They walked towards a set of double doors, which Rachel opened with her security card. The long walkway with its high ceiling was lined with columns and the bright lighting lit up the navy walls, on which a long line of gold frames held photographs of famous people. Florrie glanced at every picture as she passed.
Just outside her dressing room was a round table with a large crystal vase full of pink roses. And then she saw it, her name in bold letters on the door –Florrie Appleton.
‘Here we are.’ Rachel checked the schedule in her hand. ‘You have a few minutes before Meg, the hair and make-up artist, collects you, so take a moment to relax. You can leave your personal belongings in your dressing room, as you’re the only person who has access to it.’ Rachel handed over a key card. ‘This opens the bathroom and the door to the Green Room. It’s full of refreshments, so do help yourself. Once your hair and make-up are done, you’ll have a quick briefing with Cathy and Ben before you go live on air. Is there anything else you’d like to ask?’
‘No, I think you’ve covered it all,’ replied Florrie.
‘I can’t wait to see you live on air – I’ll be watching it from my desk – and remember to try and enjoy it.’
As soon as Rachel was out of sight, Florrie whipped out her phone and took a photo of her name on the door. She felt giddy. What would it be like to be an actual celebrity? She put the key card against the fob, there was a click, and the light turned green. She pushed open the door and let out a low whistle. The dressing room was bigger than the living room at Rose Cottage! There were two oversized plush settees, a TV, a fridge full of bottled water, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and expensive art on the wall, not to mention the biggest basket of fruit she’d ever seen in her life. ‘Wow!’ she exclaimed, holding her arms out wide and spinning around, something she used to do as a little girl when she was excited. Falling on to the sofa she scrambled for her phone and FaceTimed Isla, who picked up immediately.
‘Isla! Look at the dressing room.’ Florrie gave her a virtual tour of the room. ‘It’s huge! The Green Room is next door and I’ll be going for my hair and make-up very soon. I’m living the dream.’
‘Look at you! Superstar! You’re going to have a blast. This is the start of something, I can feel it in my bones!’
‘My heart is beating so fast. I can’t actually believe I’m here and about to appear on national TV.’
‘You better believe it because we’re all waiting. Look at us!’ Isla turned the phone around. In front of her was a TV screen with rows of chairs occupied by the villagers. They let out a rapturous cheer and all waved madly towards the phone camera. ‘We’re all ready for you!’
‘Oh my, look at all that support!’
‘We’ll leave you to enjoy superstardom and we’ll all see you tonight.’
As soon as Florrie hung up the phone, she couldn’t resist posing for a few selfies, which she immediately uploaded to her social media channels. Within seconds, her phone began to ping with notifications. Comments were flooding in. Her followers and lovers of The Vintage Flower Van were tuning intoToday’s Scotland.
The Green Room was just as impressive as her dressing room. There were comfortable-looking chairs and sofas with vibrant plush cushions to lounge on, and a fridge stocked with fresh water and juices. Bowls of fresh fruit were scattered around the room, and platters of food lined a buffet table. On one wall were oversized photos of the presenters, Cathy and Ben, and on another wall were photographs of past shows. The huge TV screen on the wall made her feel like she was in the cinema. Sinking onto one of the settees, she saw the morning show was about to go live and the presenters and production team were huddled around a script on screen. It was all becoming so real. Soon she would be with them on set, sitting on the settee in front of them, and their discussion would air all over Scotland.Today’s Scotlandhad tremendous viewing figures and even though she knew Tom was unlikely to be watching, she wondered how soon he might find out about her TV interview.
Soon after, the door to the Green Room opened and a woman in her early thirties stepped into the room. She was wearing headphones and talking into a microphone. After looking at the clipboard she held in her hand she glanced towards Florrie. ‘Hi, I’m Meg, you must be Florrie.’
Florrie smiled. ‘I am.’
‘How you feeling?’
‘After watching the TV, more nervous than thirty minutes ago,’ she admitted.
‘Honestly, you don’t need to be. I’m here to do your hair and make-up and get you ready for the show. But first, I’m going to take you through to the studio where you’ll meet Cathy and Ben before they go live on air in twenty minutes’ time. They’ll explain what’s going to happen and hopefully put you at ease. Come this way.’
Florrie followed Meg along a different corridor to the one she’d traversed with Rachel and suddenly the studio was there in front of them. The sign above the door, reading ON AIR, wasn’t lit, but Florrie still felt her heart racing as she stepped inside the studio. The set resembled a living room. Two settees were positioned opposite each other with a coffee table between them. Four cameramen faced the set from different angles and behind the set was a window with a stunning backdrop that overlooked a lake. The presenters were sitting on one of the couches in the middle of the set and looked up as soon as they heard Florrie and Meg approaching.
‘Good morning, Florrie!’ Cathy said, getting quickly to her feet and extending a hand. ‘It’s lovely to meet you and you’re just as adorable in real life. I’ve been following your posts online and wow, you’re an overnight sensation!’
Florrie had watched Cathy on TV many times and it was surreal to be standing next to her and talking to her in real life. ‘I’ve just been saying to Ben we need to visit your van.’
‘You do,’ replied Florrie, shaking both of their hands. ‘Lovely to meet you both.’
Cathy gestured for her to take a seat on the couch opposite them. ‘It’s going to be quite a straightforward interview – in fact, think of it more as a chat between friends over a cup of tea. We emailed you an outline of the questions that we are going to ask, are you okay with those?’
‘Yes,’ replied Florrie, knowing that she was going to set the cat amongst the pigeons when she added the possible demise of the gardens and the flower van.
We’ll introduce you, talk all things flowers and share your great-grandfather’s story, and then we’ll lead on to the gorgeous vintage flower van and, of course, how well the business has been doing since you’ve become a social media sensation, with visitors travelling from far and wide.’
‘Is there anything you would like to ask us before we’re on air?’ added Ben.
‘I don’t think so,’ replied Florrie.
‘All we ask is that when you’re talking keep looking at us, not at the cameras, and everything will run smoothly.’
Meg interrupted. ‘I’m going to take Florrie through to hair and make-up and I’ll bring her back in the break just before she goes live on air.’ Meg touched Florrie’s arm and after saying goodbye to Cathy and Ben they began walking towards the door.
