She sighed. ‘I’ve got something on my mind.’
‘Go on.’
‘I’m worried about Flowers in Bloom.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I don’t want any trouble. It’s happening on the same day the cottage is being inspected by W. Houston Property Developers.’
‘I think you’re forgetting that’s my company and I can change the date for that sort of thing.’
‘But not if Edward doesn’t know you’re on to him by then. The idea was for you to be faced with all the community who would be here along with Dolores and the press. But I don’t want that anymore. I don’t want the day to be spoilt in any way whatsoever. Aunt Ada enjoyed this day for many years and as it’s more than likely going to be the last one to be held here, I want to remember all those good years by making it a celebration of Aunt Ada’s life and Dolores’s birthday. The people who bought tickets will be here because they love Ada, or Rose Cottage or The Vintage Flower Van. I don’t want protesters or conflict.’
‘Look, we can make this day about anything you want. And I can cancel that appointment, no problem. My gut feeling is that’s it’s a ploy on my father’s part to come and have a look at the cottage before he takes it. I’m sure he’d get some sort of sadistic pleasure out of seeing everything he’s going to destroy out of spite.’
‘But if you cancel that appointment, he might know you’re on to him.’
‘He might, but there’s no guarantee of that, and what you want is more important: to celebrate the memory of your great-aunt Ada, Flowers in Bloom and Dolores’s birthday. Itshouldbe a celebration, so we’ll make it a day to remember.’
‘Thank you.’
‘You don’t need to thank me,’ he replied, entwining his fingers around hers. ‘And what about us?’
‘Us?’ Florrie said with a smile.
‘Yes, us. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to pick up right where we left off when I dropped you back in the university car park eight years ago.’
‘That’s exactly what I want too.’
They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before Florrie leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. He kissed her back, and her whole body erupted in goosebumps. Getting slowly to his feet, he hugged her tight then glanced towards the door. ‘Which way are we going?’
She nodded towards the hallway. ‘That way, and then up the stairs to the first room on the right.’
Without hesitation they made their way up the stairs hand in hand and he laid her down gently on the bed. She pulled him on top of her. She had never wanted anyone as much as she wanted Tom right at that moment. Feeling the touch of his lips on hers, she gasped with desire.
But then she froze.
And pushed him away.
‘What’s the matter? Is it too soon…’ Tom asked, looking concerned.
‘The document,’ she blurted. ‘I think I know where it is! Oh my gosh, why didn’t I think of it before?’ Rolling out from underneath him, she was up on her feet in an instant and grabbing his hand.
‘You pick your moments!’ His trousers were around his ankles and he attempted to pull them up as he hurriedly followed Florrie down the stairs.
She flung open the back door.
‘Where are we going?’
‘Aunt Ada told me to never let it out of my sight when the business became mine.’ Florrie sprinted outside and stopped right outside The Vintage Flower Van.
Tom was right behind her. ‘I’m not sure I’m following.’
Unlocking the door, she stepped inside and pointed to the photograph of her great-grandfather. ‘I think this photograph has something to do with this.’ Florrie unhooked it from the wall and laid it face-down on the counter. She bent the small metal pins back and removed the back of the frame. They both stared down in excitement.
Hidden behind the photograph was a folded piece of paper.
‘Woah! I think you could possibly be right.’
