The Promise of Summer: the new heartwarming and uplifting romance for summer 2021

by Bella Osborne

  He was holding up the tea caddy and looking like he’d just discovered it was a portal to hell.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

  His expression was stony. ‘Drugs?’ His voice had that air of parental disappointment.

  ‘What?’ She grabbed her car keys.

  ‘I don’t know what else to call it.’ Curtis tilted the tea caddy up for Ruby to see inside. ‘Actually, I think I can be more specific and say cannabis. I believe the colloquial term is marijuana. Or pot, weed, ganja, dope, hashish, skunk, leaf—’

  ‘Blimey if there’s a quiz round on that you’d ace it.’ He was still holding the tea caddy at arm’s length. ‘It’s not mine,’ she said. Curtis’s expression registered his disbelief. ‘It’s Seymour’s.’

  ‘I know there are times when I fail to notice I’m being ridiculed but this isn’t one of them.’ Curtis put the lid back on the caddy and returned it to the countertop with a thud. He picked up his bag and strode towards the door.

  ‘Wait!’ Ruby picked up something from the floor and returned to the tea caddy. She spooned some of the contents into what she was holding. ‘Seymour,’ she called and the cat eyed her suspiciously. She crouched down and waved what she was holding and the cat trotted over. When he got within a foot of Ruby, he leaped forward, snatched the toy and proceeded to go a bit crazy. Curtis was frowning hard. ‘It’s catnip,’ she explained. ‘I buy it in bulk off eBay to put in his favourite toy.’

  ‘Catnip?’ Curtis looked mortified. ‘I am really very so—’

  ‘No need,’ said Ruby, waving his apology away. She turned around so he wouldn’t see her suppressing a smile. ‘Come on or we’ll be late.’

  Chapter Twelve

  Kim yawned so hard her jaw clicked. She’d had a good evening with Adrian. They had a lot in common – not least lying about their spouses. He was a gentle soul with a self-deprecating sense of humour and a shy smile. She’d really enjoyed his company and if he hadn’t waxed lyrical about Justine for most of the evening there was a possibility she would be developing feelings for him that went beyond a platonic friendship. The way Adrian talked was lovely to witness but it also cemented in Kim’s mind just how much he was still in love with his wife.

  Adrian had got a taxi home at midnight and she’d slept soundly until her alarm. But she had drunk quite a bit. Years ago, a bacon butty would have set her straight, but these days alcohol wiped her out. Kim had decided that after her confessional with Adrian, Ruby needed to be next. She cared a lot about what Ruby thought of her and needed to put things straight. On the journey to the flower shop she’d gone over and over the conversation in her mind. She very much hoped Ruby would understand.

  She’d collected the fresh stock from the wholesaler en route. Opening the cooler door, she was greeted by the usual waft of flowers, which made her senses ping – she never grew tired of it. For some people it was the smell of freshly baked bread or coffee but for Kim it was flowers. She put down the crates of fresh blooms and went in search of the kettle – she’d not had nearly enough tea yet to get her started for the day.

  The door chimed and Ruby walked in, closely followed by a smartly dressed man – one Kim hadn’t seen before and would have definitely remembered because of his classic good looks.

  ‘I’m saying there’s a reason it’s called a three-point turn,’ he said to Ruby.

  ‘And all I’m saying is, that’s just a guideline.’ Ruby turned to Kim. ‘Morning.’

  ‘Hello,’ said Kim, unable to take her eyes off Ruby’s companion.

  ‘Kim, this is Curtis Walker. We met on the train yesterday,’ explained Ruby.

  ‘Hello, Kim, I’m very pleased to meet you,’ said Curtis, offering her his hand.

  ‘Oh. Yes, likewise,’ she said, shaking his hand whilst desperately trying to catch Ruby’s eye. ‘Can I get you a tea or coffee?’

  ‘Um. I don’t want to put you to any trouble.’ Curtis seemed to be taking his cue from Ruby. Had he stayed the night at her place?

  ‘It’s fine,’ said Ruby. ‘She’s got all sorts of tea in case people get upset. You know, funerals and anniversaries. There’s even some of that camomile stuff they had in London. And Earl Grey.’

  ‘An Earl Grey would be lovely. No milk. Thank you.’

  ‘Coming right up,’ said Kim, shooing Ruby through the beads into the back room. She hit the switch on the kettle and lowered her voice. ‘Train? London? Gorgeous man who smells of your strawberry shower gel? Spill,’ said Kim, all thoughts of her Vince confession completely superseded.

  ‘It’s not what you think,’ said Ruby, hanging up her jacket and pulling out the order for that day’s wedding.

  ‘Nope. You’ll have to do better than that.’ Kim put her hand on the order sheet to get Ruby’s full attention.

  Ruby shrugged. ‘I sat in his seat on the train. I got chatting to a really hot guy—’

  ‘Curtis.’ Kim pointed towards the shop. Had she forgotten his name already? He certainly was hot and nothing like Ruby’s usual type, which could only be a good thing.

  ‘No, Lewis.’

  ‘I’m not following,’ said Kim, making drinks for herself and Curtis.

  ‘It’s a very long story.’ Ruby ran herself a glass of water and disappeared through the beads. Kim’s curiosity was piqued.

  ‘Here you go, Curtis,’ said Kim, returning to the shop and handing him his tea. ‘Do you work in London?’ She pulled out the stool and sat down opposite him while Ruby started sorting out the flowers from the cooler.

  ‘Mainly from home but the majority of my clients are London-based, requiring me to travel down regularly.’

  ‘And what is it that you do?’

  ‘Kiiiim,’ Ruby’s tone was imploring. ‘Stop interrogating him.’

  ‘What? I’m making polite conversation.’

  ‘You’re prying.’

  ‘It’s fine,’ said Curtis, handing Kim his business card. Now she was seriously impressed.

  ‘Don’t you need to check in at the police station?’ Ruby asked Curtis. Kim’s automatic response would have been to check his ankle for a tag but surely that couldn’t be the case with this smartly dressed individual?

  ‘There’s no rush,’ he replied. He turned to Kim to explain. ‘There was an accident at my home while I was in London. A truck came off the road and apparently has damaged the property.’

  ‘Apparently?’ said Kim, feigning innocence. ‘Have you not been home then?’ She could almost hear Ruby rolling her eyes. Kim sipped her tea.

  ‘Ruby was kind enough to let me sleep in her bed last night.’

  Kim almost spat out her tea.

  ‘I was on the sofa,’ said Ruby. ‘Shall I finish the bride’s bouquet?’ she asked clearly trying to change the subject.

  ‘Fine by me.’ She turned her attention back to Curtis who was taking in his surroundings. ‘Are you local?’ she asked.

  ‘Born in Sheffield. I now live near Nether Padley.’

  ‘And you live alone?’

  ‘Am I finishing these flowers on my own today?’ asked Ruby, sounding a little huffy.

  ‘Of course not,’ said Kim. ‘I’m just having a chat with Curtis whilst I drink my tea and then I’ll be right with you.’

  ‘I should probably make a move,’ said Curtis, putting down his mug. ‘It was lovely to meet you, Kim.’

  ‘Likewise,’ she said. ‘Now you know where we are, you can pop in any time. I’ll do you a good discount.’

  ‘That’s very kind. And thank you for the tea.’ He rose to his feet and leaned over where Ruby was binding the bouquet’s handle.

  ‘I’ll be in touch,’ he said.

  ‘Yep. Okay. Great. Bye,’ said Ruby without looking up.

  Curtis gave Kim a brief nod and left. As the door shut, Ruby’s shoulders slumped. ‘Thank heavens for that. I thought he’d never leave.’

  ‘But now he has I need to know all the details.’

  ‘There aren’t any and we have work to do.’
Ruby stabbed a finger at the flowers.

  ‘Spoilsport,’ said Kim, sticking her tongue out. But she wasn’t that easily deterred.

  They worked flat out for two hours and Ruby managed to keep Kim’s questions at bay. It turned out she had a lot to share about Adrian and the revelation that his wife in fact died two years ago.

  ‘It’s a bit weird though isn’t it, lying about that?’ asked Ruby.

  Kim pulled her chin in. ‘Well, sometimes things are too hard to face.’

  ‘Still. It feels a bit odd that we’ve been asking after her and all the while she was dead.’ Ruby shivered. ‘It’s creeping me out. Are you sure he’s not got her in his spare room or something? Like that film.’

  ‘Psycho? And no, I’ve seen her grave. He takes her flowers every Friday. What I witnessed was a man who loved his wife very much and wasn’t ready to let her go.’

  ‘I guess that’s quite sweet,’ conceded Ruby. ‘Mum didn’t want me to feel I had to keep visiting a grave – that’s why we scattered her ashes at Cleethorpes.’ Ruby knew her mum didn’t like the thought of her daughter standing in a miserable graveyard every birthday and Christmas. Instead she’d told her to remember all the good times they’d had, like their days out at the beach. Those days had been the best. Sand between her toes, paddling in the sea, building sandcastles and being wrapped in a big towel and hugged until she was dry. She missed her mum’s hugs.

  ‘Adrian suggested I get a dog. You’re not allergic or anything?’

  Ruby reluctantly left her memories and focused back on Kim. ‘No, but it won’t be living with me.’

  ‘But it would be in here every day. I couldn’t leave it at home on its own. I’m thinking about a rescue.’ Kim looked pleased at the prospect.

  ‘Fine by me. Just don’t come back with a yappy one nobody else wants.’

  ‘At least it won’t steal my microwave,’ quipped Kim.

  ‘True. But it could do a lot worse than piss in your kettle.’

  The chatter dwindled as they became engrossed in their work; fast fingers cutting stems and binding them together.

  They were checking off the order when the door opened and in walked Curtis. Kim’s face lit up but Ruby wanted to scream. What was he doing now?

  ‘Curtis, how lovely to see you again!’ said Kim wiping her hands on her apron.

  ‘Yes, sorry,’ he said. ‘I realised we didn’t agree next steps with the engagement ring? It’s still safe in my bag.’ He held up the weathered bag as if presenting evidence.

  Kim’s mouth dropped open and Ruby was tempted to push it shut. She turned to Curtis. ‘I suppose one of us needs to trust the other one with it until we visit the jeweller’s in Leeds.’

  Ruby saw Kim looking zoned out and mouthing ‘engagement ring’ and ‘Leeds’ to herself but she chose to ignore her.

  ‘Are you free Monday? It’s my day off. We could go then?’ suggested Ruby.

  ‘I have some calls in the morning. But I’m free after twelve thirty if you wanted to take a trip over in the afternoon.’

  ‘That’s fine, Curtis.’

  ‘And I wondered if we could have a chat about your new job?’

  ‘Hey?’ said Kim, suddenly perking up.

  Curtis’s phone rang. ‘I’m sorry I need to take this,’ he said, stepping outside.

  Kim swivelled on her heel and fixed Ruby with a stare. ‘New job?’

  ‘Ah. Again, it’s not what you think.’ Ruby was starting to realise that yesterday was going to take a whole lot of explaining.

  ‘How about you try?’ said Kim, placing her hands on her hips in mock challenge.

  ‘I need to get this order out. But I promise it’s nothing to worry about and I’ll explain later.’

  Kim and Ruby ferried the boxes of flowers to the van. Curtis was marching up and down outside the shop.

  ‘He’s quite tasty,’ said Kim.

  ‘Tasty? What is he, a chicken nugget?’

  ‘I’m just saying. He looks nice and he seems nice. So maybe he is … nice.’

  ‘No. Just, no,’ said Ruby, shutting the van door with a final bang.

  Curtis ended his call but stared at his phone. ‘Everything all right?’ Kim called over.

  Curtis looked up. ‘No, Harry … my father has been taken ill.’

  ‘Nothing serious, I hope?’ said Ruby as Curtis joined them at the van.

  ‘I’m not sure. I’d best get a taxi over there.’

  ‘Where does your father live?’ asked Kim.

  ‘In a nursing home near Meersbrook Park.’

  ‘Ruby’s about to deliver to Woodford Hall, which is on the way. She’ll give you a lift. Won’t you, Ruby?’ Kim gave her a nudge.

  ‘Of course. Hop in,’ she said, brandishing the van keys.

  Curtis seemed to take a moment before opening the passenger door and getting in.

  They didn’t speak on the journey. Ruby wasn’t sure what to say. She had had ‘the phone call’ a few times from the hospice where her mother spent her final days. You never knew if it really was the last time you’d get that phone call. She understood the need to get there as quickly as possible. She remembered wishing that teleporting had been invented because the fear of missing her mother’s final moments had been overwhelming. It was like experiencing that same sensation all over again now. ‘We’ll go straight there. I’ll deliver the flowers after I’ve dropped you off,’ she suggested.

  ‘That would be very inefficient to drive past the hotel. A few minutes won’t make any difference.’

  ‘If you’re sure.’ Ruby put her foot down and Curtis clutched the passenger seat.

  She pulled into Woodford Hall, jumped out and opened up the rear van doors. The sky was grey and getting darker by the second. It didn’t bode well for the poor bride who had most likely pinned her hopes on wall-to-wall sunshine. Curtis appeared next to her. ‘What shall I bring?’

  She nodded at the two crates of table centres. ‘Either of those.’ He picked one up and followed her into the grand Victorian building. It was one of Ruby’s favourite wedding venues around the city and would definitely be on her shortlist if she ever got married.

  Ruby was greeted warmly at the reception desk and directed through to where the wedding reception would be. The wedding co-ordinator joined them and after a couple more trips to the van all the floral arrangements were safely handed over. The bride made a brief appearance and sobbed over her bouquet – always a good sign.

  They were soon on their way to Meersbrook. Curtis gave directions and Ruby dropped him off outside. He thanked her and left the van. She could have just driven off. She’d fulfilled her obligation; he’d been delivered to the nursing home. But there was something that struck her about Curtis – how alone he seemed. He was likely one of those people who preferred things like that. But even so the thought of leaving him didn’t sit well with her.

  Ruby found a place to park the van and walked back towards the nursing home. She perched on the wall outside, wondering exactly what she was doing there. A young man in a carer’s uniform came out, lit up a cigarette and took a long drag.

  ‘You can sit down if you like,’ said Ruby, indicating the space on the wall next to her.

  ‘A fellow exiled smoker?’ he asked.

  ‘The daughter of one.’

  He nodded his understanding and sat down. ‘Thanks.’ They looked out through the row of trees to the park. ‘Are you visiting?’ he asked.

  ‘No, I dropped a friend off. His dad’s not well. I thought I should wait.’

  With that the heavens opened. Rain bounced high off the pavement. ‘Come on,’ said the carer, stubbing out his cigarette and ushering her into the building, past a reception desk and through to the TV lounge.

  ‘You might as well have a coffee while you wait,’ he said.

  ‘It’s okay.’

  ‘Tea then?’ He waited expectantly by the door.

  ‘Sorry. I don’t drink tea or coffee.’

  He gave her the
look she’d seen many times – one of British bewilderment. She knew she was an embarrassment to her fellow countrymen but what could she do? She didn’t like the taste – never had done.

  ‘Orange squash?’

  He was trying hard to please and she didn’t have the heart to keep rejecting his offers. ‘That’d be lovely. Thanks.’

  He disappeared and she realised she was standing almost in the centre of the large room and all eyes were on her.

  ‘Dot, wake up. I think your Barbara’s here,’ said a tiny lady in a large chair. The woman next to her, presumably Dot, came to with a start.

  Ruby shook her head. ‘Sorry. I’m not Barbara,’ she said.

  The woman put her glasses on. ‘You’re not.’ She turned to Dot. ‘It’s not Barbara.’

  ‘What are you saying, Kitty?’ asked Dot, fiddling with her hearing aid.

  ‘She’s not Barbara. She’s …’ Kitty stared straight at Ruby.

  ‘Oh. I’m Ruby but I’m—’ Dot’s hearing aid screeched into life.

  ‘She’s Ruby,’ explained Kitty to Dot.

  ‘I know she is,’ said Dot.

  ‘Here’s your squash,’ said the carer, coming back into the room.

  ‘Thank you. Please could you let my friend know that I’m waiting in here? Doesn’t matter how long it takes but I don’t want him having to get a taxi.’

  ‘Sure. Resident’s name?’

  Ruby had a think. ‘Mr Walker.’

  The carer scrunched up his features in thought. ‘Nah, don’t think we’ve got a Mr Walker.’

  ‘I’m waiting for Curtis Walker. I assumed …’

  ‘Curtis.’ His expression was unreadable. ‘He’ll be seeing Harry. I’ll let him know.’ Did she imagine it or did he just give her the once-over? He addressed the residents. ‘Before you ask – the kettle’s on. And I don’t want to short-circuit your pacemakers but there’s chocolate digestives today,’ he added with a wink.

  ‘Have a seat, Ruby, and tell us what you’ve been up to,’ said Dot, moving the newspaper from the chair next to hers.

  Ruby looked around. Most of the people were either asleep or reading; nobody was watching the telly. She had no idea how long she was going to have to wait. ‘Sure.’