‘Would you like to see the ring?’ asked the young chap. He proceeded to take a box out of his inner jacket pocket and seemed to anticipate her response as he carefully opened its lid. ‘I chose itmyself.’
Annabel took in the simple gold band and beautiful solitaire diamond. Despite the man’s appearance, he certainly had taste. ‘She’ll love it,’ she said. ‘It’sgorgeous.’
Clearly relieved to hear this, the chap proudly tucked it awayagain.
‘There you go,’ said Annabel. ‘Beautiful flowers for a veryluckylady.’
The man flushed red as he produced a couple of notes from his wallet and swapped them for his purchase. ‘Keep the change,’hesaid.
‘But won’t you need it?’ askedAnnabel.
‘Sorry?’ saidtheman.
As she rang up the till, he seemed to suddenly panic and Annabel felt guilty for sending him into another tither. As these events go, it was as if she’d made him think he’d forgotten something important. ‘For the champagne,’ she calmly replied. ‘When shesaysyes.’
The man visibly relaxed. ‘Right, for the champagne,’ he said. He still refused to take the money and simply waved a dismissive hand before heading forthedoor.
‘Excuse me,’ Annabelcalledout.
Before he could leave, she hastily raced from behind the counter and grabbed a couple more roses along the way. ‘Here,’ she said to the young chap. ‘Twelve of these declare your ultimate love, whereas two show your commitment to the forthcoming marriage. Maybe you could give these to hertomorrow.’
The man looked at the roses in her hand. ‘Thank you,’ he said, appreciatively taking them. ‘Iwill.’
‘Good luck,’ Annabel called after him, as he finally madehisexit.
After re-taking her place behind the counter, she began cleaning up the odd bit of leaf left over from the dozen roses. Annabel glanced up at the older lady; she appeared to be looking for something in particular. ‘Can I help you?’ sheasked.
‘That was a lovely thing you just did there,’ said thewoman.
Annabel shook her head. ‘Ah, it wasnothing.’
The woman smiled before getting back to her search. ‘Who doesn’t love flowers?’ she said. ‘They’re all so beautiful, so cheerful. Did you know each and every one of them has their own special meaning? That’s what makes it so hard tochoose.’
Annabel thought that it was nice to meet someone who appreciated all things floral as much as she did, she eyed her potential customer, who was wearing striking patterns and bold red statement jewellery; she obviously enjoyed the finer things in life, along with a sense of style.Unlike me, thought Annabel. After looking down at her own somewhat boring attire, even that young chap in his crumpled suit demonstrated morepizazz.
She suddenly remembered her conversation with Dan, about how his mother never saved anything for best. She pictured his face, just thinking about him made her heart pang and, in refusing to let herself go there, she tried to dismiss the memory as quickly as it hadarrived.
She returned her attention to the customer. ‘What is it you’re looking for?’ sheasked.
‘Oh, I’ll know it when I see it,’ said the woman. She continued her search. ‘Here we are,’ she all at once added. ‘Perfect.’
Annabel watched her hastily reach down to pick up a bunch of her chosen flowers. In her excitement, however, she must have moved too quickly. It looked like she was about to faint and Annabel rushed over to help before the woman could injureherself.
After relieving her customer of her belongings, she gently took her by the arm and steered her towards the stool by the counter. ‘Here,’ she said. ‘Takeaseat.’
‘Talk about a head rush,’ said the woman, clearly thankful for the assistance. ‘I don’t know what cameoverme.’
‘You do look a bit pale,’ said Annabel. She placed the woman’s handbag and flowers on the counter and helped her on to the stool. ‘Let me get you somewater.’
She quickly headed out back, grabbed a glass, and turned on the tap. ‘Do you want me to call someone? A doctor maybe?’ she shouted through. After returning to the woman, she set the glass down for her to drink from when she wasready.
‘It’s very kind of you to offer,’ her customer replied. ‘But I’ll be alright in aminute.’
Annabel checked the time and decided it wouldn’t hurt to close up a little earlier for a change. ‘Then how about I give you alifthome?’
‘Again, there’s no need,’ said the woman. ‘I have a taxiwaiting.’
She indicated outside and Annabel spotted the attending car. The driver, a cheerful looking, portly man, seemed to sense he was being watched and, gave them a wave. In return, the woman held up what looked like the victory sign and mouthed that she’d only be a couple of minutes. He smiled, sticking his thumb up inresponse.
