Page 66 of The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street
‘I’ve been doing a lot of thinking ever since our day out,’ said Bertie. ‘I rang Luka the day after to thank him for his hospitality and he mentioned then that I should come on board with him. To be fair, he says that nearly every time I talk to him, and I’ve kind of got used to just glibly batting his remarks aside. This time, I told him I couldn’t because of what was going on here, and he laughed, saying it was about time I grew up and thought seriously about what I wanted to do with my life.’
‘Ouch.’ Daisy tried to look sympathetic.
Bertie shrugged. ‘Luka wasn’t being critical, it’s a bit of a running gag between us. But given that you and I had been discussing that very thing only the day before, well, this time it rather hit home.’ He stroked the stubble on the end of his chin. ‘I think I said to you that I wasn’t really fit for anything, and in a way that’s true, but I think what I am good at is being with people—’
‘Party animal…’ muttered Kit.
Daisy threw him a sour look, but Bertie held up his hands. ‘Yes, in a way, but I hope in a good way too, rather than the derogatory way you mean, Kit.’
‘Actually, I would agree with that,’ said Daisy, lifting her head a little. ‘You do have a natural way with people, Bertie, and you’re a born mediator. For heaven’s sake it’s the role you’ve played in your own family for years and, I would imagine, a skill that would come in very handy in Luka’s line of work. I’d hardly said ten words to you before our day out, but you were the perfect host as it happens. We were both nervous, and you really put me at ease and helped me to enjoy a day I didn’t think I would.’
Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Kit was looking at her, probably wondering if she was trying to score points, but she wasn’t. This was important to Bertie, and he deserved his chance at happiness, just the same as anyone else.
Bertie smiled and she could see him finally relax a little, his natural excitement growing once more.
‘That’s a really kind thing to say, Daisy, thank you. And I know that I could use those skills here, but there are two reasons why I’ve decided I don’t want to. The first is purely practical in that I’m not a businessman, not yet anyway. But Luka is, and I need someone like him to show me the ropes. Otherwise I think all I’d be doing here is sinking the ship and that doesn’t help anyone.
‘And the second reason, as you so eloquently put it, Kit, is that I’m a party animal and this is not, and never will be, my natural environment. I don’t want to sell people trinkets and baubles, I want to sell them memories, and friendship, time spent with family, and I think I’d be good at that. You might think that’s trivial or worthless, but I don’t. I think people need good times in their lives, maybe now more than ever.’
Bertie’s words struck a chord with Daisy and she suddenly felt rather sorry for him. All his life he had been portrayed as a rather careless individual, never taking responsibility for anything, his talents belittled because they weren’t ‘serious’ or possibly, more to the point, a match for Lawrence’s business acumen. Yet what Bertie had said made absolute sense and she could see that he could be very successful, particularly sheltering under Luka’s wing for a while. She was just about to say so when Kit cleared his throat.
‘I think that’s the most sensible thing I’ve ever heard you say,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry, Bertie, I owe you a huge apology.’ He held out his hand.
Bertie regarded him a little warily at first, but then took it and broke into a grin. ‘I think perhaps I am finally growing up too. It’s taken a while, but this feels right. Luka is doing well but he needs help to expand, and I can’t think of a better way to invest in my future.’
He broke off, pulling a face. ‘But I am sorry, Daisy, I realise what this means for you.’ He smiled at his brother. ‘No offence, Kit.’
‘None taken. We all know that with you out of the competition it’s a virtual certainty that Lawrence will get this place.’
Daisy couldn’t bear it. Kit sounded so despondent and, despite their argument, she now knew just how much he cared about Buchanans, and why. This was an awful blow for him.
‘Listen, just because Lawrence likes to think he has this place in the bag, doesn’t mean it’s so. Don’t put yourself down like that, Kit, you have just as much chance as he does.’ She broke off to include Bertie in her next words. ‘And besides, you mustn’t worry about me; whatever happens, I’ll be fine.’
‘But I do worry about you,’ replied Kit, his eyes on hers.
‘Do you?’ Daisy could feel herself blushing. ‘Oh.’
Time seemed to stand still for several seconds as Kit’s words swelled to fill the space between them.
‘But you shouldn’t… either of you,’ said Daisy. ‘Maybe it’s just time for things to change. And you mustn’t feel bad either, Bertie. You’re only doing what I know is right for you.’
‘So, whatdidLawrence say then?’ he asked. ‘You mentioned earlier that he told you exactly what he would do here.’
There didn’t seem to be any point now in not telling them. ‘Well, he’s going to get rid of you two for starters. Sorry, but that’s what he said. Although I don’t suppose that comes as much of a surprise. Lawrence definitely sees this place as his and his alone. As to what he intends to do with the business, I’m not so clear about that. But he has it all planned out. And I would imagine, given his taste in retailers, that he intends to take this place up a notch.’
‘Which will kill it off completely,’ said Kit. ‘It’s his fault things are the way they are now.’
Daisy nodded. ‘I agree with you. But I don’t think Lawrence will listen to what anyone else has to say, least of all me.’
‘But you’re probably the expert among us,’ said Bertie. ‘That’s a rather short-sighted attitude to take.’
‘I don’t think there’s any doubt that you’re the expert among us,’ countered Kit. ‘So what are we going to do?’
Bertie smiled. ‘Well I should have thought that was obvious… There’s only one thing you can do and that’s win the competition.’
‘Easier said than done,’ replied Kit. ‘Lawrence will be pulling out all the stops.’
‘Yes, but how is that going to help him when he doesn’t know a thing about me, or what jewellery I would like? Despite his conviction that Monique was going to spy for him and divulge all, he’ll probably have found out by now that her lips are very firmly sealed.’
