Page 7 of Electric Kiss

Selly, his friend since school, was a florist. He had a piece of land as part of his parents’ property and grew tulips, then shipped them to the mainland. Unless they had a freak weather front, Selly’s business wasn’t likely to go quiet. Not even Cynthia Turner could spoil the flowers.

“Slower than normal.”

“Don’t forget to phone that free helpline. They’ll be able to help with the tax questions.”

“I will. I’ll do that soon.”

“Make sure you do. It will be one less thing to worry about. I’ll see you at the pub. First round’s on me,” Selly said and then was gone.

Chapter Three

Daisy

Daisy sat up in bed wondering when she should learn how to operate her heating. The mornings were getting cooler and her tank and PJ shorts weren’t keeping her warm like they had over the summer. The mug of tea sitting on her nightstand was steaming hot as she tapped away on her laptop. Her head snapped up when she heard her back door open and then shut.

She’d forgotten again to lock her back door. If that was Luke coming in, she was in for a telling off for not staying safe. The thud of feet told her it was Archer and Teddy.

Archer’s stray dog was home.

“You decent?” Archer called out from the hallway when he’d reached the top of the stairs.

Teddy clearly didn’t care if she was decent or not as he ran into her bedroom and jumped up at the side of the bed. Daisy looked at the clock on her screen and thought for a moment she was running late, but it said seven o’clock.

“Yeah, I’m decent,” she called out, putting her laptop to one side and patting the duvet for Teddy to jump up.

Archer came to the doorway and laughed at Teddy, trying and failing to get up. Daisy leaned forward and clutched him under her legs and yanked him up. He rewarded her with doggy kisses, which she tried to keep to her jaw and neck.

“You’re up early?” she said as she dodged Teddy left and right.

“Yeah, taking Teddy for his morning walk and thought I’d test out your back door. I wasn’t shocked to find that it wasn’t locked. You look like you’ve been up a while. Is that tea still warm?”

Daisy widened her eyes at Archer’s series of questions, choosing to acknowledge the last one.

“Yeah, I haven’t had any yet if you want it.”

Archer strolled over to the table, strode with his heavy boots and picked up the mug. He carried it back to the chair in the corner and flopped down. Leaning back, he balanced the ceramic mug on the arm and whistled for Teddy. The dog didn’t move from his warm spot under the covers but glanced at Archer, then Daisy. His ears pinned back slightly as he yanked his nose under the duvet and snuggled deeper into her bed.

Teddy broke his habit of getting over-excited and calmed down. After months of training with a handler, he was like a new and mature dog. Teddy had become well-behaved in how he acted around people, especially Archer and Erica’s baby.

Archer groaned as he eyed Teddy’s uncooperative behaviour. “I’ve only had him back one day, and he’s already defying me.”

Daisy smiled warmly at Archer, looking amused by the situation. “The trainer said he’ll be okay with Isobel?”

“Yeah,” Archer answered, still watching the dog with a furrowed brow. “It was worth all those months being away to get him child friendly. I remember the dogs we had around the estate when we were little. I don’t even know whose they were. They were just Turner dogs, but I enjoyed having animals.”

Daisy’s expression shifted to longing, and she said dreamily, “I’d like a cat.”

Archer snorted in response. “Cats are arseholes, no loyalty,” he declared, before draining his cup of tea.

“Yeah, true, but I like their attitude.”

Archer barked out a laugh at Daisy’s comment.

“So, why are you up so early?” he asked.

“Doing Edward Hall stuff. Want to get a routine, so we’re shipshape for auditors and tax inspections. I’d rather get things sorted as we go than have to do them at the end of the tax year.”

“Do you really have to get up so early for that?”

---