Page 11 of Forever Love at Fleur's Flower Shop

‘A family emergency, you say? And I hope this won’t be interfering with tomorrow’s speed dating event at her restaurant?’ Gregory glared at Sadie.

Shifting a little under his stare, Sadie cleared her voice. ‘Actually, yes, it will. She’s had to go out of town for a few days.’

Opening and closing his mouth, Gregory perched on the front of his table. ‘She won’t be here for the speed dating?’

‘No, sorry. Again, she sends her apologies.’ Sadie answered.

‘It’s not as though she has anything better to do, right? I mean family emergency or running some idiotic speed dating event?’ Fleur muttered under her breath. He really did think thewhole world revolved around Nettleford and the town events he forced upon them all. Not that she didn’t enjoy some of them, she did. But still, even if it had been an event integral to the traditions of Nettleford and not the impulsive speed dating evening Gregory had practically coerced Ruby to agree to running at such little notice, then a family emergency would always come first.

‘Pardon, Fleur?’ Gregory frowned, his eyes fixing on her.

‘Oh, umm, I was just saying what a shame it is that the speed dating will have to be cancelled now.’ Fleur hoped she sounded sincere.

Crossing his arms, Gregory rubbed his chin. ‘Maybe not. You sound as though you are invested in this event, so maybe you’d like to volunteer to run it?’

‘What? No, I couldn’t possibly…’

‘Many would argue that you’d be the perfect person to run such an event, being as you, as a florist, have such a wealth of experience with all things romance-wise.’

Wringing her hands in her lap, Fleur tried again. She wouldn’t be running the speed dating event. That was the absolute last thing she wanted to be doing. ‘I…’

‘Thank you, Fleur. This is much appreciated and your support to the Nettleford community during an emergency won’t be forgotten.’ Gregory picked up a sheet of paper from the table, the conversation over. ‘On tonight’s agenda…’

‘Sorry, Gregory. I can’t possibly help tomorrow night. I have a full day of flower arranging and orders to fulfil and I’m sure you can appreciate that this time of the year is particularly busy for me.’ Fleur picked at her thumb cuticle.

‘Oh, there’s no need to worry. Everything is organised and ready to flow, so to speak. All that will be needed from yourself is to turn up at Ruby’s restaurant tomorrow at seven, ready to pick up the mic and host the event. Nothing else.’ Gregorysmiled confidently. ‘I understand this is a busy time for you, and I wouldn’t have accepted your offer if I had thought it would in any way impact your capability to fulfil your orders or the running of your shop.’

Offer? She hadn’t offered. Despite wanting to scream that he had forced her into this, she didn’t. She kept quiet. She’d been a shopkeeper long enough, and a Nettleford resident since she was fifteen, to know better than to attempt to change Gregory’s mind. Nope, when he thought he’d settled something, there was no going back. All any protests would ever lead to was a sore throat from trying to communicate with him. Instead, she sighed before slumping back in her chair.

Chapter Eight

‘Thank you, Fleur. I knew you’d be able to pull it off, however crazy my request sounded.’ Helen stroked the petals on the sunflower of the large table centre sitting on the flower shop’s counter.

‘Haha, it didn’t sound crazy at all. You’d be surprised what some people ask for. Some expect miracles! Besides, how could I refuse my neighbour?’ Fleur smiled as she carefully tore the order form from the tissue paper the sunflower display was wrapped in. ‘I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your mum’s eightieth.’

‘I’m sure we will. She’s been looking forward to it for months. Although I’m not too sure if it’s the fact the whole family will be getting together or that they’ll be a disco at the hall that she’s more excited about.’ Helen chuckled.

‘Aw, sounds fun.’

‘Why don’t you pop in after you’ve shut up shop? It’s only at the town hall.’

‘I’d love to, but unfortunately, the lovely Gregory has strong-armed me into playing host at Ruby’s tonight for Nettleford’s first foray into the world of speed dating.’ Fleur grimaced. Shestill couldn’t quite believe that she hadn’t managed to wriggle her way out of it.

‘Ah, yes, I heard about Ruby’s poor dad. Have you got any updates?’ Helen frowned.

‘No, nothing yet. I spoke to her briefly this morning, and she said they were still in the hospital waiting for some x-ray results.’

‘Bless him. Here’s hoping he’s okay.’

‘Yes, definitely.’ Fleur nodded. In the four years she’d known Ruby, she hadn’t heard her so upset. Not that she’d have ever admitted it, of course, but Fleur could tell by the tone of her voice.

‘Well, give her my love and tell her we’re thinking of her dad if she calls again. Won’t you?’

‘I will.’ Fleur nodded. Helen had been her neighbour since she’d moved in with her grandparents at the age of fifteen and she’d always been there, supporting her. Even during her wild teen days, she’d never once complained to her grandparents about the noise from her stereo, or the fact that Fleur had often used her garden as a secret pathway to the street to stop her grandparents from realising she was skipping out on being grounded.

‘Good, thanks, love. And how are you? I noticed that Matty is back.’ Helen reached out and placed her hand on Fleur’s.

‘Oh, I’m fine.’ Fleur fixed a smile on her face. She’d wondered when Helen would bring up this particular topic. She’d half-expected her to knock on the door last night in a bid to glean if Fleur had noticed.

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