Page 23 of Forever Love at Fleur's Flower Shop

‘No, I know, but I also know what you’ll be doing the minute you’re out of this shop.’ Fleur flicked on the kettle she kept on the deep shelf behind the counter.

‘What’s that? Running across the green to go and huddle by my hot radiator?’ Joining her behind the counter, Bea spooned coffee into two mugs.

‘Exactly that.’

Bea smiled. ‘You’re not wrong.’

‘Haha, I didn’t think so.’

‘When have you got to leave to take the wedding stuff over?’ Bea held the spoon away while Fleur poured the water onto the coffee granules.

‘In about ten minutes. Plenty of time to down a much needed coffee. When have you got to get back to relieve Lindsey?’

‘In about ten minutes, too. She’s got to go and pick the kids up from Rob’s parents.’ Bea added a splash of milk.

‘Thanks.’ Pouring a few drops of caramel syrup into hers, Fleur then brought it to her lips and took a sip. She may not have had much sleep last night, but the little she’d actually had after spending the first few hours when she’d got back home from meeting Matty in front of the TV, had been the best she’d had in a long while.

‘I’m glad you and Matty have sorted things out.’ Bea leaned her hip against the counter.

‘Me too. Now that I’ve spoken to him, of course. Before yesterday evening, I was thinking I’d have to emigrate to Australia or somewhere.’

‘Don’t you dare!’ Bea laughed. ‘Although the lengths you were going to avoid seeing him. I can well believe you might have looked into it seriously.’

‘Haha, yes, well, just don’t check my browser history!’ Fleur reached out and tapped her laptop closed.

‘Umm, well, I’m glad it’s all worked out.’ Bea checked the clock. ‘Oops, I’d better run.’

‘Okay. thanks for popping by and I’ll see you later, no doubt.’ Fleur held her hand out for Bea’s coffee mug.

‘You bet. See you.’ After passing her mug to her, Bea hurried outside and across the green towards her book shop.

After downing the rest of her caramel latte, Fleur pushed the door to the back room open just as the chime sounded, announcing a new arrival to the shop. Oops, she’d meant to lock the door after Bea. Although the welcome sign was turned toClosed, she often had a customer or two assume she was open because they could see her through the window. With the words, ‘Sorry, I’m closed’ on the tip of her tongue, she turned around before breaking into a grin. It was Matty. ‘Hi, I’m just about to go to set up the flowers for a wedding, but if you’re quick, you can grab what you want and pay me later.’

Matty closed the door behind him before walking across the shop floor towards her. ‘I just popped in to see how you were after yesterday evening. I guess I could grab you quick, but I’m not sure how you’d feel about that.’

Fleur laughed as she let the door to the back room close again. ‘Haha, I just assumed you were coming in to buy another one of those bouquets.’

‘Another bouquet?’ Matty tilted his head.

‘Yes, you bought one the other day, remember?’

‘I do.’ Matty nodded as he raised his eyebrow. ‘But I was told you were out?’

‘Yes, yes. Of course I was. I...’ Fleur covered her cheeks with the palms of her hands as she felt the fierce flush of heat prickle her skin.

Matty held his hand against his chest, his face an expression of mock-shock. ‘Don’t tell me you were hiding behind the counter to avoid speaking to me?’

‘No, I...’ Fleur brought her hands to her ponytail, pulling the hairband tighter before she rolled her eyes. ‘You knew!’

‘Of course I did. I spotted you ducking behind there as I walked towards the shop.’

‘Oh, sorry.’ Fleur grimaced. ‘I... No, I have no excuse. You’re right, I was trying to avoid you.’

‘Now my feelings really are hurt.’ Matty chuckled.

‘Oi! Anyway, who were you buying my expensive bouquet for?’ She frowned. Had he been trying to win back his partner? Ex-partner?

‘My mum. And she passes on her thanks. She loved them.’

---