Page 27 of The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street
Bertie grinned. ‘It’s good, isn’t it?’
She looked across at him. How on earth had that happened? Was it because she had drunk several mouthfuls already, and got used to the flavour? Or drunk without thinking, bypassing her brain’s normal resistance? Whichever it was, the drink was delicious. She took another swallow, letting the velvety smoothness roll around her mouth. It was sweet, but not sickly, creamy and rich all at the same time.
He pushed a plate towards her. ‘Try it with a rugelach, it’s gorgeous.’
She hesitated. Perhaps she was pushing her luck trying one of the pastries as well, but… She took one before she could think about it any more and bit it clean in half. Her mouth filled with a luscious buttery richness, the cinnamon reminding her of every Christmas she had ever known. She crammed the last of it in before she had even finished the first mouthful. She looked up, grinning.
‘Sorry…’
Bertie’s eyes twinkled with amusement. ‘Don’t apologise. It’s nice to see you enjoying yourself. I once had a stick insect for a girlfriend and she drove me mad. Do you know how difficult it is to take someone out for a romantic meal when all they’ll eat is lettuce leaves, and hold the dressing?’
Daisy nearly choked.
‘Not that this is like that at all…’ Bertie groaned. ‘Oh God, excuse me while I just take my foot out of my mouth.’ He peeped up at her through his lashes. ‘This is just too weird, isn’t it?’
Daisy nodded and chewed, trying to swallow quickly. ‘It is rather. But it’s so lovely of you to bring me here, to go to all this trouble.’
‘Well, wheredoyou take someone when you’re trying to get to know them better… but not in a romantic way?’ he added quickly. ‘I had no idea but, seeing as you’re giving up your day off to do this, I thought the very least I could do was bring you somewhere fun. And I know this place, I thought it might help.’
‘It’s lovely, Bertie, really. So, no agenda, let’s just try and enjoy it.’
He smiled at her. ‘Deal,’ he replied. ‘Come on then, eat up, there’s plenty more we have to see.’
Bertie had almost polished off the pile of nuts, but Daisy did try one, and two more of the delicious pastries disappeared as well. She gave the mini cheese on toasts a miss, leaving them for Bertie who didn’t mind in the slightest. He grinned as he gathered up the gingerbread stars into a napkin and slipped them into his pocket. ‘We can munch them as we go.’
Moments later they were back outside, shivering in the sudden blast of cold air that hit them after the warm fug of the bar. Daisy pulled her cloak around her.
‘Where to?’ she asked, but she had a feeling she already knew the answer. Sure enough, Bertie led them around the building and out into the square they had looked down on. An old-fashioned fairground was in full swing, the jangly music loud amid the laughter and flashing lights.
She lifted her head as the familiar sweet smell drifted past her again. Whatwasthat? She took a couple of steps forward, before stopping dead. As the crowd suddenly parted in front of her, she saw the candyfloss stall straight ahead, gasping as a rush of memories almost overwhelmed her. The smell filled her nostrils, such a wonderful sweet sugary smell, and in a split second she was seven again, tugging on her mother’s arm. Oh, she craved it so much… just a taste, that’s all she wanted. Angry voices buzzed in her ears, voices which got louder and louder. She felt a rough yank on her arm and, seconds later, a hand slapped her cheek hard. It took the breath from her body, the sharp sting turning into a hot bloom of pain that overrode all else. Her eyes filled with tears and she began to cry.
9
Monday 9th December
Sixteen shopping days until Christmas
‘Daisy? Are you okay?’
She looked up, stunned to see Bertie’s face in front of her, his hand on her arm, eyes full of concern.
‘Daisy?’ he said again.
She shook her head and looked around her, confused. Her path was criss-crossed with people, the gaudy helter-skelter rose tall into the sky ahead of her, the lines of twinkly lights still blew in the breeze. All was as it had been before, but for a minute she had been… where exactly?
She touched a hand to her cheek, feeling the memory of the pain she had felt there as a child, the shock of the stinging blow from her mother’s hand. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm her breathing. The smell of the candyfloss was still strong, but mercifully she could feel the memory begin to loosen its grip.
‘I’m fine,’ she managed. ‘Sorry. I just came over a bit dizzy there for a minute.’
Bertie had caught hold of her other arm now and was holding her firmly in front of him, searching her face anxiously.
She smiled. It was a bit feeble but the best she could come up with. ‘I think maybe it was coming back out into the cold after the heat of indoors. I got that sudden whoosh of light-headedness.’
‘I used to get sick in department stores all the time as a kid,’ said Bertie. ‘Don’t worry about it. As long as you’re okay?’
‘I think so.’ She nodded. She was beginning to feel better, but she needed some space. ‘Could we just walk for a bit?’ she asked. ‘Sorry, I think I need to clear my head.’
Bertie looked around him. ‘Sure… I tell you what, why don’t we walk along the canal for a bit? It’s not far from here. I can’t guarantee it’s all that scenic, but it will be quieter.’
