Before she had a chance to answer, he was running towards the ferry port and shouting back in an atrocious American accent. ‘Geez, that Jilly Manilli has only gotten herself a shop called Tinsel Town in Hartmouth town.’
A grinning Sabrina shook her head. Conor Brady was one of life’s decent men and she was beginning to realise that maybe a decent man was exactly what she needed…
Chapter Twenty-Five
As Sabrina walked up the hill to get herself one of Monique’s bionic coffees, she began to feel totally overwhelmed with gratitude as the few market stall holders she’d got to know began to greet her.
Charlie Dillon came round the front of his stall that he was lining up with huge pumpkins and deep orange sweet potatoes. ‘You make sure you tell those customers of yours that Dillons do the best figs in the area for their figgy puddings, won’t you, girl.’ He handed her a brown paper bag containing two huge figs.
Pat shouted from behind it. ‘I think what he’s trying to say– actually, what we are both wanting to say, love– is good luck today, love.’
Star was delicately placing necklaces on her moon-shaped display stand, whilst baby Storm snoozed in his papoose. She spotted Sabrina, walked over to her and touched her shoulder lightly. ‘I don’t believe in luck. We all forge our own paths, in our own time.’ She jiggled on the spot as Storm began to murmur. ‘And you will know when the time is right.’ She kissed the little one’s head. ‘For everything. Now enjoy your day.’
‘Thanks a million, Star.’
‘Thanks a million? You’ve been spending too long with that Conor Brady.’
Sabrina laughed. ‘I’ll be doing an Irish jig down the lane next.’
It was Kara’s turn to apprehend her. ‘I’ve made up a little flower display for you and popped some sparkly bits in. It’s nothing much but thought it would brighten up your counter.’
‘I feel so blessed.’ Sabrina bit her wobbling lip. ‘Thank you.’
‘My grandad Harry– you know, who had the bees– he used to say to me that every soul was a flower blossoming in nature.’
‘That is the sweetest thing.’ Sabrina immediately thought to her troubled mum and wondered if there was a flower that represented strength and sadness all in one go.
Kara was smiling at the thought of her dear grandfather. ‘Every flower has a spiritual meaning, too.’
‘Wow. I didn’t know that. What with you and Star here, I’ll be fully covered for my spiritual journey to wherever I’m supposed to be going.’ Sabrina laughed.
Kara put both hands to her lower back. ‘I popped in a few asters. They’re associated with the planet Venus, which represents beauty, love and art. They also symbolise the unfolding of inner thoughts and the importance of being patient and waiting for life’s natural progression.’
‘Is that so?’ Sabrina didn’t want to be rude, but she was dubious at best. Could a flower really hold such power? ‘This is all so amazing. Umm…I’ll just grab a coffee and get it on the way back down if that’s OK. Can I get you anything from Monique’s?’
Kara put her hand to her stomach. ‘I shouldn’t, but I will. Can you get me an almond croissant and a chocolate one for Skye, please?’ She went to her money belt and shouted across her stall, ‘Star, anything from Monique’s?’
‘I’m good, thanks.’
Sabrina put her hand up. ‘On me– it’s the least I can do.’
Linda Harris greeted her at the café counter. ‘Large cappuccino? No chocolate sprinkles?’
‘You’ve got it Linda– and err, I’m sorry if I was a bit short with you the other day.’
Linda was a bit twitchy. ‘Oh. Well, we all have a difficult day sometimes, don’t we dear, but…’ she dropped her voice to a surreptitious whisper. ‘Hedoes seem to have disappeared, so I do think my sources were correct.’
‘And what are we without a good source, eh, Linda.’ Sabrina smiled falsely and, as she walked back down to Passion Flowers, thought to herself that living in a small town like this was like living in a permanent soap opera. And as her alter ego Polly Malone would say, it was advisable to keep your friends close, and in this case, the gossips closer.
‘Surprise!’ Isaac and Belle cried in unison on seeing Sabrina approaching Tinsel Town.
Isaac was hurriedly hanging a red ribbon across the front door as Belle scrabbled in her handbag.
‘Aw, you two, this is so sweet. Thank you.’ Sabrina felt a fizz of happy energy go right through her.
‘You couldn’t just go in without some kind of fanfare.’ Belle announced, as Beethoven barked his approval. ‘Go on then.’ The pretty blonde urged, taking Sabrina’s coffee cup and handing her the scissors she had just retrieved from her bag.
Sabrina cut the ribbon and grinned broadly. She assumed the accent of the Queen when naming a boat. ‘I hereby declare Tinsel Town officially well and truly open.’
