Chapter Twenty Three
It’s funny how much can change in just one evening.
A fortnight from now, I’ll be packing up my belongings once again and moving down the road to the Preston’s family home. Phyllis is so grateful that she’s giving me the first month rent free, which is so helpful, considering I’m yet to get my candle venture off the ground.
Swinging two shopping bags filled with groceries, I stroll down the high street, bobbing a friendly nod at everyone who passes.
These will be my friends and neighbours soon enough, for real this time, not just for an extended visit.
I halt on the corner on Granary Street, my pulse quickening without warning.
If I took the turning here, I’d be on my way to The Pheasant’s Nest, somewhere I’ve not set foot inside for ages, for fear of seeing Finn.
I doubt he’s keen on seeing me, and it’s going to be tough avoiding him if I’m to be an official Lily Vale resident in a matter of days.
Releasing a sad, slow exhale, I carry on my sombre route, away from the pub.
Well, I guess I could always try becoming teetotal?
A vibration from inside my pocket gently stirs me back to reality, and I groan at the name on the screen.
I’ve been avoiding this phone call for so long, but I can’t put it off any longer, especially now that my circumstances will soon change.
After all, it’s kind of wrong not to let your own mother know that you’ll be moving soon, isn’t it?
‘Alicia!’ Mum seems shocked that I’ve answered, and to be honest, she’s every right to be. ‘I was wondering when I’d hear from you. You’re impossible to get a hold of, do you know that?’
I gulp hard, my throat all tight and lodged up as if I’m trying to swallow pebbles. ‘Yeah, sorry about that, Mum. I’ve been … well, I’ve been quite busy.’
‘Ah, is that horrible dentist still making you come in early? You tell him to sort his own bloody files out, it’s not your job to organise his office!’
Nails digging into my palm, I lift my skyward and face the music, relieved this isn’t an in-person conversation. ‘Actually, I’m not working there anymore.’
‘Oh, thank goodness for that! I know how much you hated that place, I’m astonished you stayed there for so long, truth be told. So what are you doing now, honey? If you’re free, I could pop over to the flat and we could have a little catch up.’
My hands grow slippery from sweat, so much so that I have to grip my phone hard to keep it from slithering out of my grasp and smashing on the cobblestones.
‘Erm, I’m not at the flat. I haven’t been there for some time, actually.’
‘What?’
‘I - Well, I guess I’ve moved. To Lily Vale Village.’
‘What?’
‘I came down in June to help my friend plan her wedding, and her mother-in-law to be has agreed to rent her home to me. You see, she lives in a retirement com-’
‘Alicia, what on earth are you talking about?’ Mum demands to know. ‘I mean, you don’t answer your phone for months, save for a tiny text here and there, and now you’re telling me that you’ve moved across the country?’
‘It was a bit of a last-minute decision, Mum.’ I nibble at the loose skin around my thumbnail, transforming into a silly child who’s being chastised by a parent.
I was so excited for this brand new step, but now I’m unsure of everything.
Am I being an idiot? ‘I only meant to visit, Lucy let me stay with her after I got fired -’
‘Fired?’ Mum might explode if I’m not careful with delivering these bombshells. ‘Fired? What are you doing for money, Alicia? Are - are you alright?’
‘I’m fine, honestly. Lucy isn’t charging me anything to stay, and I have some savings. Plus, I’m starting a candle business.’
Mum sighs, long and weary, and I just know she’s rubbing at her temples, the way she always does when I’ve done something particularly frustrating or stupid.
‘Candles, right.’ She clucks her tongue. ‘Okay, Alicia. Well, will you please call me if you need help, honey? Whatever it is, money is no issue, I’m here for you.’
My chest pangs with conflicting emotions. She doesn’t believe in me, that much is clear, but she knows better than to try to change my mind once it’s set on a goal.
‘Thanks, Mum. I will.’
I won’t, though. Even if I do get into dire straits, I’d sooner call my brothers than my mum.
She might say money is no issue, but it most certainly is.
She should have retired years ago, but she needs the cash, so she works part-time at a private secondary school as a dinner lady, and that greedy place pays her a pittance.
I’d never ask anything of her, much less expect her to give me room and board when it’s hard enough to make ends meet on her own.
By the time we say goodbye and I hang up, I’m shaking like a leaf.
At least it’s all out in the open now, I’ve been so afraid of giving my family another reason to be ashamed of me, but it’s kind of a relief to get it off my chest. And though Mum was shocked and a little bit miffed that I’d kept it all to myself for so long, she’s still supporting me, in her own slightly condescending way.
On the way back to Appleseed Cottage, a stunning display in the window of Forrest’s Florist catches my eye.
Beautiful cut glass vases of all hues and shapes sit in a chaotic cluster atop a sequined sage green tablecloth, and flower fairy lights hang above, making everything glitter like magic.
I can’t resist popping inside, deciding to treat Lucy to a little pre-wedding present.
The lady behind the counter is in the middle of cutting rose stems, yet she sets down her pruning shears to beam at me.
‘Hi, how can I help you?’
‘I think a small bouquet of those freesias, please.’ I point to the pale purple flowers sitting in a black bucket, along with an array of other fragrant blooms.
‘Perfect!’ She sashays around the counter and grabs a handful of the fresh freesias. ‘A gift for someone?’
‘My friend Lucy. You’re her wedding florist, actually.’
‘Oh yes, so are you the maid of honour, Alicia? Lucy talks about you nonstop during our little meetings.’
Giggling, I do a little twirl. ‘That’s me! Nice to meet you - erm, what was your name again?’
‘Sarah.’
‘Ah, yes, she did say so. It’s great to put a face to the name.’
‘Likewise! So, are you looking forward to the wedding? Just two days now!’
Although I was fully aware of the date, hearing it said aloud takes me aback, and all I can do is smile and nod.
Two days, just two days until my best friend becomes a wife, two days to make sure everything is perfect for her special day.
We’ve got it all sorted - centrepieces are finalised, bridesmaids’ dresses are pressed, hair and makeup artists are booked - all that’s left to do is ensure it all runs smoothly on the day.
While Sarah busies herself with arranging flowers at the counter, I circle the shop, eyeing the stock with curiosity. In the corner stands a small, cream shabby chic dresser adorned with little home wares - candlesticks, trinket boxes, all sorts of charming little bits and bobs.
I pick up a tiny white filigree tealight holder, turning it over in my hand. ‘These are cute. Do you sell many things like this?’
‘I sell a few. I just order them online, they aren’t handmade or anything.
I’d love to find a local vendor to collaborate with, but I’ve not found the right fit yet.
I don’t want to turn my florist into a gift shop, but at the same time, I think it’s nice to have little things for people to purchase with a bouquet. ’
‘Would you … would you ever consider selling candles?’ A surge of determination propels me over to the counter. ‘I’m starting a business, you see. I make hand-poured candles and wax melts, I think they would look lovely in your shop.’
‘Ooh, that’s an idea.’ Sarah purses her lips in thought, toying with the leaf of a freesia. ‘Do you think you could bring in a few samples?’
‘Absolutely!’ I insist, perhaps a little too enthusiastically. ‘I could even create some scents that would complement your best-selling flowers.’
Sarah chuckles and offers a small nod. ‘Brilliant! Thank you.’
‘I’m quite busy at the moment, what with Lucy’s wedding being this weekend, but I can certainly get some over to you the following week, if that’s okay?’
‘That’s perfectly fine with me,’ Sarah says. ‘I can’t wait to sniff them!’
As pleased as punch, I practically skip out of the florist and down the street, unable to hide the massive grin stretching from ear to ear.
I might have just found a permanent home for my candles, and all it took was a simple, casual chat.
These samples have really got to impress, Sarah told me that her most popular flowers are red roses, lilies and peonies, I’ll have to come up with some complementary scents for each one.
Three sample candles should be enough, right?
I’m still brainstorming when I stroll up the garden path and dig through my shorts pocket for the spare key to Lucy’s cottage.
The moment the door swings open, a gut-wrenching, blood-curdling sound turns my stomach and sends alarm bells ringing in my head.
Terrible, heartbroken wailing echoes from the living room, like a sorrowful, lonesome ghost.
‘Lucy!’
Dropping the bags in the hallway, I bolt to the living room and find her scrunched up on the sofa, squeezing a cushion to her heaving chest. Howling, she throws her arms around my neck, showering my shirt in tears.
‘Oh, Alicia, everything’s ruined!’ She sobs into my shoulder. ‘The wedding is off, it’s just off!’
‘What do you mean?’ My heart plummets, a sickening sensation that has me holding back my breakfast. ‘Did something happen with Alex?’
‘No, no, it’s not Alex, it’s the venue.’ She sniffs hard, desperately trying to regain composure.
‘David just rang, apparently there’s been a leak and the entire reception room is flooded.
It’s going to take weeks to sort it out, the floors are warped and the drapes are wrecked, which means they’ve had to cancel our booking.
’ She throws her head into her hands. ‘Oh God, I’ve still got to let Alex know, he’ll be crushed.
And what about all our guests? It will be so awful telling them we’ve had to cancel. ’
‘We’ll fix it, Luce, I promise.’
‘How? The wedding is in two days, there’s no way I can secure a venue in that time.’
Oh God, she’s right, we’d be laughed out of any luxury venue if we came to them begging for a booking this weekend.
Through the whirlwind of spiralling thoughts, one lights up like the moon emerging from behind a bleak, black cloud. We might not be able to book a luxury venue on such a time crunch, but we might just be able to turn an ordinary one into something luxurious.
‘I’ve got an idea.’