Chapter Seventy-One
The next afternoon, Flora was excited to deliver the curtains to Gillian, desperate to see them hanging in Millie’s bedroom.
‘Hello, you,’ said Gillian, opening the door of the flat and welcoming her in. ‘Welcome to my casa.’
‘Where’s Millie?’ Flora glanced around the flat.
‘She went back to my mum’s after school which is why all is quiet. She isn’t very impressed that school is back now. It’s been a real struggle this past week trying to get her out of bed. She thinks the summer holidays should last until the end of September at least.’
‘I don’t blame her. I remember hating going back to school in the middle of August. It felt like summer was only just getting underway.’
Gillian looked at her watch. ‘I need to go and collect her soon, but do you fancy a cuppa first?’
Flora shook her head. ‘Thanks, but why don’t I just crack on with hanging these so they’re a nice surprise for when she gets back?’
‘Are you sure? I was fully expecting to get up the ladder and sort them out myself.’
‘Not at all. Let’s do it together? You can give me a hand.’
‘You’re on. And perhaps, when you’re finishing off, I’ll head off to collect her and then you can show them to her when we’re back?’
Flora nodded. ‘That sounds a plan.’ As Gillian led Flora down the hall and through to Millie’s bedroom she couldn’t help but admire Gillian’s lovely home. Brodie had done a great job. ‘Your flat is lovely.’
Gillian beamed. ‘We love it.’
Flora carefully unwrapped the curtains on Millie’s bed, allowing the fabric to gently unfold.
‘Wow, these look amazing!’ said Gillian, watching. ‘Now tell me what you need me to do that would help.’
Flora had spotted the ladder that was next to the window. ‘Hold these while I get the pole down.’ She started up the ladder, chatting to Gillian about her plans for the weekend.
‘I have actually got a date,’ Gillian said, her eyes shining with excitement.
‘Oh Gillian,’ gasped Flora. ‘You kept that quiet. Who? Where? Tell me more.’
Gillian chattered excitedly about her plans to meet the woman, Stella, on Saturday. ‘I’m nervous as it has been such a long time. We’ve been chatting online now for a while but this is the first chance we’ve had to meet in person.’
Flora grinned at her friend. ‘I am so excited for you. So, tell me what the plan is then?’
‘Dinner in Glasgow. And Mum is having Millie overnight so I don’t need to rush back.’
Flora winked at her. ‘You deserve to have a bit of fun, Gillian. You’re such an amazing mum and you work so hard. I’m glad you’re doing something for yourself.’
‘It will be nice to get dressed up and do something grown up for a change,’ admitted Gillian.
They had settled on tab-top curtains so there was no need to faff about with curtain hooks. Gillian held the pole while Flora slid them into place.
‘How about you? It sounds like things are going well with Brodie.’
Flora beamed, even the mention of his name made her stomach flutter. ‘It is . . . but do you know what? I had already decided to stay in Rowan Bay regardless of what happened with Brodie . . . But I am very glad things have worked out with him.’
‘Yay,’ said Gillian, clapping her hands together. ‘Didn’t I say that things had a way of working out? Remember when we had drinks in Jess’s garden at the start of the summer and you seemed so nervous about starting up a business on your own?’
Flora nodded.
‘And now look at you. I mean, these curtains are fabulous.’
Flora took a moment to admire her handiwork, the vibrant yellow fabric embroidered with tiny daisies framing the window and making the room feel cosy.
‘Thank you. I don’t think I could have done it without you all cheering me on.
I just need to sort out a workspace so that I’m not commandeering Gran’s house.
’ She resolved there and then to have a chat with her gran later about the possibility of a studio in the boathouse garden.
‘They look wonderful. She’s going to love them,’ said Gillian gratefully. ‘I’ll go and get her. Won’t be long.’
Ten minutes later she heard the door bang open and Millie ran through, wearing her school uniform, her hair in plaits.
‘Oh, Mummy. Look.’ The little girl stood there, her eyes wide, and a look of awe on her face.
‘Hey, Millie. What do you think?’ Flora watched her nervously, waiting for her to reply.
Millie stepped towards them, glancing shyly at Flora, and reached out to touch them. ‘I love them.’
Flora crouched down beside her. ‘I hoped you would. And I love your bedroom, Millie. It is so cool.’
Millie smiled at Flora. ‘Thank you.’
In that moment, all the time she had spent making them was worth it. ‘How is primary two going?’
Millie rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. ‘Yuck.’
‘I know,’ agreed Flora. ‘It’s hard being at school when the sun is shining and you just want to be outside playing.
One more day though and it’s the weekend, right?
’ Flora reached into her bag and took out a small bundle of fabric.
‘I’ve got something that might cheer you up even more.
’ Flora stood up and gave Millie a triangle of the material to hold then she carefully started to unfurl it, triangle by triangle, until Millie could see all of the bunting.
She gasped. ‘I’ve always wanted bunting!’
‘I had a feeling you might like this for your room, too. So I’m very glad I guessed correctly.’ Flora grinned, delighted by her reaction.
‘I think it’s fair to say that you have a very satisfied customer,’ said Gillian.
‘I aim to please.’
‘What do you say, Millie?’
‘Thank you. Yay.’
Appreciation shone in Gillian’s eyes. ‘I definitely owe you a drink for all of this. You are such a superstar. What about the inn tomorrow? Around four?’
‘That would be amazing. What about Millie though? And work?’
Gillian’s face flickered for a moment as though she’d been caught off guard. ‘Um, don’t worry, Millie goes straight to Mum’s after school. And I’ll be closing the bakery just before four anyway, as it’s Friday. It can be a quick drink.’
‘Okay, well, only if you’re sure,’ said Flora hesitantly. ‘We can go later if that’s better for you. Or leave it until another time?’
‘No, no,’ she replied firmly. ‘Tomorrow at four is perfect. And while we’ll have another natter tomorrow, have you seen the poster in the window of The Wee Bookshop advertising a book group?
What do you think? Do you fancy it? Jessica is up for it and I’m going to ask Lily too.
It might be something that’s a bit different for when the nights start to draw in. Especially if you’re staying . . .’
The thought of autumn in Rowan Bay suddenly sounded very comforting and also appealing, especially with Brodie on the scene. Gillian was watching her, her eyes full of anticipation. ‘I would love that! And I have no plans to leave Rowan Bay any time soon.’
‘That is wonderful news. And thanks for doing the curtains for Millie. And the bunting.’ Gillian looked at her with genuine warmth.
She beamed, glad she could do something for Gillian who had been so kind to her since she arrived in the village and who she now valued as a friend.
‘You are very welcome. I loved doing them and none of this would be possible if you hadn’t encouraged me to start working for myself. I absolutely love it.’
‘We’re all just very glad that you’re sticking around. But none as glad as Brodie.’ Gillian winked.
Flora started to gather her things and laughed.
‘Bye, Flora. Thank you,’ said Millie who had flopped onto her bed.
‘See you later, Millie. Enjoy your room.’
‘See you tomorrow at four.’ Gillian walked her to the door. ‘And don’t be late.’
‘I won’t be.’ She gave her friend a hug. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
When she arrived back at the boathouse there was a lightness in her step and she couldn’t stop smiling.
‘You look happy,’ said her gran who was bustling around the kitchen.
‘I am. I love this new life here, Gran.’
‘It has done you wonders, dearie. Village life certainly suits you.’