Page 65 of When Sinners Fall
The bakery is a hit. The cake is beautiful and is good to go, so I message the venue and let them know they are still coming.
But as I arrive at the florist, the owner looks like she’s having a meltdown.
“Hi!” My smile doesn’t hide my worry because the woman’s face is all red and puffy and dissolves into tears as soon as she sees me. The air-controlled shop is filled to the brim with flowers. My flowers for the wedding.
“No, no, no….” She’s mumbling to herself, but I can only hear her negative words.
“Is everything okay?” A stupid question, as it apparently isn’t, but I have to start somewhere.
“The van has broken down. I can’t drive. I… I…” Her eyes fill with tears again.
“Right. No problem.”
I turn away and grab my phone, calling the office. Penny answers.
“Penny, I need a list of van hire companies we have on the books that can send me one right now.”
“Now?” She questions.
“Yes. The florist is stuck, and we can’t get the flowers to the venue.” I take a breath and force calmness through me.
“It’s late, Wren. I’m not sure they’ll even be open this late.”
“Okay, a taxi firm. We could book several SUVs to take the flowers?”
“I’ll try.”
“Please do. Call me back the minute you have an update.” I hang up and email Louisa directly regarding the hiccup and assure her all will be under control, but also suggest we have a transport company on the books for something like this.
A van. I need a van.
An idea hits, and I dial Dante. It’s a shot, even if he’s been silent all day.
“I’ve just landed, what’s wrong?”
“Oh, thank god. I’m in trouble and need your help.” My eyes close, and I hold my breath at the white lie. It is the truth, just not the complete truth, and I’m hoping those words will be sure to get Dante moving. Even if it’s only because I have flowers that need delivering.
“Where are you?”
I reel off the address. “Oh, and I need you to bring a van.”
“A van?”
“I’ll explain. Hurry.” I hang up, count to five and figure the coast is clear from any immediate callback or retribution.
“Okay. I have help coming. Now, I need you to pull yourself together.” The florist looks at me with teary-red eyes and nods.
“Shall we look at the buttonholes and bouquets?”
She stands and opens the door to another room and brings out a box which contains beautiful orchids for the groom and best man and lilies for the rest of the wedding party.
At least it’s only the venue that will need decorating. We still have time to pull this off. I check my watch, and my foot starts up a little drumming rhythm as I message Penny to stand down her search.
While the cool air of the shop is welcome, I step outside into the evening dusk to wait for Dante and run through the final other checks that I need to make in my head. Less than an hour later, and way past the original plan to be at the venue, I see a black Mercedes panel van that looks like a big SUV pull up.
The tyres screech, and as it stops, Dante’s out the driver’s door and heading to me. “Are you hurt? What the hell is happening?” He looks me over, holding my shoulders as if he’s inspecting me before he glances at the glass window and all the flowers.
“This is an emergency. And I need your help.” My words are slow and deliberate. “If you’re mad, I’m sorry, but I really was stuck.” I take his hand and lead him into the florist's shop. “These all need to be at the venue like hours ago, and their van has broken down.” I give him a second. “Plus,” I lean in and whisper the last bit. “She’s a little upset.” I nod in the direction of the florist, who’s barely moved. The flowers are amazing, but she better pull herself together because she’s got a hell of a lot to do.
