by Rachel Dove
‘Oh, I needed that. Nothing like a good laugh to clear the cobwebs. What do you have planned for today then, special night tonight?’
Will looked at her, puzzled. ‘Didn’t Archie tell you?’
Agatha nodded, shooting him a kind look. ‘Archibald told me of your recent troubles. The thing with life, William, is that it goes on, whether you make plans or not. It cares little for your problems, and it waits for no one.’
Will put his head in his hands, and Agatha patted him on the knee. ‘I am not saying this to offend anyone; I just know that life is too short not to be happy. Mr Mayweather and I were happy for so many years, and now I have Taylor, my happiness is complete again. I wouldn’t change the bad times for anything, but I learned a long time ago that you can’t please everyone. You have to look after yourself too.’
Will took off his hat, ran his hand through his hair.
‘It’s not always that simple though, Kimberley and I …’
She patted him again. ‘I know, dear, I know. Life is a gift, dear William, and you have to treasure it, and be happy. Being miserable is not a life; it’s an existence.’
Will nodded, replacing his hat. ‘Thanks, Mrs Taylor, I appreciate it. Tell Archie I will see him on Monday?’
Agatha nodded. He stood and walked down the steps, only to be called back.
‘William, you forgot your flowers!’
Will turned, going back to pick them up. He separated the two bunches into red and yellow, passing the red bunch to Agatha. She smiled as she wrapped her slender fingers around them.
‘For me? That’s lovely, thank you.’
Will stooped, dropping a kiss on her cheek. ‘Thank you,’ he murmured. She unexpectedly wrapped her arms around his waist then, hugging him to her. He jumped, flinching at the unexpected contact, before returning the hug.
‘Remember what I said, William: you young folk, I swear you don’t know how bad it feels to be lonely. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.’
Will said nothing. He couldn’t talk over the lump in his throat. Agatha pulled away, rubbing his shoulders as she looked up at him.
‘Yellow is for friendship, you know. Good choice to start with.’
Will nodded, swallowing down the lump as best he could. He didn’t ask how she knew that the tulips were not for Kim.
***
Roger had already left for the day, but within half an hour he was back, knocking at the shop door. Lily had just closed up but kept the phone lines on in case of any last-minute orders. Happened every year, men returning from the pub or the football, remembering the date a little too late. All quiet so far, and Lily was taking the time to enjoy working at her desk in the back. This was her design time, and Simon had given her a brilliant idea earlier. She was so absorbed in drawing that she didn’t hear Roger knocking. Using his key, he and James swept in.
‘Darling, did you not hear me knocking?’
Lily jumped, reaching for the remote to turn down the stereo, which was pumping out her power ballads playlist. ‘Oh! Roger, you frightened me!’ She jumped up from her seat when she saw James. He looked like something from GQ magazine, all smart suit and camel overcoat. They both looked stunning. She gave James a hug, which was no mean feat, given his stature. The man was built like an American football player. Roger looked positively tiny by his side, but together, they worked somehow.
‘Hi, Lily, working on Valentine’s? Again? When is your fiancé going to take the night off, or at least take you to the ball?’
Lily shook her head. ‘No partners allowed on work events. I am not that bothered anyway. I can do without looking a fright against all the boobs and Botox they have on show there.’
‘You, look a fright? Never!’ James said, grabbing her hand and pulling her into a twirl. The song from Armageddon came on, and Lily giggled when Roger pretended to faint. James caught him, and they both began to dance.
‘Come on, Lily.’ Roger beckoned. Lily put her hands out to say no, but the two men grabbed an arm each, pulling her in to them. ‘Oh come on, one dance.’ They danced and twirled to the music, Lily laughing her head off as the two men spun and twirled her to the deep beat. James caught sight of her desk, pulling away from them to have a look.
‘What’s this?’ he asked, holding up a drawing of Roger hard at work. Lily ran to grab it from him, but James dodged her easily, putting one hand on top of her head. She kept trying to reach for it, but his hand never moved. Roger twirled over, gasping as he saw the little watercolour.
‘Lily, it’s me!’ He took it easily from his husband, and James ruffled her hair over her face before letting go. ‘This is wonderful.’
James nodded. ‘I agree, you have a talent. You should do more.’
Lily nodded sheepishly. ‘I am thinking about making cards, for the shop.’
Roger squealed. ‘Yes! That would be so good!’ He put his hands out, as though he was filling a billboard. ‘“Baxter originals, exclusive – only from Love Blooms!” I can see it now!’
James was back at the desk, looking at the different sketches she had been working on.
‘Lily,’ he asked gently, holding up a design. ‘Who is this?’ The drawing was of a man, looking sad on a seat on his own, holding a bunch of flowers. He had a blue hat on, a couple of curls peeking out from beneath the brim. Lily was about to say it was no one when there was a knock at the door. Will stood there, a hand-tied bunch of yellow tulips in his hand, a bottle in the other. James looked at the man, back at the drawing, and smiled.
‘If these paintings are wishes, draw me a Ferrari,’ he joked. Taking Roger by the arm, he passed Lily a bottle of cava. ‘We were bringing you this, on our way to the restaurant. Looks like you will have someone to share it with now.’ He winked at her, and virtually dragged Roger to the door before he could get another word in.
Opening the door, he let Will in. ‘Hi,’ he said, putting a meaty hand over Roger’s mouth to stop him talking. ‘This is for you, I believe. Have a good evening.’
Will took the piece of paper, smiling warily at James. Roger and James left, but not before Lily saw Roger gesticulating wildly, making ‘call me’ gestures as James carried him like a rugby ball to the taxi that was waiting outside.
‘Hi,’ Will said. ‘The Power of Love’ started up on the stereo. Great. Lily cringed inwardly. She went to flick it off, but Will’s voice stopped her. ‘Please, leave it on. I love a good power ballad.’ She nodded, resisting the urge to smile.
‘Why are you here, Will?’ He wasn’t listening; he was balancing the flowers and wine in one hand whilst he studied the drawing intently.
‘Is this … me?’ he asked softly. Lily blushed, nodding slowly.
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
Will moved closer to her, still looking at the picture. ‘Lily, it’s really good. I can see myself in it; it’s brilliant. I didn’t know you could draw.’
‘I don’t really,’ she replied. ‘Just a few doodles now and again.’
Will nodded, obviously thinking she was playing it down. ‘Can I keep it?’
Lily nodded. ‘Are those for me?’
Will passed her the flowers and the wine. ‘The wine is nothing special, just from the local shop, but the flowers are from the estate.’
‘Friendship,’ she said, taking them and inhaling their fresh scent.
‘Peace offering, for being so nasty to you, and to thank you for Mrs Ness. I know you don’t really want to come tomorrow, so I appreciate it.’
She opened her mouth to tell him that wasn’t the case, but he spotted the cava. ‘I see you already have gifts. Was that Roger’s husband?’
Lily nodded. ‘James, yes. He is lovely, bless him. They called to check on me on their way out.’
Will smiled and looked again at the drawing before rolling it up and putting it into his inside jacket pocket. ‘Speaking of plans, I should let you get on with yours. To be honest, I didn’t think you would be here. I wa
s just going to leave these on the doorstep.’
‘I will be getting a reputation, people leaving things outside the shop.’
Will frowned. ‘Sorry, you’re right. I’ll let you get on.’
Lily grabbed his arm before she realized what she had done. ‘Will, I was joking! I don’t have any plans. Stuart is working. Annual ball at the golf club.’
Will looked at her arm on his, visibly relaxing. ‘No partners allowed eh?’
‘Nope,’ she said, flicking off her desk lamp. ‘I have a date with a DVD and a glass of wine instead. You?’ Will looked blank. ‘Any plans?’ She grimaced, hoping for a better direction.
Will shook his head. ‘No, no plans. I was just heading home too.’
Lily opened the fridge and took the bag out that Simon dropped off earlier.
‘Well, I have enough steak and veggies in here to feed an army from Simon, so if you fancy eating with me and watching a corny slasher flick, you are welcome to stay.’
Will looked at the bag, his stomach gurgling. ‘I am pretty hungry. Are you sure it won’t cause trouble?’
Lily shook her head. ‘Stuart won’t get in touch tonight – the ball goes on till late. We are not doing anything wrong. Two friends can share a meal, surely.’
Will nodded. ‘I have some clothes in the car. Am I okay to change? I’m in my work gear.’
Lily smiled. ‘Of course.’
***
The ball was in full swing, and the level of red, white and pink in the room was nauseating. Stuart could feel the tension in his sinuses as he listened to the band strike up another love song. They were all here, the clients he looked after, complete with their wives and girlfriends. It was like a parade of his conquests, and none of the men in the room had a clue. He was pretty sure the women didn’t either. It was something he prided himself on, but this had to be the last ball.
He promised himself that next year, he would be far away from these people, this place. He needed to take charge, make the leap. If he could get sponsors, he could hit the tour again. Small at first, then build up. His father would think it beneath him, but it was better than festering here. He didn’t see dear old Dad coughing up any time soon, and he couldn’t hide for ever. Even Lily was getting sick of him. He had to give his dad something to make him want to help him.
He swept the room, avoiding the salacious looks the women threw him when the men whose arms they dangled from weren’t looking. It was always a tightrope evening, which is why Lily was never allowed at the golf club. The truth was, if Lily really wanted to move in to his house on the grounds, the founders committee wouldn’t say too much about it. They were engaged, and as long as they weren’t walking naked around the grounds, no one would bat an eyelid.
It was Stuart who wouldn’t let her, kept her at arm’s length from his work. Which was why he was here, alone, as the women he bedded surrounded him like tigers around a prime piece of steak. The men all patted him on the back, loved his youthful talent, his passion for the game. If only they knew.
He hadn’t even asked Lily what she was up to tonight. He figured she would be home with her parents, and he felt a pang in his gut. They were drifting apart, and what shocked him the most was that he was actually bothered by it. He always thought he would marry her at some point – when he got his break, hit the public eye again. His father thought it would be the ideal comeback story: golfer hits the big time but stays humble, marrying long-term fiancée, the pretty girl-next-door florist Lily. It has legs, his dad would say.
Trouble was, it seemed more and more like Lily was going to use those legs to walk away. He had sensed a difference in her, and he couldn’t help but think it was his own guilt that was giving him away. He headed to the kitchens, shoving a tiny mushroom vol-au-vent in his mouth from a passing tray. He was starving, but had no time to eat whilst he was making sure everything ran like clockwork.
The mood in the kitchen was so different. Stuart could feel the tension leave him as he walked through the split doors. There was a lively relaxed chatter, the odd noise from pots and pans being clanged and silver trays being set down on metallic worktops. Max the head chef was laughing with a couple of waitresses as he and the other chefs set down trays of food to be passed around the room.
‘Hey, Stu-pot, you okay there?’ Max’s slight Scottish twang filled the room with its deep tones. Stuart looked at the man he worked with, day in and day out, and smiled weakly.
‘Yep,’ he said, leaning against the counter top and loosening his bow tie. ‘I hate this event.’
Max shoved him in the side, moving him off the worktop. ‘Hey, shift off my nice clean counter. I know where you’ve been.’
Stuart rolled his eyes but he moved anyway, swiping a prawn tartlet off a platter. Max went to swat him with a serving cloth, but Stuart dodged him. The waitresses all giggled and went off to serve their trays. Max nodded to the edge of the counter, away from the other chefs. Stuart followed him, rolling his eyes.
‘Go on then, give me the lecture.’ Max shook his head, clicking his fingers at someone over his shoulder.
‘What would be the point, Stu-pot? Eh? You have it all, don’t ya? The golf career, the manager job here, rich papa to fund ya. Oh, and only the best wee lass a man could ask fer.’ He folded his big, muscular arms, bulging in his chef whites. ‘You are an idiot. Ya know that, right?’ His voice was increasing in volume, and some of the workers in the kitchen looked across at them, not used to hearing them disagree.
‘Keep your voice down,’ he hissed, nervously looking around. ‘You can’t go shouting at me in front of everyone.’
Max laughed, jabbing a finger at the others. They all looked away, pretending to be busy.
‘I have news for ya, pal: they already know you’re an idiot. Sooner you realize, t’better for everyone.’ Max gave his friend a look, and went back to his kitchen. Stuart winked at him, and he laughed. ‘Seriously man, get it sorted!’
Stuart pulled out his phone. He sent a text to Lily, apologizing for not being there again. Next year, things would be different.
***
‘You never did!’ Lily laughed, popping another piece of steak into her mouth.
‘I did!’ Will protested. ‘It was amazing – seriously you have to go!’
‘To Goa? To see an actual real-life elephant? I would love to.’
‘You really should. It’s unforgettable.’ They were in the flat, eating steak, baked potato, and veggies, washed down with a healthy serving of cava. They were eating at the coffee table, perched on cushions laid out on the rug. Lily had lit some candles, and left the TV on quiet in the background, the menu of the slasher flick they were about to watch on the screen.
‘I can’t see that happening any time soon, though. With the shop, and my parents, I can’t imagine planning a trip.’
Will nodded, wiping his mouth on a paper napkin Lily had dug out of one of her bags of new stuff. ‘Is that why you read books like you do?’
Lily looked at him, intrigued. ‘Like I do?’
Will’s mouth twitched. ‘I saw the book you were reading, in the café that day. About a girl looking for meaning in her life, travelling and looking for love.’
Lily took a sip of her wine, clearly playing for time. Will could feel his face flush. He had either impressed her, or creeped her out with his observation. He couldn’t tell from her face which one it was.
‘You read that book too?’ she asked, one brow raised at him.
‘I did,’ Will said evenly. ‘Actually, I looked it up after that day. You looked like you were enjoying it. I wanted to check it out.’
Lily’s mouth opened a little in surprise.
Will raised a hand between them. ‘I’m not a stalker, I promise. I just … er … I just wanted to know you better, I guess. Shall I leave now?’
***
Lily looked at his cute expression and laughed.
‘No, it’s fine – don’t be daf
t! I have done it before, when I see a book in someone’s bag. I’m flattered. What did you think?’
He looked deliberately thoughtful, tapping his index finger on his chin. ‘Well, I … really enjoyed it! I liked how she finally realized that the man she was with wasn’t right for her, and she chose the world instead. It’s like she married her passport, and started again. The ending kind of gave you the idea that she would meet someone.’
Lily nodded vigorously. ‘I think so too! I hope she writes a sequel – I would love to see how it ends. I wish I could read my own story sometimes, see how that ends.’
Will nodded, but said nothing, as if he wished he could see that himself.
‘Your parents will be okay, you know, and I am sure that Roger would manage with the shop, if you needed time off.’
Lily shrugged. ‘Maybe, someday.’
Will speared a piece of beef onto his fork. ‘My experience: someday has a habit of never showing up. It’s the bad stuff that tends to sneak up on you.’ He swallowed the steak, making a noise of pleasure in the back of his throat. ‘Wow, that meat is amazing. Simon is a genius.’
Lily laughed a little, wondering what bad stuff he was talking about. Did he mean him and Kim? Did it have something to do with Ryan? She was dying to ask, but she had pushed him before and that had not gone well. She didn’t want them to fall out again.
Her phone beeped on the kitchen counter, and she got up to take her finished plate to the sink. ‘Nice, isn’t it. He is a master at the wheeler dealing, and he knows it.’
She saw that she had a text from Stuart. She opened it up to read.
Sorry about tonight, will make it up to you. Lunch tomorrow. Can pick you up? x
She looked across at Will, who was flicking through the trailers on the DVD, finishing the last of his meal. She smiled at the scene. He looked so comfortable in her flat. He always did, like he belonged there. He had taken his shoes off at the door, and she looked at them, sat next to hers. She couldn’t help compare him to Stuart, who would no doubt throw his off near the sofa, full of grass from the course, and demand a coffee. She sighed, replying quickly and leaving it on the side. Turning to walk back with a bottle of wine, she almost bumped straight into Will, who was going to put his dishes in the sink.
