Page 17 of The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street
They only just got everything done to Daisy’s satisfaction before it was time to open and, to her surprise, Kit, having promised to polish everything to within an inch of its life, leaving her to concentrate on the displays, did just that. He was almost as exacting as she was.
It was a Saturday and one of only three left before Christmas, and so the moment the shop opened a customer appeared, and then another and another. Mostly they were just browsers, but it took time to cultivate the natural dialogue that Daisy preferred rather than the forced sales patter that made people sound like they were reading from a script. Obviously she had to judge the length of time she spent with each customer carefully when they were busy, but even so it was nearly an hour later before there was a lull and she could finally speak to Kit.
She placed a sugared mouse on the counter beside him before crossing to fill up the dishes for customers.
‘I just wanted to say thank you,’ she said. ‘For this morning, sticking up for me, I mean. And to apologise as well. I said some things that weren’t all that nice, and Lawrence… well, I can only imagine the grief that you’ve had to put up with from Lawrence.’
Kit looked up in surprise, his fingers sliding over the mouse. ‘Lawrence is an arse,’ he replied. ‘And an entitled arse at that, which is the very worst kind. He’s absolutely outraged at Mother for even considering that anyone else should run Buchanans.’
Daisy studied him. ‘I should think that rather hurt though,’ she said.
‘Oh, don’t feel sorry for him. He was peculiarly affronted as a child to have been presented with not one, but two brothers, and has behaved that way ever since. Bertie has always tried to be the peacemaker among us, whereas I learned to ignore him at an early age. Which suits me just fine.’
He picked up the little pink mouse and studied it for a moment before biting its head clean off, making a show of chewing slowly, savouring the taste. He gave a sudden smile which lit up his face.
‘But you’re welcome in any case,’ he added. ‘Our family is a complicated thing, Daisy. I wouldn’t try to get too involved if I were you, and I certainly wouldn’t try to make things better. It’s unfortunate that Mum thought it was okay to throw you into the middle of all this, but she has, and I’m sorry that’s the case. That said, Lawrence still needs to wind his neck in.’
It was probably the longest conversation she had ever shared with Kit about his childhood. ‘You’re very different from your brothers, aren’t you?’
Kit held her look. ‘I sincerely hope so, but thank you for noticing,’ he replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
She dipped her head. ‘And maybe I’m speaking a little out of turn, but I’m surprised to hear that you actually want to run this place. I didn’t think you’d be interested.’
Not for the first time she wished she could take back her words as the light in his eyes dimmed a little. ‘I’m sorry, I… It’s none of my business… and rude.’
‘No, actually, I don’t suppose I’ve ever given you any cause to think otherwise. I have my reasons though and perhaps one day I’ll be able to share them with you.’
She frowned at the strangely wistful tone in his voice. What a curious thing to say. She quickly filled the dishes with the sweet sugary mice to hide her confusion.
‘It will be interesting to see what everyone picks for me,’ she said, looking down at her wrist where the sapphires she’d been wearing on Wednesday had been replaced by rubies.
‘Don’t fish, Daisy,’ he said, and slid off his stool, nodding towards the window. ‘Oh, look, it’s ethereal man. Go get him, Daisy, now’s your chance.’ And he turned away with an odd smile.
‘Amos! Hello again,’ she said as he came through the door. She really hadn’t expected to see him again so soon, or in the shop for that matter. And although she tried to keep the surprise from showing on her face, she didn’t quite succeed.
Amos pulled a face. ‘Sorry, I feel like I’m ambushing you, but I had to come into town and it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. Much better to come and see you, than ring.’ He looked past her into the shop. ‘I know you’ll be busy today, so I won’t be long.’
Daisy recovered herself. ‘No, don’t worry, it’s lovely to see you again. I had such a brilliant time yesterday.’ She slid Kit a sideways glance, but he was busy replacing a bauble that had rolled off the Christmas tree. ‘I even fired all the clay when I got home, but I haven’t had a chance to polish it yet.’
‘Well Flora is desperate to see your wreath, as is Grace for that matter. We were talking about it last night. In fact, it gave me the perfect opportunity to explain how you’re going to make a piece of jewellery for Flora as a present from Ned, and that it would really help you if you could chat to Grace and pick her brains for a little inspiration.’ He laughed. ‘Grace thought it was wonderfully romantic of course and just the sort of thing that Flora’s husband would do. I can’t wait to see her face on Christmas Day when she finds out the gift is really for her.’ He leaned towards her. ‘I didn’t think I’d be any good at this subterfuge lark, but I really rather enjoyed it. I should have been a spy…’
Daisy smiled at his comment but her heart was pounding. Kit still had his back to her but the shop was quiet, there was no way he wouldn’t have heard what Amos said. She had to get rid of Amos as quickly as she could.
‘Yes, I was thinking about that, actually. Showing Grace the wreath would give me the perfect excuse to see her, and Flora wouldn’t see anything odd in that. I should have it finished by early next week, so how about I take it over to show her and then we can have a chat about the other stuff too. Would Tuesday evening be okay?’
Amos smiled. ‘Come for dinner,’ he said. ‘About six thirty? Does that give you enough time after you finish work?’
She hesitated. It was a lovely offer, but even thinking about it was making her anxious. ‘Actually, that is a little early for me. And I’d hate to put Grace to all that bother. Why don’t I come about half seven instead? Then you can eat first without having to worry about me.’
Amos gave her a very direct look. ‘Grace will shoot me if I don’t bring you for something to eat, but half seven would still be fine. It can be a moveable feast.’ He grinned at her. ‘We’ll see you then.’ He flashed a look at Kit as two customers came into the shop. ‘I’d better let you get back to work,’ he added.
Daisy watched Amos leave with a sinking heart. She was grateful for the interruption, otherwise who knew where the conversation might have ended up. But it was probably already too late, her secret was surely no longer quite so secret. She gave Kit a nonchalant look as he turned back towards her but he gave her no clue about what he was thinking. He simply stared at her and walked forward to greet one of the customers.
Fortunately the rest of the day was busy and so Daisy had no opportunity to dwell on her conversation with Amos and what Kit might or might not, have overheard. She even cut her lunch hour short so she could help him with the lunchtime rush. If anything, she was far more preoccupied by the fact that Kit was helpful, polite, and showed a knowledge of their stock that she had never seen him demonstrate before. It was all very curious.
Five o’clock arrived before either of them had time to stop and think about anything much and, as she went to lock the door, Kit disappeared through to the back room.
‘Sorry, Daisy, but I need a drink before I do anything else. Would you like one?’
