8
Florence
Florence decided she wouldn’t overthink the situation as she walked towards Stefan’s cottage. The past was in the past. They both had new beginnings in Pepper Bay, and thanks to Rhett, they were now working together, sort of. At least she wouldn’t be out of pocket whilst she tried to find another job.
With a forced skip in her step and determination running through her veins, she knocked on his door, not giving herself time to take a breath. If she was going to do this, she was going to give it her all, and if at any time she felt like quitting for whatever reason, she would just think of Tiggy, and pull her socks up.
Stefan opened the door, and Florence immediately shoved the chocolate cake she’d bought at The Post Office Shop into his hands, so pleased Tilly was open for business on a Sunday afternoon.
‘For dessert,’ she said, whilst chastising herself for trying too hard to sound chipper.
‘Thanks. It’ll go down well.’ He stepped back, opening the door wider. ‘Please, come in.’
She followed him through the hallway to the kitchen, nosing around the cottage as she went. ‘It’s quite sweet in here. I like the little flower-print wallpaper.’
‘The kitchen is slightly more modern.’
‘Ooh, yes.’ She sniffed the air, inhaling the roast chicken cooking in the oven. ‘Mmm, something smells nice.’
‘Not a vegan then? I did forget to ask about dietary requirements.’
Florence perused the room, taking everything in. ‘I tried being veggie once, but only lasted two weeks before needing a bacon fix.’
Stefan’s chuckle was deep, and his smile inviting, just like the one she remembered from the night they’d met.
Don’t go there. Subject change .
‘So, it’s a lovely day. Are you up for having our dinner in the garden?’
‘Why not? I’m sure Lindy will like that.’
Florence glanced at the door. ‘Where is she?’
‘Upstairs, faffing with dresses. She said she wants to look as pretty as you.’ Stefan cleared his throat, turning to the fridge. ‘Erm, would you like a drink. I don’t keep alcohol in the house, but I have juice, water, lemonade, erm…’
‘Water is fine.’ She needed something to cool the flush creeping up her neck.
Lindy called out from the top of the stairs. ‘Florence, is that you?’
‘Yes, I’m here.’
‘Will you look at my dresses and see which one is best?’
Florence glanced at Stefan first, as he might not want her going upstairs, but he nodded, telling her he’ll get some drinks ready.
Lindy was waggling a pink dress in one hand and a yellow one in the other, so Florence climbed the stairway to meet her at the top.
‘I like them both.’
‘I’m not very good at fashion.’ Lindy dropped her arms, letting the hems of the garments drape on the beige carpet.
‘Who chose these?’
‘Me.’
Florence lifted the frocks. ‘Then it seems to me you are very good at fashion, as these are so pretty.’
Lindy’s eyes sparkled. ‘Really?’
‘Absolutely. Now, let’s see which one matches your skin tone today.’ She saw the girl frown. ‘Depending on our mood, we can look different. When I’m sad, I’m more dull peach, and when I’m excited, I’m rose blush.’
‘What colour am I?’
‘Hmm, well, how are you feeling?’
Lindy beamed. ‘Happy.’
Florence placed a finger to her lips and frowned as she studied the child. ‘I’m seeing shades of pink lemonade with just the right amount of sparkle.’
Lindy giggled, lifting the pink dress to touch her cheek.
‘But the best thing to do,’ added Florence, ‘is wear the clothes that make you smile.’
‘A riding hat and boots would make me smile.’
Florence laughed. ‘Best talk to your dad about that.’
‘He said he’ll order some bits online.’
‘No, that won’t do. You need to try these things on. There’s a shop in Sandly that sells what you need. Remind me to let him know when we go downstairs.’
Lindy gave a sharp nod, then went back to examining her dresses. ‘I want to wear the yellow one.’
‘Go slip it on then, and I’ll meet you in the garden. I happen to know we’re eating outside.’
‘Will you plait my hair first? Dad’s really good at ponytails, but he can only do a basic plait, and I’d like a French one? Do you know how to braid?’
Florence scoffed as she waggled a hand. ‘Show me the brush.’
Lindy pulled her into her bedroom, then rushed out to the bathroom with the yellow dress to get changed.
There wasn’t much going on with the décor for a young girl’s bedroom, and Florence wondered if it would be considered rude to point that out to Stefan. Brown stripy wallpaper and matching carpet wouldn’t have been her first choice as a nine-year-old girl.
She remembered moving in to one of her mother’s new husband’s homes. There were many bedrooms, all looking fit for showrooms, but none that suited her or Tiggy. She’d asked for pink, and Tiggy chose pastel blue, but their new stepfather told them if they wanted to change their rooms, they’d have to decorate themselves, which didn’t go down well when they tried, especially when she’d chipped a fingernail, got a papercut from the wallpaper, and Tiggy glued her hair to the wall with the paste.
It would have been a funny memory if it wasn’t for their stepfather hitting the roof at the mess, and their mother holding back their allowance for the month. They’d both had their eye on new handbags as well.
Lindy came back, looking as cute as a buttercup, and plopped herself on the bed, ready to be styled.
Florence scanned the room. ‘Haven’t you got a mirror?’
‘There’s one on the wall in the bathroom.’
‘Hmm, never mind.’ She set about creating a French braid, smiling to herself at the memory of doing the same for Tiggy.
‘I don’t have any lipstick, but I do have lip balm,’ said Lindy, touching her plait once finished. ‘Will that do?’
Florence gasped dramatically, slapping a hand to her chest, making Lindy giggle. ‘Never.’ She pulled out her lip gloss from her pocket and waggled it before the child. ‘Bubblegum flavour. What every girl needs.’
Lindy pouted, so Florence smeared some on her small lips.
‘Right, let’s go help your dad lay the table.’
Lindy bounced down the stairs first, leaving Florence to peruse the oil paintings lining the landing and stairway.
‘Why are your lips shiny?’ asked Stefan.
Florence entered the kitchen at the same time Lindy pouted at him.
‘Bubblegum lip gloss. What every girl needs,’ replied Lindy.
He quirked an eyebrow at Florence.
‘It’s true,’ Florence told him sweetly.
‘Give Dad some lip gloss, Florence. He can taste it.’
Florence quickly turned to find something to do as Stefan had stared at her lips.
‘Dinner’s ready,’ he said.
‘I’ll get the cutlery,’ said Lindy, waving Florence to a drawer. ‘We have a very nice table cloth in here. Rose gave it to us as a gift.’ She pulled it out the drawer to show off the red gingham.
‘Ooh, that is pretty,’ said Florence, opening it wide. ‘Let’s take it out to the patio table.’
Lindy headed for the back door. ‘I’ll pick some flowers for our table.’
Florence gazed back at Stefan wearing a flowery oven glove whilst removing steaming food from the over. ‘The lip gloss can easily be wiped off if you think I overstepped.’
A brief smile came her way, relaxing her a touch. ‘No, she’s fine. But no more makeup than that. She’s too young.’
Florence dipped back to one heel. ‘But we girls are never too young to have our nails painted. Just so you know.’ She flashed him a cheeky smile, which he returned.
‘Nails and lip gloss, that’s it.’
She lightly clapped her hands. ‘Oh, and I hear you want to buy some riding accessories online.’ She shook her head. ‘Best to try on some hats at the shop. There’s a place in Sandly I can recommend.’
‘I’ve got a packed week, so it’ll have to wait, but thanks.’
‘I could take Lindy tomorrow if you like. It’ll be educational.’
Stefan scooped some roast potatoes out of the dish. ‘Shopping?’
Florence folded her arms. ‘Erm, excuse me, but I’ll have you know shopping is extremely educational, especially when there’s a sale on and you have to work out the discounts.’ She gave him a smug smile. ‘See.’
He grinned. ‘Well, you got me there.’
Florence watched him continue to plate their food. ‘Did you always want to be a doctor?’
‘Yeah, my mum was one.’
‘What about your dad?’
Stefan turned, his cheeks slightly flushed from the steam. ‘He was a cleaner at the surgery where she worked. That’s how they met.’
‘Aww, that’s quite sweet. Love in the workplace.’
‘Where did your parents meet?’
Florence’s heart thumped for the few memories she had of her late father. ‘A New Year’s Eve party. They kissed at midnight.’
Stefan nodded. ‘And lived happily ever after.’
‘Not quite. My father passed away when I was five. It was just after my little sister was born.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I lost both my parents within a year of each other. Cancer.’
‘I’m sorry too. That’s horrible for you.’
‘Yes, but at least I was an adult. It’s not fair when children lose their parents.’
Florence turned to the back door. She could hear Lindy outside, singing away. ‘No, it’s not. At least I have some memories. Tiggy has none.’
‘Where is your sister?’
Scandal was connected to her family now, and judging by the reception she’d received in London because of it, she wasn’t sure if the Londoner in front of her would be as accepting as her new family in Pepper Bay.
‘Travelling.’ She stepped out into the garden and inhaled the sweet scent of the wildflowers growing nearby, glad to be away from the conversation for a moment.
Lindy waved a bunch of flowers her way. ‘I’ll get a jug.’
Whilst she was doing that, Florence made herself useful by laying the table. She glanced around at the small rockery and the low brick wall. The grey paving had been laid in a semicircle shape, and the green blades of long grass spread far and wide met a gate at the end.
Needs bunting .
‘Grub’s up,’ announced Stefan, bringing out two plates.
Lindy plonked a small white jug of freshly picked flowers in the middle of the table, then quickly sat on the chair next to Florence.
‘They’re pretty,’ said Florence, as Lindy started to eat.
‘Pretty like us,’ Lindy mumbled, mouth full of carrots.
Florence didn’t want Lindy to think being pretty meant everything, and she was starting to wonder if it was a big deal for the girl. It was to her too once, thanks to her mother’s input. ‘And let’s not forget how smart we are.’
‘Did I hear someone talking about me?’ said Stefan, grinning as he brought his dinner out to join them.
Lindy giggled. ‘Dad always thinks he’s smart.’
‘I am,’ he said, reaching to tickle her ribs.
Lindy wriggled away.
‘And so are you, Lind,’ he added.
‘And we’re kind as well. That’s important, right, Dad?’
Florence nodded. ‘It certainly is.’
‘Dad’s kind, looking after people, but he says being a parent is the best job in the world.’
Florence was quite sure her own mother wouldn’t agree.
‘What are your mum and dad’s names?’ asked Lindy, biting into a Yorkshire pudding.
Seeing how Florence’s mother like to change her name as much as her husbands, Florence couldn’t be entirely sure. So she opted for the name she knew her mother had two years ago, the last time they spoke. ‘My mum is Angelica, and my dad was Cyril.’
‘My mum was Belinda.’
Florence smiled. ‘Beautiful name.’
‘Dad says she was pretty and smart, and she loved to draw, just like me.’
‘I have some good news,’ said Stefan, and Florence could see he wanted to change the subject. ‘Florence is going to take you shopping tomorrow for riding boots and a hat.’
Lindy raised her fork to that. ‘Yay, thanks, Florence. I think you and me are going to get along just fine.’
Florence chuckled, looking at Stefan. ‘And, while we’re at the shops, perhaps we could pick out some bedding for your new room.’ She bit her lip, then leaned closer to Stefan. ‘It’s very dull up there.’
‘Yes, I know. We took on the cottage fully decorated and furnished.’ He smiled at Lindy. ‘But we’ll make it more to our taste as we go.’ He reached over to his daughter’s shoulder. ‘Right, kid?’
Lindy nodded. ‘I’d like horses on my bed cover.’
‘Hmm, well, I guess while you’re shopping, if you see anything for your room, you may as well make a start.’
Lindy grinned. ‘May I take your credit card?’
‘You may not.’ He turned to Florence. ‘If you give me a rough idea how much things will cost, I can give you the money to take with you.’
Florence almost choked on the thought. Years back, she would have definitely requested the credit card, but ever since living off a budget, she liked to think she was way more sensible with money, even if she had shed a tear a few weeks back because she couldn’t afford a pair of designer shoes she really wanted. And they were forty percent off. That was a dreary day. ‘Nice to know you trust me with your money,’ she joked.
Stefan pointed a piece of broccoli her way on his fork. ‘I trust you with my child. Money is the least worry.’
Florence and Lindy smiled at each other, and Florence caught the smallest of smiles coming from Stefan.
She felt kind of proud that someone trusted her with such an important job. She just hoped she could manage on her own. Taking kids out on the horses was mostly done with Rhett. Being alone with Lindy shouldn’t be too difficult. After all, she’d pretty much raised Tiggy alone.
The thought of her little sister behind bars had her shoulders drooping along with her smile. Had she kept a closer eye on Tiggy, she was sure she could have saved her.
‘Save room for chocolate cake,’ said Stefan.
Florence looked up from her plate to see him staring at her. Could he see the sadness behind her smile? He seemed as if he was studying her. Reading her soul. She figured that was his doctor’s face. After all, it wasn’t possible for anyone to see her inner scars, not even the trained eye of a medical professional.