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Daisy’stummy rumbled; she’d had no time to eat.
Rickpulled her closer. ‘Icouldn’t have done it without you, you know.’Turningher to him, he kissed her properly.Thebroom fell unnoticed to the floor.
Shebroke away reluctantly. ‘Ihave to go and grab a shower.’
‘Nowthere’s a delightful thought,’ he murmured against her lips.Hechuckled through his exhaustion. ‘Idon’t know what it is about this space but it makes me incredibly–’
Shegave in and kissed him some more, interrupting him.Shefelt exactly the same.Gigglinga little, making their kisses vibrate, she thought back to when he’d rubbed aftersun in and they’d been interrupted by–
Someoneclearing their throat had them springing apart.
Daisywheeled around.Surelyit couldn’t beMintyagain?Relieved, she saw it wasEleanorreporting for waitressing duty.She’dkindly offered as extra staff just for today.
‘Isee you guys are going strong.’Shewinked atDaisy. ‘Ihave to say, out of all the blokesI’veseen you with,Ithink this one’s a keeper.’
‘Allthe blokes?’Rickqueried, looking taken aback.
‘I’lltell you later.’Daisylaughed, enjoying his jealousy.Sheglanced at the enormous antique wall clock. ‘Haven’ttime now though.Gottago.’
Bythe time she’d run up the high street to the flat above her shop, showered and pulled on the only vaguely decent party outfit she owned – a pair of black wool trousers and a sparkly top – and run back down to the party, it was in full swing.
Shemade a beeline for the food and ate a tiny spinach and feta pie jewelled with pine nuts.Itwas delicious so she ate another and then heaped up a poppy seed cracker with someSharphamTicklemore.TheDevoncheese was so delicious she moaned.
‘Loadingup with carbs,Daisy?Younaughty girl.’Marionreached past her and picked up a couple of olives.Tossingthem into her mouth, she surveyed the party. ‘Goodturnout, sweetie.Quiteright too, for all our hard work.’
Daisynearly choked on her mouthful. ‘Iknow.Idon’t know how you managed to put all those hours in.’
Marionrose above the sarcasm. ‘Whatdo you think of my outfit?Weeksof planning.’Shepreened and held out one leg to show off the vividly patterned silk of her jumpsuit. ‘Moschino, darling,’ she explained smugly. ‘Costa fortune.’ShelookedDaisyup and down over the rim of her champagne flute and raised one perfectly micro-bladed eyebrow. ‘Onehas to make an effort, doesn’t one?’Hermeaning was clear. ‘Butyou’ll have your day to shine, no doubt.Andit might be sooner than you expect.’
Daisyhad no idea what she meant but was too happy, and too tired, to be irritated or ask the woman to explain.MarionwasMarion.Alwayswould be. ‘Youlook lovely,Maz.IsBarryhere?’
Marion’sface shut down. ‘No.Hehad to go toDusseldorfon business.’
‘Oh,I’msorry.’Asudden pang of sadness for her shot throughDaisy.Nowshe thought about it, the woman was always on her own, with her husband permanently working away.Itwas even more apparent now the children had flown the nest.Nowonder she filled her days with hot yoga and cruising discount designer websites.Sheput an arm through the older woman’s and hugged her nearer. ‘How’sBrittanygetting on?’
Marionbrightened slightly. ‘Justabout to finish her training.Soexciting.I’mhoping to grab a cheap flight, staff discounts, don’t you know, and get over toDubaito see her.Sucha glamorous place.’
‘I’veheard it is.’
‘Oh, and are you free next week?I’veheard of this simply marvellous new yoga class.YogawithGoats.It’son at a centre just out ofBeaminster.’
Daisywas about to scoff.Yogawith goats?Shecouldn’t imagine anything worse.Whatabout those cloven feet?Whatabout if they pooed?Sherecalled the flash of lonely vulnerabilityMarionhad exposed briefly and relented.Itcould be fun. ‘Oh, go on then, after allIquite enjoyed the poetry writing while channelling your spirit animal.Itsounds a blast.Butwhat do the goats actuallydo?’
‘I’veno idea, honeybun, but the woman who runs it makes face creams and soaps which are goats’ milk based.Thoughtshe’d be a useful contact.Mightbe great for the shop.’
‘Mightwell be.Goodidea.’Daisywatched asMariondrifted away to talk to the mayor’s wife who looked faintly alarmed at being accosted by a statuesque forty-something dressed in flowing pink, green and yellow silk.Daisysmiled fondly;Marionwas an irritating snob, but she had a genuine heart and always made things lively.
‘Daisy, there you are.’Janapproached, glass of fizz in hand. ‘Iwas worried you’d miss thespeeches.’
‘Sorry,Mum.Workedhere until the eleventh hour then had to wash off the grime.’
‘Youlook lovely, chickadee.Happinesssuits you.’Shegave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘Youmust be so proud of all you andRickhave achieved.Welldone.Iapprove of that young man completely.He’sperfect for you.’
Daisywas taken aback; her mother was complimenting her more and more lately.Therewas definitely something up with her, what withMarion’sodd comment and now her mother’s.Maybeshe was overthinking things?Sheput it down to exhaustion. ‘Thanks,Mum.Heis.Justperfect.Andwe are proud of all we’ve done.Therewere timesIdidn’t think it would happen andIdon’t just mean the restaurant.’
‘You’vebeen through a lot, my lovely.Yourdad dying and losing your way, getting stuck in a career you hated, branching out on your own with the business and all the worry that’s brought.Notto mention havingMarionas the most challenging employee.’
Daisyglanced over to whereMarionwas now looming over the mayor, pointing out the flower displays and handing over aVaVaBloom!business card. ‘Oh,Idon’t know, she’s got her plus points.’
