With a trembling hand, Florrie carefully unfolded the paper. ‘It’s definitely a document.’ With a beating heart she scanned the legal jargon. ‘This is what we needed. Look!’ She held it out so they could both read it.
‘You’re right, this is it! There’s Dolores’s signature.’
Florrie carried on reading and gave a tiny gasp. She read aloud, ‘In the event of Ada’s death, the life interest will cease and Rose Cottage and all of its assets will be transferred toThomas Houston.’
Florrie looked at Tom, who was still staring at the document, but now in disbelief. ‘It belongs to you. The cottage belongs to you!’
Tom exhaled and raked his hand through his hair. ‘I don’t quite believe it.’
‘It’s there in black and white. How do you feel?’
Tom held Florrie’s gaze. ‘Shocked. But more importantly, how do you feel about it?’ His eyes were earnest.
Florrie gave him a heart-warming smile. ‘I’d already prepared myself to lose this place. I’m happy for you.’
‘I feel like I’ve stolen your home.’
She shook her head and swallowed. ‘I will always be grateful for what your grandfather did for Aunt Ada and Uncle Ewart. He gave them lifelong security with no financial worries. But this cottage is your inheritance now and after you’ve dealt with the fallout from your father’s misdeeds, this will be your fresh start too. I’m just thankful that we have the evidence we need to stop the planning application from going ahead. Now that we know these gardens are going to live on, we can focus on exposing your father. And hopefully we can strike up a deal.’
‘A deal?’
‘It was Aunt Ada’s wish that no matter what, The Vintage Flower Van lived for ever.’
‘It goes without saying that the van is yours and you can keep using the gardens and the glasshouses to build up your flower empire.’
‘That’s very much appreciated.’
Florrie pointed towards the back of the photograph. ‘Look, there’s another piece of paper in here.’ She picked it up and unfolded it. ‘It’s a letter.’
Dear Ada and Ewart,
Sometimes in life you’re lucky enough to cross paths with someone who becomes a friend and is there for you no matter what. They encourage your dreams and celebrate your wins without an ounce of jealousy. They want what’s best for you, and you for them, and there isn’t much more to it.
Thank you both for being that kind of friend to me over the years, supporting me unconditionally throughout the heartache of losing Rose and always looking out for my best interests. I will always be grateful our paths crossed.
Your friend,
William
As Florrie finished reading the letter, she swallowed a lump and tears began running down her face. ‘Aunt Ada always told me to find friends who were there for you no matter what. I’m so happy to know she had those kinds of people in her life – people like your grandfather. This is so beautiful.’ She put her hand on her heart. ‘Look at me, I’ve come over all emotional.’ Glancing up at Tom she saw that he had tears in his eyes too.
‘They looked after each other for the time they were in each other’s lives and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’ll look after Rose Cottage and The Vintage Flower Van, and we’ll honour the memories of those we’ve lost while we live on and make new ones.’ Tom pulled Florrie in for a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her. ‘This is the beginning, Florrie,’ he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
She held on tight, her heart swelling with happiness at his words.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
A couple of weeks later
It was early morning and Florrie was standing at the back door holding a mug of tea. The sun had only just risen and the gorgeous colours of the sky complemented the stunning apricot roses that had just come into bloom. She felt Tom’s arm slide around her waist and she looked over her shoulder, pressing a kiss to his lips.
‘Look at those roses. Aunt Ada always said they bloom just in time for Flowers in Bloom and here they are, right on time. They couldn’t look any more stunning if they tried.’
‘Roses for Rose Cottage,’ Tom said, smiling. ‘I’m not sure whether you’ve seen yet but all hell has broken out on social media. Dolores has announced that she’ll be holding her one hundredth birthday celebrations in the grounds of Rose Cottage in honour of her good friends Ada and William. It’s splashed all over every news channel.’
‘We’re in for an amazing day. I can’t wait.’
‘Flynn is bringing over a number of crowd barriers that he uses for events at Starcross Manor, and they’ll be set up from the top of the lane all the way to the cottage gate. No one can get in without a ticket.’
