‘Where’d he go?’ Coming to a stop in front of her, Felix spun slowly on the spot, searching for the man amongst the other visitors.
‘He just upped and left a couple of minutes ago.’ Merri waved her hand in the direction the man had gone.
‘Typical.’ Rolling his eyes, Felix chuckled. ‘What was that you were saying about it being nice ot work here because all the customers were happy?’
‘Haha, I take that back.’ Merri reached across the short distance between them and ran her finger across the soft fabric of the ribbon. ‘This is lovely though.’
‘Do you want me to fix it to Elsie’s wreath?’ Walking back behind the counter, Felix held the ribbon against the dark green foliage of one of the wreaths. ‘It does look good.’
‘Umm, and I’m pretty sure Elsie loves yellow.’ She shrugged and lowered her voice. ‘I couldn’t get hold of her though, so I don’t have a clue which one to get.’
‘Maybe think about what colours you like and what style? From what I know about Elsie I’m sure she’ll be happy with anything.’ He shifted position. ‘Do you see one similar to one you had on your door last year?’
‘I didn’t have one last year.’ Merri shook her head, an uneasy feeling churning in the pit of her stomach. She could sense where this conversation was going.
‘Okay, well, think back to a favourite of yours you’ve had in the past. Did it have a modern twist, with baubles or feathers? Or do you prefer the strictly traditional style?’ Felix indicated examples of the various styles as he said them.
Looking down at the toes of her trainers, she spoke quietly. ‘I don’t know. I’ve never had one.’
‘Umm... how about as a kid? Did your parents have one on their door?’
Merri shook her head. Despite feeling the urge to explain, she bit down on her bottom lip as she looked back up at him. She didn’t need to offer an explanation. It wasn’t so strange not ot have a wreath. Her grandparents never had and they’d always had a tree.
‘Right. Okay. That’s not a problem. In fact, it’s pretty exciting because this makes this moment even more special.’ He grinned, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
‘It does?’ She tilted his head. It was difficult not to grin back at him, to mirror his energy but she couldn’t fathom out why this would be more exciting. It was just a wreath and surely it just made her decision on which one Elsie might prefer all the more difficult because she had no past experiences to base her choice on. Zero.
‘Oh, course it does. Not only will this wreath be for the bakery, but it will be for you too. Your first wreath. And being as you’ve never had one before you can go wild.’
‘Go wild? On a wreath?’ Merri laughed. His enthusiasm was contagious.
‘Yep, as wild as you like. In fact, being as it’s your first ever wreath, if you see anything else you want adding to one oranything, we can do that.’ He glanced down beneath the counter. ‘Gabby’s left some accessories down here.’
Grinning, she shook her head. ‘It’s okay. I don’t think I’d know where to start with adding anything and they all look perfectly lovely as they are. Although I do like that yellow ribbon.’
‘You want the ribbon? Choose a wreath and I can swap ribbons for you.’ Picking the roll of ribbon up from the table, he began unwinding it.
‘Thanks.’ Placing her palms on the top of the counter, she looked around the stall again before making a decision. ‘I’ll take that one please? The one with the pine cones and red berries.’
‘Great choice.’ Grinning, he unhooked the wreath from where it was hanging against the swath of velvet and laid it on the counter. ‘I’ll just swap the ribbons for you.’
Merri nodded before shoving her hands in her pockets. She’d made the right decision, hadn’t she? To go traditional? She thought she had. And it would definitely look great hanging on the bakery door.
‘Excuse me please?’ A woman approached the stall, her young daughter trailing behind.
‘Evening, what can I do for you?’ Felix answered cheerfully.
‘I’m sorry but my daughter has just been to the angel making class but it’s just fallen apart.’ The woman placed a willow weaved angel next to Merri’s wreath. ‘Is there any chance you could help us fix it please? The craft teacher left straight away after the class and we’ve both had a go but I can’t for the life of me work out how to stop it unravelling.’
Picking up the willow angel, Felix turned it over in his hands. ‘I’m afraid I don’t have a clue. I can try to find someone who might though.’
‘That would be amazing please? My daughter had her heart set on taking it into school for Show and tell tomorrow, didn’tyou, Evie?’ The woman held her hand out towards her daughter, encouraging her to step forward.
‘May I?’ Smiling at the woman, Merri held her hand out for the angel. ‘I can take a look for you, if you like? I can do willow weaving.’
‘Oh, that would be fantastic. Thank you! I’m Hannah and this is Evie.’ Hannah hugged her daughter around the shoulders.
‘I’m Merri.’ Taking the angel, Merri leaned her hip against the counter and began weaving the willow. ‘We just need to secure the end, that’s all.’
