Page 48 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘It has felt like home, though I wasn’t born there. I moved there when I got married. I suppose it doesn’t feel quite so much these days. Not since…I don’t want to go over all that again now.’
‘But that’s where you’ll be heading back to when you’ve finished your time here helping your aunt?’
‘I haven’t thought about doing anything else. I don’t know. I can’t move back to the house I had there, of course. I might get a flat, but…I’ve daydreamed about staying here. It’s not practical at all – I know that.’
‘Why not?’
Bella shrugged. ‘There are all sorts of rules about coming to live in Jersey.’
‘Surely that’s no reason to stay away. If you want to live here, then you can make it happen, can’t you? There must be a way.’
‘I really haven’t given it much consideration.’ She shot him a sly sideways look. ‘I’ve been a bit preoccupied with other things. Like unravelling mysteries with this random fellow who keeps turning up when I least expect him to.’
‘Oh, I knew it would be my fault – it usually is. Haven’t you also been a bit busy making endless bunches of flowers for your aunt’s business?’
‘Yeah, and that. Fair enough – it’s not entirely your fault.’
They passed Kelvin’s boat, where Celestine had been gifted a fish by him after Bella’s first day on the stall. He spotted her and, to her surprise, waved in recognition. Bella waved back.
‘Who’s that?’ Rory asked.
‘Kelvin.’
‘Kelvin? Someone related to you? In your great-aunt’s family?’
Bella shook her head. ‘No, just a guy. He gave her a fish.’
‘OK…’
Bella laughed. ‘It’s not as weird as it sounds. He was pleased to see her out and about after her fall. Everyone seems to be. She’s pretty well loved around here. I’m almost jealous. I can’t imagine being in a town where people felt that way about me. Back home, I bet nobody in my street could even pick me out in a line-up, let alone worry about me if I was out of action.’
‘I can’t believe that.’
‘Oh, believe it. We’re not exactly community of the year. Then again, I have to admit it might have something to do with Sean.’
‘Sean? Your ex.’
‘My current, technically. We’ve only just split, remember?’
‘Yes, that’s what I meant. So he’s not a sociable type?’
‘Not exactly a likeable type either.’
‘Ah. Again, I can’t imagine that. I mean, you’re so easy to get along with, how would you end up with someone who’s unlikeable? Must be that old opposites attract thing, eh?’
‘Maybe.’
‘You and him…? You’re definitely over?’
‘Yes.’
‘Hmm. So tell me about this Liberation Day parade.’
Though she was relieved to take the conversation away from Sean, it jolted her. ‘What do you mean?’
‘What’s your role? You’ve got that amazing costume. So you just dress up and walk about, or is there some kind of choreographed thing going on?’
‘I honestly don’t know; I’ve only just been roped into it. I hope to God there’s nothing too complicated for me to do. I’m happy enough waving from a jeep, but I don’t want anything else.’
