‘As much as you’re pulling at my heart strings, I’m afraid a wonderful sentimental story isn’t enough to convince me that a florist shop in a small town would make a good business idea,’ challenged the lecturer. ‘Flowers can’t scale quickly and profits are limited by product availability. A bad season in the garden could put you in the red.’
‘Does every business have to be purely about making money though? Isn’t being fulfilled and happy with your work, and making enough profit to get by, enough?’ disputed Florrie. ‘My great-aunt is happy and her life is full of things that she loves.’
‘But flowers are seasonal and wouldn’t last long with no real refrigeration,’ a nearby student piped up. ‘Does your flower van have refrigeration capabilities?’
Florrie was just about to put her side of the argument forward when a voice spoke out from the other side of the room.
‘I think Florrie has a point. Is it about making millions or about being happy and ticking by?’ Tom asked, defending her. She smiled and he held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary. ‘When you think about it, businesses themselves are like flowers in that their success or failure hinges on whether or not they bloom at the right time.’
‘And what is your USP?’ asked the lecturer, returning his attention to Florrie.
There was only one answer. ‘My unique selling point is me, Florrie Appleton. There is only one of me, I’ve been working in the industry since a very young age and I have a unique understanding of what does and doesn’t work for the market I serve.’
The lecturer looked impressed with her answer and the whole room began to clap. Florrie was proud of herself. She had stated her case and presented it well, unwilling to be put off by anyone else’s opinion. She wasn’t out to run a million-pound empire, she was simply out to do what she loved, and what she knew about best.
Just at that moment the lecturer called time on the discussion. ‘That’s it, folks. Remember your last essay needs to be emailed by close of play today. Other than that, great discussions today and I’ll see you all back in here in the autumn. Stay safe, and enjoy your summer.’ He looked at Florrie and nodded for her to meet him at the front of the class. She picked up her bag and walked down the stairs towards him.
‘You made a good point today. Business is about different mindsets and knowing what’s best for you and your customer. You’ve even inspired me to drop by a florist’s on the way home to purchase a bunch of flowers for my wife.’
‘I think she’ll love that.’ Florrie smiled.
‘Plans for the summer?’
‘I’m working in my great-aunt’s flower van. In my opinion it’s the best job in the world. I’ll see you in the autumn term.’
‘You will.’
As Florrie turned around, she saw that the lecture room was nearly empty, but Tom was still in his seat, looking at her. ‘That’s quite a story, Red,’ he said as she drew closer to him. ‘Your great-grandfather sounds like a remarkable man.’
‘He was a true romantic at heart and very much in love. What are your plans for the summer?’ she asked, not wanting the conversation to end.
‘Six weeks living in the south of France on my father’s yacht – in St Tropez, to be precise.’
‘Oh, the hardship,’ she teased.
Tom placed his hand in the small of her back as they exited the classroom. ‘But before then I have the use of a private beach house for a couple of weeks. Why don’t you join me?’
Florrie stopped in her tracks and coughed. Her eyes locked on his. ‘Sorry, I thought for a moment there that you’d invited me to spend two weeks with you.’
‘I did.’
‘We don’t know each other.’
There was a glint in his eye. ‘But after two weeks, we will. Come on, Red, be impulsive.’
Florrie thought about it for a moment. Could she really throw her plans out the window and take off with Tom? It was crazy, it was unlike her … but it was oh so appealing.
‘Okay, Yes!’ she said.
He smiled as he took her hand…
* * *
‘Penny for them? You’re daydreaming.’ Isla nudged Florrie’s arm.
‘Sorry, I was just thinking…’
‘About…?’
