24
Florence
It was so exciting for Florence to receive feedback and notes from Dr Tully on the story she’d emailed him. With the editing tips he’d learned from his dad, she was glad to have him on her team. Soon she’d be able to submit her stories to magazines, even though Dr Tully told her to self-publish her work.
Florence nibbled on the end of a pen whilst browsing over book cover designers online. She wasn’t sure she could afford their services just yet, not now she had a flat to furnish.
A thought came to mind. Tiggy was great at drawing. Perhaps she could design the covers when she got out. It was a nice idea to have something they could do together. Meanwhile, she would send off a story or two to the magazines. At least then she’d grow some confidence in that area.
Florence downed tools and went to the stables. Nothing beat hanging out with the horses. She was only tidying up for five minutes when Rhett appeared with Luther, leading him back to his stall.
‘Every time I see you lately, you’ve got the biggest smile on your face.’ Rhett tossed a cloth her way.
Florence laughed. ‘I know. My cheeks are starting to hurt.’
‘I’m pleased for you.’
‘I’ve never been so happy before. And I feel really sorted with my life.’
Rhett picked up a grooming brush. ‘That’s great, Florence. I’m going to miss you living up here.’
‘I won’t be far, and I’ll still be working here part-time.’
‘I know. I’m just used to seeing you every day.’
Florence swiped at her eyelashes. ‘Oh hush, Rhett. You’re going to ruin my makeup.’
Rhett walked over, and the two women hugged.
‘We’ve had a great time here, haven’t we?’ said Florence.
‘You’ve been a good friend to me, Florence Leyland.’
‘Stop talking like that. I’m not leaving the island.’
‘Right, I’m going to get a grip.’
They shared a laugh, then carried on with their chores.
‘Ooh, I forgot to say, Fran said she’s got some old furniture in the loft that might be useful for your new flat, might save you a few quid.’ Rhett nodded. ‘Worth a look, and I can give you a few bits and bobs from the kitchen. We’ve got way too many knives and forks. I told Heath we didn’t need that many, but he ordered extra anyway when we set up the B&B.’
‘I keep wanting to get in the flat.’
‘We can take some bits over now if you like. Tyler said it’s ready when you are. I’m sure he won’t mind you putting things in place already. ‘We’ll finish up here, and I’ll give him a call.’
‘Give who a call?’ asked Heath, entering.
‘Tyler,’ replied Rhett. ‘Florence is itching to get the flat ready for Tiggy’s release, as it’s not long to go now.’
Florence held up three fingers. ‘Three weeks.’
Heath smiled. ‘Mum said she’s got some furniture in the loft you might like.’
‘I was just telling her that. Take her over now, Heath, and get some down.’
‘You sure?’ asked Florence, lowering her cloth.
Rhett nodded. ‘Yeah, I’ll be over shortly. Heath can load up his truck with anything you need.’ She pointed at her husband. ‘Give Ty a call on your way.’
‘Will do.’ Heath gestured for Florence to join him, so she did, excited to find out if Fran had anything she could use.
Fran was in the kitchen when they walked in. ‘Oh, hello, you two.’
‘I’m taking Florence up to the loft.’
Fran removed her apron. ‘Ooh, I’ll come.’ She led Florence upstairs, where Heath opened a door to reveal a wide sturdy staircase.
It was neat and tidy in the loft. Boxes labelled and stacked, and suitcases piled in one corner.
Florence widened her eyes at the amount of furniture Fran had stored to one side.
‘Blame Benton,’ said Fran. ‘My husband hated throwing things out. Thought it would be of use to someone one day.’
‘And he wasn’t wrong,’ said Heath. ‘Don’t feel obligated to take anything, Florence, but if there’s anything to your taste, feel free.’
Florence was a tad choked at the kindness. The Silver family was always so good to her. She perused the stock, thinking it would all be antique, but to her surprise there was a lot of modern pieces too.
‘Willow’s old bedroom furniture,’ said Heath. ‘White goes with everything, but then she wanted oak, so this lot came up here.’
‘Did you make these Heath?’ Florence stroked over a chest of drawers.
‘Yep. And still solid. Help fill one of the bedrooms, eh?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, let’s take these.’ She pointed at the bedside cabinets and bedframe as well.’
‘Got some lamps here.’ Fran waved her over.
Half hour later, Heath had his truck loaded with furniture for the flat, and Tyler had the new external back door to the flat open.
Erin staffed the shop whilst Tyler helped Florence and Heath with the heavy lifting, and soon enough Florence could see how snug she would be in the flat with her sister.
‘When do you want to start your tenancy?’ asked Tyler, helping Heath put the bedframe together.
‘What about the start of September? Would that be okay?’
‘Sure, I’ll get the paperwork sorted, you can sign on the dotted line, and I’ll give you the keys now, so you can come and go to get this place sorted.’
‘Thanks, Ty. That’ll be great. And first thing I need to do is order a couple of mattresses.’
‘I left the mini fridge that was there from when Erin’s grandfather lived here, as once cleaned, it was still good. You want to use that or have me take it out?’
‘I’d like to use it until I can buy a bigger fridge, then you can take it back.’
Heath pointed a screwdriver at the doorway. ‘Or you could buy a small freezer and stack them. I could make a shelf between them so they’re sturdy and secure.’
Tyler nodded. ‘That’s a good idea.’
Florence went to the small kitchen area to see what else would fit. She smiled to herself at the memory of the large kitchens she’d always had in her life growing up, and how her mother wouldn’t look twice at the one she was in now.
I wonder how Tiggy will adjust .
She decided to sit on the floor over by the window and make a list on her phone of things she could afford to buy straight away.
It was hard not to think about her old life. How money was never an issue. How she had bathrooms bigger than the flat she was about to rent for two people. The Isle of Wight didn’t exist back then, let alone the Silver family, or the Windmill Practice.
She sent a text to Stefan, letting him know what she was up to, then settled down to do some online shopping.
Erin popped up with cups of tea for the workers, then Rhett showed up, carrying a plastic yellow pot containing orange flowers.
‘Ooh, they’re nice,’ said Florence, standing to greet her.
‘For the balcony up top. Be nice with a few blooms here and there. Come on, let’s go see.’
Florence went ahead, stepping out onto the small terrace. She glanced at the sea and inhaled the salty scent as Rhett found a spot for the plant. ‘I’m definitely getting a table and two chairs up here.’
‘Great idea.’ Rhett peered at the alleyway. ‘It’s pretty quiet out back.’
‘Yeah, it’s not a major walkway. Mostly the shops use it for the bins.’
‘You could put up some flower baskets. Make it look prettier. String some lights across the back wall.’
‘What about a horseshoe for above the door?’
Rhett grinned. ‘Consider that done.’
Stefan’s voice called up the stairs, surprising Florence.
‘Up here,’ she replied.
Rhett greeted him at the doorway. ‘I’ll just go see if Heath wants anything.’
Florence smiled as Stefan stepped forward to kiss her lips. ‘Hey, you.’
‘Hey, yourself. How’s it going?’
‘Got a plant.’
He glanced at the flowers. ‘Nice.’
‘And I’ve got a load of deliveries coming all week, so I’ll be up here a lot.’
‘That’s fine. I’m sure Lindy can help.’
Florence gazed around him. ‘Where is she?’
‘Said she wanted to help Heath and Tyler.’
‘Come on, let’s go back down and see how they’re getting on.’
‘One sec.’ He took her in his arms and gave her a heated kiss. ‘I feel like I haven’t done that in ages.’
‘I’ve woken in your arms every morning this week. I think we can safely say, it hasn’t been ages.’
He grinned and kissed her again. ‘Feels like it.’
‘Then feel free to keep me awake all night again with kisses.’
‘Already planned.’
Taking his hand, she led him back to the others, otherwise she was quite sure she would end up snogging his face off until someone noticed they were missing.
Stefan started talking to Rhett, and Florence gazed around at her new home. Life was good, and she was so happy she had found Pepper Bay.