There were mutterings of agreement to this. EarthFoods was an organic health foods cooperative with little money to spend on fighting the huge conglomerates that wanted to develop the old, neglected quarter of Christchurch. EarthFoods’ major shareholder was Amber, who’d used the inheritance she’d received from her mother to keep the company afloat.
“So what can we do?” asked Amber.
“Ah,” the man said eagerly, leaning forward toward Amber. “That’s where you come in.”
“Me? What can I do? I don’t have any more money, I’m afraid. You want me to bake?”
“No, I want you to create your art.”
Amber blinked and shook her head in confusion. “I don’t see how my little paintings can help.”
“That’s because they’re little. What I’m suggesting is something much, much bigger.” He looked around at the small group. “What we need is more of Amber’s rainbows except on a larger scale. It’s Amber’s rainbows which have drawn the little attention we’ve garnered. And we need to double down on that.”
Amber jumped up as a vision of what she could do filled her head. “I could do one large rainbow on the side of the building, with birds over it, and fish under it and hills, rolling out behind it all.”
The man sat back in his chair with a big grin. “Exactly. A vision of nature which fits with conservation and fits with EarthFoods’ ethos. And, more to the point, a vision which will catch the public’s attention. Perhaps then we’ll get enough support to stop the destruction of Christchurch’s heritage buildings.”
He sat back as people cheered and clapped. Someone popped open a bottle of elderflower champagne and poured it into the tumblers which Flo had brought out. Flo was listening as the original speaker expounded on the importance of their mission. She rolled her eyes at Amber who nodded towards the door. Flo excused herself and joined Amber outside in the rear garden which fronted onto the road.
“I can’t wait to get started on those rainbows!”
“It’s illegal though, Amber. I mean, you guys have a watertight lease on the building. But that doesn’t cover painting.”
“It’ll be fine. No one’s ever gone to prison for painting a rainbow,” said Amber, peering around the corner of the house.
“You’ve got a point there. And, besides, it’ll create the kind of publicity which they don’t want.”
“Ha! Peaceful protest at its most effective. Sterling Properties is scared we’re going to win over public opinion. And we can’t fail to with rainbows! No one can resist a rainbow.”
Flo grimaced. “Don’t count on it.”
Amber jumped up and stood in the only place in the garden where the road and pavement could be seen. She turned to smile at Flo, who looked at her suspiciously.
“Why are you so fidgety?”
“No reason,” Amber said, pushing open the gate and looking up and down the street. She relaxed. There was no sign of him, so she hadn’t missed him. He ran this stretch of road like clockwork.
“Are you waiting for someone?”
Amber blushed and shrugged. “Not exactly waiting…” More like hoping, she thought to herself. “Anyway, I wanted to know what your reaction was to the news.”
“What news?”
Amber’s heart sank. She’d known Gabe and Maddy were having dinner with Flo last week, and so had told Gabe to tell her. He must have chickened out.
Amber licked her bottom lip uncertainly. She raised her eyebrows and grimaced a little. “About Rob?”
Her delicate approach didn’t appear to do anything to ease the blow. Amber could see it in Flo’s face—the pain was heartfelt. Amber reached out to Flo. “Oh, Flo, I’m so sorry.”
Flo flung open her hands. “Nothing to be sorry about. I…” She trailed off. The defensive expression fell and she jumped up, turning her back on Amber in a way which Amber recognized. It was what Flo did when she wanted to hide her feelings. But Amber wasn’t one to let someone grieve on their own.
She put her arm around Flo, pressing her head to hers. “It was a long time ago. I’m sure things will be fine.”
Flo twisted her face away from Amber. “Fine. Absolutelyfine.” She placed the emphasis on the last word.
“I know it’s not what you wanted. Fine is nothing compared to what you two had.”
Flo breathed in deeply. “Fine is all I want, believe me, Amber. Your big brother and me are over, long gone, dead as a moa. It was just a bit of a shock, that’s all. I didn’t think he’d return. Thought his big life in London would keep him there forever.”
