‘Totally agree, thank you all,’ said Ed, smiling. ‘On paper it sounded fun, but – wow! – it far exceeded expectations.’
‘It so did,’ said Florrie, feeling the nip of the chilly wind that had picked up since they’d first arrived in the village. The temperature high up on the moors was a good few degrees cooler thanby the coast.
‘Didn’t it just?’ said Jasmine. ‘I mean,Gabe Dublin… who’d have even thought?’
With cheeks kissed and hugs bestowed, the friends headed to their respective cars. ‘I’ll be in touch about the next thing we’ve got planned for your hen celebration. It’s later this week – after work – and this one’s my idea,’ Jasmine called across the road.
‘Thanks, Jazz. Looking forward to it.’ Grateful as she was, Florrie was too tired to even think about what it might be.
In the Land Rover, passing the beautiful, rugged moorland scenery, Florrie sat back, allowing the events of the day wash over her. To say it had been a far cry from what she’d originally feared her friends had planned for her would be an understatement. It had been wonderful. She knew it would be something they’d be talking about for years to come.
ELEVEN
It hadn’t escaped Florrie’s attention that Ed had been quiet on the way home. And though she’d seen him check his phone several times, she hadn’t been able to catch a glimpse of the screen to see if there’d been any further communication from his mother. She’d tried to suppress her worries by telling herself his quietness was more than likely down to him being tired after their busy day, but a feeling deep in her gut told her otherwise. It was the same problem it had been whenever he’d gone quiet like this: his parents.
Arriving back at Samphire Cottage, Gerty greeted them with such great enthusiasm, anyone would think they’d been away for six months, which seemed to brighten Ed’s mood in an instant. In fairness, it was impossible to feel down when Gerty was around, with her upbeat nature and impossibly waggy tail.
‘Hello, Gerty-Girl, have you missed us?’ Ed gave a happy chuckle as he bent to give the Labrador’s black velvety ears a thorough ruffling, which appeared to increase the tail-wagging.
Florrie followed suit, tickling Gerty under the chin and promising her a biscuit for being so well-behaved while they were out.
‘What an amazing day, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much,’ she said, looking up into Ed’s dark blue eyes, herheart fluttering. She pushed her glasses back up her nose. ‘I’ve no idea how you managed to keep all that a secret, I’d have been bursting to tell you.’
He laughed, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him, sending a rush of love through her. ‘You’re right, it has been an amazing day.’ He kissed the end of her nose. ‘And I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed it. And I didn’t find it too bad keeping it secret; mind, I didn’t know all of the details, and none of us had a clue about Gabe Dublin – I think I might’ve struggled keeping that to myself.’
‘It’s still sinking in.’ She laughed. ‘I wonder if Jean’s still floating around on cloud nine? He thoroughly charmed her. And I wonder if her “friend” knows about her dance partner?’
Ed chuckled. ‘Ah, bless her. She was actually the best salsa dancer out of all of us. That lady sure has rhythm.’
‘Doesn’t she just?’
‘And I don’t think Amery needs to be jealous, especially when he hears she was leaving Gabe to head back for her date with him – assuming we can call it a date, that is.’
‘Hmm. I’d probably be a bit careful with that one until we hear how Jean refers to it. I wouldn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable, especially with it being such new and unfamiliar territory to her.’ Although she was in possession of the facts concerning Jack’s father, in all the years Florrie had known Jean, she’d never been aware of her being in a relationship with a man.
‘Aye, makes sense. I’d hate to make her feel uncomfortable and put her off.’ Ed nodded thoughtfully. ‘It’s a shame your parents couldn’t make it. It would’ve added an extra level of fun with your dad strutting his stuff the way he does.’ He grinned at her, his smile making his eyes crinkle.
‘He’d have taken up a lot of room, though.’ Florrie giggled as a picture of her dad at a fundraising event filled her mind. It had involved an evening disco and he’d thrown himself – and Florrie’s mum – into it wholeheartedly. ‘No one could ever accuse him of not being an enthusiastic dancer. He’s worse with eighties music,mind. Let’s not forget how he entertained everyone with his moves to “The Only Way is Up” by Yazz or that one by Dead or Alive at the fundraising disco last January. His dancing was totally wild.’
Ed laughed, too. ‘True, he excelled himself dancing to “You Spin Me Round”.’ He released a happy sigh. ‘Though today wasn’t the same without your parents, it was still a fabulous way to kick off our wedding celebrations.’
‘It was wonderful.’
He bent and pressed his lips against hers, his kiss deepening until Gerty started to whimper, apparently feeling left out. Ed reluctantly pulled away, his hands sliding down Florrie’s shoulders, giving them a squeeze.
‘I think I’ll take Gerty for a leg-stretch along to my parents. Kill two birds with one stone, see how my dad’s doing, and give Gerty some exercise.’ For all they’d asked their neighbour, Mrs Fergus, to let the Labrador into the garden for a toilet trip and a bit of company, Florrie thought they’d both benefit from the walk to her parents’ house – Gerty for the exercise, and herself for the fresh air since she was in serious danger of snuggling up on the sofa and falling asleep.
‘Aye, good plan. I was thinking I should maybe pop down to the bookshop, crack on with my work in the windows.’
‘Ooh, yes!’ Florrie’s face lit up as she suddenly remembered the unveiling of the window displays that were scheduled for next week to coincide with Jack and Jenna’s author reading event. ‘Am I allowed any hints as to the subject matter?’ She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, following up with a hopeful look.
‘Nope, and don’t think those delicious kisses will make me tell you either. Though, maybe you could give it another try, just in case…’ He lifted an eyebrow and gave a lopsided smile that made Florrie’s heart skip a beat.
‘Always worth a try.’ She reached up, her pulse racing as his lips brushed hers.
Since Ed had arrived in Micklewick Bay, he’d taken charge of the displays in the large windows of the double-frontedbookshop. An artist by trade, he’d put his creative skills to good use, designing captivating scenes complete with moving components. They’d become a popular local attraction – particularly at Christmas, with not just the local children being enthralled by them. The theme always remained a secret – even to Florrie – hidden away behind thick, black curtains, before they were officially unveiled by Jack Playforth.
‘Tempted to give up any clues?’ she asked, reluctantly bringing their kiss to an end.
