Betty’s ringtone breaks in on their conversation and they slow down as Betty fumbles for her phone. Emma feels a jolt of concern– Betty rarely ever uses her mobile.
Betty frowns as she answers it, mouthing at Emma, ‘Les.’
‘Hello, love. Is everything okay?… Oh, I see … well thatisodd … have you phoned the … Oh, I see.’ A longer pause. ‘Ah, well maybe that’s it … No, that’s the only number I’ve got. Everything else okay? No … try not to worry, love. Bye then.’
Emma looks expectantly at Betty. ‘Is Les okay?’
‘Yes, he’s fine, but Tamas didn’t turn up today.’
‘Oh.’ Emma thinks of Greta, and pushes away an image of Tamas holed up in some hotel room as she has been, lost in waves of grief. ‘He’s probably just ill,’ she says, not sure whether she is reassuring Betty or herself.
‘Les phoned the wholesale market and a few florists, and it looks like Tamas delivered some flowers this morning but then just disappeared.’
‘He’s not answering his phone?’
‘Apparently not. Les is a bit worried in case he’s had an accident. He wondered if I had a home number for Tamas, but I only have his mobile.’
Emma frowns. ‘Maybe his van broke down?’
‘Maybe,’ Betty says slowly and doubtfully, ‘but why wouldn’t he answer his phone?’
Because he doesn’t want to be found,thinks Emma, looking back on her past few days. She’s being foolish, of course; Tamas is nothing like her. There’s probably a normal explanation. ‘Is Les worried?’ she asks.
‘Um, I think he is, poor love.’
Emma is worried, too, and she can tell Betty feels the same.
They walk along in silence for a moment.
‘You’ll need to get back to Les soon, I expect,’ Emma says. She tries to keep her voice neutral. She isn’t sure she will ever be able to let Betty go. Emma is looking forward to being back in the garden centre but she has enjoyed this time alone with Betty.
‘I can spare another day– perhaps we could have a look around some of the colleges? It’s very quiet in the garden centre this time of year.’
Emma doesn’t say what she’s thinking–isn’t summer your busiest time?Instead she asks, ‘Are you and Les worried about the business?’
Betty pauses as she looks up at the street name and starts searching for the restaurant Clem has recommended.
It is only when they are sat down with menus, wine and olives in front of them that Betty eventually answers. ‘It’s just the number of people coming in. That dratted ring road. Things had been tootling along very nicely before that. I can’t deny it, it’s a worry, love. In fact…’
Oh God,Emma thinks,she’s going to fire me.Then she can’t decide which would be worse: being let go or being kept on through pity.
‘… it’s no harm you having some days off now and then if you want to go on with your research– in fact it helps us, if that’s okay with you?’ Betty doesn’t wait for Emma to answer. ‘And I’ve talked it over with Les…’
Here it comes.
‘… and in the autumn, we might have to drop you to two days a week.’
Emma is weak with relief. ‘You know, I could start to take photos of our funeral work. We have one funeral director on side, but there wouldn’t be any harm in me going to call on a few more.’ Betty is looking at her oddly, and she wonders if she has overstepped the mark. ‘I’d do that in my own time. I wouldn’t expect you to pay me for it.’
Betty shakes her head, as if this isn’t the issue. ‘Clem thinks you have the makings of a very good florist, you know,’ she says eventually.
‘How on earth can she tell? She’s never even seen me work.’
‘I know, but she said something about the flowers you chose for the bouquet she sent. And understanding a message? I have to say, she lost me.’
Emma grins, feeling like she has been awarded a prize from a favourite teacher. ‘Clem said something about people having a feeling for flowers, a connection. Well, look at Les and his begonias.’
‘Oh, he proper loves them,’ Betty says, grinning back at Emma.
