New Beginnings at Seaside Blooms

by Jessica Redland

  Auntie Kay took a long noisy slurp of her tea. ‘We’ll see.’

  ‘I mean it,’ I said. ‘He seems nice enough and I admit he’s easy on the eye but I don’t want to go out with him so don’t you dare play Cupid.’

  ‘Okay. Okay.’ She put her hands up in surrender. ‘I won’t set you up on a date with him. It’s a missed opportunity, though.’

  I narrowed my eyes and gave her the meanest scowl I could manage.

  ‘Fine. I’ll shut up. I just don’t get why you won’t even consider one evening with him.’

  ‘Because I don’t want to.’ Because he’s not called Steven.

  ‘You sound like a five-year-old when you say that.’ Auntie Kay held my gaze with her eyebrows raised.

  Damn! How did she do it? She knew there was more to it. I hadn’t intended to tell anyone else, but she’d always been such a good listener. Oh, sod it. The accounts could wait. ‘If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone else. Not even Mum…?’

  ‘So that’s why you won’t let me fix you up with Nick,’ Auntie Kay said when I’d finished, ‘Even though I can tell you fancy the pants off him.’

  ‘Auntie Kay! I do not. Can we focus back on Steven? What do you think?’

  ‘Honestly?’

  ‘Honestly.’

  ‘I get it. I do. I understand why you’d believe and I want to be supportive of you but I’m just not convinced by the whole clairvoyance thing.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Personal experience.’ Auntie Kay started fiddling with her ring again.

  ‘You’ve seen a clairvoyant?’

  She seemed in a daze, fiddling with the ring and staring into nothing.

  ‘Auntie Kay? You’ve seen one?’

  ‘I must have seen about twenty after…’

  ‘After what? Auntie Kay? After what?’

  She blinked and looked back at me. ‘I need to show you these accounts, don’t I?’

  ‘The accounts can wait. Why did you see twenty clairvoyants? What happened?’

  ‘Nothing. Did I say twenty? I meant twenty of us went to a spiritualist church once. Load of nonsense. Right, it’s just after eleven. I’m all yours till half twelve then I’m meeting Linda for lunch to plan our next shopping trip. Accounts. Now.’ She pulled a couple of files out of the desk drawer.

  I desperately wanted to know why she’d visited twenty clairvoyants and what she thought of my search for Steven but I knew from her assertive tone that the subject was closed. If I pushed, she’d find an excuse to leave.

  ‘Whoopee! Bring it on,’ I said.

  The knock on the door a few hours later startled me. I rubbed my eyes as I went to answer it. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach when I saw him standing there. ‘Nick? Hi.’ I’d kill her. Hadn’t she listened to a word I said about Steven?

  ‘Congratulations on becoming the new owner.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  There was an awkward pause. What was the protocol for visits like this? Should I invite him in? What had she said to him? Did he think it was a date?

  ‘Kay said you need someone to set up your website and asked me to stop by this afternoon to chat about what you want.’

  ‘Did she now?’ The crafty little…

  He looked beyond me into the empty shop. ‘Is it a bad time?’

  ‘Sorry.’ I swung the door open. ‘Come in.’

  ‘Thanks.’ He stepped inside. ‘I can come back another time if you’re busy.’

  ‘No. It’s fine. You’re here now and I could do with a break from staring at the accounts. Cuppa?’

  ‘Yes please.’ He followed me through The Outback into the kitchen area. ‘The shop looks good.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I said. ‘I’m really pleased so far.’ I put the kettle on. ‘So, I’m guessing you’re a web designer or something like that.’

  He smiled. Those gorgeous bright blue eyes twinkled with mischief. ‘Do you mind if I say something?’

  ‘Is it a nice something or a nasty something?’

  ‘It’s sort of an observation.’

  ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘I’m not trying to embarrass you or put you on the spot,’ he said, ‘but you looked a bit shocked to see me at the door just now. Given that you don’t know what my job is, I’m guessing that having me stop by to discuss your website wasn’t your idea. I’m therefore wondering whether me being here is more about your auntie trying to do a little matchmaking than you actually needing help with your website.’

  My cheeks flushed deeply.

  ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I have embarrassed you.’

  I shook my head and smiled. ‘No. You haven’t embarrassed me; Auntie Kay has. I told her just this morning not to set me up with y—’ I tailed off and bit my lip, desperately wishing I could retract my words.

  Nick laughed, a warm and infectious sound. ‘It’s okay. You can finish the sentence. I promise not to jump off Lighthouse Point if you don’t want to go out with me.’

  ‘It’s not that. I mean it’s not you. It’s… it’s complicated. Tea or coffee?’

  ‘Coffee please. White. No sugar.’ Nick leaned against the worktop. ‘You don’t have to explain. I know you’ve only just split up with your boyfriend. Kay managed to slip that into our brief conversation, which was another big clue that perhaps she was playing Cupid. You probably need some time to yourself.’

  I sighed and shook my head. ‘It’s not that either.’ I stirred his coffee. ‘Things with Jason had run their course a long time ago. It’s just that…’

  When I didn’t finish the sentence, Nick prompted gently, ‘I’m a good listener.’

  I sighed. ‘Believe me, you don’t want to hear my woes.’

  ‘Try me.’

  I handed him his drink and studied his face. It would be useful to hear a male viewpoint. It would also be useful to have someone completely independent to tell me whether or not I was being crazy with the whole searching for Steven thing. Auntie Kay had been as much use as a chocolate teapot. But could I really open up to someone I’d only just met?

  ‘I’m not sure,’ I said, eventually. ‘You might laugh.’

  ‘I promise I won’t. If it helps, I volunteer as a youth counsellor and, believe me, I’ve heard it all over the years. I don’t judge. I don’t laugh. I just listen and occasionally offer a few words of wisdom. But I can also drop the subject, shut up, and we can talk websites with no pressure. Or I can go.’

  I finished making my tea and took a deep breath. ‘You’re on.’

  ‘Websites, woes or leave?’

  I laughed. ‘Woes. If you’re absolutely sure you don’t mind spending the next hour or so listening to me wittering on.’

  ‘It would be a pleasure. But can I make a suggestion?’

  I nodded.

  ‘Might your woes be better shared over a beer rather than a coffee? Is it too early for a swift half in Minty’s?’

  ‘Best idea I’ve heard all day and my favourite bar too. Are you sure you’ve got time? You don’t have any other appointments?’

  ‘No. No plans. I’m yours for as long as you want me.’ Nick held my gaze and my stomach did a back-flip. Was that a loaded statement?

  ‘There you have it,’ I said. ‘Pathetic eh?’ I took a swig from my third glass of wine.

  Nick had been right. He was really easy to talk to and a great listener. Feeling relaxed – especially after the first glass of wine on an empty stomach – I told him all about Uncle Alan, my Life Plan, Jason, the clairvoyant CD and Clare’s suggestion to start online dating. I left out the window cleaner and plasterer episodes. They were definitely on a need-to-know-only basis.

  ‘Not pathetic at all.’ Nick touched my hand lightly, making my heart flutter. ‘Thanks for sharing.’

  ‘Thanks for listening.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  ‘So, what do you think?’ I asked.

  He took a deep breath. ‘First thing to say is that I don’t think you’re mad for believing in t
he reading. At some point in their lives, I’d say that most people have something they desperately want to believe can happen. I bet 99 per cent of people have dreams of packing in the day job to become a pop star, winning the lottery or simply meeting the man or woman of their dreams.’

  I smiled. ‘Which one is it for you?’

  ‘All three. Give me a few beers and a karaoke machine and I think I’m Tom Jones. There’s nothing like a good rendition of Delilah.’ He laughed. ‘And my attempt is nothing like a good rendition.’

  I laughed too. Ooh. I’d like to see that. Especially if it involves some Tom Jones hip gyrating.

  ‘I never buy lottery tickets,’ he continued, ‘so that kind of scuppers the first two.’

  ‘Which just leaves meeting The One?’

  ‘I’m in the same boat as you there. Always hoping but it hasn’t happened yet.’ He took a swig of his pint. ‘Actually, that’s a lie. I was engaged once. I thought Lisa was The One for me but it turns out I wasn’t The One for her.’

  ‘Oh. That sounds like a story. What happened?’

  ‘The classic cliché. She ran off with my best mate. Could have been worse. At least she did it the day before the wedding instead of leaving me at the altar a best man and a bride short of a wedding party.’

  ‘Oh, Nick, I’m so sorry. Was this recent?’

  He shook his head and gave a weak smile. ‘Years ago. I was twenty-one. She was only nineteen. I’d say we were too young but it seemed to work for her and Alex. Last I knew, they’re still together and have two kids.’

  ‘That must have hurt.’

  He nodded. ‘Like hell. Not only did I lose my fiancée but I lost my best mate too and, over the years, that’s been harder to deal with. Alex and I had been inseparable since nursery and, even though we were only ten at the time, he was so supportive when my dad died. I haven’t thought about Lisa for years but I still really miss Alex. He was like a brother to me.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ I said again.

  ‘Don’t be.’ He smiled. This time his eyes smiled too. ‘Water under the bridge. The main lasting impact is that it’s made me cautious about male friends. For the first few years, I wouldn’t introduce any male friends to girlfriends in case it happened again. My closest friend now is female – Skye – and I like not having that threat.’

  I tried to imagine how I’d feel if Elise or Clare had run off with Andy or with Jason in the early days when it had been good. The betrayal didn’t bear thinking about. ‘Poor you.’

  ‘Thank you, but we’re meant to be talking about you. You wanted my verdict?’

  I nodded, feeling silly for making such a fuss after what he’d been through with his dad then Alex and Lisa.

  ‘Here goes,’ he said. ‘From what you’ve said, it sounds like most of what your clairvoyant predicted has already happened plus that stuff about your uncle is pretty compelling. I’m therefore with you when you say why wouldn’t she be right about Steven.’

  ‘Exactly. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell Clare.’

  Nick screwed his nose up.

  ‘There’s a “but” isn’t there?’

  He nodded and pulled an apologetic expression. ‘But I’m also with your friend Clare in that your clairvoyant could be wrong. She could be wrong about the timescales of you meeting The One or she could be wrong about the name. I’d hate you to close yourself off to other possibilities and spend years expecting Steven to walk into your life, feeling disappointed every time you meet someone you’re attracted to who has the wrong name.’

  ‘So what do you think I should do?’

  ‘It’s entirely up to you but, if you really want my opinion, I think you should do what your friend Clare suggests and register for online dating. It sounds like a great way to find several Stevens, but you’re completely in control as to whether you meet them or not. That must be better than hoping Steven will walk through your door wanting a bunch of flowers for his mum.’

  ‘What if she’s wrong about the name? How would I know?’

  ‘Give it a timescale. How does three months sound? If you don’t find Steven in that time, widen your search and go on a few dates with Neil, Mike or Dave or whoever you like the sound of.’

  ‘You talk a lot of sense. Three months of searching for Steven it is. Or maybe four.’

  Nick laughed. ‘If, in the meantime, you find a non-Steven who you find yourself attracted to, maybe you should just go with it and accept your clairvoyant was wrong about the name.’ He looked at me again with that same intensity I’d felt in the shop. Did he mean him? The idea gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

  Nick smiled then nodded at the glass I’d just drained. ‘Another?’

  I looked at my watch. ‘I’ve kept you for over two hours. Don’t you need to do some work?’

  ‘I’ve had four pints and it’s not even dinnertime. I don’t think I’d be capable of doing anything that I wouldn’t have to re-do sober tomorrow so I’m all yours if you want me. But don’t let me keep you if you need to do something in the shop.’

  I stretched and breathed in deeply. ‘I think I’ll be pretty useless too so I’m all yours if you want me too.’

  We held each other’s gaze. We’d both said, ‘if you want me’. What was going on? Were we testing the water? Were we flirting? It felt like it.

  ‘Looks like we’re stuck with each other then,’ Nick said. ‘I’ll get them in.’

  I gently touched his arm. ‘Before you go, answer me one question.’

  ‘Anything.’

  ‘Do you have a middle name?’

  He smiled. ‘Yes.’

  ‘I don’t suppose it’s Steven, is it?’ I chewed my lip.

  Nick laughed. ‘Sorry. It’s John after my dad.’

  I twiddled with a strand of hair. ‘Just checking.’

  His eyes seemed to drink me in as he said, ‘I wish it was Steven. I really do.’

  12

  ✉︎ From Nick

  How’s the search going for the elusive Steven? Had a great time with you on Wednesday. Hope we can do it again soon. Still available to do your website… if you really want one! Met a Steve today & thought of you… but he was bald and had no teeth. Decided not to give him your number!

  It was Friday evening and I’d caught the bus to Elise’s house after finishing what I needed to do in the shop. I laughed at Nick’s message then put my phone back in my bag. ‘Sorry about that,’ I said to Elise. ‘Where were we?’

  ‘Not so fast,’ she said. ‘I know that smile.’

  ‘What?’ I concentrated on curling my legs under me on her sofa in an effort not to catch her eye.

  ‘Don’t play Little Miss Innocent with me. That’s your “I like someone” smile.’

  ‘It is not.’

  ‘It is too. Who was it?’

  ‘Nobody. Just a new friend.’

  ‘A friend?’ Elise raised an eyebrow. ‘A male friend?’

  ‘Will you stop it with the implications?’ I raised both eyebrows back at her. ‘It’s a guy called Nick. Auntie Kay decided to set us up. She was about as subtle as a brick so we sussed her out but decided to have a few drinks together anyway. Just as friends.’

  ‘Is he single?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good-looking?’

  I blushed. ‘Might be.’

  ‘But you’re just friends?’

  I nodded.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Why not?’ I said. ‘He’s good fun. I like him. I want to see him again.’

  ‘I mean why are you only friends? You’re single, he’s single and you get on well. Why not more?’

  ‘You know why.’

  Elise shrugged, then I saw realisation dawn. ‘Oh. Steven. So, online dating? Much as it pains me to admit it, Clare’s idea sounds great. Becky from school met her fiancé online and she’s completely smitten. Obviously or she wouldn’t be marrying the guy. But before she met him, she had a great time dating. Have you joined up yet?’

  ‘I�
�m thinking I should focus on getting the shop ready. I only have Auntie Kay for another two weeks and she’s so elusive at the moment with all her shopping trips that I’m struggling to tap into all her knowledge. I’ve got a load of gifts to source before I re-open and—’

  ‘Stop making excuses,’ Elise said. ‘Do you want to find Steven or not?’

  ‘It’s all right for you. You’ve got Gary.’ I nodded towards the stunning wedding photo on Elise’s mantelpiece. ‘You never had to go through all these dating traumas.’

  Elise looked wistfully at the photo for a few moments before shaking her head. ‘So tell me why you’re really hesitating.’

  ‘I’ve got absolutely nothing against online dating. I know loads of people have met their partners that way. But I’ve had this little fantasy lately that he’ll be a customer buying flowers for a sick relative in hospital and our eyes will meet across a bunch of stargazer lilies and something will just click. He’ll ask me what my favourite flowers are. I’ll say white roses because they’re so pure and beautiful. He’ll ask for a dozen of them to be delivered to someone even more beautiful than they are. Thinking I’ve imagined the chemistry, I’ll complete an order form with a heavy heart. My heart will be thumping as he gives his name as Steven. He’ll tell me the message is, “Please say you’ll meet me tonight. I’ve already fallen for you” or perhaps something less cheesy, and, when I ask for the delivery address, he’ll say, “Sarah at Seaside Blooms on Castle Street,” and… stop laughing at me.’ I threw a cushion at Elise.

  ‘I’m not laughing at you. It’s just sweet that you’re so wildly romantic.’

  ‘Pathetic, you mean. And cheesy. Anyway, we’ve already decided that he’s unlikely to be a customer.’

  ‘So when are you going to register?’

  ‘Not you too.’

  ‘I told you I think it’s a good idea so I’m going to nag you.’

  ‘Clare’s been bombarding me with texts all week. There’s another reason why I’ve been putting it off.’