Page 10 of The Vanishing Bookstore
Dora laughed. ‘I’m sure it will, what’s the worst that could happen?’
‘Let’s not even think about it, just promise me you’ll still speak to me when you come home.’
‘I promise, honestly, you’ll be fab. I have no weddings and if anyone needs funeral flowers you can tell them to go to Ivy & Rose down the high street. Oh, actually.’
‘Actually?’ Katie rolled her eyes at her.
‘Actually, there may be a funeral, but hopefully it’s before I leave, and I’ll get it sorted. Although to be honest the guy is a little weird.’
‘Weird?’
‘He’s lost his girlfriend.’
‘Don’t be so mean, Dora.’
‘I’m trying not to be, but he acts strange. He was at Queens Deli this morning when I called in on the way to the flower market.’
‘What’s weird about that? He might be grieving but he’s still got to eat.’
‘I don’t know, I can’t be specific, but he walked through the market with me and bought me those.’ She pointed to the flowers she’d put on the side. ‘He said pretty flowers for a pretty lady or something like that. Grieving boyfriends don’t move on that fast, do they?’
Katie laughed. ‘Oh, Lord. Dora, you do know how to pick them. Bless him, maybe he’s just being kind.’
‘Thanks, what are you trying to say?’
Katie nudged her. ‘Nothing, leave the guy alone, grief can make people act strange. Right, pass me my tea then you can talk me through the basics while I drink it and then we’ll get started making up the bouquets.’ She let out a loud squeal, making Dora jump.
‘Jesus, what’s that about?’
‘Nothing, I’m just excited. I’ve always fancied myself a florist. Having a little shop like yours is a dream come true for me.’
‘Oh, well that’s great then for the both of us. You’ve never said before.’
‘No, I suppose I hadn’t but that was when I thought the world of being a PA was my calling, especially the lunchtime sex with the wealthy boss…’
Dora shook her head in amazement. ‘Before you found out about his wife…’
Katie shrugged. ‘Not my finest moment.’
‘Well, let’s hope nothing as exciting happens while you’re here. I think you could do with a little time out from all the drama.’
‘You and me both. Right then, show me all your secrets.’
‘Erm, I’m not showing you all of them, there isn’t enough time. Let’s just start with the basics, okay, and take it from there. Once you know them you can begin to expand and be more creative.’
Katie nodded and Dora set about talking her through all the different flowers she had in the shop. They spent the rest of the day laughing and making up bouquets ready for the next few days.
‘Well, I think you’re a natural. Look at how easy you’ve taken to it.’
‘Dora, I love it. I can’t explain but it gives me such pleasure to see the flowers all arranged and put together in a pretty bouquet.’
As Dora began gathering up all the cut stems, the chimes above the shop door tinkled. She looked up to see who had walked in, catching her thumb and finger on the sharpest of thorns and tearing her skin open again.
‘Ouch.’ As blood ran from the deeper wound, this time the sharp pain took her to a place she didn’t know, a distant memory of another time maybe, but she saw herself running through a forest, breathing hard and fast, her arms and legs covered in cuts from the brambles.
‘Dora, are you okay?’
She heard Katie’s voice, but it seemed so far away and for a split second she didn’t know if she was okay. And then she heard his voice, which brought her back from wherever she was.
