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‘They’regreat.Notsure they’re quiteMinty’sthing though.’
‘Inthat case, what about the classic combo of roses and lilies?’Daisymoved over to the lilies, and to the roses which had a touch of pink so subtle as to be almost not there. ‘Liliesare always popular and these smell divine.Theroses are in bud so will last.’
Theman was obviously out of his depth.Heshrugged. ‘Theylook great.Tome.There’sone thing.Ihave an appointment beforeIcan drive home.Theflowers will be in my car for a couple of hours.’
‘That’sfine.I’llmake them up into a hand-tied bouquet and put them into a gift box.It’llhave a reservoir of water inside to keep the flowers fresh.Justkeep them upright.Also, that way, your girlfriend won’t even have to rearrange them if she doesn’t want to.Shecan just pop them onto the table to admire.’Shesmiled. ‘Andforgive you.’
‘Perfect.’Helooked so relieved thatDaisy’sheart went out to him.Heglanced at his watch. ‘I’mhalf an hour early for my appointment.Doyou want me to wait?Willit take long to put the bouquet together?’
‘Nottoo long.’Daisynodded to the bookshop and community café opposite. ‘Butinstead of waiting, why don’t you go over toBee’sBooks?Theydo great coffee, the waffles are to die for and you can buy a book to read too.Giveme thirty minutes or so and the flowers will be all yours.’
‘That’sbrilliant.’Hepeered at her name badge. ‘Thanksso much,Daisy.Greatname for a florist butIsuppose that’s been said many times?’
‘Onceor twice but you’re right, it is.’
‘Wellthank you,Daisythe florist, you’ve saved my bacon.’
‘Theydo a mean one of those too.Baconbutty that is.’
Helaughed, looking relaxed for the first time since entering the shop.Itwas the most perfect sound.Adeep rumbling which rose from somewhere around his knees.
Daisyfelt her own wobble.Hereally was the nicest man.Whoeverhis girlfriend was, she was a lucky woman.Rosesand lilies lucky.Ashe went to go, she called after him, ‘Ihope the flowers do the trick,’ and watched as he put up a hand, and strode across the street to the café.
Chapter Five
‘D
arling!Whowas that gorgeous manIsaw leaving here onFriday?Hewas positively swoony!’Marionperched on the stool, leaned her elbows on the counter and hissed, ‘Spill!’
Itwas a glorious summer’s day.LullburyBay’spavements thronged with sun-creamed tourists heading downhill to the beach.Happychatter, the growl of traffic crawling along the main street and the cry of gulls filtered through the shop’s open door.Walk-in trade was quiet, not many people wanted a bunch of flowers to take onto the beach.Daisywas content though.Shehad several standing orders from holiday-cottage owners who liked to welcome their clients with a small bunch of peonies or some fragrant freesias, and the second homeowners always picked up flowers for the weekends.
Daisypaused in her task of de-thorning some red roses. ‘Morning,Marion.Youkeeping tabs on me?’
‘Justhappened to come out ofGladwin’sasIsaw him leave,’ she said airily. ‘Cassarrived home for the weekend and was craving a pasty soIhad to come all the way back into town to buy a few.Youknow how much he likes them.’
Cassius,Marion’sson, was a hulking rugby-playing studentwith a legendary appetite.Heoften popped into the flower shop when at home and ate all the biscuits.
‘Isaw you,’Marioncontinued. ‘Youwere all pally, doing that little wave you do when you like someone.Andhe was carrying the biggest hand-tiedI’veever seen.Tellall!’
Daisyput the roses down. ‘Wellactually,Iwas quite proud of it.TheCasablancalilies with seven stems of the bud roses, a couple of green chrysanths and a stem or two ofIrishBellsfor luck.Plussome gyp of course.Someof that nice brown paper we’ve just had in and a raffia tie.Veryclassy, even ifIsay so myself.’
Marionrolled her eyes. ‘Notthe flowers you half-wit, tell me about theman.Sixfeet of edible manly goodness.Yumyum.Didyou get his name?Ishe local?’Sheslammed the countertop. ‘Sweetie!’ she exclaimed. ‘Ibet he’s moved into theCoopers’ old place.That’sjust been sold.Washaving a chatteroony withEllieat the estate agent’s only the other day.It’sthe most marvellous house, sea views to die for.Noparking though and in town that’s an absolute must.Weddingring?’ she trilled in her nasal voice, returning to the matter in hand.AtDaisy’sblank look, she added hopefully, ‘Markwhere the ring was?’
‘Noidea.Theonly thingsIknow about him is that he had an appointment in town, he’s aSpursfan, money didn’t seem a problem and he’d had a row with his girlfriend.Theflowers were to say sorry.’
Marion’sface fell. ‘Oh, a girlfriend.’Thenshe pounced, pointing a red talon. ‘But, if they’re having arguments, perhaps they’ll split up and he’ll come in search of a beautiful raven-haired florist?’
‘Whowould that be then?’Daisyput the roses in their silver bucket, trimmed a last few carnations and began gathering up the waste.
‘Don’tbe a dunderhead.Imeant you, of course!’ThenMarioncaughtDaisy’slook and sighed in exasperation. ‘It’snogood being all clever-clever.Mendon’t like that.You’llhave to stop being so missy-ish if you’re going to land the likes ofMrSpurs.’
‘Ifnot being myself is the way to get a man,I’drather not bother.’
‘Nohope for you then,’Marionsaid gloomily and ducked asDaisythrew a carnation stalk at her.Butshe wasn’t giving up so easily. ‘Yousaid he was aSpursfan?’
‘Thinkso.’Daisybegan putting the carnations into bunches with some asparagus fern and gypsophila.Theywere always a popular impulse buy.Cheapand cheerful and lasted forever.
‘Mmm.Londonteam.’Marionnarrowed her eyes.
