Page 22 of The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street
It was a curious notion, but maybe he was right. Daisy had thought about Bea’s motivation for doing what she had at numerous times over the past few days. Her behaviour was frequently flamboyant, theatrical and seemingly impulsive, but Daisy knew it was often to provoke a particular reaction. So maybe there was more to setting this particular challenge than just finding out who might be best suited to run the company. And, if that were the case, then what were Bea’s motives? And, just as importantly, what were her motives for involving Daisy?
She could feel Bertie sneaking looks at her, perhaps mistaking her silence for annoyance.
‘You can’t blame me for trying though,’ he said. ‘Quite normal under the circumstances, surely?’
Her smile was warm. ‘I don’t blame you at all, Bertie. This is incredibly hard on you all, and I wish there was an easier way of doing this. It seems… unkind… is that the right word? Unnecessary? I don’t know…’
‘But, do you want me to get Buchanans?’
His eyes were fixed firmly on the road and she was grateful that he wasn’t looking at her.
‘Let’s change the subject, Bertie. I think we’re on rather dangerous ground. And we are going to be spending the whole day together, after all. Let’s not spoil it by talking about the business.’ She looked around her, frowning. ‘Where are we even going?’
He turned and grinned at her. ‘Nottingham,’ he said.
Her mouth dropped open. ‘Nottingham? Whatever for?’
‘Winter Wonderland,’ he replied. ‘I go every year. It’s an absolute necessity at Christmastime. Just the thing to get you in the mood for the festivities.’
She stared at him. ‘Is it?’ It sounded horrendous: far too busy and full of people.
‘Oh yes…’ He fiddled with one of the heating controls. ‘Are you warm enough? We’ve still got about an hour and a half to go yet, so make yourself comfortable and just enjoy the ride.’
As soon as he said it, Daisy realised that she was enveloped in a warm fug, and the seat was so comfortable it was like a soft hug. She could even stretch her legs right out. Even ifshehadn’t noticed, her body had; she felt completely relaxed. She turned her head to look out the window at the bright sky outside and smiled. Perhaps the day wasn’t going to be quite so awful as she had feared.
* * *
She came to with a start, looking around her in horror to see that Bertie was grinning at her. She immediately wiped her mouth, terrified that she’d been dribbling in her sleep.
‘Don’t worry, you were perfectly well behaved,’ he said. ‘No dribbling, no moaning or making weird noises, snuffling like a pig…’
She wriggled slightly further upright in her seat. ‘I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me. That was incredibly rude.’
‘On the contrary, it’s quite a compliment. At least I know my driving hasn’t scared you witless.’
‘Yes, but even so.’
‘Don’t worry about it, I didn’t.’
‘Where are we anyway?’ They had turned off the motorway and were driving through a built-up area.
‘Only about five minutes away. That was perfect timing. And courtesy of a mate’s house we can park within a couple of minutes’ walking distance from the town.’ He smiled. ‘I didn’t fancy doing battle with all the crowds on the trams.’
He was looking at her and she wondered whether it was him who didn’t like the crowds or whether he had realised how uneasy they would make her feel. But that wasn’t the only thing that made her anxious. What to eat and drink were two more things and she didn’t dare think about everything else the day might involve. She swallowed, the sleepy contentment she had awoken with deserting her in an instant.
She fished around in her handbag, not because she needed anything, but more for the comfort of knowing that everything was where it should be. Her fingers closed around her door keys and she held them in her palm for a moment, reminding herself of her little cottage and what it felt like to be tucked safely inside.
Minutes later they drew up in front of a handsome red-bricked house. A tall tree stood outside covered in red bows, its lights shining even at this time of the morning. A similarly festive wreath graced the front door. It made Daisy smile to herself as she thought of the one at home she had finished last night. It wasn’t a patch on hers.
Bertie killed the engine and removed his sunglasses, looking at her for a moment. ‘Ready?’ he asked.
She nodded, reaching for the door handle, somewhat loath to venture out of the warm space and into the cold. But, before she could open it, Bertie touched her arm.
‘No, Madam, let me.’ And he jumped out of the car, ran around the bonnet and pulled open her door with a flourish. ‘If Madam would care to step this way,’ he said with a bow and a broad grin.
‘Why, thank you,’ she replied. ‘Most kind.’
She climbed from the car and they stood looking at one another, silently acknowledging the awkwardness of the day and their mutual desire to make it less so. Their breath was rising in clouds around them.
