Page 27 of In Just One Day

‘Yes, very annoyingly I do. And I’m not going to be back here until at least nine tonight, which means I’m going to have to miss Flora and Johnny’s launch party.’

Ruby sat up, hair falling across her face, her eyes wide. ‘You have told them, right? Please tell me you have.’

He grimaced.

‘Oh, Billy, no! That’s really, really rubbish. Why can’t you move the meeting? Or just say no, you can’t go at such short notice? Flora’s going to be so disappointed, not to mention bloody furious, you didn’t tell her before. And as for your mother…’ Ruby reached for her cup of tea.

‘God, I know. But the client brought it forward from next week and now it’s a site visit too. I really can’t get out of it. I’ve got to be there. It’s the biggest project I’ve got on at the moment.’

‘Well, call Flora this morning and tell her. You must.’

‘I know, I know. I will, promise. And Mum. But – and I’m not saying this gets me off the hook – I have organised a surprise for the party, even if I can’t be there. Well, not a total surprise, but Flora asked if I knew anyone who might be able to sort out some music. So I’ve called in a favour from a couple of mates, brilliant DJs. They mix jazz, reggae, you name it… Last time I saw them they finished their set with a reggae version of “Wish You Were Here”.’

‘Sounds bloody awful, if you ask me.’ Ruby blew gently on her tea before taking a sip.

‘It sounds better than it, well, sounds. Honestly, they’re perfect for this kind of thing.’ Billy put his mug down on the table beside him. ‘Now, the good news is I don’t have to leave for another hour…’ He grinned at her and slowly slipped below the covers.

‘Billy, no, come on, I’ve got to get to work.’ She laughed, wriggling underneath him. Resisting Billy was never easy. Ruby resigned herself to being late for work. Again.

* * *

Mack poured himself another coffee and carried it outside to the small courtyard at the back of the shop. The air outside was cool, the sun yet to reach it. He took a seat in the corner, the smell of the young lavender plants hanging gently around him. With Kate’s help, Flora and Johnny had transformed the flower beds that ran around three sides, clearing them of weeds, filling them with fresh earth and planting them up. Kate had produced a huge antique outdoor mirror from a reclamation yard and it hung on the back wall, reflecting light back into the space.

He looked up at the window above, remembering with a jolt how his own son would sit on the windowsill, watching the grown-ups below. Changing the records so that the music wouldn’t stop and, more importantly, the party wouldn’t end. Which in turn meant he could stay up that little bit longer. The familiar stab of love and pain filled Mack’s chest. How he wished Elizabeth would appear at the back door, gently chiding him to get a move on, finish his coffee and get the shop opened up.

The last few weeks had taken their toll on him. Not just the physical demands of sorting out the shop, but emotionally, too. Of course, he was relieved not to be carrying the business on his own any more, but there was also a sense of it moving on without him. As much as Johnny and Flora insisted his involvement was invaluable, he couldn’t bear the thought that they might just feel sorry for him. And though he knew it was time to slow down – the ache in his bones after shifting so many boxes reminding him of that with every move he made – he didn’t know what he would do without the shop. It had been his companion for so many years; a constant when those he’d loved had gone. His alibi when he hadn’t wanted to engage with the world outside the walls of it.

Now, a brand-new sea-green awning hung in place over the front of the shop. The new window display consisted of wooden boxes painted in bright colours and piled high with various bottles perched on the top (Kate’s idea; Flora had been dubious at first, but they all had to admit it looked fantastic).

Inside, the mix of Mack’s original wooden shelves with the new tasting table, copper-topped counter and thoughtfully positioned, warm spotlighting (all Johnny’s work) had transformed the space. Mack had got so used to climbing over boxes, he hadn’t registered the fact that they stopped customers actually being able to get to some of the shelves. But he loved how it looked now. He just wished Elizabeth was here to see it, and he knew she’d have loved it too.

A loud banging on the door brought him out of his reverie. Making his way towards it, he saw a smiling face at the window, waving. It was Colin, all in green. In his arms was an enormous Tupperware box.

Mack unlocked the door. ‘Colin! Come in. What are you doing here so early? We’re not open yet.’

‘Morning, Mack. I know, my sincere apologies for not giving you warning but I wanted you to be able to smell these whilst they’re still warm.’ Colin nodded his head towards the box, putting it down on the counter. ‘Oh, my word, look at this! It looks fantastic in here, Mack!’ Colin took in the spruced-up surroundings. ‘I love this…’ He tapped the new counter-top, then looked around again. ‘And look at the tasting table, so clever!’

‘Well, thank you, Colin. Flora and Johnny—’

‘And who did these?’ Colin peered down at the cards on the shelf near him, started reading. ‘“If you like Sauvignon Blanc, you’ll love this crisp, fresh English white wine from a wonderful producer in Devon, made from the Bacchus grape…” Oh, that is very good – did Flora write these?’

‘Yes, she did. It must have taken her hours. She’s done them so beautifully… Would you like a coffee, Colin?’

‘No, no, not stopping. I just wanted to drop these off, as I said.’

‘Ah, yes… what’s in there?’ Mack peered at the box.

Colin lifted the lid with a flourish. ‘My much-loved, though I say so myself, home-made Parmesan biscuits. Thought they might go down nicely tonight at the party. I’ll need the box back but I hope there’ll be enough for everyone to have one or two. How many are you expecting?’

‘They look absolutely delicious, thank you. You really didn’t need to do that, you know.’

‘Oh, come now, it’s the least I could do, after all these years you’ve kept my glass topped up.’ Colin put the lid back on the box, clearly delighted with the praise. ‘I thought they’d go a treat with our drinks tonight. I assumed you’d be serving something sparkling?’

‘Yes, of course, thank you. I think we’re about fifty people so plenty enough for a good party.’

‘I’d say so. Well, I am very much looking forward to it. I’ll leave you to it now, but do let me know if there’s anything I can do to help later. I’d be so happy to.’

‘I think Johnny and Flora have got everything well under control, but thank you. Just come along and enjoy the celebration, try some new wines. And you’re very welcome to bring a friend.’

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