Page 59 of The Little Island Flower Stall
‘Beer makes everything better.’
‘It certainly helps.’
His hand rested gently on the small of her back as they weaved through a bottleneck of people, and he allowed her to go in front so they could get through. She didn’t mind. In fact, when he took it away again, she was disappointed.
‘Are you warm enough?’ he asked.
‘I’m fine.’
‘Because you can have my jacket if you need it.’
‘Honestly, I’m OK.’ Bella felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Diane from the jeep with a pint in her hand.
‘Hello!’
‘Oh, Diane! Hello! Are you staying to watch the shows?’
‘Yes, but I’m going to the folk stage…as soon as I find my other half, that is. Are you?’
‘We thought we’d spend half an hour or so at each one, just to see what they’re like. At least, I did.’
Diane looked at Rory. ‘Is this your other half? Don’t you two make a lovely couple!’
‘Oh, we’re not…’ Bella flushed. ‘We’re not together.’
‘Sorry!’ Diane laughed. ‘I thought…Silly me, always putting my foot in it!’
‘No, you…’ Bella gave an awkward laugh too. ‘I didn’t say so. This is my friend, Rory. He’s here on holiday.’
Diane nodded. ‘I see! Are you enjoying yourself?’ she asked Rory.
‘Very much,’ Rory said. ‘Jersey is amazing.’
‘Glad to hear it. See you later then!’ Diane waved as she left them.
Rory turned to Bella. ‘She seems nice.’
‘She is. She was on the jeep with me.’
‘I remembered as soon as she started to talk to us.’
‘Shall we see if we can find somewhere to get a drink before we settle on a stage?’
‘I suppose I should have asked Diane where she got hers from.’
‘I’m sure there’s going to be something not too far away, though. I’ve seen loads of people with drinks.’
It didn’t take long to find a stand that was selling tall glasses of Pimm’s, topped with lemonade and loaded with fruit.
‘That’s more like it!’ Bella pointed to it. There was a queue, but nothing unreasonable. ‘Do you drink Pimm’s?’
‘Can’t say I’ve ever tried it.’
‘Have you never been to a garden party?’
‘No.’ He laughed. ‘Don’t think I’ve done that either.’
‘You must have been! Are you even British?’
