Page 106 of My Kind of Happy

‘The worst,’ I agreed with a cheeky smile.

Thanks to Sam’s tireless tenacity, we’d almost recouped the shop’s investment. Most of the Edelweiss flowers had been resold; I still had a stack of orders to make up but Sam had offered to do the deliveries for me this afternoon which would really help.

‘If you don’t mind a car with Hogg Property Services on the side of it turning up at customers’ houses, that is?’

I looked at him, surprised. ‘’Course not.’

‘Pandora refused to go anywhere in it,’ he said with a grimace.

‘Even though it’s a BMW?’ I raised an eyebrow. Then I had a thought. ‘Was she a Hogg before she married you?’

He stifled a laugh, nodding. ‘When I was trying to propose, she yelled yes before I even got to pop the question. Even at the time, I wondered whether she just wanted to get rid of her maiden name.’

Just then my phone rang with another order. I took the details while Sam loaded his car.

‘I’ll make these deliveries then,’ he said, a few minutes later. ‘And when I get back, we’ll do the final calculation. Loser buys dinner. Agreed?’

‘Agreed.’ I grinned. ‘Hope you’ve got your credit card with you.’

He laughed at that and picked up his car keys from the counter.

‘I might surprise you yet.’ He stooped and kissed my cheek and, before I had a chance to react, he left.

You just did, I thought. My hand flew to my face where his lips had brushed my skin.

A few minutes later, I was still reeling from what had just happened when Scamp flew from his bed as if he’d been given an electric shock and leapt up at the shop window, barking loudly, his tail whirling in happy circles.

I joined him and spotted a car which had just pulled up to the kerb immediately outside the shop. The back of the car was packed with boxes and suitcases, and in the front, her white bun only just visible in the passenger seat was my dear friend.

‘It’s Ethel!’ I cried, ruffling Scamp’s ears. ‘Come on, let’s go and meet her.’

The two of us dashed outside. Scamp was trembling with joy, his whole body wagging as he lolloped to the car. The passenger door opened slowly and as soon as the gap was large enough Scamp pushed his nose into the car and onto Ethel’s lap where he promptly squeaked with uncontained bliss and licked her face. Meanwhile, Carole got out of the driver’s side and joined me on the pavement.

She hugged me warmly. ‘Thanks for inviting Mum round, she’s so excited to see your shop. Although I think she’s a bit overwhelmed with the emotions of the day: leaving Derbyshire after all these years.’

I liked Carole, I’d got to know her better since Ethel’s fall in January and thought how capable and calm she always was, whatever life threw at her.

I nodded. ‘And a big day for you and your husband, having your mum move in. How are you?’

‘Ask me after a few months!’ She laughed. ‘In all seriousness, I’ll be glad to have Mum close to me. She’s a dear old thing and gives the best advice.’

‘I know.’ I smiled ruefully, ‘I shall miss her words of wisdom.’

‘Good grief!’ Ethel hooted with laughter from inside the car, trying to escape Scamp’s attentions. ‘What a welcome! Enough now, you silly old thing.’

I opened the car door wide and crouched down, watching Ethel trying to avoid Scamp’s tongue. My heart twisted suddenly; now that she was out of the care home, would she want him back? She was within her rights, of course, he was her dog really not mine, but … I gave a shudder.

‘Come on now, Scamp,’ I said, patting his rump. ‘My turn for a kiss, out you get.’

Scamp jumped out of the car but danced around my feet anxiously in case the door shut again and I held my hand out to Ethel.

‘Long time no see, it is so lovely to see you,’ I beamed, thrilled to have her here.

‘Hello dear.’ Ethel’s bright eyes twinkled. ‘What a charming village! And such a pretty flower shop, no wonder there’s a sparkle in your eye.’

I laughed and automatically raised my fingers to the spot Sam had kissed. ‘That could well be residual adrenaline after the day I’ve had.’

She grasped my hand in hers and after shuffling her feet out of the car took a big breath before pushing herself upright. Beside me she was tiny; I reckoned she must have shrunk a couple of centimetres this year.