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‘HaveImissed a year’s worth of news or something?’Janasked and flopped down.Shepoured herself a mug of tea. ‘What’sgoing on?’
Miaflicked the kettle on to boil again and hunted through the cupboards for aVeryBerryteabag. ‘Don’tknow what’s happening butIneed to know, likenow.’
Daisygave up on the idea of getting any work done and resigned herself to repeating the story of how she andRickhad got together.Sheleft out one or two details, seeing as the audience included her mother.
‘Oh,I’mso pleased for you, my chickadee.It’sso good to see you happy,’Jansaid, giving her daughter a hug.
‘Goodgoing,Daisy.He’shot,’ saidMia. ‘Sexon legs that one.’Shewolf-whistled and they all laughed.
Daisystared at her aghast. ‘Andthere’s me thinking of making you assistant manager and giving you more hours and a pay rise.’
‘Doyou mean it,Daisy?’Mia’seyes shone.
‘Ifyou’d like it, yes.I’mplanning on having a better work-life balance from now on, soIneed someone trustworthy and reliable in the shop.’
‘Charming,’Marionput in, her eyes not leaving her phone screen. ‘Younever asked me.’
Thismade them all laugh again.
Shelooked up. ‘What?WhathaveIsaid?’
‘Wantto workSaturdays,Maz?’Daisyasked, serenely.
‘Nota chance, sweetie.’
Daisywinked atMia. ‘Donedeal.Willyou be able to drop your hours at the supermarket?’
Mianodded her head eagerly. ‘I’llgive them notice asap.Thanks,Daisy.Itmeans a lot, you showing me this trust.’Sheblushed. ‘Iwon’t let you down,Ipromise.Youhave no idea what this means to me.’
‘IthinkIdo.’Daisypatted her hand and then gave in and gave her a great big hug. ‘Oh, andIhaven’t told you all the most exciting part.Iknow whoWalteris and he’s not calledWalterat all.Hisname’sKeithand he’sRick’sdad!’
Chapter Thirty-Three
Daisystrolled hand in hand withRickacross the undulating lawn in front ofDolphinViewNursingHome.AwhiteGeorgiancountry house, it commanded one of the best positions inLullburyBayand she could easily see how its name had come about.Thegrass sloped gently downwards towards the chalk cliffs which stood proud and resolute above the western beach.Belowthem the sea was a deep purply-blue, with flashes of white whipped up by a soft breeze.Fluffyclouds scurried across the sky and the horizon melded into the water out in the bay; the perfect spot for dolphin watching.Itwas a peerlessSeptemberday.Stillwarm but with an edge of coolness to mellow the heat.Youcouldn’t hope for better for a garden party.
Daisywas feeling anxious.Rickwas leading her through the crowds of guests to the sunny patio where his father sat under the shade of an enormous sun umbrella.Shewas meeting him for the first time and wanted to make a good impression.Asit was a full-on garden party, she’d dressed with unusual care.Abroad-brimmed straw hat topped a pretty blue-and-white floral-patterned sundress.Shedidn’t often wear anything with quite so muchmaterial billowing around her legs and had become self-conscious whenRickhad collected her.Hisburning kiss and, ‘Boyoh boy’ comment had brought blushes to her cheeks and she’d made a memo to wear something other than herVaVaBloom!uniform more often.
She’dhauled herself into his whiteTransit, glad she’d stuck to white trainers.Turnedout the glamorous soft-top sports car belonged toMinty.Daisydidn’t mind; she knew the van would be of far more practical use when it came to setting up the restaurant.Now, as she strolled over the grass, she was even more glad of practical shoes; the uneven turf would have been impossible in high heels.
Rickturned to her, his expression concealed behind sunglasses.Helooked edible in a pale-green shirt which showed off his darkly handsome looks, and his usual chinos.Heraised her hand in a sun-tanned one of his own and kissed it. ‘Nervous?’
Shenodded.
‘Don’tbe.He’lllove you.’Hekissed her lightly on the nose. ‘AsdoI.’
‘It’sjust thatIwant to make a good impression.’
‘Idid too, whenImetJan.’
‘Shethinks you’re the bees’ knees.Sheliked you even before she knew you were my boyfriend and that was from one glance from the shop’s office!Lesspressure there.And, not only haveIgot to meetKeith,I’veto run the gauntlet of all your sisters at some point.’
‘True.’Ricknodded sagely. ‘Butdon’t worry, they’ll only make you do a four-page questionnaire and put you through a three-hour physical examination.Nothingonerous or demanding.’
Daisywas so caught up in her nerves she missed the joke.Sheslapped him playfully on the arm. ‘Veryfunny.Idon’t think.’
‘Hey, come on,Ihad to pass muster withMarionandMiatoo!’
Shegave him a disbelieving look. ‘Marion?’Peeringat him over the top of her sunglasses, she looked him up and down and added, ‘Doyou wear trousers?Areyou male?’
