Page 53 of The Little Flower Shop By the Sea
‘She’s one cool customer, that’s for sure.’
‘She is that.’ Jake looks down into the waves and appears to be thinking about something so I don’t interrupt. ‘Look, Poppy,’ he says, suddenly turning to me, ‘I’m aware you don’t know me that well…’
Jake’s face is earnest and I wonder what he’s about to say.
‘I don’t expect you to talk about what’s happened in your past, that’s your business. But if you ever need —’
‘What do you know of my past?’ I ask sharply. We’ve been leaning on the harbour railings quite convivially, but now I stand bolt upright, my mind racing. ‘Has someone been talking? Has your aunt, that Lou woman, been saying things about me? Has she?’
Jake looks completely bewildered. ‘I don’t know what you —’
‘I bet she has,’ I continue, not giving him a chance to finish. ‘It’s none of her or your or anyone else’s business. What happened, happened years ago, and no one was there except me.No oneknows exactly what happened but me. Understand?’
Jake, still looking confused, nods.
‘Right, where does your aunt live?’ I demand.
‘Bluebell Cottage, up on Jacob Street, but I really don’t see —’
But his words come too late; I’m already storming along the harbour towards Jacob Street and Bluebell Cottage.
No one gossips about my family.
No one.
Eighteen
Peony – Anger
I bang hard on the blue wooden door and wait.
Jake finally catches up with me. ‘What are you doing?’ he pants, out of breath from chasing me along the street and up another hill.
‘I won’t have people tittle-tattling about Will,’ I say, banging on the door with my fist.
‘Who the hell is Will?’ Jake asks.
I turn and look at him, debate for about two seconds whether to answer his question, then turn back to the door. I’m about to bang on it again when it swings open and Lou stands in front of us, looking annoyed and then surprised to see us.
‘Poppy, are you feeling better?’ she asks. ‘Why are you banging on my door? Has something happened?’ She looks back at Jake, concerned. ‘Is it the children?’
‘No, Lou,’ he begins from behind me. ‘It’s —’
‘Have you told him?’ I demand, interrupting Jake. I know I’m being incredibly rude, but I have to know.
Lou looks puzzled. ‘Told him what?’
I give her a meaningful look.
‘Poppy, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Look, I have to get back inside. Suzy is about to give birth.’
Suzy? Who is Suzy?
‘It’s happening now?’ Jake asks excitedly. ‘I thought she wasn’t due yet.’
‘I didn’t think she was,’ Lou says, holding open the door for Jake and me to come in. ‘But it’s happening a few days earlier than I anticipated. Seems Basil got to work quicker than I thought.’
And who is Basil?
