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Hesmiled pure love. ‘Idon’t know but don’t worry,I’mnot going anywhere.’
Chapter Thirty-Two
Daisytripped down the steps to open up the shop the following morning, her happy feet dancing a tune, high on adrenaline and endorphins.Sheunlocked the door, singing, ‘Oh,WhataBeautifulMornin’’Itwas.Therewas a clearDorset-blue sky and a breeze swept up the high street whipping up the sharp tang of fresh salt from the beach and the promise of autumn.Sheshivered but not from the cold.Inher mind’s eye she picturedRickand herself cosied up in front of a roaring fire, snuggled under a blanket.Sometimesa pang of melancholy stabbed when the busy summer season passed, the tourists went home, and the days shortened but today all she felt was euphoria.
Stillhumming to herself she went through to the back room and flicked the kettle on.Itsteamed to a boil ignored as she opened the back door and stared out dreamily at a dew-laden garden laced with swirling tendrils of early morning sea mist.
SheandRickhad thrown their clothes on, rescued the bouquet from the porch; thankfully it hadn’t drooped in the hot afternoon sun too much, and had drivenPrimroseto the cemetery.She’dchecked on her father’s grave, tidied it up a little and thrown away the roses and lilies she andJanhad left there inAugust, thenthey’d placedKeith’sflowers against his wife’s headstone.Rickhad taken a photograph to show to his father and they’d sat on their bench –Daisynow thought of it astheirs,enjoying the soft sounds and scents of the early evening.Eventhe blackbird reappeared which made her smile.
Makinglove withRickhad been stupendous but sitting there quietly and companionably with him had possibly been even better.Moresolid somehow.Thepromise of a lasting relationship had hung in the gentle damp air.Somehowshe knew they would build on the heady physical passion they felt for one another and grow it into a life together.Daisyhad no illusions.Itwould be tricky, with them both running businesses, but she was certain it would work.Weirdthat such a profound moment could happen in a cemetery but, somehow, she felt the presence of her father andRick’smother giving them their blessing.
She’dnever been happier and whenRickturned to her with tears in his eyes and declared the same, she wanted to bottle the moment, to preserve it forever.Afterwards, he’d gone to visit his father and she’d returned to her flat, dizzy with it all.Halfof her wanted to share the news immediately, the selfish part wanted to hug the delicious secret to herself for a little while longer.
Hearingthe shop door bang open and the familiar tap-tap ofMarion’sstilettoes on the wooden floor brought her down to earth with a thud.
‘Haveyou heard?They’veonly gone and caught those good-for-nothings who were stealing stuff off buildings.YourColin, or shouldIsay, yourmum’sColinspotted a suspicious whiteTransitlurking round the back of the cottage hospital and reported it to 101.Turnedout a van with the same reg had been seen inBridportjust before some ornamental gates got nicked.Threeblokes arrested inYeovil, stuff stashed in the back of the van recovered, althoughIdon’t think poorVerity’sever going to get her church lead back.Colin’sa local hero!’
Marioncame to the door of the office.Sheleaned againstthe jamb. ‘And, not only that but the mystery of theNinjaKnitters’ vandalism has been solved.’Shegiggled. ‘You’llnever guess who it was.’AsDaisydidn’t answer, she rattled on. ‘Itwas only thatColonelSmythechap.Knewhe had a thing about the yarn bombing but honestly, taking it all off was a bit much.Theman’s unhinged.Theyfound it all in his garage apparently.He’sbeen taken into the police station and cautioned.’Shegiggled again. ‘It’sall over the socials.Thistown’s never had so much excitement going on.’
Marionexamined her nails, holding out her hand and admiring the violent fuchsia pink. ‘Still, at least we can sleep safe in our beds tonight knowing our lead piping won’t be stolen and our knitted graffiti won’t be ruined.’AsDaisychuckled, she added, ‘What?WhathaveIsaid?What’sfunny about sleeping safely in our beds?Youknow,Imight even be tempted to go back to theKnitandNatterGroup.Itried it a couple of times but it was too much like hard work.Thoughtyou’d be pleased.Daisy,’ she accused, ‘you haven’t said a word sinceIgot here.Ooh, is there tea in the pot?’Shepicked up the still-empty teapot, lifted the lid and peered in. ‘Daisy, you haven’t even made the tea yet!What’sgoing on?Didyou oversleep?I’vetold you a million times you work far too hard.Getsome work-life balance.Getyourself a man.Nowwhat haveIsaid?’
Daisycouldn’t help it.Sheturned and facedMarion, a grin splitting her face. ‘I’vehardly had the chance to get a word in.Youbeen on those spinach-and-banana smoothies again?’
Marionstudied her suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. ‘Youlook different.’Sheheld the girl by the shoulders and scrutinised her face. ‘Youlook happy.Cheerful.Contented.Strangelyrelaxed.’Shelet go and gasped. ‘Yougot laid!’
Daisybusied herself making tea, letting her hair flop over her burning face.Switchingon the radio,DonnaSummer’s‘IFeelLove’ blasted out at top volume.Shehastily switched it off again; she was overheated enough. ‘Doyou have to be so crude,Maz.Honestly, sometimesIthink you’re more juvenile than yourBrittany.’
Marionperched on the edge of the rickety table putting it in danger of collapse. ‘I’vehad to put up with her nonsense for weeks now.’Shesighed. ‘Stillno sign of her getting anything remotely resembling a job.Sheseems to harbour ambitions, if you can call them that, to become an influencer and is auditioning forLoveIsland,BakeOffandBritain’sGotTalentdepending on which day of the week it is.Orhour.Shechanges her mind like the wind.’
‘Hasshe got any talents?’
‘Onlyfor spending her father’s money.’
Likemother, like daughter.Daisykept the thought inside, too charitable and too in love with the world to make a bitchy comment.
‘Oh!’Marionclapped, makingDaisyjump. ‘Isee what you’re doing.’Shewaggled a fuschia-pink talon. ‘Iknow what you’re up to,DaisyWiscombe!You’redeliberately changing the subject.Well,I’mcleverer than that.Pourthe tea, break out the digestives, spill the goss.AndImean all of it!’
‘I’vea florist’s to run,Maz.Ican’t spend all morning gossiping.’
Marion’seyes went huge. ‘Why?Howmuch sex have you had?’
ThismadeDaisylaugh.Shegave in. ‘Okay.Aquick mug of tea andI’llgive you two biscuits’ worth of news.’
AsDaisyfilled her in,Marionate the digestives deliberately slowly, her eyes getting even bigger with each nibble. ‘Iknew it,’ she proclaimed. ‘Iknew he had the hots for you!’
‘Don’tbe ridiculous,Maz.Thelast time we discussed him you were more fascinated byMinty’swardrobe.’
‘Minty?Who’sMinty?She’stoast, darling.’MariontookDaisy’shand. ‘Still, sweetie,I’mso pleased you andMrSpurshave got together.It’sbrilliant news.Wemust go out as a foursome,IknowBarrywill have a lot in common with him.’
Notruddy likely.
‘Afoursome with who?’Theyhadn’t heardJancome in, trailingMiain her wake.
Mariongabbled it out beforeDaisyhad a chance to explain. ‘Yourdaughter has only gone and bagged the most delicious man.’BeforeJancould reply she turned toDaisyand exclaimed, ‘Therestaurant!Doesit mean we can eat for free?’
‘Noit doesn’t.’Daisylaughed. ‘Marion, you’re dreadful.Atleast let me tell my own mother my news.’Ather crestfallen face, she softened. ‘I’llmake sure you’re all invited to the opening night though.’
‘That’swhatIlike.Thepromise of a party.’Mariontapped a nail across her teeth and got out her phone.Scrollingthrough it, she murmured, ‘Mustbegin planning my outfit.’
