Page 84 of My Kind of Happy

True to his word, Victor had been really helpful, and yesterday when he made our delivery, I’d gone over my list of requirements with him and he’d made a few suggestions to save me a bit of money. Just as well, because any more and I’d have wiped the bank account out completely.

‘And as well as everything else,’ I said, ‘I’m thinking of doing a customer newsletter.’

She interrupted me with a burp. ‘Oh excuse me. We are staying on this apple and pear and cherry orchard farm thing today and they keep giving us cider.’

That explained a lot, I thought fondly. ‘Sounds fun. Lucas wants to know whether you’ve met any hot farmers yet?’

‘There are farmers everywhere you look here. Well, one every few acres anyway. The ones on the show are a mixed bunch. My favourite, but not in a sexy way, is Ralph. Massive arms, short legs and grunts a lot. Then there’s Pete, who addresses our chests instead of our faces. Then little Scott who trembles and blushes when a woman comes near him, definitely a thirty-five-year-old virgin. I’m going to take him under my wing, help him out.’

I was going to ask what she meant by that but her snort told me all I needed to know.

‘Any romance in the air?’ I asked.

‘Nah, not so far.’ She hiccupped again. ‘Although Eric the sound man is cute and makes me laugh. But I don’t think getting together with a member of the film crew is quite in keeping with the spirit of the show.’

‘Maybe not. But I’m glad you’re enjoying it enough to stick the whole six weeks.’

‘God yes! Easily. I used to think people were mad doing a gap year, living in the same three scruffy outfits, all their belongings stuffed into a fusty-smelling rucksack. But I get it now. Now I’m wondering how they can give it up and return to normal life after a year. I’m not sure I’ll be able to.’

My ears pricked up. ‘But you are coming back, aren’t you?’

She gave a high-pitched laugh. ‘Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, I’m just talking hyper-theo-pathetically.’

‘Easy for you to say.’

‘I think I’ve had enough cider now.’ She giggled. ‘Being a florist is part retailer, part therapist. It makes a refreshing change to concentrate solely on myself for a while. I’d forgotten what I was like.’

‘You’re fab. And I miss you,’ I said, realising with a jolt just how true that was.

‘Aw, thanks. Listen, I’d better go, someone is playing guitar around the campfire and I want to go and join in.’

‘Have fun!’

It was only after I ended the call that I noticed that she hadn’t said how much she missed me. And that nervous laugh when I mentioned coming back didn’t go unnoticed either. Still, I was happy here. If she did extend her stay, the worst that would happen was that I’d have to work on my own for a while longer. I was sure I could manage that.

I didn’t have much time to dwell on Nina’s intentions, I was too busy keeping the flowery wheels of commerce turning in her absence. For the rest of the morning, I worked solidly, dealing with customers and, in every spare moment, putting together the first customer newsletter to go out to everyone who’d left their email address with us in the past.

At lunchtime, I was about to lock the door and take Scamp for a walk when the phone rang.

‘Nina’s Flowers, Fearne here, how can I help?’ I said, sending Scamp a look of apology as he settled patiently back in his bed.

There was a long pause on the end of the line.

‘Did you say Nina’s Flowers?’ He sounded confused. ‘Or Fearne?’

‘Both.’

‘Gosh.’ There was another pause, followed by, ‘Good grief. It’s been years since. Gracious me.’

‘Is everything all right?’ I asked.

‘Yes, yes.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Sorry. That took me by surprise for a second. I asked the funeral director for your number to thank you for the flowers – well, garden arrangement – you did for my wife yesterday. Using fruit and vegetables might not be to everyone’s taste, but it suited her perfectly.’

‘Mr Benton-Ridley!’ I said, realising who it was at last.

‘Call me Nigel, please.’ There was warmth in his voice as he spoke. ‘Benton-Ridley is such a mouthful.’

‘You’re very welcome. It was a privilege to do something so special and personal. I hope the service went … well, or as well as it could do.’ My voice trailed off.