Chapter 13 #2
‘Wholeheartedly.’ He nodded. ‘And put it this way, Jean, if he doesn’t understand, or doesn’t like it, then he’s not worth knowing, and he can sling his hook right out of Micklewick Bay and get himself back to Chester.
In fact, I reckon Florrie would do a pretty good job of chasing him out if she got so much as a sniff of him thinking like that. ’
‘You’d better believe it,’ Florrie said firmly. She and Ed had become protective of Jean since she’d shared her heartbreaking story with them.
That made Jean’s smiles reappear. ‘Yes, I daresay you’re right.’ She laughed. ‘I’m dreading telling him, but I know I’m going to have to do it soon.’
‘Get it over and done with, Jean, and the sooner the better. It’ll be a huge weight off your shoulders.
Then you’ll be able to stop fretting about it and just get on with having a lovely time together.
’ Florrie leant into her friend. ‘And I don’t mind telling you, I’ve got a really good feeling about this. ’
‘Aye, me too,’ said Ed. ‘It’s easy to see he thinks a lot about you from the way he looks at you.’
‘Really?’ Jean pressed her hands to her chest, her eyes lighting up.
‘Really,’ Florrie and Ed said in unison.
‘Oh, that’s given me a real boost, it has.
In fact, I think I’ll give him a call once I’m done here and before I head up to Maggie’s, ask if we can meet to have a chat, get it over and done with before Thursday.
That way, if he decides he doesn’t want anything to do with me, it won’t spoil our Jack and Jenna’s evening.
Unless you think that’s pushy of me?’ Concern furrowed her brow as she glanced between them.
‘It’s not at all pushy, Jean. It sounds like a good plan to me,’ said Florrie.
‘I agree,’ said Ed. ‘In fact, there’s no time like the present. Feel free to call him now. You can do it from the kitchen where it’s nice and private, we’ll keep out of your way.’
Jean’s hand went to her mouth. ‘Oh, my goodness, that does seem very sudden.’ Florrie looked on as a mix of emotions crossed Jean’s face. ‘You’re right, Ed, there’s no time like the present. I’ll do it this minute.’
‘Go, Jean,’ said Florrie, just as the bell above the door jingled and Amery stepped in.
‘Good morning, folks,’ he said, his distinctive cologne wafting over to them. He directed his bright blue gaze at Jean as he removed his trilby.
‘Good morning, Amery, I wasn’t expecting to see you today.’ Jean looked suddenly flustered.
Florrie and Ed returned Amery’s greeting, exchanging a look of surprise.
Gerty appeared, wandering her way from the kitchen. Spotting Amery, she trotted over to him and started sniffing at his trousers.
‘Hello there, Gerty, it’s good to see you again,’ he said, bending to ruffle her ears. The Labrador gave an enthusiastic wag of her tail before heading to her bed.
Smiling broadly, Amery turned his full attention to Jean.
‘Jean, my dear, I was hoping you’d be here.
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed R.J.
Kingston’s novel, such clever plotting and well-drawn characters; kept me guessing right up to the end.
I finished it late last night and am now eagerly awaiting publication of the next book in the series. ’
‘I thought you’d enjoy it.’ Though Jean smiled, Florrie could see the hint of uncertainty in her eyes. She hoped Amery hadn’t detected it and got the wrong impression.
‘I did. It was another excellent recommendation of yours, and now I’ve come to take a couple more Eleanor Farthing books off your hands.’
‘Ah, good choice,’ said Florrie. ‘Jean and I are huge fans of her books. She’s having a bit of a renaissance since the BBC announced they were making a new series based on her novels. I think they’re set to air in the autumn.’
‘Something to look forward to,’ Amery said. ‘The books aren’t the only reason for my visit. I wondered if you’d be free to take a walk with me at some point today, Jean?’
‘Oh, I… um, well…’ Jean’s eyes darted to Florrie.
Seeing Amery’s smile falter, Florrie stepped in. ‘I know you’ve got a busy afternoon with Maggie, but why don’t you slip away now? It’s not like we’re rushed off our feet.’
Amery looked on expectantly as he waited for Jean to reply.
‘It’s a grand day out there, Jean, you might as well make the most of that gorgeous sunshine. You never know when it’s going to start chucking it down,’ said Ed.
‘I agree,’ said Florrie.
Jean seemed to take a moment to fortify herself and said, ‘That sounds like a lovely idea, Amery. I’ll just get my coat.’ She briefly caught Florrie’s eye. ‘There’s something I’d like to talk to you about, actually.’
While Jean disappeared to get her coat and hat, Florrie served Amery with a couple of Eleanor Farthing books, the pair making small talk about the upcoming television series.
Ed, who’d hung back from resuming his work on the window displays so he could say goodbye to Jean, chipped in every now and then.
It wasn’t long before Jean reappeared, bundled up in her warm wool coat and woolly hat. Just as the couple were about to leave, Florrie went to give her friend a hug. ‘Good luck, lovely,’ she whispered in her ear. ‘Everything will be fine, trust me.’ She squeezed Jean tightly before releasing her.
Jean gave her a hopeful smile. ‘Thanks, lovey. I really hope so.’
‘Let us know how it goes.’
‘Will do.’
Florrie and Ed watched as Amery, ever the gentleman, held the door open for Jean, bidding them a warm goodbye.
‘I’d be amazed if Jean has anything to worry about there,’ said Ed as the door clicked shut and the couple stepped out into Victoria Square. ‘He seems to hold her in quite high regard.’
‘He does. I’m keeping everything crossed it goes well.’
Before Florrie had time to contemplate this further, her mobile pinged to life on the countertop.
‘Right, I’ll take that as my cue to get back to my work on the window display. I need to make sure everything’ll be snag-free for Thursday.’
‘Sure I can’t take a peek?’ Florrie asked, a mischievous smile on her face.
‘I’m sure,’ he said with a laugh. ‘You’ll have to wait till Thursday like everyone else.’
Florrie stuck out her bottom lip in an exaggerated display of disappointment. ‘That’s so not fair.’
Her pitiful expression had Ed shaking his head with laughter. ‘Too bad,’ he said, as he undid the fastenings of the curtains and climbed back into the window, retying them tightly.
Florrie reached for her mobile to see the text was from Jasmine.
Hi Florrie, hope all’s well and The Dragon isn’t causing you too many probs.
Just a quick reminder about tomorrow’s hen do celebrations.
It starts at 6pm so one of us will pick you up at five forty.
You’ll need to wear something you don’t mind getting messy!
! Let us know where you want picking up – the bookshop or home. Jxx
Florrie couldn’t help but laugh at the dragon and scream-face emojis that decorated the text.
Though, with everything that had been going on recently – particularly with Ed’s mum and whatever it was she was up to, not to mention her dad being poorly – Florrie hadn’t had the time to give much thought to her friends’ plans for tomorrow evening.
She couldn’t begin to imagine what it would be – hopefully it wouldn’t be anything like pig herding, with Jazz saying to wear something she wouldn’t mind getting messy.
Then again, if they were picking her up twenty minutes before whatever they’d got planned was due to start, it was highly unlikely; she didn’t know of any pig farms they could reach in that time.
Whatever it was, the salsa dance class would take some beating.
Smiling, she typed out a quick reply.
Hi Jazz, thanks for the reminder. I’m intrigued but looking forward to it – as long as it doesn’t involve pigs!! Am I okay to get picked up from home? Will update you on ‘The Dragon’ tomorrow evening. Fxxx
Seconds after she’d pressed send her mobile pinged.
She let out a bark of laughter when she saw Jasmine had replied with a line of pig emojis.
The feeling that it would be good to have some time with just her four friends washed over her.
She was keen to have their take on the weird situation with Dawn.