‘I love your TikToks and your great-grandfather’s story,’ she enthused as Florrie stepped from the van and joined the girl. She held up the phone and as Florrie smiled at the camera, she noticed a familiar figure standing behind them in the queue – Tom.
Florrie’s heart began to race and she briefly wondered if he was here because he’d got wind of her TV interview or the community meeting. The girl snapped a couple more photos before Florrie returned to the counter.
Her heart was pounding as Tom stepped forward. ‘I was out for a walk and wondered where everyone was going so I followed the crowd.’
His tone was friendly and Florrie didn’t sense he was here for any reason other than the one he’d given.
‘What a beautiful flower van.’
Florrie narrowed her eyes in confusion. She wasn’t sure whether he was genuinely oblivious to what was going on or was simply choosing not to acknowledge it. ‘Business is blooming, isn’t it?’ He swiftly glanced back over his shoulder at the queue. ‘I remember all those years ago when that lecturer questioned you about your business model. If only he could see you now.’
‘If only,’ she replied, knowing there was a fair chance that their former professor might have seen and recognised her in the news in the past couple of days. Feeling nervous, she tried to keep her voice as calm as possible. ‘Is there anything I can get you today? I don’t mean to rush you but I do have people waiting.’
‘Flowers,’ he replied. ‘I’d like a bunch of flowers.’
‘Then it seems you’ve come to the right place.’ She gestured towards the different varieties displayed in the buckets that stood on the grass in front of the van.
Tom glanced at the buckets. ‘Those ones,’ he replied, with a glint in his eye.
Florrie swallowed as she stared at the blooms he’d pointed to – red tulips. He knew they were her favourite flowers.
Her heart began to race and she hoped he couldn’t tell by the look on her face that she was slightly flustered. Had he chosen those flowers to see how she reacted?
‘Good choice,’ she replied, sounding a lot calmer than she felt. ‘She must be a lucky lady.’
‘She is,’ replied Tom.
Trying to act as normally as possible she looked away, knowing she had blushed slightly.
‘How many would you like?’
‘As many as you think would make a beautiful bouquet.’
Wanting to send him on his way as quickly as possible, Florrie set to work. Fourteen stems were gathered and she paired the tulips with roses, skimmia sprigs and mini pitto, which lent a delicate texture to the arrangement. She finished it off with eucalyptus foliage to give it a fresh, woodsy scent.
‘That’ll be twenty-five pounds please. Card or cash?’
‘They’re breathtaking.’
He flashed her a warm smile and his eyes skimmed her face briefly, the intensity of his gaze causing her to tingle. From where she was standing, she could feel the raw chemistry between them, and her heart was beating wildly.
‘Card,’ he replied, taking a card from his wallet and handing it over. ‘And the tickets that everyone in the queue before me was buying? What are they for?’
‘Heartcross’s annual open garden day, Flowers in Bloom.’
She handed one to him and he scrutinised it for a second.
‘Then I’ll take one of these, too.’
‘One ticket or two?’ asked Florrie, with Sophia in the back of her mind.
‘One,’ he replied.
Florrie nodded. As she handed Tom back his debit card, she was close enough to take in his aroma and briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them, he had leaned towards her. ‘I know this isn’t the right time, but can we talk, clear the air?’
She hesitated. ‘We can do that when you decide to be truthful with me.’ She pointed to the flowers. ‘Make sure whoever you give those to puts a two pence coin in the bottom of the vase.’
He looked at her, puzzled.
