‘Those friendships have been passed down generations,’ said Florrie, grateful for her own close relationship with Martha’s granddaughter Isla, and Bonnie’s granddaughter Felicity.
‘We share so many good memories. Most of them go back to the gardens at Rose Cottage. We’re not having the likes of W. Houston Property Developers bulldozing them to build houses. If it comes to it and the planning is granted, we will lie in front of those diggers! But hopefully it won’t come to that,’ she added hastily.
‘That would definitely make the news.’
‘We will win this fight, those gardens will be saved and The Vintage Flower Van will live on. Believe me, there are times when I don’t like fame – it can be intrusive, and reading things about yourself in the newspapers that are simply untrue is never fun – but there are also times when you can use it to your advantage.’
‘Thank you, Dolores, this means a lot to me. Would you like to join us for a drink? I’m just waiting for Isla.’
‘That would be lovely but…’ She reached for her walking stick and nodded towards the timely Isla, who was crossing the road towards them. ‘I’ll leave you two to it. Anyway, McCartney will be missing me. Typical man, he never likes being on his own.’ Florrie laughed at how Dolores spoke about her deaf dog as if he was a human being.
Isla gave Dolores a swift kiss on her cheek as she passed her then narrowed her eyes at Florrie. ‘What’s been going on between you two? You look like the cat that’s got the cream.’
Florrie stood up and linked her arm through Isla’s. ‘You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you.’
‘Good or bad?’
‘Definitely good.’
‘Let’s get a drink and you can tell me all.’
ChapterTwelve
Isla stood at the bar with amazement written all over her face. Her mouth fell open. ‘Are you being serious?’
‘Absolutely serious. Dolores Henderson, world-famous superstar, will be singing in the gardens of Rose Cottage on her one hundredth birthday, but for the time being we have to keep this quiet.’
‘Scouts’ honour,’ replied Isla with a huge smile.
‘You were never a Scout.’ Florrie laughed.
Isla pretended to look hurt. ‘I’ll have you know that I went once but got kicked out. It wasn’t entirely my fault. In fact, I blame Allie and Felicity, I was just an innocent bystander.’
Florrie laughed. ‘The publicity Dolores’s performance brings in will be off the scale and W. Houston Property Developers will find themselves splashed all over the news.’
‘They won’t like that, will they?’
‘Dolores told me William Houston was a good friend of hers, but his son Edward was a different kettle of fish – disingenuous, driven by greed and far from a people person.’
‘And did she mention Tom?’
‘I asked the question and she suggested he was just like his grandfather.’
‘And he happens to be over there.’ Isla nodded discreetly towards the far side of the pub. Florrie glanced over and saw Tom was sitting on his own, his laptop open in front of him, talking in hushed whispers on the phone. ‘How do you feel seeing him sitting over there?’
‘He’s a two-timing rat…’
‘But Goddamn sexy.’
‘Isla!’ Florrie watched him for a moment. The conversation looked heated.
‘He actually looks stressed. Should we start feeling sorry for him?’ Isla ventured.
‘Tom will be even more stressed when he discovers Flowers in Bloom, Dolores’s birthday and the day of W. Houston Property Developers’ inspection all coincide. Dolores is going to announce the gig at the last minute because that will take everyone by surprise, especially W. Houston Property Developers.’
‘I’m assuming Dolores is doing this in memory of Ada but why would she be standing up against the company that was set up by her own friend?’
‘Dolores was adamant that William would never destroy anything to do with Rose Cottage because he and Ada were good friends too.’
