“Oh. Lovely. What does she like?”
“I think I’d like to get her a flowerpot. But maybe something funny. She’s got a really good sense of humor. I like to get her jokey sorts of presents.”
Juniper thought for a moment. “I might have just the thing. Hang on a sec.”
She moved through the beaded curtain and walked over to a table that housed her completed items. She knew Mikayla was watching her, but she refused to make eye contact.
“Is that William?”
“Mm hmm.”
“Is William here? I’ve gotta show him my turtle.” Before she could even draw breath, Billy had slid off the stool, purple turtle in hand. He dashed across the work room, through the beaded curtain, into the shop.
“I saw you at the beach,” he announced upon entering the shop.
“So you did. I saw you, too.”
“Mummy says you’re special.”
“Does she?”
Sweet Jesus, Juniper thought to herself.
“Yeah. Coz you helped me get born.”
“Well, your Mum did most of the work.”
“I made a turtle.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“But I can’t think of a name for him.”
“Myrtle.”
Silence for a moment then Billy’s giggle floated on the air. “Myrtle the Turtle. That’s funny.” Another long, quiet moment. Juniper could just picture Billy standing in the middle of the shop, giving William the once over. “I like you.”
“I like you, too.”
“Will you go to the beach with me one day? I like to build forts.”
A moment of hesitation had Juniper’s heart tightening in her chest. Billy was very sensitive, highly attuned to people. He’d recognize rejection and feel it deeply. “Sure.”
She let out a breath of relief, grabbing what she’d come in for, and rushing back through the archway. “Billy, Mikky’s got some crackers for you.”
“Bye, William.”
“Bye, Billy.”
She held the curtain aside for him to walk through, his turtle clutched tight to his chest.
“How about this?” She placed it on the counter. It was a brightblue flowerpot, withSometimes I Wet My Plantswritten on the side.
William laughed. “It’s perfect. She’ll love it. I’ll take it.”
“Lovely. Can I gift wrap it for you?”
“Yes, please.”
