Page 132 of My Kind of Happy

‘Did Mummy have flowers when you got married?’ Will wanted to know.

Sam checked his phone, avoiding everyone’s gaze. ‘Yep,’ he said crisply, ‘red ones.’

‘We learn about reduce, recycle, reuse in school,’ said Annabel. ‘And wedding flowers sounds like the opposite of that.’

‘Well the bride and groom usually give the wedding flowers away after the party,’ I said, pleased with my comeback. ‘So they’re not thrown away.’

Annabel frowned. ‘But what about the stuff in churches and on tables and all the garlands and the extra bits. What happens to those? I think you should be able to get at least two weddings out of them.’

‘They get taken down and er, put somewhere.’ I shrugged my shoulders helplessly. ‘But you’re right, it is a shame to dismantle everything at the end of the day.’

Sam was looking at me, a smile playing on his lips. He was no help whatsoever.

Annabel’s jaw was set firmly. ‘I knew it. Cutting flowers from plants is wasteful. If you need flowers, use plants.’

Will grabbed the pot of lavender from the counter and started goose-stepping from one side of the shop to the other singing, ‘Here Comes the Bride’.

Sam caught my eye and we both smothered a giggle.

‘All right then, maybe not pots,’ Annabel said, flicking her hair over her shoulder again. ‘Just have the wedding in the garden and the flowers will already be there. Growing naturally. I saw a wedding like that on the TV. It was really cool.’

I blinked at her. That could actually work. The garden at The Evergreens was more than big enough. We could hire a marquee …

‘She got that idea off Say Yes to the Dress,’ said Will, propping his elbows on the counter and resting his chin in his hands. ‘She watches it all the time.’

Annabel snorted with derision. ‘Better than sitting on Mum’s swivel chair and pretending to be on The Voice.’

Her brother glared at her.

‘Do you fancy helping me organise this wedding?’ I asked Annabel. ‘You’ve got some really good ideas, I’d pay you. If your dad says you can, that is.’

‘Really?’ Annabel went red. ‘Can I, Dad?’

We both looked at Sam.

Sam scratched his chin. ‘Don’t see why not.’

I half expected him to add that she’d have to check with her mum first but he didn’t.

‘Yay! Thanks Dad.’ His daughter threw her arms around his neck and I had to fight the urge to join in.

‘What can I do?’ Will popped his bottom lip out.

‘Are you really in a choir?’ I asked, looking at Sam for confirmation.

Sam nodded proudly. ‘Soloist.’

‘Right little show-off,’ Annabel muttered.

‘Yeah, I am in a choir,’ said Will. ‘But I don’t like all the church stuff. I like Ed Sheeran and Michael Bublé.’

His sister pretended to be sick and then put her arm around his neck. ‘Your taste in music sucks, but your voice is brilliant, Will,’ she admitted.

‘You’re both brilliant.’ Sam grinned at his offspring proudly.

‘Would you like to sing at my friend’s wedding?’ I asked. Although how their mother was going to react at me roping both her kids in, I had no idea. But it was up to Sam to smooth that over with her, not me.

Will looked at Sam, who nodded his consent.