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‘Fromyou,I’lltake that as a deep compliment.’
‘Andit’s meant as such.’Hepushed over a flat tissue-wrapped parcel. ‘Thisis a small token of our thanks.’
Daisywent very hot. ‘Goodness.’Withall this emotion flying around there wouldn’t be a dry eye at the wedding. ‘Whatis it?’
‘Openit and you’ll see.Onlya very small gesture of our thanks for all you’re doing.’
Daisytore the white tissue and uncovered a heart made from blue glass.Itwas one ofJago’strademark light-catchers.Hemade small items in stained glass which were exquisite and in high demand.Healso made large decorative glass panels for which people paid a fortune.She’dlike one of those in the conservatory which, as yet, remained a distant hope.Holdingthe heart to the light, she twisted it this way and that.Madeof shifting shades of blue, the glass was shot through with something magical and sparkly.Itcaught the light as she dangled it from her finger, sending reflections bursting around the dull little room. ‘Ohmy.’Thetears she’d swallowed erupted. ‘I’ma wreck.’Acceptingatissue fromHonor, she scrubbed at her eyes.Theglass heart could be her own; brittle to touch but fragile and easily destroyed.Whatwas it about this particular wedding that made her so emotional? ‘Bugger.Whatis it about weddings that turns on the waterworks?’
‘Idon’t know.’Honorsniffed. ‘I’mblaming it on end-of-academic-year exhaustion.’Sheblew her nose. ‘Don’tknow what your excuse is.’
Daisyattempted a laugh and failed.Thetears formed thickly and stuck in a hard lump in her throat. ‘Thankyou,Jago.I’llfind somewhere in the shop window to display it andI’lltreasure it.Actually, scrap that,I’llput it somewhere upstairs in the flat so it’s safe andIcan admire it.’Becomingbrisk before she completely dissolved, she added, ‘Nowyou have to go.’
‘Why?’ he asked, startled.
‘BecauseHonorandIhave to discuss her dress, her bouquet in detail and any possible headdress.Sorun along.’
‘Yes, run along,’Honorrepeated, merriment bubbling through the tears.
Jagoput up his hands in defeat. ‘Iknow whenI’mnot wanted.Comeand find me inBee’sBookswhen you’re done.’Hestood and then bent to plant a kiss onDaisy’scheek. ‘Thankyou again.’
Daisywatched him go, clasping the glass heart to her own.Atthis rate a glass heart would be the only one she’d conquer.Ifonly she could find a man half as nice, a fraction as loving asJago, then she’d be all right.Awareshe’d sighed, she turned toHonor. ‘Nowthe man has gone we can get down to the really interesting stuff.’Sheleaned in, eyes gleaming. ‘What’syour dress like?’
Chapter Fifteen
Asif to prove the job of florist was nothing if not varied and surprising, the following day sawLullburyBay’smost feared pensioner come into the shop.AggieRuddick, doyenne of self-help manuals and an advice blog for the more mature, plonked herself down on the stool in front of the counter.
‘Howare you,Aggie?Hopeyou’re feeling better now.WhatcanIdo for you?’Daisyshifted nervously.Shewas on her own having letMarionleave early.Thewoman had said something about needing to get home toFaceTimewithCassius.Daisyhad no desire to get in between mother and son and, besides, she knewMarionhad been anxious aboutCassiusdeciding to leaveEuropeand travel toThailandon a whim.Shewas right to be worried;Casswasn’t the sharpest tool in the box and easily led.Theshop had been busy earlier on but had quietened andDaisyhad planned to go over the paperwork for theWebFloristinspection.She’dsuppressed a groan whenAggiehad marched in.Aboutto ask her if she knew who lived in ‘Walter’s’ArtsandCraftshouse inWithycombeLane, as whatAggiedidn’t know aboutLullburyBaywasn’t worth knowing, she was taken aback when the woman began to speak without ceremony.
‘Ineed some funeral flowers,’ she demanded, flourishing her long purple cardigan and making her shoulder-length earrings rattle.
‘Isee.’Daisyreached for her order book.Sheflicked over to a clean page,Birohovering. ‘Areyou happy to talk here, or would you like to go through to the office?’
‘What?Thatpoky room?No,I’mhappy whereIam, thank you very much.’
AlthoughoffendedDaisycouldn’t argue with the statement. ‘Verywell.MayIask who the deceased is?’
Mostuncharacteristically,Aggiebegan to cry.Shefished out a white cotton handkerchief from her enormous handbag, wiped her eyes, then blew her nose with a loud trumpet. ‘It’sGretel.’
Thename was vaguely familiar. ‘Andwhat relation is she to you?’Daisyasked gently.Itwas very unlikeAggieto show her vulnerable side.Thewoman was usually as hard as nails and twice as brusque.Andthat’s if you were being charitable.Downrightrude was another description.
‘She’sAustin’s.’
‘She’sAustin’swhat?’
‘She’sAustin’sdog, you stupid woman!’
Adog.Understandingdawned.Ofcourse.Foras long as she’d knownAustin,Aggie’spatient and long-suffering husband, he’d been accompanied by hisGermanShepherd.Manand dog were a familiar sight in town, owner plodding along with his equally aged pet faithfully at his side.
‘Oh,Aggie,I’mso sorry.Austinmust be devastated.Hedoted onGretel.’Sheput a hand on the older woman’s arm.
Aggiesniffed and batted it away. ‘We’reboth devastated.Austin’shad her since she was a puppy.Nomore loyal a dog.’
Daisygot up and switched off the shop radio.AliceCooperyelling ‘School’sOut’ didn’t seem appropriate somehow. ‘CanImake you a cup of tea?’
Aggienoddedcurtly.
Daisymade them both tea and brought out a plate of chocolate digestives for good measure, then sat back at the counter.Pushingover a mug toAggie, she said, ‘I’mso very sorry to hear aboutGretel.’Aggienodded again and swallowed a great mouthful of tea. ‘Butwhat canIdo for you?’
