Page 17 of The Little Island Flower Stall
He flashed her another of his smiles and then walked away. She half-expected him to turn back again, and she almost hoped for it, but he didn’t. He followed the curve of the bay into a side street, where she lost track of his receding figure.
When she’d turned up to start work that morning, she could have had no idea that the day would take such an interesting turn.
Celestine returned an hour later with sandwiches and a thermos flask. ‘Have you been all right? Not too busy on your own?’
‘Not at all. It’s been fine.’
‘That’s good. I bet you’re hungry,’ she added, holding a package out for Bella.
‘God, yes, starving! Thanks.’
Taking a seat on the camping chair, she opened it up and bit into her sandwich. She was instantly assailed by memories of her childhood visits, of crab sandwiches on the beach washed down by the sort of cheap lemonade she was only allowed to drink on holiday. With a feeling of contentment, she munched on it, eyeing the sky above and glad of the shelter of the stall so she wouldn’t lose her sandwich to a gull in the way Rory had just done.
‘We’ll have to do some shopping,’ Celestine said. ‘I would have gone myself before you arrived but I wasn’t sure what sort of things you’d like to eat.’
‘I can order online, if it’s easier.’
Celestine looked doubtful as she opened her own parcel. ‘I like to see what I’m buying. They send all sorts of rubbish when they deliver it to you, don’t they? Bruised fruit and the like.’
‘You can refuse it if you’re not happy with the quality when it arrives.’
‘I might not notice until they’d gone.’
Bella couldn’t argue with that logic and so she didn’t bother to try. ‘Would you be able to spare me for half an hour around three?’
‘Yes, of course – you’d be due a break anyway. You’re here helping me; take as long as you like.’
Bella raised her eyebrows. ‘I won’t be much help if I’m missing the whole working day. Thanks, but I think around half an hour is plenty.’
Half an hour probably wasn’t enough to decide what she really thought of the man who, against her better judgement,had already made quite an impression on her. But for now, half an hour would have to do.
To avoid awkward questions, Bella kept a sharp eye out for Rory’s return. It was a few minutes to three when she noticed him walking the promenade, heading in the direction of Bay Blooms.
‘I’ll be off for my break then!’ she said before hurrying off. Celestine gave some vague acknowledgement, and as they’d had no customers for the previous hour, Bella didn’t feel too guilty about leaving her on the stall. And she’d make certain not to be missing for too long.
‘Hello!’ Rory’s smile was warm as she approached. ‘I see you’ve managed to get away.’
‘Yes, Celestine says there’s often a lull around now so she’s fine with letting me go for a quick break. I can’t leave her for too long, though.’
‘Coffee then?’
‘Actually, there’s a great ice-cream parlour a couple of streets away. How do you feel about getting ice cream instead?’
‘I feel tempted enough to say yes.’
‘I haven’t been for years, but it was always the best ice cream, and I know the place hasn’t changed hands so it ought to be just like I remember.’
‘You want to lead the way?’
They began to walk. ‘It’s not far,’ Bella said. ‘I hope you’re hungry.’
‘I don’t need to be hungry to fit an ice cream in. Is it indoors?’
‘They’ve got a little room with a few tables. Don’t you want to stay outside? I thought we might make the most of the nice weather.’
‘I would but I’ve already lost one meal to the wildlife around here.’
Bella grinned. ‘Right, of course. We can sit inside if you really want to, but I think away from the seafront you’ll be all right.’
