs Cotter beamed at me from behind the counter and raised the wooden flap to beckon me through. “Lovely to see you, Sophie. I’m so sorry about Helena. How are you all?”

Once we’d exchanged pleasantries, Mrs Cotter led me through past the workroom. I could see trails of assorted ribbons in rainbow colours and textures draping from a stand on top of a Formica table and sheets of tissue paper in pastel colours stacked next to it. There were also sheaths of dried reeds and artificial flowers labelled up and housed in two cabinets.

Mrs Cotter took me into her little side office located next to the workroom, which was crammed with glossy brochures from suppliers, all stacked up on one side of her cluttered desk, alongside her computer and phone.

Mrs Cotter closed the door behind her and urged me to sit down opposite her in a highbacked chair that had seen better days. There was a sash window and through it the morning sunshine was spilling and pooling onto the russet carpet.

Mrs Cotter flapped her loose denim shirt out behind her as she sat down. She was dressed casually but with style, in a lemon top and comfortable jeans.

She nodded her well-cut puff of silvery gamine hair at me. “Your grandmother was a wonderful woman. They broke the mould when they made that one!”

I smiled. “You can say that again.”

Mrs Cotter clasped her hands together on top of her desk. “So, you’re here about your new business then,” she twinkled out of carefully made-up hazel eyes.

“Well,” I laughed with apprehension, “I suppose I am.”

I cleared my throat. “I wanted to ask about potential customer numbers and footfall first of all, please? And if you were able to provide me with a contact at the Briar Glen Business Association, that would be really helpful.” I offered a shy smile. “And I wanted to make a start on looking at a business plan and marketing opportunities.” I explained I had quit my job and that it was a conscious decision on my part, but didn’t go into deeper detail. “If things don’t work out as I hope, I’ll going to have to start looking around for something else straightaway. I’m sorry if that sounds defeatist, but I suppose I’m just trying to be realistic. It doesn’t have to be in wedding planning, although I do love event management…”

I was aware I was rambling and clamped my mouth shut.

Mrs Cotter let out an indulgent chuckle. “I have to tell you, Sophie, that when I started A Bloom with a View, I had no retail experience either.”

I blinked at her. “Really?”

“Yes. But what I did have was enthusiasm, determination and a knowledge of what customers wanted, because I was one!”

She offered a kind smile. “Something tells me that if you are anything like your dear, late grandmother, you will throw everything you have at this business and make it work.”

I blinked at her immaculate appearance across the desk. “Thank you. I do hope so.”

She gestured with one hand around herself. “Welcome to your little kingdom, Sophie. I know you’ll do this place proud.”

I shifted forward in my chair. It was a cosy, quaint little shop space in a good location.

Mrs Cotter shot her hand across the desk and let it sit in mid-air. Her tiny stud earrings flashed in the light.