Chapter Two
Nita was already waiting when Flora arrived at the Swedish café in the Quartermile, their favourite meeting place thanks to the café’s huge cardamom buns. As Flora approached the outside table, Nita clattered down her mug of coffee, jumping out her chair to hug her friend.
‘It’s so good to see you,’ Nita said with a wide smile. ‘Sorry,’ she added, gesturing at her cup, ‘I couldn’t wait for my caffeine fix. But I’m ready for my next one. The usual?’
Flora nodded gratefully. ‘Please and thank you.’
Nita pushed her sunglasses back onto her head. ‘And a bun?’
Flora hesitated. She knew she should be watching her pennies but the thought of something sweet was very tempting.
‘Go on. It’s my treat,’ said Nita, as though reading her mind.
‘Deal,’ said Flora. ‘Thank you. Though next time, it’s on me.’
Nita disappeared inside and Flora sank down into one of the seats where she watched those bustling along the wide avenue opposite. There were students, pensioners, cyclists and dog walkers all enjoying the early summer sun and warmth.
‘Here you go.’ Nita placed a coffee in front of her and a plate with two huge buns. ‘Don’t worry, one’s for me,’ she said with a chuckle and arranged her own pastry on the spare plate she’d also stacked on the tray. ‘I’m not that generous.’
‘Delicious,’ said Flora, feeling her mouth start to water at the thought of the light and flaky pastry.
Sadly, losing her job hadn’t decreased her appetite and she guiltily remembered her earlier breakfast of chocolate biscuits.
She really did need to look at a healthier start to the day.
Maybe a bowl of Greek yogurt with nuts and berries or some scrambled eggs.
‘Thanks, Nita. I appreciate this. When I’m a rich and famous designer I will repay you. I promise.’
Nita waved a hand dismissively. ‘Don’t give it a second thought. I know you would do the same for me, if roles were reversed.’
Flora nodded gratefully. Nita was an entrepreneur with many different roles.
She had her own graphic design business as well as a small property portfolio which had earned her a very comfortable living over the past ten years.
Especially as the flats she had invested in were in prime locations in the city and perfect for the festivals.
They were always in high demand from tourists and performers.
‘How are things then? How are you feeling?’ asked Nita as she picked up a teaspoon and stirred her coffee.
Flora shrugged. ‘Probably still a bit stunned. But I need to snap out of things and get out of this rut.’
‘It’s only been a couple of weeks though.’
‘I know,’ said Flora. ‘But that’s quite long enough! I’ve tried to be productive with my time but nothing is happening quickly. You know how long it takes to hear back about jobs — and that’s if you hear anything at all.’
Nita nodded, the sun casting a glow onto her dark glossy hair. ‘That’s so frustrating and probably why I will never work for anyone again. The thought of having to answer to someone other than me . . .’ She shuddered in disgust at the thought. ‘I love being my own boss.’
Flora, on the other hand, was terrified that she no longer had any gainful employment.
She had always had a job, ever since she was at school in Stirling, working in a chemist shop on Saturday mornings and as a waitress over the summer holidays.
She’d worked in bars as a student and been lucky enough to gain a teaching job not long after graduating university in Glasgow.
All she had ever wanted to do was share her love of fashion with others.
She began lecturing in Glasgow, building a creative side hustle of dressmaking and clothes alterations, until she moved to Edinburgh for a more senior lecturing role.
It felt as though her life’s ambition had been snatched away just as her career was up and running.
To date, she had applied to all the creative design jobs she could but unless she managed to land one, she may have to think about something else, even if it meant pulling pints over the summer.
Just something temporary until the right job came along. And it had to come along.
‘What about looking at doing something a bit different, thinking outside the box?’ suggested Nita. ‘Maybe you’re needing a change of scene or a holiday. Especially as you’re young, free and single.’
Flora nodded. ‘I guess you’re right. I hadn’t really given it much thought. But I don’t suppose there’s anything that I do need to hang around for.’
‘Or anyone,’ said Nita, drily.
Flora was glad she was single and had no emotional ties to keep her here.
She shuddered at the thought of her last boyfriend, Nick, who had an ego the size of Loch Lomond and Loch Ness combined.
Nick was an actor and to begin with he’d been lovely, especially when he had the room’s attention and everyone’s eyes and ears were on him.
He seemed to have magnetic charm and people loved him.
But when he wasn’t the centre of attention then that charisma vanished and he slipped into behaving like a petulant child.
It wasn’t obvious to everyone else but she noticed the way his eyes glazed over when it wasn’t about him.
He also liked to commandeer her hairdryer, hair straighteners — which she didn’t even know was a thing for men but it was for Nick — and mirror.
When he’d suggested she may want to think about getting a spray tan with him — ’you’re looking a bit “peely-wally”’ — it was the final straw and she knew he wasn’t the one.
After they’d broken up, he quickly replaced her with a cheerleader.
She could still remember Nita’s face when she told her.
Nita had burst out laughing and raised her imaginary pom-poms as she started to wave her arms in the air and dance.
‘N! I! C! K! What do we have? Nick!’ She had thrown a leg in the air, almost pulling a muscle in the process, then cheekily added, ‘What does that rhyme with? Prick!’ Then, after giving a little bow and curtsy, she had collapsed in an exhausted heap on the floor.
‘I am so glad to be single. But I can’t be here and not work. Getting something to tide me over until I find something more permanent seems the easiest option.’
Nita shook her head. ‘I disagree. Which is why I have the perfect solution. Especially as the timing is so perfect.’
Flora tilted her head and looked at her friend curiously. ‘Really? And what’s that then?’
She took a sip from her coffee cup then set it down gently on the table.
‘I’ve got a client who has been desperately looking for a flat for the summer.
She doesn’t want to share with anyone else and wants something bijou.
’ She paused. ‘I told her your place would be perfect. I sold it as “a tranquil retreat in the leafy heart of the city”.’
‘Oh,’ said Flora, not quite sure what to make of Nita’s suggestion or description which was somewhat generously embellished. She sighed. ‘It’s just not exactly where I expected my life to be right now. I didn’t think I would have to leave my flat and live out of a bag for the summer.’
‘You’re only thirty, Flo. You’re single and have no ties here and the world’s your oyster. Sometimes the unexpected can be a good thing. Especially when I tell you more.’
‘Go on,’ Flora said, leaning in and silently wondering what would she do if she did rent it out? She had visited her parents, who now lived in South Africa, earlier in the year and didn’t want to spend any more money on costly flights.
‘You could move in with me,’ said Nita, sounding a bit unconvinced that that was a good idea. ‘Or . . . go travelling with the rent money!’
Flora wrinkled her nose. ‘I don’t fancy going anywhere hot. South Africa was boiling and—’
‘You could explore Scotland a bit more,’ Nita suggested. She was going somewhere with this, Flora could sense it. ‘You’re always saying how you keep meaning to get out the city and get some creative inspiration away from Edinburgh . . .’
Yes, she was.
’Why not go to your gran’s? Use that as your base.’ Nita now beamed at her.
That was actually a really good idea. And Nita knew it.
Kind as it was of Nita to offer, she knew how much her friend valued her own space.
As did Flora. But her gran’s house, on the banks of Loch Lomond, was spacious and it had a huge sprawling garden that Flora loved.
When she last visited at Christmas, she had told Flora that she really needed to start decluttering and redecorating her house.
Flora kept saying she would help. Why hadn’t she thought of this before?
Especially as her gran had plenty of room in her cottage, which was an old boathouse.
Nita cleared her throat. ‘And can I also add that when you hear how much rent I’ve managed to negotiate for you, you will not be disappointed.’ Her smile was triumphant. ‘In fact, I think you will find you can’t turn it down.’
Flora’s eyes widened in disbelief when Nita said the amount out loud and had to ask her to repeat it. It would be enough to pay her mortgage at least until the end of the year.
‘But . . . there is just one catch.’ Nita was now chewing her bottom lip.
Flora groaned, feeling the sense of hope that started to fizz in her stomach fade. ‘Go on, tell me. What’s the catch?’
‘Erm, well, she wants to move in on Monday.’
‘Monday? What? This Monday . . . like in four days’ time?’ Nita nodded and Flora burst out laughing incredulously.
Nita’s eyes now twinkled mischievously. ‘What do you say?’
Flora started to chuckle as she grinned at Nita. ‘Do I have a choice?’
‘Always,’ teased Nita. ‘But think about this. It could be the answer to your problems . . .’
Flora lifted her shoulders in resignation. Her friend might well be right. ‘What have I got to lose?’
Nita clapped her hands together. ‘It’s a win-win situation all round. Trust me. I’ve got a good feeling about this, Flora.’
Flora felt a rush of excitement rise up. ‘I do hope you’re right.’