Page 131 of My Kind of Happy

‘Annabel is worried about the environment,’ Sam pointed out apologetically.

‘I’m not just worried, I’m a campaigner,’ she corrected him. ‘I’m going to do everything I can to protect the environment. And so should everyone else.’

I studied her with admiration; she was feisty and independent and passionate – all the qualities I’d be proud of in a daughter. Whatever I thought about Pandora, she’d done a great job with her. ‘Thank you. We need people like you to make some changes.’

‘I know you do. The air miles to fly to visit my grandparents is bad enough, but flying flowers,’ she lifted her shoulders. ‘There must be flowers in England you could sell.’

‘I’ll look into it,’ I promised.

‘Good,’ she said sternly.

Annabel had given me a thought: Laura would love the idea of having all British flowers in her bouquet. I’d definitely look into it.

‘Can we get a puppy, Dad?’ Will asked. By now he was flat on his back in the dog bed with Scamp lying on his chest.

Sam looked at his son and shook his head. ‘Sorry, Will, it’s not a good time for us to get a pet.’

Us? I stiffened. Surely he and Pandora weren’t a couple again? He certainly hadn’t behaved like a married man on Sunday night when he was at my house.

‘And if we were going to get a pet,’ said Annabel, ‘there are loads of dogs’ rescue places full of dogs who’ve been abandoned and need homes. Getting a puppy is selfish.’

‘Shut up, Saint Annabel!’ Will buried his head underneath Scamp.

She bristled. ‘At least I’m making the world better, not like you, you posy little choirboy.’

‘Dad, tell her!’ said Will, plaintively.

Annabel pulled a water pistol out of a little rucksack she was carrying, stood over her brother and squirted him in the face. Scamp, thinking it was a game, began snapping at the water and wagging his tail. Soon both children were laughing and despite Sam’s warning yells to be careful the three of them began chasing around the shop.

Sam shook his head and groaned. ‘Sorry for the chaos.’

‘Don’t apologise, it’s nice to meet them, and it’s lovely to see you.’ I bit my lip and lowered my voice. ‘Are we OK, you seem a bit … preoccupied?’

‘Um.’ He glanced over his shoulder at his children. ‘We should probably talk when we’re alone.’

‘Of course.’ My face flushed; the last thing I wanted to do was make things awkward for him.

‘Sorry, sweetheart.’ He frowned and stroked my arm lightly. ‘It’s been a tough couple of days with my in-laws.’

My heart lifted a bit; sweetheart. We must be OK then. I stared at him, willing him to elaborate, but Will bounded up and looked at my notebook on the counter.

‘What are you drawing?’ he panted, breathlessly. His hair was messed up and it took all my willpower not brush it out of his eyes.

‘This?’ I said, turning the page around so he could see. ‘It’s some ideas for wedding flowers for my best friend.’

‘Wedding flowers?’ Annabel said, scathingly.

‘Just ’cos no one will ever marry you,’ Will guffawed and then quickly dodged a punch.

‘Wedding flowers are a massive waste,’ she announced, nonetheless taking the notebook and flicking through it.

‘Oh, darling,’ Sam chuckled and wrapping his arms around her, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. ‘Lighten up, you don’t have to have a crusade against everything.’

‘It’s true though, Dad,’ she protested. ‘All that effort for two people on one day.’

‘Now, I have to disagree with you there,’ I said lightly, ‘because flowers are one of the most memorable things at a wedding. They can make even the plainest venue very special.’

‘Hmm.’ Annabel looked unconvinced.