It all started with you, p.14
It All Started With You, page 14
Once, if I’d dared imagine this moment, I would have been beside myself. Yet here I am, actually touching the mighty rock star himself – and nothing. No frisson of excitement, no blood rushing to my cheeks, nothing.
‘Great to meet you, Frankie,’ says Pete. ‘Maria’s told me all about you. But to tell you the truth, I’m going to sit out here and leave you girls to it. Flowers aren’t really my bag.’ He gives me a saucy wink.
But the wink does it and this time my cheeks do blush pink. ‘Oh. Okay.’ I turn to Maria. ‘Shall we go inside?’
The ancient wooden door creaks open and we step inside. It’s cool and musty, a blend of chalky white walls contrasting with stone. This genuinely is a simple country church, with no adornments and no pretentions, where you can imagine a sheep or two blundering in and not looking at all out of place. Deciding it’s my favourite church ever, I turn to Maria.
‘Shall we sit at the back?’ I suggest. ‘And then you can tell me what you’ve been thinking.’
‘Oh, probably roses,’ she giggles, sitting on a dusty pew without appearing to notice. ‘But apart from that… Oh, I don’t know, Frankie. You’re the expert. What do you think?’
I sit down next to her and gaze towards the front, trying to imagine it full of people as I dream up something fabulous.
‘Those stone columns,’ I say, pointing to the ones either side at the front. ‘Festooned with ivy and roses up to the ceiling. They won’t get in anyone’s way but wow, will it look stunning…’
Maria starts to smile.
‘And on all the windowsills, ivy and roses and hundreds of candles – it’ll be October, remember, late afternoon… It’ll look perfect.’
Her smile grows.
‘And a carpet of rose petals all the way up the aisle to the altar, which if your vicar will let us, we can also cover with more roses…’ I frown. ‘You see, I’m thinking stunning, but not fussy. What do you think?’
But she’s nodding happily. ‘And the door, Frankie, we can have an arch, can’t we?’
I imagine a wide arch bedecked with more roses. ‘Of course…’
Okay, I decide. So maybe Pete isn’t that ordinary. When we go outside again, he’s lounging on a bench under the yew tree with a fag in his mouth, strumming a chart-topping tune on an acoustic guitar. ‘Okay, babe?’ he winks at Maria, then at me again.
‘It’s so exciting!’ She jumps up and down like a little girl. ‘I can’t wait!’
Then it’s back down to earth with a crunch, because I know there are all these flowers to do for the weekend and we’re running out of hours to do them in.
‘So sorry, Skye…’ I tear into the shop. ‘How far have you got with tomorrow’s wedding?’
‘Finished,’ she says calmly and my jaw drops open. ‘Nearly done the second one too. You didn’t say about your friend, Frankie – she’s a bit of a natural.’
‘You mean Honey?’ I’m incredulous.
‘Don’t look so shocked. Like you always say, it’s hardly rocket science. Anyway, she like watched me do a couple of vases and had a go. Finished them in the end – look. Over there. I bet you can’t tell which are hers and which are mine.’
I go over and look at the vases, set neatly out. They look perfect. Skye’s right. I can’t. ‘Where is she now?’
‘Oh – she like went out for something. She didn’t say what. Want a cuppa?’
‘Um, yes,’ I say distractedly, suddenly realising that Honey can be seriously useful now. And actually, that would be great, except I’ll have to pay her.
It’s mid-afternoon before she returns looking a little cagey, clutching a wodge of papers under her arm which she tries to hide from me.
‘Where have you been?’ I ask her – suspiciously. After all, I know my friend.
‘Nowhere, really.’ She shrugs.
Nowhere really… What kind of an answer is that? I fold my arms and glare at her. ‘Honey, spill.’
‘Promise you won’t be annoyed that I didn’t run it by you first?’
‘That all depends…’ I’m not getting a good feeling here. What has she been up to?
‘Well, I’ve signed up for a floristry course.’
I open my mouth to speak but she holds up a hand. ‘Now, before you say anything, Frankie, it’s only one day a week so I’ll still be here to help you. And I thought I’d be far more use if I had some training and I really enjoyed helping Skye while you were out.’
I’m not sure why, but it’s a step too far. Out of the kindness of my heart, I’ve let her into my home, my shop and it’s beginning to feel like a takeover. A horrific thought occurs to me. With Honey’s name already on the lease, is that what she’s trying to do? ‘But you don’t understand,’ I cry. ‘I’m the florist, not you. You might have paid my deposit for this place and I’ll always be really, really grateful to you, but this is mine, Honey. I created it. You’re… you’re a lawyer.’
As I watch, her shoulders slump and her face turns ashen. ‘I… I’ve done it again, haven’t I?’ she mumbles. ‘I’ve gone bulldozing in without a thought for how you’d feel. I’m so sorry, Frankie…’
‘No… no.’ I protest, but I don’t sound convincing, even to me. ‘It’s not like that.’
‘But it is, Frankie. It’s what I always do… At least, that’s what Johnny says. I’ll cancel the course, it’s not a problem. You’re right, I’m a lawyer. It was silly of me.’
Her voice has gone flat and the defeated look is back. As she turns to walk out of the shop, I give a heartfelt sigh, then go running after her and grab her arm. ‘Come back here.’ I frogmarch her over to the bench where the flowers she arranged are all neatly set out. Then take a deep breath. I never in a million years thought I’d be saying this, but you can’t learn to be creative. There’s no question in my mind that she has a talent. ‘Look at them. They’re good, aren’t they? Really good, Honey. And you’ve never tried to do it before. You should do that course – as long as you realise that a day a week will teach you the basics, but there’s far, far more to it than that. Things you only learn the hard way. Like in here,’ I say pointedly. ‘Working for me in this shop. And we’re getting so busy, I’m going to be needing another florist, so…’ I swallow my pride and pin a smile on. ‘The sooner you do that course, the better.’
I watch the smile spread across her face before Honey nearly strangles me in a hug.
19
Guiltily, and somewhat reluctantly, I get round to calling Julia. After all, she is my mother.
‘How’s Giles?’ I ask her, guessing from her voice he isn’t good.
‘Oh, Frankie… It’s awful. He’s so brave, but he’s so ill… I can’t believe how fast this is happening. I don’t know what I’m going to do.’ Her voice breaks.
‘You just do what you’re doing,’ I tell her. ‘Be with him. As much as you can.’ Thinking she better not dare do one of her runners. Then, against my better judgement, I add, ‘Why don’t I come up and meet you for lunch?’
‘Them flowers worked yet, duck?’
‘What – the posy you mean, Mrs Orange? Not yet, I’m afraid.’
‘Sometimes it takes time, my lovely. Your friend, though, has the makings, doesn’t she?’ She nods wisely, her beady little eyes squinting at me.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well. I came in the other day when you were out and she was fiddling with some vases – so I helped her. Listened real good, she did. Did quite a good job for a posh girl.’
First Charlie, then Mrs Orange – and now Honey’s going back to school. Something very weird’s going on. It’s one aspect of Honey’s makeover I hadn’t anticipated but it definitely suits her. She’s looking happier again, but there’s still no sign of Johnny rushing back to make it up, which worries me. I might yet need to do something devious, but I’ll need some help. With Honey out of the way, I make some calls.
‘Charlie? Listen – you free this weekend? Only I have a plan.’
I leave a message with Nina’s receptionist. ‘It’s important – can you ask her to keep Sunday free?’
Next up is Johnny, which I’m slightly nervous about. Employing the old tactic of phoning rather than texting because it’ll be harder for him to say no, I cross my fingers. ‘Hi, Johnny, it’s me, Frankie…’ I use my breeziest, happiest voice.
‘Hi, Frankie. How are you?’ Although he sounds pleased to hear from me, there’s sadness in his voice.
Yet again I’m staggered that he and Josh are actually brothers. ‘Really good, thanks. Um, I wanted to ask you a favour.’
‘Ask away.’
‘A very good friend of mine has a little boy who isn’t well. Only he loves boats and I was wondering if by any chance Matty might take us out on his? I know it’s a huge favour to ask – but what about Sunday? I’ll bring a huge, super-duper picnic for everyone and you’ll love Lulubelle and Cosmo – that’s my friend and her son – so – what do you think?’
Johnny sounds doubtful. ‘Is it a good idea, Frankie? If this little boy isn’t well? Wouldn’t it make more sense to do it when he’s better?’
I hesitate. ‘The trouble is, he’s not that sort of ill, Johnny. He’s leukaemia sort of ill and he might not get better – which is why I’m asking.’
‘Oh.’ He sounds shocked. ‘Yes. Of course – I’ll phone Matty right now and see how he’s fixed. Forecast is good for Sunday, isn’t it? Might work out rather well…’
‘Thank you, Johnny,’ I say gratefully. ‘That’s really brilliant of you.’
‘Frankie…’ He hesitates. ‘How’s Honey?’
‘She’s okay,’ I say quietly. ‘But I know she misses you.’ It’s too soon to tell him things are changing.
True to his word, he calls back minutes later confirming everything’s fixed. All I have to do now is tell Lulubelle and Cosmo – and that’s something I’d rather do in person so, after work, I walk up the lane to her cottage. When I reach it, there’s a bunch of balloons tied to the front door. I knock, hoping I’m not interrupting anything. Lulubelle’s mother opens it, her face pink with excitement.
‘Oh, Frankie! Just the person! We’ve had some wonderful news! Oh, I’ll let Lulubelle tell you… Come in, come in – she’s in the garden.’
She hustles me through to where Lulubelle is, across the garden with a couple of friends I recognise from the hospice. They’re drinking champagne and I wonder just what it is they’re celebrating. When she sees me, she comes rushing over. ‘Frankie! I’m so glad you’re here!’
‘What’s happening?’ I ask her, noting something in her eyes I’ve never seen before.
‘It’s official, Frankie’ she says tremulously. ‘We heard today! It’s Cosmo! He’s in remission!’
‘Yaayy….’ I shriek and fling my arms round her, as this incredible feeling washes over me. This is the best, most amazing news ever and to be here to celebrate is just awesome. We’re still hugging excitedly when Cosmo comes up and tugs at me.
‘Let’s play football!’ he shouts, pulling me towards the garden. ‘Come on!’
I beam at him, a huge smile that cracks my face in half. ‘Let’s! Come on… this time I’m going to beat you…’ And I run after him, my heart bursting with a happiness I’ve never felt before.
It’s the most wonderful news and no one deserves it more than these two. Cosmo kicks his football at me relentlessly and I happily kick it back, until Lulubelle calls half-time.
‘I almost forgot to tell you,’ I say to her, gratefully sipping the glass of champagne she brings me. ‘You know my idea about the boat? Well, it’s on for Sunday – if that’s okay with you?’
She grins back at me. ‘Definitely! Thanks so much, Frankie… He’s going to love it. It’s perfect timing, isn’t it! It’ll be a celebration! My baby’s in remission and we’ve got the whole summer ahead of us – I can’t think of anything better! Shall I tell him or would you like to?’
‘Can I?’ I say, pleased. ‘Hey, Beckham!’ I shout at him. ‘Come here a minute. We have a surprise for you.’
He runs over towards us, skidding to a stop on his knees like any other small boy and glancing up at us cheekily.
‘Well, a friend of a friend of mine has a boat, you see. And he’s looking for a ship’s mate. And I told him I might just know someone…’ I tease him. ‘Anyway, he says he’ll try you out on Sunday – if you’re not too busy, of course.’
His eyes light up and his face beams at mine, then Lulubelle’s. ‘Mama? Can we go? Please?’
‘Of course we can!’ She sweeps him up in a hug he doesn’t want and he beats his fists on her back until she puts him down again and he tears off across the garden.
After a truly magical evening, I walk home floating on air, realising what I saw in Lulubelle’s eyes. It was happiness, plain and simple. It was the first time I’d ever seen it there. The kind of happiness that comes from deep inside.
A strange feeling comes over me. Her happiness is tentative, too – she’s no way of knowing what the future holds. But it doesn’t stop her seizing moments when she can. And it’s the same for all of us to some extent. The past is behind us, the future unknown, these moments, in the now, the only ones we have, that we should hold on to.
When I get home, Honey’s sitting with her feet up, engrossed in CSI getting her law fix.
‘I’ve just seen Lulubelle,’ I say excitedly. ‘She’s had the best news. They found out today that Cosmo’s in remission.’
But she doesn’t move, which goes to show, you can take the girl out of the law but you can’t take the law out of the girl.
‘Honey…’
‘That’s good,’ she says absently, staring at the screen. I pick up the remote and turn it off.
‘What did you do that for?’ She glares at me.
‘Did you even hear what I just told you? About Cosmo? Being in remission?’
This time it has the desired effect and she completely forgets what she was watching. ‘Oh, Frankie, that’s great news! She must be over the moon!’
‘She is. Honestly, Honey – I don’t know how she copes with all the worry. She’s amazing… Anyway, I need to tell you something and I don’t know if you’re going to be very happy with me.’
I tell her about calling Johnny and the boat and Sunday and she goes quiet.
‘It’s a really good idea,’ she says. ‘For Cosmo. Did he say anything about me, Frankie?’
‘We didn’t really talk for long enough,’ I tell her. ‘He was trying not to, but he sounded sad. He asked how you were.’
She nods slowly. ‘But he’s not going to come rushing over, is he?’
I can’t lie. It doesn’t look as though he is. ‘It doesn’t mean anything, Honey. It’s only been a few days – but I did think of a plan. Charlie and Nina are coming along on Sunday – why don’t you come too? Just to remind him what he’s missing?’
She shakes her head. ‘I don’t know. It might just make everything awkward and I don’t want to spoil Cosmo’s day.’
‘But it’s an opportunity,’ I persist. ‘You can wear your new clothes and look really sexy and surprise him.’
‘I’d love to.’ She sounds as though she means it. ‘But it might be better if I leave it this time – just so Lulubelle and Cosmo can have a happy day without anything getting in the way of that.’
Wow. This is most charitable of her, when I know how much she wants Johnny back. Which reminds me of another charitable matter. ‘Maybe you’re right,’ I say gently. ‘But believe me, I’ll be stirring him up on your behalf.’
‘Thanks.’ But it’s a tight-lipped smile she gives me.
Maybe they both need more time. Meanwhile, I’ve thought of the perfect way to galvanise her into action. ‘Changing the subject – I seem to remember, it’s not just me running this half-marathon. Don’t you think it’s time you started training?’
20
So on Sunday, we head for the wilds of the Kent countryside, leaving Honey alone at home. She’s promised not to mope – she has too much to do anyway, what with marathon training and swotting for her floristry course. Lulubelle picks me and Charlie up. Nina and Will are meeting us there and, though it’s early, the clear sky and light winds promise another fine day, just as Johnny had predicted.
Cosmo’s bursting with excitement and chatters all the way there, mostly to Charlie, who’s sitting in the back next to him.
‘He’s been awake since five,’ Lulubelle tells me. ‘You’ve no idea how much this means to him.’
‘We’re just as excited,’ I tell her. ‘The only slight worry is Honey.’ I fill her in about how she and Johnny were having these terrible rows and hadn’t spoken for ages.
‘So you still think there’s a chance they’ll get back together?’
‘I know so,’ I say. ‘They’re made for each other. It’s just they’re both stubborn and someone has to make the first move. Look – I think we’re here…’
We have a fabulous day on Matty’s boat, with Cosmo leaping around in his little life jacket as we chug peacefully up the river amidst the greenest, lushest fields. Not for nothing is Kent known as the garden of England. And there’s something about being on the water that’s calming and kind of spiritual almost, if you can blot out the racket my friends are making. Up on the bow doing my best Kate Winslet impression, I’m joined by Johnny, who, under the surface, is clearly suffering just as much as Honey is.
‘I take it she’s staying with you?’ He can’t even bring himself to say her name.
