Page 126 of The Little Flower Shop By the Sea
‘It’s not my home any more,’ Stan says. ‘It was many years ago, but Trecarlan needs new blood now, someone who will look after and nurture it, and put it to good use. And that person, Poppy, is you. I want you to go on with the good work you’ve already been doing over the past few months.’
‘But… what about your real family? What about Bronte and Charlie? Shouldn’t they inherit it?’
‘You are as much a part of my family as they are,’ Stan says, ‘if not more so. I’m sure we can sort something out with Jake so the children will be a part of Trecarlan if they wish to be. But I’ve always wanted you to have my home, Poppy, and I’d be very grateful if you’d do me the great honour of accepting my offer.’
I look at Stan, and then I look up at Trecarlan sitting high on the hill over St Felix Bay. I’d spent some of the happiest times of my life up at that castle, and now I didn’t see why I couldn’t spend many more there.
‘Yes,’ I say, kneeling down next to Stan. ‘If you really want me to look after Trecarlan for you, then I shall.’
‘Poppy, I knew you’d say yes,’ he says, his thin hand cupping my face. ‘You’ve made an old man very happy.’
‘Are you absolutely sure about this, Stan? What about the Parish Council – they might kick up a fuss?’
Stan shakes his head. ‘Now that Harrington woman has resigned they’ll besweet. That’s what you youngsters say, isn’t it?’
I nod. After I’d given Caroline and Johnny my conditions for me not going to the police, they’d acted almost immediately. Caroline had resigned as chair of the Parish Council and president of the Women’s Guild, and Johnny had made sure the second part of my request was dealt with promptly too.
‘Poppy, I’ve never been surer of anything in my whole life. I want you to fill Trecarlan with joy and laughter. Make it come alive once more, like it was in the old days, before it became a lonely old man’s house.’
‘I will, Stan,’ I promise, leaning over his chair to give him a hug. ‘You have my word.’
‘I know you’ll do a good job with Trecarlan, Poppy,’ Stan assures me. ‘And if you make a profit, maybe you can help me fund my stay at Camberley. But I won’t have you selling the flower pictures for me. I gave them away as gifts. They’re not mine to sell any more.’
‘Of course, Stan. I wouldn’t dream of selling the pictures if you don’t want them sold. Maybe we can display them at the castle for future visitors to see and enjoy?’
‘That’s a wonderful idea!’ Stan says, his face lighting up. ‘I’d like that very much.’
I have a quick internal debate as to whether this would be a good time to tell Stan the other condition I’d negotiated with Caroline and Johnny for my silence. But I decide perhaps this isn’t the moment to let Stan know he’ll be able to stay at Camberley House if he wants to – because Caroline and Johnny Harrington-Smythe will be paying his fees there indefinitely…
‘I have something else for you, Poppy,’ Stan says, interrupting my thoughts. ‘I think you’ll find a rather delicate posy of flowers hanging off the back of my chair that have your name on them.’
‘What?’ I ask, looking around the back of his wheelchair. I unhook the bunch of colourful flowers that’s hanging there by a white ribbon, and look with suspicion at Stan.
‘Are you in on this too?’ I ask.
Stan just winks. ‘You now have two rather lovely posies. This one contains pansies, meaning think of me; alstroemeria, meaning devotion; and it’s entwined with ivy, meaning fidelity. So go on, open the card, lovely.’
I open the envelope, and there’s a card inside in the same handwriting. This time it says:
So you found the mad one, now you need to find me.
Come to the place where it’s like nothing else matters in the world, and together we can look out at the never-ending sea.
‘It’s the ledge,’ I tell Stan. ‘The secret ledge on Pengarthen cliffs.’
‘Well, what are you waiting for?’ Stan says, encouraging me. ‘Go, go!’
‘But I can’t just leave you.’
‘Ah, here comes Charlie with my pasty,’ Stan says as Charlie wanders over almost on cue. ‘He’ll take it from here. Now go to the cliffs. I think you’ll find something there that will make you happy for a very long time to come.’
Forty-four
Baby’s Breath – Everlasting Love
As I hurry along to the cliffs, my mind is buzzing with everything that’s just happened.
Stan was giving me Trecarlan! It was amazing, and wonderful, and scary all at the same time.
