‘Why would you want to demolish such outstanding natural beauty?’ Rona was dumbfounded.
‘Because these people have no morals and are all about the money,’ cut in Felicity. ‘New houses are popping up everywhere. Most of them no bigger than a postage stamp and spoiling the natural beauty of the countryside.’
‘What can we do to stop them? The community won’t be happy with this,’ Rona said heatedly.
Those were exactly the words that Florrie was hoping to hear. ‘We can pull together in the community spirit Heartcross is known for and show Tom Houston exactly who he is messing with. Firstly, I will be entering Flowers in Bloom, creating as much publicity as possible for Rose Cottage and its award-winning gardens. A community meeting also needs to be arranged to make everyone aware what’s going on so we can come up with a plan of action.’
‘I can’t see any resident of Heartcross being in favour of destroying the most beautiful gardens in the area for new houses, or handing The Vintage Flower Van over to them. Let’s see what we can all do to stop this,’ said Felicity.
‘W. Houston Property Developers has clearly underestimated the power of Heartcross. You let us know when the meeting is and we’ll arrange the refreshments,’ said Rona.
Florrie smiled at their immediate and unequivocal support. This is what she’d always loved about the community in Heartcross – in times of need, they all stuck together. ‘Thanks, Rona. I’m headed up to Starcross Manor as I have a meeting with Flynn and a lawyer so would it be possible for you to put one of your delicious cinnamon swirls in a bag for me?’
‘Of course.’
Five minutes later, Florrie was following the winding lane through the woodlands to Starcross Manor and manoeuvring her way past the gatehouse and up the tree-lined driveway. The historic Georgian manor house had been transformed into a magnificent five-star hotel set in a hundred acres of lush green woodland, which incorporated formal gardens, a deer park and a wildflower meadow. It was truly stunning. Even the driveway leading up to the entrance was grand, sweeping into a wide circle around an ornate fountain. The hotel was extremely popular with tourists and was now also the number one wedding venue in the Scottish Highlands.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and today the temperature was going to be a whopping twenty-six degrees. The weather buoyed Florrie’s spirits and she thought the ducks had the right idea, lapping up the sunshine while swimming in the lake and then nestling under the cascades of branches at the water edge to cool off. With the impressive stone steps leading up to the oak doors of Starcross Manor in view, Florrie slowed down the van and headed towards a vacant parking spot opposite a very posh car that was surrounded by traffic cones. As she climbed out of her van, she decided to satisfy her curiosity and take a closer look.
She quickly realised it wasn’t an average posh car, it was in fact a Mansory Vivere Bugatti Veyron, usually only owned by high-profile millionaires. With its modified wings, shortened bonnet and striking monochrome design the car had serious attitude. Florrie couldn’t help but wonder who’d be driving a car like this. She wasn’t all that surprised to see it though. Starcross Manor was well known for its celebrity appeal and, with a number of famous people living in the village of Heartcross, it was becoming the prime holiday destination in Scotland for everyone, including the rich and famous. A swift glance towards the main door of the hotel confirmed that there was no one in sight, so she walked up to the car. The interior was seriously impressive – it reminded her of a lavish hotel suite – and close up she could see how the exterior paint job caught the light, like ice on the ground on a frosty morning.
‘Someone must have worked hard for this car,’ she murmured to herself, knowing it was probably worth more than she would ever earn in her lifetime. As she walked back past Rose, Florrie locked the van door, threw the keys into her bag and patted her on her bonnet. ‘But I love you more.’
As Florrie made her way up the stone steps, she heard the quacking of ducks, which made her look back over her shoulder. There was a proud, plump, dappled mallard leading her family across the car park in a long line towards the lake, where a weeping willow arched out over the water.
Smiling, she shielded the sun from her eyes and watched them for a moment before a movement caught her eye. The smile slipped from her face rapidly as she let out a trilling gasp. She’d forgotten the handbrake and Rose was on the move!
‘NO, NO, NO…’ Feeling a squeezing sensation in her chest as well as what felt like a rush of blood pounding in her head, Florrie bounded down the stone steps two at a time whilst simultaneously attempting to frantically fish out the van keys from the bottom of her bag. But she was too late. Freezing on the bottom step, Florrie watched in horror as Rose smashed straight into the bonnet of the Bugatti.
‘Shit! Double shit!’ She exhaled, briefly closed her eyes and wished she was anywhere else but here.
‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ bellowed a voice she instantly recognised.
‘Oh God, could this get any worse? Why me?’ she uttered under her breath.
‘You’ve nearly smashed my car to smithereens.’
Taking a sharp intake of breath, she turned and locked eyes with an angry-looking Tom, who was striding down the steps towards the car.
It washiscar, apparently.
‘Well, don’t just stand there.’ Tom threw his arms up in the air before he loosened the top button of his shirt, shaking his head in disbelief.
Florrie slowly walked towards him. ‘I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault. I must have forgotten to engage the handbrake.’
Lifting an eyebrow, he composed himself. ‘Please can you get Rose moved so I can see the damage?’
Florrie stopped in surprise. ‘You remembered her name?’
‘It’s not that easy to forget.’ Tom stared at her and for a second Florrie wondered if he meant her or the car.
‘Please pull her forward,’ he repeated.
‘Yes, sorry!’ she said, fishing the keys out of her bag and opening the door. After turning the key in the ignition and nothing happening, she rushed out, ‘Don’t worry—’
‘I know, she starts on the third turn…’ Tom interrupted, before trailing off. Looking up at him Florrie followed his gaze towards the iPod, which was lying on the dashboard. Of course the song they’d heard together before they fell asleep in each other’s arms under the starry sky on their final night started playing out of the speakers just then, right on cue, and Florrie didn’t know where to look, her cheeks instantly flushing red.
‘Is that my iPod?’ Tom asked, his tone hard to read.
