Page 21 of Finding Love at Roseford Blooms
‘I haven’t seen that in years!’ she’d said. ‘I thought it had gone to the charity shop. Of course you can wear it, darling.’
With a quick wash through, it had dried in no time in the breeze, and, newly ironed, it was the perfect dress for a summer’s evening. Lizzie had a denim jacket she was going to throw on top, to make the outfit feel more in keeping with a barn dance, but she was pleased with how good it looked.
‘Just you be careful, though,’ Bee replied. ‘With a few pints of scrumpy inside ’em, even the Roseford locals can be a bit energetic with their dancing. I’d hide behind Simon if I were you!’
Lizzie rolled her eyes. ‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Ever since Bee had clocked Lizzie having her chat with Simon that morning, and caught her glancing in his direction more than once at the fayre, she’d been casting knowing looks in her direction.
‘I’ll leave the front door on the latch,’ Bee replied. ‘Just lock up when you come in.’
‘I will.’
Lizzie tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach as she headed down to Roseford Hall. She could already hear the music from the ceilidh band that had been hired to curate the evening’s festivities drifting across from the marquee. As she drew closer, she felt a little tingle in her stomach as she caught sight of Simon, chatting away to a couple of locals. He had a pint in his hand, and he looked relaxed and happy.
‘Hi,’ she said as she reached him.
Simon’s smile was one of genuine pleasure and warmth, and Lizzie felt herself relax a little. ‘Hi,’ he replied. ‘That’s a great dress. I hope you’re ready for a wild night of, er, quadrilles and square dancing!’
Lizzie burst out laughing as their eyes were drawn to the first few people arranging themselves on the dance floor. ‘The only quadrille I can remember is the one fromAlice in Wonderland!’
‘I think there’s a first edition ofAlice in Wonderlandin the library of the hall somewhere,’ Simon remarked. ‘Unless one of my nieces grabbed it before the place was handed over, of course.’
‘I’d love to see that,’ Lizzie replied. ‘It was one of my favourite books as a child.’
‘I’ll see if it’s still there,’ Simon said. ‘I’m sure I can pinch it when no one from the BHF is looking!’
The music started, and Lizzie was glad she and Simon had sat this one out, as couples started spinning and whirling on the floor. Eventually, though, the dancers settled into their rhythm.
‘If this is as wild as it gets, then I think I’ll cope,’ Lizzie observed. The dancers laughed gamely as the ceilidh band leader tried to arrange them.
‘Can I get you a drink?’ Simon asked as the band struck up a faster-paced tune.
‘That would be great,’ Lizzie replied. ‘I think I’ll have to sit out any numbers quicker than a waltz, anyway!’
Simon laughed, and Lizzie felt herself relishing the sound. It felt good to make him laugh. Her eyes were drawn to him again as he turned back to the bar to order her a pint of Carter’s cider.Just the one, she swore. She didn’t want to do herself any more damage, since the doctor had said she could remove the sling next week. She was looking forward to getting rid of the cuff.
When Simon returned from the bar, they sipped their drinks and chatted, Lizzie began to relax, and when a slower dance came on, ‘a couple’s ballad to give all you revellers a little break,’ she shyly accepted Simon’s offer. They put their glasses down on the bar and headed into the centre of the marquee, joining the other couples on the dance floor. Simon smiled and said a quick hello to Stella Simpson and Chris Charlton. Lizzie thought that Chris looked less than amused to be dragged to dance by Stella, but he accepted his fate with good grace.
‘Chris and Stella own the writers’ and artists’ retreat at Halstead House,’ Simon said, once they’d drifted away from them. ‘I was friends with Chris’s late wife, Olivia. We were at uni together.’
‘Bee told me what happened,’ Lizzie said softly. ‘It must have been awful for you all.’ Olivia had died suddenly from an aneurysm, leaving a devastated Chris to care for their young son Gabe, and a house that was in dire need of renovation. Chris had lost his wife, and Gabe had lost his mother, but Simon had lost his best friend, so had suffered in his own way.
‘A million times worse for Chris, obviously,’ Simon replied, ‘but yes. I still miss her.’ Lizzie felt him tighten his hold on her. She wasn’t sure if he’d intended to, but she didn’t mind. ‘But then he met Stella a couple of years back, and they’ve made each other so happy.’ He shook his head. ‘I envy them that.’
Lizzie glanced up at him. She felt completely safe in his arms, as if he wouldn’t let her fall. She remembered feeling that once before, all those years ago, when the evening had been so different.
‘No one like that in your life, then?’ Lizzie asked softly.
Simon looked down at her, and Lizzie’s heart thumped so hard she was surprised it didn’t leap out of her chest.
‘Not yet,’ he replied, equally softly. ‘But I’m working on it.’
The light caught his eyes, making them sparkle, and the gentle, sultry voice of the ceilidh singer, paired with the achingly tearful tone of the fiddler, robbed Lizzie of a response. She took a deep breath, and their eyes locked. The moment felt loaded with the promise of new discoveries. Lizzie was swept up in it, and, although things had moved quickly, being here, in Simon’s arms, felt absolutely right.
‘Simon!’
The voice cut through the moment like a knife.
Immediately, Lizzie felt Simon pull back slightly. Coming back to earth, she saw Sarah Treloar standing next to them.
