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Janlaughed as she followedDaisy’slook. ‘Perhapsshe has.Youhandle her ever so well, lovie.IfIwas her employerIthink she would have been out of the door by now.’
‘Don’tforget she introduced us toMiaandMiais an absolute superstar.’
‘True.’Janput an arm around her daughter’s waist. ‘ButIcan see how everything knocked you sideways.Icould see all that lovely bubbly confidence you had as a little girl get knocked out of you by everything you’ve had to deal with.And, on top of all that, cameNeville.’
‘Andthen cameNeville,’Daisyagreed. ‘Henearly finished me off.’
Janhugged her closer. ‘Butyou got through it all.Dealtwith all that rubbish stuff andIcan see mylittle girl again.Iknow you’ve got your lovelyRicknow butIsuspect even without him you would have come up trumps anyway.It’sgood to knowI’vegot a strong independent daughter.’
‘Oh,Mum.’Daisyhugged her mum hard. ‘Thankyou, that means so much.’
Theyreleased one another, not quite knowing what to do with all the emotion that had suddenly been stirred up.
‘I’mecstatic to be thought of as a strong independent woman.I’meven happier to be a team withRick.Ithink it’s amazing what we’ve achieved in such a short time.Butwe haven’t done it alone, you know.We’reimmensely grateful for everyone’s help.Rickwas very impressed withColin.He’sbeen a superstar getting that electrician in at the very last moment.’
Janflicked a glance to whereColinwas standing talking toCarolinefromTheStationHouse. ‘He’sa legend.’
‘CanIsay back,’Daisysaid gently, ‘that happiness suits you too?Iadmit you having a relationship threw me off kilter a bit at first but nowIcan see how rightColinis for you.’
‘Thanks,Daisy.’Suddentears sparkled inJan’seyes.Thenshe resorted to form. ‘Nowcome on, enough of this sentimentality,’ she said gruffly, ‘let’s get you a drink.’
‘Andsomething to eat.I’mstarving.’
‘Tellme something new.’Janlaughed and led her back to the grazing table.
Therestaurant was filling up now; it was crowded.Thechampagne was flowing, people were eating the food with obvious relish andEleanorand her team of waiters in white shirts, black trousers and long sandy-coloured aprons were squeezing through the crowds making sure guests’ glasses were topped up.Itwas looking like a success.Ricksat at a table surrounded by journalists fromTheLullburyBayEcho, theDorsetCountryLifemagazine, a blogger from theSouthwestNewsandViewssite and the reporter from the local radio station.Evenfrom hereDaisycould see he was charming them.Thechange of career suited him but more thanthat, she knew he had the skills and talent to make a success of it.Shecouldn’t be prouder.
Sippingher fizz she quietly surveyed the scene.JanandColinwere talking to newlywedsJagoandHonor.Allfour looked loved-up.Again,Daisyreflected on how good it was to see her mum happy.MiaandBenwere having an animated conversation withTomCatesby, perhaps booking a school trip to his animal sanctuary.Beefrom the bookshop andBellafrom the bakery were giggling over somethingBrendaPearcewas showing them on her phone; quite possiblyAggie’slatest blog piece onSexforBoomers.Daisysuppressed a shudder hoping her mother hadn’t read it.Tracyfrom theSeaSprayCafé, along withVerityandJamieand her cousinLuciestood next to a gaggle of noisyWiscombesandKeithandDoreensat in a couple of specially designed upright chairs borrowed for the occasion.Doreenlooked splendid in an enormous fuchsia-pink feathered hat.Daisygiggled.ShehopedMarionhadn’t spotted it; it would be the perfect accessory for herMoschinojumpsuit.
Mostpeople here were the ones dearest to her.Hertown.Shecouldn’t be prouder of being part of it and its community.Shepicked up a cracker and loaded it with some creamySomersetBrie.Itwas so good.
Rickappeared to have finished with the press junket and was making his way over to her, hampered by everyone wishing him well and stopping him to chat.Daisyate two slices of locally cured ham while she waited.Thesegrazing tables were a nightmare.Youcouldn’t stop eating.
Eventuallyhe reached her. ‘Hello, you.’Hekissed her on the nose and lovingly flicked away a smudge of cheese.
‘Hello, you.’Shesmiled at him idiotically.Sheloved looking at him, would never tire of it.Hewas formally dressed today in an ice-white shirt and dark-grey trousers.Althoughthere were lines of fatigue showing, his face was alight with excitement.He’dhad his hair cut especially for the party so it was shorter than usual but therebellious cowlick still flopped over his forehead.Sheloved him so much.
‘Youlook beautiful.’Edgingnearer, he pulled her to him by looping an arm around her waist.Hewhispered into her ear. ‘Ilove you.’
‘AndIlove you.’Shekissed him. ‘Howdid the press interviews go?’
Awide grin splitRick’sface, radiating through the stress and exhaustion.Henodded. ‘Great.Thinkwe’re going to get some good publicity in theDorsetCountryLifemag andSouthwestNewsandViewshas even offered us a spot on their website showcasing west country restaurants.’Hegazed at her intently. ‘Canwe escape for a moment, do you think?’
Theyglanced around the restaurant.Theatmosphere and noise levels had increased to a happy buzzy level.Everyonelooked to be contentedly eating and drinking.
‘Ithink they’ll manage without us for a while,’Daisyanswered, puzzled at what he had planned.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Daisy’s bouquet
Jersey Lily – Amaryllidaceae
Good fortune.
Dahlia – Asteraceae
Staying graceful under pressure, following your own unique path.
