Page 94 of All Wrapped Up
‘I’ll sort the forms,’ said Ash. ‘That sounds like a deputy’s job to me.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Thank you, Ash.’
‘And I’ll sort another box, too.’
‘Oh crikey,’ I huffed. ‘I hadn’t even thought of that.’
‘Have a word with Tom, Ash,’ said Jemma. ‘He’ll be able to source another box.’
‘Great,’ I said, making a note of that, too.
Jemma then gave me a look I couldn’t fathom.
‘What?’ I awkwardly laughed, feeling taken aback by the change in her, now the business of the day had been organised and discussed.
‘You need to talk to Joanne,’ she said, after a moment had passed. She sounded nothing like she had before, which was disconcerting. ‘She thinks she might have put her foot in it about something.’
‘Oh, crikey,’ groaned Ash. ‘What’s she done now?’
‘It won’t be anything horrendous,’ I told him. ‘Because I know for a fact that she’s turned over a new leaf.’
Jemma said nothing.
‘Nonetheless, I think I’ll wait for my cake,’ Ash sighed reluctantly. He obviously didn’t have the same faith in Joanne that I did. ‘I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.’
‘In that case, why don’t you go to the gallery?’ Jemma then suggested. ‘It’ll be quieter in there and I’ll send Joanne round.’
‘Hello, you three,’ Lizzie greeted us when we walked in. ‘I was hoping to see you, Clemmie, because I was going to ask if you fancied volunteering to help with the lantern-making workshop next weekend?’
‘Oh, yes, please,’ I said, still feeling unperturbed by whateverit was Joanne thought she’d slipped up and done because I didn’t think it could be anything that bad. ‘I’d love to.’
‘I thought it might help you make up your mind about my offer,’ Lizzie smiled. ‘Not, as you know, that I’m trying to rush you.’
‘Offer?’ Ash asked.
I then realised that I still hadn’t shared with him what it was that Lizzie had suggested.
‘I’ll fill you in later,’ I told him.
‘I’m intrigued,’ he smiled.
The shop bell rang out before I could give him a clue and Joanne walked in looking red eyed and awful.
‘Whatever’s happened?’ Ash gasped, the moment he looked at her.
‘It was the flowers.’ She swallowed, looking at me. ‘It was the photo of the flowers.’
‘Flowers?’ Lizzie frowned, as she rushed to lock the door. ‘What are you talking about, Joanne?’
‘I was in the café,’ she carried on, still looking at me, ‘and it was my break, so I thought I’d have a quick look online.’
I felt the cogs in my brain start to turn.
‘And I saw this photo of theexactflowers I’d given you, Clemmie, posted on my favourite Insta account, Autumn Everything.’
