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Michaelmas Daisy – Aster amellus
Loyalty.
Pansy – Viola spp.
I think of you.
Orange roses – Rosa spp.
Fascination, passion, deep emotions.
Passionflower – Passiflora caerulea spp.
Devotion.
Myrtle – Myrtus communis
Love in all seasons, marriage.
Rickled her into the kitchens and nodded atSteveandKostas. ‘Canyou give us a few minutes, guys?’Theygrinned and disappeared outside for a break.
Heturned toDaisy. ‘It’snot the mostromantic of venues for this butIdidn’t want to do it in public, in front of all the hordes out there, and put you under unfair pressure.’
Daisysort of guessed what was coming.Andshe sort of guessed what she’d say.
‘Waitfor just one second.’Ricksteered her to a high stool and she clambered onto it.Hedisappeared into the passageway which ran alongside the kitchen, where the chest freezers were stored, along with any supplies which needed to be kept cool.
Daisywaited, wondering why an engagement ring had to be stored along with the fruit and veg.Shegazed around her.Preppedfood as far as she could see.Enormousbowls of chopped vegetables and onions covered in cling film, neatly stacked containers of salad ready for the restaurant’s first proper night’s service, cooking stations marked out, colour-coded chopping boards at the ready on the immaculately clean steel work surfaces, all along with platters of food to replenish this afternoon’s grazing tables.Itall looked professional and efficient, andDaisyprayedRickand his team would have a good opening night.BayRadioplayed quietly in the background.TheBeeGees, ‘HowCanYouMendaBrokenHeart?’Shehad a feeling hers might be about to be finally healed.
Rickreturned and flourished the most enormous bouquetDaisyhad ever seen.Buthe didn’t hand it over.Instead, he stood in front of her and cleared his throat nervously.Daisypeered more closely at the flowers; most of them looked suspiciously familiar.
‘Thiswas tricky to pull off,’Rickbegan to say. ‘MiaandJanboth helped andMariondid an expert job at keeping you busy for a couple of afternoons so we could plan it and put it together.’
‘ThepaddleboardPilatesand the gong bath sessions?’Daisyexclaimed.
Ricknodded.
‘Andthere’s me feeling sorry for her and trying to help her with the empty nesting!’
‘Sorry.Itwas all a conspiracy to keep you out ofVaVaBloom!Timingwas a nightmare.Toosoon and they would wilt and lastnight there was no time to do anything but work here.’Heexamined the flowers anxiously. ‘Ihope they’ve lasted.’
‘Welcometo my world.’Daisygiggled. ‘Theylook in perfect condition.Butwhy the conspiracy?’
Hecleared his throat again. ‘Ifyou’ll let me,I’dlike to explain.Youonce said, rather mournfully, that no one ever buys a florist flowers soIthoughtI’dput that right.’
‘Andthey’re gorgeous.AndIshould know.Bythe look of them, they come from my stock!’
Rickgrinned ruefully. ‘Theydo.Butthere’s a reason for this riot of mismatched colours and lack of style.’
‘Well,Ididn’t like to say butI’dnever put anything like that together.Imean, they’re lovely,Rick, andI’mincredibly touched but the florist in me is cringing at the colour mix.’
‘Iagree.Theyclash horribly.Maybethey can start a new trend?’Helooked atDaisyand pulled a face.
‘Maybe,’ she giggled again, ‘but probably not.’
‘Thenlet me explain.’Heplucked out a pale-pink flower. ‘Nerines.Meaninggood fortune.’
Daisytook the flower from him and sniffed it. ‘JerseyLily, one of my favourites.’
