Page 32 of My Kind of Happy

‘Not bad,’ she said, with a sniff. She took her phone out of her pocket and took a few pictures. For the hotel website, she told me. I took some for Nina. I had no idea whether she had a website or not, but I felt I should.

‘Wedding cars are here,’ announced a breathless waitress from the marquee’s entrance. Behind her a line of staff appeared carrying silver serving dishes.

‘Shit the bed!’ Kelly yelled.

‘Stay calm,’ I said, feeling very proud of myself. ‘All we need to do is tidy up around the top table and –’

‘I’m supposed to be out there, greeting them.’ Kelly flapped about trying to find her jacket. ‘Doing my actual job, not yours.’

Not my job either, I thought, but didn’t say anything. Instead I held out Kelly’s jacket for her and she slid her arms in.

‘Thanks for your help,’ I said. ‘I couldn’t have finished in time without you.’

‘You haven’t finished.’ Kelly nodded to where I’d left Nina’s abandoned garland. ‘You haven’t done the arch.’

I blinked. ‘The arch is supposed to have flowers on it?’

She gave me a quizzical look. ‘Duh. Yes. It’s one of Nina’s wedding props. Major focal point for photos.’

‘You’re kidding me.’ I groaned.

That had been one of Fiona’s top three rules: prioritise the focal areas. Now what was I going to do? I’d got plenty of flowers to spare but no time.

‘Tut, tut. Call yourself a professional florist?’ Kelly teased.

‘No, I don’t actually,’ I said flatly. ‘This time yesterday I was still in flower school. I’ve only done a five-day course.’

From behind us there was an enormous gasp. Kelly and I turned to see Nina frozen to the spot, mouth open in horror.

‘Got to go,’ said Kelly, sidling out of the marquee.

‘You told me you were a florist.’ Nina jammed her hands on her hips, her face flushed and jaw set grimly. ‘I’d never have left you in charge of Rosie’s wedding flowers otherwise.’

I shifted uncomfortably, aware that all the staff in the marquee had paused in their tasks to watch the drama.

‘I am. I’ve done a course, I like flowers, therefore I’m a florist. Just not … a professional,’ I said weakly. ‘Does it matter?’

‘Of course it matters!’ Nina raked a hand through her hair. ‘I’m such a plonker; my friend’s wedding and I’ve left the flowers to … what even are you?’

‘I have a degree in business studies and for the last ten years, I’ve been a data analyst, in the paper industry.’

At that, Nina’s eyes glazed over; an expression I was used to.

Scamp, deciding I needed support, rolled over from where he’d been lying under the top table and sat down proprietorially on one of my feet. His faithful presence gave me a boost and I decided to style it out.

‘Look, I can see you’re annoyed but you needed help and I stepped into the breach,’ I pointed out. ‘Do you like what I’ve done? Kelly helped.’

Nina’s eyes slid sideways to the spring meadow table runner and pursed her lips. I sensed her soften towards me. ‘It looks charming,’ she admitted.

‘Thank you,’ I said relieved.

If I hadn’t turned up she’d probably still have been sitting in a puddle of tears, the marquee wouldn’t have any flowers at all and she’d have missed the actual wedding.

Through the entrance of the marquee, I could make out the bridal party in the distance. The little boy, Noah, was running around with his dog and the photographer was organising people into groups.

‘I’m quickly going to do something with the arch,’ I said steering her towards the entrance, once I’d removed Scamp from my foot. ‘Why don’t you go and be in the photographs, while I finish off. If you trust me, that is?’

Just then a diminutive white-haired woman bustled into the marquee, pursued by an old man.