Page 69 of My Kind of Happy

‘So this could be the beginnings of a regular corporate clientele,’ I said. ‘And I’ve you to thank. We couldn’t have done it without your contacts.’

Sam shoved his hands in his pockets and grinned. ‘That was nothing, business acquaintances should always help each other out when they can.’

Not friends, I noted, glumly.

‘Fearne!’ Nina reappeared looking pink. ‘My taxi is on its way. Help!’

‘I’ll leave you to it. Best of luck, Nina,’ said Sam, reaching to shake her hand.

‘Aw, I’m sure you’ll miss me like a stone in your shoe,’ she said with a wink and then pulled him into a hug.

‘Enjoy the honey,’ he said, giving me a wave before turning away

‘Wait.’ I cried as he got to the door. ‘There are some lilies in the cold store which we really need to sell tonight. Give me Pandora’s address and I can deliver them to her. It’s the least we can do, considering you’ve helped us get some new business.’

‘Great idea!’ said Nina, cottoning on straight away.

Sam looked embarrassed. ‘There’s no need, really.’

‘I insist.’ I picked up a pen and held it out to him.

Sam came back and scribbled his address down. There was a harsh tooting of a car horn and Nina let out a little scream.

‘This is it! I’m off! Arrghhh! Wish me luck!’

Sam slipped away quietly while Nina collected all her belongings. Scamp and I went outside to see her off and suddenly the pavement was brimming with people. Rosie and Lia from the café and their staff and customers who’d come out to see what was happening. Ken from the mini mart, Biddy from the pet shop, Lucas of course. All cheering her on her way.

‘Good luck!’ I called, holding on to Scamp with one hand and waving madly with the other. ‘Have fun!’

‘I plan to,’ she shouted from the back of the taxi through the open window.

I watched as the car circled the village green and vanished from sight and I turned to look at the shop. The window displays were summery and bright. The plant rack outside selling pots of osteospermum and geraniums and herbs looked fresh and inviting and the fragrance of English summer roses wafted through the door; I felt my spirits lift with anticipation at the weeks ahead.

The future of the flower shop looked as bright as it could possibly be and I had every intention of making a success of my solo stint while Nina was away. I felt a stirring inside me: passion and determination. Ethel was right; this was an adventure and it was mine for the taking.

There was just one tiny thing worrying me. Back inside the shop, I picked up the piece of paper Sam had written on and compared it with the one written beside the order from Gareth Weaver.

They were identical. My skin prickled with goosebumps.

‘Oh Sam,’ I murmured. ‘I’m so, so sorry.’

So there was only one Pandora after all and what I’d discovered would break Sam’s heart. Should I tell him, or should I stay out of their business? A knot of worry twisted in my stomach. I knew what Nina would say: what happens in the florist, stays in the florist.

Could I really stand by and watch him get hurt? I guessed only time would tell.