Chapter 8
I grabbed the card and stared at it. Steve Higgins.
Steve. Steven. Before I had time to think about whether or not it was a good idea, I picked up the desk phone and dialled his mobile number.
What was I going to say? He could be my destiny.
I didn’t want to mess up our first conversation.
I nearly hung up but the ringtone changed signalling voicemail. Phew.
‘Hi, this is Steve Higgins, window cleaner.’ Sounds nice.
Friendly. ‘I’m sorry I can’t answer.’ Polite.
Always a good sign. ‘I’m probably up a ladder right now…
’ Sense of humour. Up a ladder. Just like a fireman.
Swoon. ‘… but leave your name, number and a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as it’s safe. Bye.’
He had a strong confident voice with a slight North Yorkshire accent. Nice. Leave a message? Don’t leave a message? Dilemma.
‘Hi Steve. We’ve never met…’ Crap. I should have hung up.
What a rubbish line. Must try to recover it.
‘My name’s Sarah. Sarah Peterson. I’m the new owner of Seaside Blooms on Castle Street.
It’s my first day and I’ve just been sorting through the post. You dropped a card through the letterbox…
’ Friendly and confident. Business-like, but with a fun tone of voice.
Well recovered. ‘I need you…’ And completely ruined again.
What is wrong with you? ‘I mean I need a window cleaner. Can you stop by? I’m here all day.
’ Disconnect now. Quickly. Before you utter another word.
I hung up and shook my head. ‘I need you.’ What the hell was that? And now I’d invited him to stop by. He could be the Steven Madame Louisa talked about and I’d asked him to come to the shop when I was wearing scruffy clothes and no make-up. Well done, Sarah. That was clever.
After a year of not caring, my appearance suddenly mattered very much.
I’d never been one for designer clothes, unlike Clare, but I had always taken pride in my appearance.
The non-proposal and steady weight gain had put paid to that.
I didn’t feel good so why bother to look good?
My hair was long, dark, and naturally curly.
I used to spend ages teasing it into new styles I found on YouTube or taming it into sleek shiny locks with my GHDs, but scraping it back into a ponytail seemed so much easier.
I’d never been one for spending ages on my make-up, but I used to make a bit of effort.
A bit of effort was soon replaced by virtually no effort: a dusting of loose powder to take the shine off and a slick of mascara.
Frizzy hair in a ponytail and the natural look weren’t going to attract the Steven, were they?
I glanced at my watch. I didn’t have time to get back to Mum and Dad’s to change so there was nothing for it; I had to go shopping. I downed the last of my hot chocolate, looked sadly at the untouched croissant and grabbed my bag.
Carrier bags in hands, my pulse raced as I power-walked back down the precinct towards Castle Street.
Glancing at the clock outside the shopping centre, I did a double-take.
No! I can’t have been gone an hour and a half.
It’s not possible. But the mountain of carriers dangling from my aching arms told me it was.
Clothes, make-up, shoes. I’d even bought some new lingerie.
Okay, so Steve Higgins wasn’t going to see my underwear at our first meeting but I’d know I was in a matching set of bra and knickers for the first time in a year and I’d feel good, which would come over to him as sexy and confident, therefore creating a good first impression.
I hastily unlocked the door. Another business card lay on the mat. Don’t say I’ve missed him. Not after all this effort. I picked it up and turned it over. In neat capitals on the back it read:
DONE YOUR WINDOWS FOR FREE AS TRIAL
IF HAPPY WITH THEM, LEAVE MESSAGE & I’LL COME BACK ON MONDAYS BEFORE YOU OPEN. LET ME KNOW IF YOU PREFER A DIFFERENT DAY
STEVE
I dropped my bags on the desk in The Outback, cursing myself for being so stupid. What on earth had got into me?
Mondays were fine but I couldn’t face calling him just yet in case I messed that up too. I couldn’t face calling any plasterers either.
Auntie Kay had stripped the shop bare but she hadn’t touched the stock cupboard so I’d start on that. Surely that couldn’t go wrong.
I took one more look at the bags. What a waste of time and money. Not to mention dignity.
Elise called at the shop after school.
‘I wish Auntie Kay hadn’t disappeared to York for the day.’ I flopped back on the desk chair and pouted. ‘She could have saved me from making a fool of myself and spending a small fortune that I could have invested in the business instead.
‘I feel your pain,’ Elise said. She adjusted her position on the desk slightly, knocking over a pot of pens in the process. ‘Oops. Sorry.’
‘It’s fine. Leave them. I need to sort the whole desk out. The Outback is a bit of a mess. Like my love life.’
Elise laughed. ‘Whoa! That was a little dramatic, don’t you think? Should I start calling you Clare?’
‘I’m being pathetic, aren’t I?’
‘Not pathetic. Just someone who wants to meet Mr Right and there’s nothing wrong with that, but give it time. It’s only your first full day at home.’ Elise leaned against the wall again. ‘Maybe he wasn’t the Steven anyway. It’s a common name. You might meet a few before you meet the right one.’
‘Maybe. Do you really think it’s going to happen? Or do you think Clare’s right about the CD being a load of rubbish?’ I realised I’d crossed my fingers.
‘I think she used slightly stronger words than “rubbish”,’ Elise said, rolling her eyes at me.
‘But to answer your question, everything else was accurate so why not that? I find the sudden re-appearance of the CD on the weekend you move home a bit mysterious and perhaps even magical, so I can’t help thinking it’s all part of something amazing that’s about to happen to you. ’
I smiled and sat forward. ‘I keep thinking that too.’
‘Have you listened to it again?’
‘Three times. Everything’s so accurate. The only unexplained bit is that stuff about the lighthouse picture and the bracelet.
I remember Mum losing the bracelet years ago so that definitely happened but, as for finding it…
Mum caught me with the sofa pulled out last night, all the cushions off it, and the carpet pulled up.
I was too embarrassed to tell her about the CD so I made out I’d lost my earring then felt really stupid when she pointed out I was wearing a pair. ’
‘No bracelet?’
‘No. Just 73p in change and a wine gum.’
‘And the photo?’
‘I asked her, making out that I could vaguely remember it from childhood, but she wasn’t aware of one and neither was Auntie Kay. They both said I resemble Grandma, but they’ve always said that. I’m assuming there’s something about this photo that shows the resemblance more clearly.’
Elise shrugged. ‘Maybe it will suddenly show up and you’ll know for sure. Just like the CD did.’
A shiver of delight ran down my back. ‘It all seems so magical, like you said. The Steven could still be the window cleaner, but if he isn’t, how do you think I’ll meet him?’
‘He could be a customer,’ Elise suggested.
‘I’m not so sure.’
‘Why not?’
‘What will the shop mainly be selling?’
‘Flowers.’
‘And who do men buy flowers for?’
‘Their wives or girlfriends? Oh, I see. Good point.’
‘It probably isn’t the best choice of business for meeting my future husband.’
‘What about someone buying flowers for his mum?’ Elise suggested.
‘Maybe. Although I suspect most men our age would order online or they’d buy from a supermarket. Where does Gary get you flowers from?’
Elise shrugged. ‘I’d be able to tell you if he ever bought me flowers.’
‘Oh. Sorry.’ Oops!
‘Don’t be. Men!’ Elise smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.
I was on the verge of asking her if everything was okay at home but she continued talking.
‘Perhaps you’ll just meet him on a night out in town.
I promise we’ll have lots of those. I’m so excited to have you back home after all these years. ’
‘I’m excited to be back,’ I said. ‘Hey, does Gary have any single friends called Steven?’
I watched Elise’s lips moving as if she was listing all her husband’s male friends. ‘I don’t think so,’ she said eventually. ‘One of the doctors at his surgery is called Simon but that’s the closest. I can double check with him if you like?’
‘Would you? But be subtle. I’d rather only you and Clare knew about my little search.’
‘Okay. Discretion it is. Ooh, I know a Steven from school.’
‘Really? What’s he like?’
‘Married with three children and twins on the way. Don’t think it’ll be him somehow. I don’t think I know any other Stevens, or at least none above the age of consent.’ Elise picked up a pen and clicked the end on and off a few times. ‘Back to Steve the window cleaner. Any plans?’
I sighed. ‘I rang him just before you got here to confirm Mondays were fine and, thankfully, got his voicemail. I guess I’ll just have to wait until next Monday when he does my windows and make sure I’m in early and looking my best.’
‘Wait till next Monday? No chance. I bet you do a recce round town tomorrow to see if you can spot him.’