‘But that’s a cost.’
‘Social media costs nothing to make people aware of wrongdoing, and we’re all behind you. Look at when the bridge collapsed in the storm all those years ago. The story spread like wildfire due to social media and that was the reason this village became so popular overnight. Anything that’s happening in Heartcross is news and this is definitely news.’
‘Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that. Surely, they’ll have no use for The Vintage Flower Van and they’ll be kind enough to give it to me, or at least let me buy it. If the worst comes to the worst and they do bulldoze the gardens at Rose Cottage I’ll be taking my spade and digging out all the flowers myself before that happens – though I may need to rent some land off you to replant them all.’ Florrie forced a smile as she looked at Isla.
‘We’ll all be pitching in and helping.’
‘We sure will,’ confirmed Flynn. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I know it’s easier said than done but try not to worry.’
‘Thanks, Flynn.’
As Flynn walked to his car Florrie spotted a familiar figure coming out of the creperie. ‘And there he is, the destroyer of all things good.’ She nodded and Isla followed her gaze.
‘Tom Houston? And what brings him to Heartcross today?’
He was sitting on a bench enjoying a crepe only a few hundred yards from where they were standing.
‘How do you feel about seeing him sitting there?’ asked Isa, still looking over in his direction.
‘I want to go across and slap this letter right against his chest and demand he explain what the hell is he playing at, but I’m not going to. I’m going to keep my dignity and get advice from Jaydon first even though it’s extremely tempting to confront him right now.’
Isla was quiet for a moment. ‘Given the information we’ve just discovered from Flynn, I think we need to be playing our cards very close to our chest. I know exactly what I would be doing.’
‘Which is what?’
Isla pointed to the poster on the lamppost right next to where Tom was sitting.
‘We need to be ingenious and I think the answer is simple. Now you have even more reason to make sure you and Rose Cottage win Flowers in Bloom this year. Think of the publicity that would create! “W. Houston Property Developers to destroy winning gardens of Flower in Bloom and bring a well established business to an end,”’ Isla projected in a theatrical voice. ‘I can see the news headlines right now.’
Florrie didn’t need to contemplate Isla’s words for long. ‘You’re absolutely right! The gardens are still in tip-top condition and I could create enormous publicity and news articles dedicated to the memory of Great-Aunt Ada and ensure The Vintage Flower Van is a huge part of the day. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.’ With a smile on her face, she looked across at Tom, who had just stood up. He tossed the wrapper from his crepe into a nearby bin and turned towards Buttercup Barn, he must have sensed someone was watching him. Their eyes met through the window and he held her gaze for a moment before he turned and walked along the path to Love Heart Lane. He didn’t look back.
Florrie felt her mood slump further. Seeing Tom again had ignited all of the feelings that she’d tried so hard to squash over the years, and as much as she wanted to fling open the shop door to confront him about the letter she was holding, she was also disappointed he hadn’t attempted to come over and speak to her.
Isla smiled. ‘If W. Houston Property Developers don’t play fairly, let’s make things as uncomfortable as possible for Tom Houston. He’ll soon wish he’d never heard of Heartcross or crossed Florrie Appleton!’
ChapterSix
The next morning Florrie’s eyes began to tear up as she left Rose Cottage and walked past The Vintage Flower Van, which was arrayed with beautiful blooms that she’d cut from the garden first thing. Yesterday, she’d had a second conversation with W. Houston Property Developers, which was short and not so sweet. When she asked if they would consider allowing her to keep or buy The Vintage Flower Van, their answer was non-negotiable, their clear, concise ‘no’ still ringing in her ears.
When her head had hit the pillow last night, Tom had been in the front of her mind. This all seemed to be a little personal to her. She’d always thought she was a good judge of character, and after going over and over it again in her mind she couldn’t believe how Tom had treated her in the past, or how he was treating her now. The more she thought about it, the more she felt confused about him. Why had he seemed genuinely pleased to see her? Had he completely forgotten betraying her?
Now, behind the wheel of her van, Florrie headed towards Bonnie’s Teashop, planning to grab a quick bite before heading up to Starcross Manor to meet Flynn and Jaydon. She beeped and waved at the Union Jack-roofed Mini coming towards her and Martha waved back.
After a conversation on the phone last night Martha had agreed to swap roles from tomorrow, manning Buttercup Barn whilst Florrie threw her heart and soul into doing whatever it takes to save The Vintage Flower Van and the gardens at Rose Cottage.
Florrie parked the car outside the terraced house she was currently renting from Rona on Love Heart Lane. For a moment she stayed behind the wheel of the van and gazed at the line of whitewashed terraced houses, which looked utterly gorgeous, their potted plants with tumbling flowers full of colour guarding the duck-egg blue front doors. The view in front of her was as stunning as usual. Across from the houses were the comical-looking alpacas grazing in the field, and, to cap it all, the majestic Heartcross Mountain stood tall at the top of the lane against a beautiful cobalt sky. She fully understood why Heartcross was flooded with tourists all year round. After leaving university, she’d lived with her great-aunt at Rose Cottage but had soon craved her independence. With Ada’s help, her dream of opening up her own florist shop had become a reality, and she’d moved into her own house. She’d lived on Love Heart Lane for five years now and knew she’d had the best of both worlds – her own space and Great-Aunt Ada only a short walk away.
As she walked through the door of Bonnie’s Teashop the bell tinkled above her head, causing Rona and Felicity to look up from behind the counter. She was met with huge, beaming smiles and Rona rushed towards Florrie, swiping her hands on a tea-towel before enveloping her in a hug.
‘It’s good to see you out and about. I know when my mother passed away all I wanted to do was hide from the world. Ada’s service was beautiful and I’m glad to see The Vintage Flower Van is open for business and blooming in all its glory. Heartcross wouldn’t be the same without it.’
Florrie pulled slowly away from the hug. She was going to have to tell them about the possible demise of The Vintage Flower Van. ‘Thank you both for taking care of the buffet. You did an excellent job. Please don’t forget to send me your invoice.’
‘You’re very welcome and we’ll do no such thing. Ada was our friend and you’re our friend and we wouldn’t think of charging you.’
Florrie was truly touched by Rona’s gesture. ‘Thank you, that’s so kind.’
‘And I know you’ve probably come to talk to me about giving up your lease on the house but don’t worry, you aren’t leaving me in the lurch. Vacant houses are hard to come by in Heartcross, so I have no doubt that it’ll soon get snapped up.’ Hearing the oven timer beeping from the kitchen, Rona picked up the oven gloves that were lying on the counter and turned to go and grab whatever was ready. Before she could, Felicity took the gloves from her.
