Page 61 of Finding Love at Roseford Blooms
‘But at least you get to hand him back at the end of the walk,’ Lizzie observed. ‘The best way of having a dog, I think.’
Simon regarded her, and he couldn’t help playing back the way they’d left things earlier that day. ‘I don’t think you came here to make small talk about my borrowed dog, though, did you?’
Lizzie, apparently surprised by his directness, shook her head. ‘No. I didn’t. I wanted to apologise.’
Simon took a step closer to her. Lizzie was touching her collarbone again, and seemed so nervous. He fought the impulse to gather her up in his arms and forgive her there and then, but something, possibly the hurt pride he was feeling, stopped him. If she needed to apologise, to explain, then he’d let her.
‘I’m listening,’ he said softly. Glancing at Holmes, to make sure he was within shouting distance, he turned his full attention back to Lizzie.
‘I should never have doubted you,’ Lizzie began. ‘But, as you know, I have a habit of second-guessing pretty much everyone in my life. And my sister, Georgina, has always known how to exploit that. But when it comes to you, I wasn’t second-guessing at all, and that frightened the life out of me as well as being exciting, and wonderful.’ She shook her head, as if she was impatient with herself for taking so long to explain. ‘I suppose, once Georgina had put the idea into my head, I found it so difficult to believe that you might want me for anything other than my money. Even though my heart told me otherwise, my head kicked in and I put up my defences again. And I’m sorry about that, Simon, I really am. I love you, and I want to believe that you love me too. Not for what I could offer you, but for who I am. Is that still right?’
Simon’s heart raced and he took a minute to draw a steadying breath. He knew what he wanted to say, but he somehow felt the words being trapped on the tip of his tongue. Eventually, he spoke.
‘I’m not going to pretend that the thought didn’t cross my mind that I wanted you involved with RoseFest,’ he began. ‘It’s a huge project, and one I don’t think I could tackle on my own. And when I discovered you were a marketing whizz, with a proven track record, I did hope you might be able to help me.’ He paused, trying to gauge her reaction. She was concentrating on every word he said, as if she was still anticipating that unpalatable truth, that moment that she’d be right for doubting him.
‘But I never expected you to invest anything other than your expertise, Lizzie, and only then as a paid adviser. I might not have the financial resources to get this festival off the ground myself, but that doesn’t mean I was looking for a meal ticket from someone I was…’ He paused, knowing he was putting himself on the line again. ‘Someone Ihavefallen in love with.’
This time, he saw Lizzie’s face flush, and, further encouraged by the slight smile that lifted her features in response to his words, he continued. ‘If you… if you choose to believe me, then I would love to seek your advice about how best to launch RoseFest. You’re the kind of expert I want on board, to take this project forward. But, Lizzie, much more importantly than that, I want you in my life. If you decide that you want nothing to do with this project, then I’m absolutely fine with that. What I wouldn’t be fine with is you walking away from here, from me, under the misapprehension that I want anything else from you other than your love, your friendship, and to make those the basis of what, I hope, will be a partnership of a different kind.’
The pause between them yawned like Cheddar Gorge, and for a long moment Simon felt as if he’d abseiled off the top without a rope. He could see that Lizzie was considering his words, see the internal battle raging in her eyes as she took in what he’d told her. He knew she was dealing with trust issues that would make anyone wary, but, when they were layered with her complex history concerning Roseford, he was unsure what her response to his honesty was going to be.
Eventually, she spoke. ‘When I first came back here, I was in such a bad state, Simon. If it hadn’t been for Aunt Bee offering me a place away from the rest of my family, I don’t think I’d ever have returned to Roseford. But now, being able to face what happened to me all those years ago has given me a better perspective. Not just on that, but on everything.’ She paused and leaned down to give Holmes a little ruffle. Bored of exploring, he was now standing like a big, furry buffer between the two of them.
‘My gut instinct was to mistrust you. I was so badly burned by Paul and having to sell my half of the firm that I couldn’t see why anyone would be interested in me for anything other than my money. And my sister has always liked to stir things up. Bee reckons it’s jealousy, among other things.’
‘I can see why that would have been confusing,’ Simon began, but Lizzie held up a hand to interrupt.
‘I need to say this, Simon.’ Being careful not to step on Holmes’s paws, she took a pace towards him, and he could see the sunlight reflected in her eyes, making them shine even more brightly. ‘I love you. And even if I didn’t, I’d love to help launch RoseFest. You have a marketing adviser whether you want one or not!’ She laughed nervously. ‘And, also, whether you want me or not, you have me by your side. Now, will you kiss me so that we can get back to where we were before this lunchtime happened?’
Simon gave a wide smile. ‘Well, when you ask so nicely…’
As their lips touched, Lizzie wrapped her arms around Simon, and pulled him closer to her. All was well, for a long, wonderful moment until Holmes pushed a wet nose up between them, requesting a treat from Simon’s pocket.
‘Bloody dog has no sense of occasion,’ Simon murmured, somehow managing to retrieve a biscuit bone without breaking the kiss.
EPILOGUE
THE FOLLOWING SUMMER
From the wings of the stage that had been set up in the meadow, Lizzie squeezed Simon’s hand. They looked out to the audience, and saw, with a combination of relief and delight, that there was barely any green between the picnic blankets and chairs that had been set up. This musical end to the inaugural Roseford Literary and Music Festival, RoseFest for short, would be the crowning achievement of all the hard work that had taken nearly a year.
‘I still can’t quite believe Montana’s going to do this,’ Lizzie whispered. ‘I mean, are we insured if she goes into labour onstage?’
Simon grinned. ‘She’s got six weeks to go, and her midwife gave her the once-over this morning, so I don’t think we need to worry.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Lizzie replied. ‘Perhaps we should be more worried about Finn falling asleep, given their new addition isn’t sleeping through the night yet.’ Lucy and Finn had become proud parents to a baby boy, a few months back, but the broken nights were a trial.
The two-day festival, which had comprised a plethora of smaller events, including readings from authors of all genres, workshops in Roseford Hall itself led by former Writer in Residence Stella Simpson, and smaller scale musical events, including an afternoon of folk music in the village square, was now drawing to a close in the meadow. Finn Sanderson and Montana de Santo’s much-anticipated gig, set against the backdrop of the fading sunlight, was guaranteed to be a magical experience. Finn, who was more of a director than a film star these days, had agreed to come out of retirement for one night only, for free, to help his friend Simon bring RoseFest to a spectacular close, and Montana, who still loved to act and perform, despite her ever-growing bump, had been delighted to team up with her friend again. As they took to the stage, which had been decked out with beautiful flower arrangements at the front from Roseford Blooms, Lizzie felt a surge of pride.
At the end of last year, Lizzie had taken the Level 2 Floristry course at Cannington College, and, so fired up by learning a new skill, she’d enrolled in the Level 3 course immediately she’d finished. On the other four working days, she’d been alongside Bee, who’d taught her the valuable skills that running a bricks-and-mortar business involved, and then, shortly before Easter, Bee had officially begun the process of handing over the business to Lizzie. Now, three months later, the contracts had been signed, the website was ready to go, and Lizzie felt ready to call Roseford Blooms her own.
She looked back from the stage to Simon. True to his word, he’d paid her as his marketing adviser, and between the two of them, with a lot of assistance from Marina and Andy, who were sitting on a picnic blanket near the front of the stage, they’d made RoseFest happen. This was the first event, but they’d put in enough future-proofing that, barring a disaster, it wouldn’t be the last. The process had been a huge learning curve, but one they’d both enjoyed. Lizzie also felt confident enough that Simon, based on what she’d taught him over the past year, would be able to manage RoseFest into the next few years, while she focused on building Roseford Blooms.
It was amazing, she thought as she heard the swell of cheers and applause over the opening notes of one of Finn and Montana’s past smash-hit songs, that so much had changed for her this year. Spending time with Aunt Bee in Roseford Blooms had given her a new career she’d never dreamed of, but found that she adored, and taking on the business would secure her own financial future. She’d cleared out her flat, and, after staying with Bee for a little while longer, had eventually put down a deposit on a little house on the other side of Roseford. Moving into her own place had been wonderful, and liberating, and although Simon was keen for her to move in with him, she was happy, for the moment, to have her own space.
Falling in love with Simon had been a wonderful but at times scary experience, but they’d navigated their ups and downs and grown all the stronger for it, and now, watching the climax of their first joint endeavour, Lizzie felt incredible optimism for the future.
Just as she was about to head off the stage with Simon to take a spot on the picnic blanket next to Marina, her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Pulling it out, she frowned, and then, without hesitation, she ended the call.
‘Anything important?’ Simon glanced down at her, his eyes showing concern.
‘Nope,’ Lizzie said firmly. ‘I’ll talk to her some other time.’
Trust Georgina, with her unerring sense of timing, to call right at that moment. Taking Simon’s hand, she smiled up at him. ‘Let’s enjoy the show, shall we?’
