Page 29 of Forever Love at Fleur's Flower Shop

‘Not that you seem particularly stressed about any of this.’ Bea smiled.

‘I don’t?’

‘No, you look quite laid back about the whole thing.’

‘Well, it’s annoying, but there’s not much I can do about it. We all know how impossible it is to say no to Gregory.’ Fleur shrugged. She wasn’t going to let one of Gregory’s stunts dampen her mood today.

‘Oh, I did wonder if your good mood had anything to do with the way you and Matty are getting on?’ Bea raised her eyebrows.

Fleur raised hers back. ‘Are you telling me I’m normally a grump?’

‘Haha, no, not in the slightest.’ Bea twisted the stem of a rose in her hand as she clipped off the thorns. ‘Although you must admit, you have been a tiny bit grumpy since Matty arrived back in Nettleford and before you two got together.’

‘Bea!’ Fleur threw a fistful of loose leaves towards her friend as she laughed. ‘I suppose you’re right. I was.’

‘But you’re not now.’ Bea grinned.

‘No. I’m not.’ Fleur smiled as she carefully slid another rose into the vase she was making up. ‘I just can’t believe how quickly everything has changed. Having Matty back in my life just feels... right. So right.’

‘I can tell.’ Bea reached out and rubbed Fleur’s forearm. ‘I’m so pleased you’ve found each other again.’

‘Me too.’ Fleur nodded. Yes, life was pretty much perfect right now. She and Matty had easily slipped back into being the couple they used to be. ‘I went round to his parents’ house for dinner last night.’

‘Ooh, how did that go?’ Bea turned back to the roses she was de-thorning.

‘Good, actually. It was the first time I’d said more than a few words to his parents since, you know, the wedding that never was, so I was super nervous going, but they were both so lovely.’ She shrugged. She’d known they hadn’t held anything against her. His mum had turned up on her doorstep when she’d got back from her trip to America and told her she didn’t understand why she’d walked out on Matty but that she still cared for her and wanted Fleur to feel she could turn to them if she needed. Of course, she hadn’t taken her up on the offer, but it had been a relief to realise she wasn’t going to berate her for abandoning her son, all the same.

‘I bet that was a relief!’

‘Yes, definitely. I did half-expect them to be the first to warn Matty off getting back with me in case I pulled a stunt like I did before again.’ Fleur bit down on her bottom lip. They still had the rest of the town to confront at the dance tonight, and the nerves she’d been feeling since waking up this morning refused to be abated.

‘I’m sure they can see what you mean to Matty, and they’ll be happy that he’s happy.’ Bea paused and shrugged. ‘Besides, we all do things we regret and we learn from them.’

‘Uh-huh. And how many weddings have you run out on?’ Fleur laughed.

‘Haha, none, but that was my mistake. I should most definitely have left Adam standing there at the altar.’

‘Aw, well, things have worked out for the best now. You and Scott are happy, aren’t you?’

‘Absolutely! I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.’ Bea grinned at the mere mention of Scott’s name.

Squeezing the final vase into the deep tray, Fleur stretched her arms out in front of her. ‘Right, I guess we should get this lot across to the town hall and help set up for tonight’s dance.’

Bea glanced at the clock. ‘Yes, I guess we’d better. Gregory will be opening the doors in a couple of hours, and we’ve still got to get ready, too.’

‘I’ll grab this one if you’re ok taking that one, please?’ Fleur picked up the tray of vases, her arms sinking a little under the weight. Just as she turned to the back door, the doorbell rang through the shop. Turning back, she placed the tray back down and looked towards the door. ‘Ooh, it’s a delivery, and I know what this is going to be. Won’t be a moment.’

Chapter Twenty-One

Hurrying out of the back room and across the shop floor, Fleur then pulled open the door and grinned at Jessie, who usually delivered her parcels. ‘Hi, Jessie.’

‘Hello, Fleur. Just this one for you today.’ Jessie held up a large brown envelope.

‘Perfect. Thank you.’

‘No, problem. Have a good rest of the day.’ Turning, Jessie held her hand up to wave as she made her way down the street.

‘You too. And thank you.’ Fleur called after her before closing the door again and joining Bea, waving the bulging envelope in front of her. ‘I’m pretty sure these are some samples from a new range of gift tags and cards. Do you want to take a look before we leave?’

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