12
Florence
It was Thursday, Florence’s day off from childminding, but it didn’t stop her mooching around the windmill at lunchtime to see if she could come up with an angle for a story about its past. The odds of Zeke taking her back on at the newspaper were slim to none, and she didn’t want to work there anymore anyway, but ever since she wrote that terrible article about Stefan, she’d felt the need to rectify things her own way.
The whole idea of presenting Island News with a feel-good story about the Windmill Practice might just settle her guilt once and for all, and Agatha and Walter would make a lovely story. She only wished she could write a book, then she could bring their love to the world.
Having a small article just for the islanders was the next best thing.
No one was at the front desk, so Florence figured either Rose or Merlin was in the toilet.
She headed for the spiral stairs and climbed, wondering what was up there and should she have a journalist badge or something to flash if she got caught snooping. The thought made her giggle quietly.
There wasn’t much going on up top except for boxes of paperwork and a printer. Someone had levelled out the area securely at some point. It even had a small window.
Florence peered out at the rolling green fields and smiled.
Beautiful .
She’d travelled a lot back when she had money, and seen many a wonderful sight, but she never absorbed much of her surroundings then. Not like she did now. Often she would stop to smell the flowers, and she especially loved to sit and watch fluffy white clouds float by.
It wasn’t lost on Florence just how much of her had changed. It was quite refreshing, and she hoped life would be just as peaceful for Tiggy.
She sat for a moment. Her back pressed up against the bare wall. The last letter her sister had written was still in her pocket, having arrived that morning. It would be placed with the others, but for now, as usual, it would stay with her for a few days.
Florence opened the letter to read over the words once more. It was settling to know Tiggy was doing well, had friends, and was enjoying the therapy sessions available. There wasn’t anything new from her last visit, which was a blessing, as Florence dreaded opening the letters in case Tiggy wasn’t coping, which was how she was at the beginning of her prison sentence.
Another visiting day was coming up soon, and Florence couldn’t wait to go see her sister. She both loved and hated those days. Seeing Tiggy was the best, but the prison, not so much. Plus, the prison was in the middle of the country, which meant spending money on travel and accommodation for the night. Seeing Tiggy was worth every penny, but Florence was desperate to save as much as possible for her sister.
Neither Leyland sister was used to scrimping and saving, so Florence presumed life without riches might be hard on Tiggy when she got out. In prison she didn’t have to consider such matters, but would she expect to return to the life they had before the scandal?
Florence held the letter to her forehead for a moment. ‘Oh, Tiggy.’
A giggling noise came from downstairs, and Florence thought it best she revealed herself before Rose thought someone was stealing medical records or something.
Florence stopped on the stairs as she spotted Rose exiting an examination room swiftly followed by Dr Tully. Their faces a touch pink and their hands all over each other.
Oh, crumbs!
There was only two ways to go, down or back up, either would give away her position in the windmill.
Dr Tully kissed Rose on the lips, then said goodbye and left.
Florence kept her fingers crossed Rose would disappear too.
‘I won’t tell if you won’t, Florence,’ said Rose, heading for the desk.
Swallowing the dryness clogging her throat, Florence made her way to the empty waiting area.
‘Mind telling me what you’re doing upstairs?’ added Rose, sitting first and then making eye contact.
‘Erm, ghost hunting.’ It was sort of true.
Rose scrunched her nose. ‘For Agatha?’
‘I want to write a story about her for Island News .’
‘To get your old job back?’
Florence dipped back to one heel. ‘To make amends in some way. My last story put the practice in a negative light. Agatha’s story could shine some love this way.’
‘You need to stop feeling guilty. We have love here.’ Rose linked her fingers close to her keyboard as Florence giggled.
‘I noticed.’
‘Hmm, well, that’s our business.’
Florence frowned. ‘Why are you hiding your relationship? You’re both single.’
‘Yes, but our partners didn’t die that long ago, and we don’t think our families are ready for us to move on.’
The point was valid, but it didn’t stop Florence thinking they should come clean. She pointed at the wall. ‘You need to take a leaf out of Agatha’s book.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Life is short, Rose. And it’s hard to find love. You and Dr Tully are lucky to have found someone again. Don’t see why you should hide that just to spare someone else’s feelings.’ She quickly raised a palm. ‘And before you say anything, you’re not doing your family any favours by lying to them.’
Rose sighed. ‘Neither Gilbert nor I want the kids to be upset.’
‘They’re grown-ups, and besides, this is your life, not theirs. My mother was selfish because she put herself first when I was still a child, but if she wanted to put herself first once her kids became adults and no longer lived at home, that’s not selfishness. As adults, we all go off and live our own lives, so why shouldn’t she? Why shouldn’t you?’
‘Your mum put herself first when you were a kid?’
‘That’s all you got from that?’
Rose shrugged. ‘I just don’t get parents like that, that’s all. My kids were the centre of my world. Giving them a safe and stable home filled with love and happiness was the most important thing to me.’
Florence wished she had such a childhood. ‘I’m not even sure why my mum had children, if I’m honest. We were only ever in her way.’
‘Aw, Florence, that’s so sad.’
‘It is what it is, or was. Made us independent, just not financially.’
‘I spoiled my lot too. Never had much, but it didn’t help them when it came to independence.’ She touched her nose. ‘Top tip if you ever have your own kiddies. Make sure you teach them how to cook, clean, earn money. It helps them when they have to navigate the jungle out there.’
Tiggy came to mind. Florence had spoiled her something rotten, giving her everything their mother should have.
‘Before I came here, the last job I had was as a reporter for a magazine owned by one of my stepfathers. If it wasn’t for that job, I’m pretty sure I would have struggled more in life. It did help.’
‘I had to practically force my kids into work, but they’re sorted now.’
‘And old enough to take the news about your love life.’
Rose scoffed. ‘Love life? Leave off, Florence. I feel too old to call it that.’
‘You have a love life, Rose. Age doesn’t come into it. You should be singing and dancing.’ Florence flailed her arms, making Rose chuckle. ‘Spin in circles and show the world your happiness.’
‘You’ll be showing the nurses in a minute when they return after lunch.
Florence flopped to a chair. ‘You’re so lucky, Rose. I’ve never been in love. Well, not really. Thought I was once, but he dumped me when the crap hit the fan. And that’s not love, is it?’
‘Nope. Someone who loves you will lie on the kitchen floor with you when you’re too depressed to get up for six months, spoon-feed you Weetabix while whispering words of encouragement and hope. That’s love.’
‘That’s very specific.’
Rose raised her brow and sighed. ‘That’s life sometimes.’
Florence sat up straight. ‘Yeah, it can be really mean, so more reason to enjoy it when it’s giving you the best time. And from what I overheard, you and Dr Tully were certainly having a good time in the examination room.’
Rose flicked a pen at her. ‘Oi, cheeky. We just had a smooch, that’s all.’
Florence hugged herself and smiled widely. ‘Aww, true love.’
‘How about you take your love and go find something else to do, and by that, I mean leave me alone, and Agatha. I’m sure you have other things to keep you occupied.’
‘It’s my day off today.’
‘So go and ride a horse.’
Florence grinned as she headed outside. ‘I might just do that.’
Birds were tweeting nearby, and the warm sun was poking out from a cloud.
Florence sat on the bench and stared at the windmill, wondering if Agatha was staring back.
I bet you’d have a ton of advice about love and life .
She smiled over at the door, then got up to leave, but Stefan’s car came tootling along, bringing her to a halt.
He parked and peered out the opened window. ‘Hello, what’s brought you up here?’
‘I was just chatting with Rose.’ She thought she’d leave it at that. ‘Not much on today.’
‘You can come to the beach with us,’ said Lindy, leaning out her own window.
‘We’re just about to grab some towels,’ said Stefan.
‘And my swimming costume,’ said Lindy, jumping out the car to open the door to the cottage.
Florence glanced at her shorts. ‘Well, I can paddle.’
‘Great, come inside while I get some beach bits together.’
She went to the cottage and waited for him to get out the car before walking inside. ‘Wish I did have my bikini now. I fancy a swim.’
‘Tell you what, we’ll round up our things here, then head over to yours and you can get what you need. We’re going over to Sandly Beach. I’ve just hired one of their beach huts for the rest of the day. Lindy, as you can tell, is super excited.’
‘I am, now you’ve said that, but in all honesty, Stefan, do you really want me tagging along when you’re all set to spend some quality time with your daughter?’
Stefan nudged her arm in the hallway. ‘You are more than welcome.’
‘We’re going to buy buckets and spades,’ called Lindy from upstairs.
‘And ice cream,’ he whispered to Florence.
She couldn’t help but beam his way. ‘I can’t wait.’
‘Right,’ he called up the stairs. ‘Let’s get some sun cream.’
It wasn’t long before they were set up on the beach close to the nautical-themed beach hut Stefan had hired. Lindy was so excited and couldn’t wait to go inside to get changed into her swimwear.
Florence sat on a big blue beach towel, sunhat and sunglasses on, smiling at the sparkling sea gently lapping at the shore.
‘It’s therapeutic, isn’t it?’ said Stefan, sitting by her side.
‘It’s so lovely here. I never thought anything could beat city life, but after I came here, so much about me changed. I love peace and quiet now. Open spaces, remote areas, just nature and calmness.’ She smiled to herself, then at Stefan, who had a watchful eye on Lindy collecting water in her bucket.
‘I think my daughter feels the same way.’
‘What about you? Are you missing London?’
He rested back upon one elbow. ‘It’s different here, especially how relaxed the surgery is.’ He let out a small chuckle. ‘It’s growing on me.’
Florence raked her fingertips through the golden sand, sweeping up a white seashell. ‘It’s strange when things grow on you. You would think you either like or dislike something and that’s the way it would stay, but no.’
They looked at each other, and Florence warmed from his presence, then Lindy’s squeal had them turn her way to see her splashing along the shoreline.
‘Come on,’ said Stefan, tapping Florence on the arm. ‘Let’s have a paddle.’
Florence jumped up and jogged after him to the sea, where Lindy splashed them whilst giggling.
‘Right, let’s get her,’ said Stefan, picking up Lindy and dipping her legs into the small waves washing over his feet.
‘Get Florence.’ Lindy laughed, pointing her way.
‘Oh no,’ said Florence, clutching the top of her hat, but Stefan swiped her up, then dropped to his knees so they were both in the sea. She yelped as the cold water hit her stomach, then laughed when Lindy jumped on them both to splash them some more.
‘You look like a mermaid, Florence,’ said Lindy, sliding her hand down Florence’s damp locks.
‘There’s a mermaid festival here next month,’ Florence told her as Stefan loosened his hold. ‘We can come back for that if you like.’
Lindy clapped. ‘Yay!’
‘Looks like we’ve got ourselves another beach date,’ said Stefan, losing his smile when he turned to Florence. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean date exactly. I, well, what I meant was—’
Florence grinned at the flush creeping up his neck. ‘It’s all right. I knew what you meant.’ She leaned back a little, enjoying the rolling wave wetting her back. Date or not, it was nice to know they had plans to hang out again.
Lindy stood in front of Florence and handed her a stripy stone from the seabed. ‘Are you still coming to the farm show with us?’
Florence glanced at Stefan to see him nod.
‘I need all the support I can get,’ he told her, grinning.
A huge wave crept up, covering his neck, pushing him forward, and Florence reacted by grabbing his arm.
‘Nearly took you with it. See, I’m already supporting you.’ She chuckled as she watched Lindy emptying her bucket before mooching away to collect some seashells.
Stefan’s light touch of her hand brought her attention back to him. ‘Hey, thanks for coming out with us.’
Florence found she was gazing at him for far too long. She had to say something. ‘Fancy a quick swim before we dry off?’
‘Sure.’ He waved at Lindy. ‘Stay near the towel while I have a swim. I won’t go out far.’
Lindy plonked herself down on the towel and started making a sandcastle.
Stefan turned back to Florence. ‘Ready?’
Florence nodded, feeling she was perhaps ready for more than just a swim with him, but she shook it off, dipped her shoulders, then set off, sticking to the shallow water, so she too could keep an eye on Lindy.