Page 8 of The Little Island Flower Stall
The kitchen was just as Bella remembered it. The old drying rack still hung from the ceiling. It was empty. Bella wondered if Celestine still used it or whether she’d just never got round to having it removed. The terracotta tiled floor was dotted with old rag rugs that Celestine had made herself, and the walls were painted a primrose yellow that glowed when the sun shone in. It was worn and dated but, like the rest of the house, that wasn’t a bad thing. It all felt safe and comfortable and homely, like it had no expectations of its guests. Bella liked that. She’d had the most beautiful home with Sean: all mod cons, the latest decor and plenty of space. But looking back, she’d never really felt at home there. It hadn’t been welcoming like this.
‘You should have woken me…Can you find everything?’
Bella turned to see Celestine at the doorway on her crutches.
‘I was hardly going to do that! I can find the tea things – go and sit down.’ Bella rested her hands on her hips and pretended to be cross. ‘Are you going to be one of those very difficult patients?’
‘I’m hoping not to be any kind of patient at all,’ Celestine said. ‘I’ve asked you to come to help with the flower stall; I don’t need looking after.’
‘You don’t, I know that. However, I am still going to tell you to go and sit down. I’ll bring you a cup of tea if you want one.’
Celestine looked as if she wanted to argue but then smiled. ‘That would be lovely. Be careful,’ she added as she hobbled backinto the sitting room. ‘You don’t want to get spoiling me or I might not let you go home.’
‘I’m in no rush to go home anyway,’ Bella said as she watched her go.There’s nothing to go home to…
CHAPTER FOUR
Celestine seemed to know everyone. As they went down to the harbour where her flower stall had been secured during her forced absence, Celestine in the mobility scooter and Bella marching along at her side, they were stopped so many times by people asking how she was that a journey that should have taken fifteen minutes took them an hour.
‘People love you!’ Bella said as the fourth neighbour bid them goodbye, leaving them to continue on. ‘You’re like a local celebrity!’
Celestine chuckled. ‘I wouldn’t go that far. I’ve been here so long they could hardly not know who I am. I’m like one of the benches overlooking the sea – always there.’
‘As long as people don’t try to sit on you.’
Celestine laughed again. ‘Yes, I don’t know how my old bones would cope with that. You know…’ she added, patting the handlebars of her scooter, ‘I don’t know why I made such a fuss about this thing. It’s really quite fun when you get over the embarrassment.’
‘There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone can see you’ve hurt yourself. Even if that wasn’t the reason for using it, there’d still be no shame.’
‘I suppose I sound like a silly old lady with some strange ideas about pride. It’s funny, I’m in my nineties, but I often forget. From time to time, I have to remind myself I’m almost on speaking terms with the Grim Reaper.’
‘Don’t say that!’
‘Bah, it’s true! And I’m not afraid. When you get to my age, there’s no point in being afraid of it because it’s coming whether you’re afraid or not. I’ve had a good life in a beautiful place and more years than most. I’ll be perfectly content when the time comes.’
‘Maybe, but try not to make it while I’m here, please. I don’t know how I’d break it to my mum and dad – they’d probably think it was my fault.’
In one way or another, Bella had been thinking about death that day more than she cared to. It didn’t seem like a good start to her six weeks on Jersey, and she hoped it wasn’t going to be an omen. Shaking the thought, she made an effort to change the subject.
‘When you were on the phone earlier you were speaking that language…you know, that old Jersey one. What’s it called again?’
‘Jèrriais. Some call it Jersey French.’
‘Right, that’s it! Dad used to say he’d like to learn it, but I don’t think he ever did.’
‘Wouldn’t be much point in him learning it if he doesn’t live here. It’d be wonderful to keep it alive in Jersey, but every year that passes, fewer people know it. I think they teach a little in schools, but youngsters wouldn’t bother using it outside the classroom, I’m sure. Why would they?’
‘I think it sounds lovely. I might learn a bit while I’m here. Maybe you could teach me some words?’
‘Mauve…’ Celestine pointed to a seagull. ‘There you go, your first word.’
Bella looked up and grinned. ‘I’m sure that’s the same gull that was on your roof when I arrived. Looks like we have a stalker. What’s the word for stalker?’
Celestine laughed. ‘I’m sure I haven’t a clue!’
Bella pointed at the beach. ‘What about that?’
‘Which bit?’
