‘Not yet.’
‘I like the use of the word “yet”,’ Isla teased.
It took them over thirty minutes to decorate The Vintage Flower Van and when they stood back they admired their work. ‘It’s beautiful,’ exclaimed Florrie. ‘Utterly breathtaking.’
‘It certainly is,’ replied Martha, pointing to the paparazzi cars that were heading up the lane at speed. ‘Here we go. The word is out! Are we ready to get this show on the road? There’re people already walking up the lane clutching their tickets.’ As soon as the press stepped out of their cars their cameras began to click. ‘They’ll get the shot they’re looking for soon enough. Dolores is due to arrive any moment. She wouldn’t miss the opening.’
There was excitement in the air as all the villagers began to gather outside the gates and Florrie, Tom, Isla and Martha stood at the front of the barrier. Martha had tied a red ribbon between The Vintage Flower Van and the garden gate and she handed Florrie a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon and officially open Flowers in Bloom.
Looking out over the sea of people, Florrie saw everyone who meant the world to her. The turnout was truly amazing. She smiled at Tom, who slipped his hand into hers. She stood in silence for a moment taking in the view. Aunt Ada had stood in this very spot for the last sixty years welcoming everyone to enjoy her garden, and Florrie felt honoured to be taking over the reins.
‘This is quite surreal,’ she whispered to Tom.
‘Enjoy every second.’ He nodded towards the top of the lane. ‘Here she comes.’
Florrie noticed the TV cameras beginning to roll as a black limousine glided towards the cottage.
In her usual flamboyant style Dolores, helped by Hamish, stepped out the car to the sound of rapturous applause. They were joined by Sophia, who stepped out of the other passenger door. In a frenzy the cameras began to click as Dolores made her way towards Florrie and Tom.
‘Before we kick this off…’ Dolores said, taking Florrie’s hands and pressing something cold into them. Florrie looked down to see a bunch of keys.
‘What are these for?’
Dolores winked at Tom. ‘A private beach house I co-owned with William while he was alive. I want you to have it.’
Florrie put her hand on her chest, her heart racing. ‘Is thisourprivate beach house?’ she asked Tom.
Tom smiled. ‘It is.’
‘And you own it?’ She looked towards Dolores.
‘I did, but now I want you to have it. William made sure Ada and her family were financially secure, now it’s my turn.’
‘Aunt Dolores, I don’t know what to say.’
‘Say yes.’ She winked.
‘Yes! Thank you!’ Florrie flung her arms around her, then Tom. ‘Thank you! Thank you!’
With a wide smile on her face, Florrie felt a rush of adrenalin. Flynn had ushered the community and ticket-holders into a semi-circle in front of The Vintage Flower Van and now passed Florrie a microphone. She took it and the crowd hushed.
Tom was standing on one side of her and Dolores on the other, and Martha and Isla had positioned themselves at the front of the crowd. Glancing at Dolores, Florrie took a breath to compose herself.
‘Thank you all for coming to this year’s Flowers in Bloom.’ She was thankful her voice sounded calmer than she felt. Her heart was beating nineteen to the dozen. ‘For the last thirty years Flowers in Bloom has been an open day where ticket-holders could wander through all the spectacular gardens in the village of Heartcross. This year, to celebrate the memory of my aunt Ada, who lived here in Rose Cottage for over sixty years, and whose gardens won Flowers in Bloom more times than anyone can remember, we have only one garden open to the public today, together with a very special guest. Please let me introduce you to Dolores Henderson. You may all know her as a global superstar, but Dolores was also my great-aunt Ada’s best friend for many decades.’
The crowd began to clap and Florrie felt tears spring to her eyes. She dared to look at Tom, who gave her a heart-warming smile and squeezed her hand.
As the applause began to simmer down Dolores took the microphone, Hamish and Sophia standing next to her.
‘What is a true friend? A true friend isn’t always the person you’ve known the longest – though in Ada’s case it’s that as well – a true friend is the person who walks into your life and says, “I’m here for you.” They’re like stars, always shining bright in the darkest of times. They’re the ones who laugh with you, cry with you, and stick around through every chapter of your life. They see you at your best, they see you at your worst. They’re the source of the greatest treasure chest of memories because every moment you share with them is a priceless gem. And they’re the ones who see pain behind your smile and stay to wipe your tears away and stick around through your highs and lows. Ada Jones was my true friend and that’s why I’ve chosen to celebrate her life with her family, who are now my family, today on my one hundredth birthday, here at Rose Cottage with all our friends.’
The crowd began to clap again and when Florrie looked out over the sea of people standing in front of her, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. In true diva style, Dolores waved her walking stick in the air and the crowd soon quieted down. ‘Whilst others are starting out on their new journeys of life and love –’ Dolores looked towards Florrie and Tom ‘– my own time of life is coming to an end and I want to share with you all that I’ve had a complete blast. Despite my worldwide fame, Heartcross has always been my home, just like it was Ada’s home and is Florrie’s home, because this is where we all belong. Once you arrive in Heartcross, you never want to leave. It’s a place where friends are there for you, no matter what.’ Dolores’s voice faltered as the emotion took over and she couldn’t say any more.
Florrie couldn’t say any more either. She was doing everything in her power just to stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. Taking a deep breath, she held the scissors out in front of her. ‘Without further ado, I declare Flowers in Bloom officially open!’ She snipped the ribbon.
As the queue began to pass through the barrier towards The Vintage Flower Van, Florrie and Tom stepped inside, ready to collect tickets and greet their guests. Florrie looked up at the photo of her great-grandfather, which was now hanging next to a framed photo of Aunt Ada. ‘We’re one hell of a family,’ she murmured, overcome with emotion.
‘It is true what Dolores said, isn’t it?’ Tom mused. ‘Once you arrive in Heartcross you never want to leave.’
