22
Florence
It was the last day of July and the day of the fundraising event for the Seaside Centre, and Florence was looking after Lindy whilst Stefan was on duty in the first aid tent.
Lindy was so excited, pointing out who she knew from the centre and showing Florence around parts of the premises that was open for the big day.
The sun was out, the seagulls soaring in the sky, and the scent of sea salt filled the air.
Florence and Lindy wore pink sundresses and straw hats, and both smelled of the tropical sun cream they had smeared over themselves before coming out.
‘This is where I draw.’ Lindy pointed out the garden, and Florence smiled at how peaceful it looked.
‘I can see why you like it here.’
‘My therapist is called Bethany, and she’s really nice.’
‘And this will be your school in September.’
Lindy nodded. ‘You won’t be my childminder anymore during the day.’
‘Oh, I didn’t think about that.’
‘Will you still take me to school and pick me up and stay with me until Dad comes home?’
Florence gave the girl’s hand a light squeeze. ‘Of course. Now, tell me what else is going on here today?’
Lindy stretched her neck to see around the many visitors. ‘There are stalls selling all sorts, and don’t forget the carousel out front.’
‘Yes, couldn’t help but spot that taking up the driveway.’
‘Do you want to go on it now?’
‘Why not?’
They walked through a row of small wooden stalls, browsing what was being advertised as they passed. A self-defence class caught Florence’s attention, and she made a mental note to stop for a chat with the woman staffing the stall.
Yes, that’s definitely something I’m getting involved with, and Tiggy can join too. I wonder if they have children’s classes .
She glanced at Lindy, who had come to a halt by a sweet stall.
It could help build her confidence if she knew how to defend herself. I’m certain it’ll help me .
She sighed to herself, thinking how wonderful the world would be if there wasn’t any violence.
Lindy asked for a toffee apple, but Florence told her no sweets until after the fun fair ride. The last thing she wanted was for Lindy to throw up.
The first aid tent was set up close to the entrance of the garden, and Florence glanced that way as they passed, hoping for a glimpse of Stefan. She had no idea if he was busy inside. The doorway was open, and there were no patients in sight, which was good.
‘Shall we say a quick hello to your dad before we go on the ride?’
Lindy nodded, trotting off in front.
‘Hello, you two.’ Stefan suddenly frowned. ‘You’re not hurt, are you?’
For some reason, Florence decided to wiggle all her fingers, showing him they were intact. ‘Nope, we just came to see you.’
‘We’re going on the carousel, Dad.’
‘Well, that sounds like fun.’ He grinned at Florence, causing her heart to beat that little bit faster.
‘Are you allowed to leave your station for a minute to go on the ride?’ asked Florence, wishing he could hang out with them for the day.
‘Best not, but I’ll watch you two from here.’
Florence and Lindy waited for the ride to stop, then each chose a horse to sit on close to the edge of the carousel. Lindy let out a small squeak of joy as the ride started, the tinkling music filling the air once more.
Stefan was taking some pictures, and Florence and Lindy waved.
She looked away for a moment as her thoughts went to her sister.
Oh, Tigg, I wish you were here. You’d love this. You’d take more selfies than anyone and look great as usual .
Florence tried to keep her smile in place, even though her heart ached, missing her little sister.
Lindy calling out to her brought her back to the moment, and they waved to each other, Lindy just bringing back more memories of Tiggy when she was a girl.
Right, that’s enough gloom. Tiggy will be here soon, and I need to get a grip. Life is good. Tiggy is okay. We’ve got a flat to move into. All is well .
She sniffed, rolling back her tears. Sometimes it didn’t matter what she said to herself, her emotions took over. Noticing that Stefan had lowered his phone and had his serious look each time she rotated his way, she forced a smile and got ready to dismount as the ride slowed.
Lindy gave her horse a pat on the head, then jumped down to hug her dad. ‘That was great. Can we get some sweets now?’
Florence joined them. ‘How about lunch first?’ She hoped Stefan could at least join them for that.
He nodded. ‘We can sit at the tables outside the first aid tent and have a hotdog.’
Lindy was pleased with that idea and headed off to the food truck.
Florence and Stefan followed her close by.
‘It’s quite big here, isn’t it?’ she said, looking around.
He motioned towards the grounds to their right where most of the stalls and bouncy castles were. ‘They don’t own that part, but the man who does lets them use it, and he’s the one who supplies the carousel as well. Not sure who he is. Some businessman. Good of him, eh?’
‘Yes, and how lovely to be so close to the sea.’
‘You’ll have that view yourself soon.’
Florence thought about the flat above the sweet shop. ‘I’m looking forward to moving now. Tiggy helped sort my head with that one.’
‘And Lindy is super happy you’ll be a hop, skip, and a jump away. Her words.’
They shared a laugh, then stopped to buy lunch.
Sitting at the picnic table, eating and chatting away merrily, was such a simple thing, and something they now often shared, and Florence loved every minute of her time with Stefan and Lindy.
‘Do you want to do any decorating before Tiggy comes home?’ asked Stefan.
‘I’m not sure. I was thinking of letting Tiggy choose the style. She loves interior design.’
‘Okay, but let me know if you do. I’m happy to roll my sleeves up and muck in.’
Florence laughed. ‘You can muck out at the stables next time you’re there.’ She nudged Lindy and grinned.
‘Yeah, Dad. You never help with the horses.’
‘Erm, I pay for your riding lessons, and that money goes towards feeding the horses, so that’s my part done.’
Lindy went back to sipping her apple juice.
‘Are you going to come out riding with me again?’ Florence asked him, raising her eyebrows in amusement.
‘I’ll tell you what. When it quietens down around here, I’ll hop on the carousel with you, and we’ll leave it at that.’
Florence chuckled as she nodded her agreement. ‘Deal.’
‘What have you two got planned next?’ he asked.
‘Lindy’s going to show me the pottery room, I know that much.’
‘And buy sweets,’ said Lindy, looking over at the mass of treats on offer.
Florence really wanted to pop to the self-defence stall. ‘Would you be okay with Lindy a moment, only I just wanted a quick chat with one of the women on a stall?’
‘Yep, take your time. If we’re not here when you get back, we’ll be in the first aid tent.’
Florence thanked him, then headed off.
The lady advertising her self-defence classes was handing out some leaflets when Florence arrived. ‘Hi, would you like one?’
‘Yes please.’ Florence folded the flyer and placed it in her handbag. ‘I’d like to join, so I really only wanted to know timings and where your classes are.’
The woman beamed, then proceeded to give directions to a local church hall. ‘We’re actually a women and girls only class. My sister teaches the girls, and I teach the adults. We started out with just women, but then some of the mums asked if they could bring their daughters along, so we ended up expanding.’
That sounded like just the thing for Florence to do alongside Lindy. At least that way they’d be together, and she was sure Lindy would love to join.
Perhaps I’ll go to the first one alone to check it out. Make my decision then .
Happy with her information, Florence went off to find Stefan and Lindy, purchasing some chocolate along the way.
Lindy was stacking plasters into a white tray whilst Stefan was applying some antiseptic cream to a woman’s ankle, who by all accounts had been bitten by an insect.
Florence homed in on the athletic leg aimed at Stefan, unable to find any traces of a bite. The next thing she noticed was false eyelashes fluttering his way, accompanied by the worst fake laughter ever.
Oh, please, could you be any more obvious?
The woman reached out for Stefan’s shoulder, whispering something that caused him to pull back a touch.
Florence cleared her throat to gain attention.
‘Oh, you’ll have to wait,’ said the woman, her ruby red lips pouting only at Stefan. ‘I’m in need of healing.’
Florence stepped closer. ‘Looks better already.’ She smirked as the lady glanced up. ‘My partner is so good at his job. I swear, he just looks at ailments and they disappear.’ She waved a hand backwards as if to demonstrate. ‘Isn’t that right, babe?’
Stefan stood, removing his medical gloves. ‘Have you got any antihistamine?’ he asked his patient as he popped his gloves into a bin.
The woman’s dark eyes were boring into Florence, but Florence simply smiled her sweetest smile. ‘I think I’m fine, but thank you, Dr Bedford.’ She went to step closer to him, her hand edging towards his back, but Florence moved in the way, blocking her.
‘Just doing his job,’ said Florence, earning her a side glance from Stefan.
The woman glared at Florence, then left the tent.
Florence felt Stefan’s presence over her shoulder.
‘Babe?’ he questioned, amusement in his tone.
‘Well, she wasn’t being very professional was she?’
‘Was she supposed to be?’
Florence turned to face him, not realising she’d be inches from his face. Holding her position, she said, ‘She didn’t even have an insect bite.’
‘It looked red to me.’
‘Yeah, because she just dug her cheap fake nail into her ankle, that’s why.’
His lip twitched in one corner. ‘Really?’
Florence shrugged. ‘It happens. I was doing you a favour.’
Stefan pushed his glasses up his nose and grinned. ‘Thanks.’
Florence dipped back to one heel. ‘Unless you liked her,’ she said, deflating at the thought.
‘No, I didn’t. Did you see her shoes? They were so last season.’
Florence narrowed her eyes at him, and he returned the gesture. ‘Is that a joke, Dr Bedford?’
‘Did you find it funny?’
‘Hmm.’
He leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. ‘Thanks for trying to save me. Babe.’
Florence tightened her lips, desperately trying not to laugh as she made her way to the doorway. ‘Ready, Lindy?’
Lindy put the plasters away and jumped down from the chair, swinging her hand straight into Florence’s. ‘See you later, Dad.’
‘Yep, have fun.’
Florence stole a glance over her shoulder as she left, wishing she hadn’t, because Stefan winked, causing all sorts of flutters to launch in her stomach.
She laughed to herself as she met the warm sun.
Babe? Jeez, Florence, what were you thinking?
She handed Lindy a bar of chocolate.
And, yes, those shoes were so last season .