Page 22 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘All right, my love! Good to see you out and about. Hang on there – got something for you.’
He grabbed a fish and slid it into a bag, and then leaped down from the boat to give it to her.
She beamed. ‘Oh how lovely! I was just wondering what to have for dinner. How much do I owe you, Kelvin?’
‘Nothing at all, my love. Have this one on the house.’
‘I couldn’t?—’
‘Don’t even think about it!’ he warned with a grin. ‘You’ve bought enough from me and my dad over the years.’
‘Thank you,’ Celestine said. ‘By the way’ – she nodded at Bella – ‘this is my niece, Bella. You might see her around and about; she’s helping on the stall until I’m back on my feet.’
‘Hardly helping at all,’ Bella said. ‘Celestine’s still working, as you can see. All I’m doing is cheering her on, as far as I can tell.’
‘Sounds about right,’ Kelvin said breezily. ‘Never stops, this one. Ever since I was a boy, whenever I walk past that stall, I only see the blur of her racing around.’
‘I like being busy.’ Celestine tucked the bagged fish into a basket at the front of her scooter.
‘I’m beginning to see that for myself,’ Bella said.
‘I’ll be getting on,’ Kelvin said. ‘Enjoy your fish.’
‘We will,’ Celestine said. ‘Thank you.’
‘That was nice of him,’ Bella said as they continued on their way. ‘People in St Rosa think a lot of you, don’t they?’
‘I don’t know about that. People round here are good to everyone, not just me.’
‘I’m beginning to see that. I never noticed it quite like this when I used to visit as a kid. I suppose then I was just on holidayand the town didn’t mean anything more to me than that. But this time it seems different.’
‘This time you’re more or less living as a local; it’s bound to seem different.’
‘True, and I feel as if I love it already. It’s going to be such a wrench to go home when you’re back on your feet.’
‘You don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to. I’ve got plenty of room – you’re welcome for as long as you like.’
Bella was quiet as she mulled over what surely was a throwaway comment. Move here? Live with her aunt?
No, that wouldn’t do at all. It would be like going backward, in exactly the same way as moving in with her parents would be. She was forty – she couldn’t be living with relatives. She had to get her own life in order and staying here with Celestine, however tempting, felt a bit too much like running away from that.
Bella finished drying the dishes from their evening meal and hung the cloth outside on the line.
‘Thank you so much,’ Celestine said. ‘You’re being such a sweetheart, I’m already going to miss you when you go home.’
‘It’s no bother. I’m loving being here – the least I can do is earn my board. I’m already going to miss it too. And you, of course,’ Bella paused, recalling her aunt’s earlier offer. Tempting as it was, it wasn’t a real solution to her problems, even if it looked like one. ‘Do you need anything else for the moment?’
‘I’m sure I can get it if I do. You must be exhausted. Go and put your feet up.’
‘I might take a walk to the beach, actually. It’s still light and I ought to make the most of it – there won’t be any beach when I get back to Shrewsbury, will there?’
‘If you like,’ Celestine said doubtfully. ‘I’m amazed you still have the energy. I suppose you’re a lot younger than me, though.’
‘Celestine, I don’t know women twenty years younger than you with your energy! I think you’re doing OK – maybe you can cut yourself a bit of slack from time to time.’
‘Thank you – that’s very sweet of you to say, although I’m sure you’re only trying to flatter me.’
‘Trust me, I’m not. I’m in awe of you. If I make it to ninety-three, I’ll be glad to be half as good as you.’
