Two Kinds Of Truth(5)

“Hi,” I mumble; “what’s up?”

“Why aren’t you at work yet?” Keira asks.

“What?” and I peel back an eyelid, trying to focus on the ornate clock on the bedroom wall.

I almost drop the phone as I tumble out of bed.

“Holy shit! Is that the right time? I must have dropped off.”

“Relax,” says Keira. “The shop’s open for business as usual.”

I rub the last of the sleep from my eyes.

“Sometimes, I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re an absolute gem.”

“Yeah, I know, so that’s another pay rise you owe me, right?”

I smile down at the phone. “When we start making some serious money, I’ll think about it.”

Careful not to wake Callum, I drag my dressing gown from the bottom of the bed and swiftly push my arms through its sleeves.

“Oh, listen,” I say, pulling the mobile closer to my mouth, “I completely forgot to tell you: there’s a large shipment of red roses coming in this morning. Could you make sure you get a readable signature and that the delivery note matches items ordered on the invoice. I can’t afford another cock up like we suffered at Christmas.”

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen again. Besides, I’ve already had a text saying the shipment will be here within the hour.”

Relieved, I make my way into the bathroom, my voice, which sounds a little more relaxed, rising an octave as I close the door behind me.

“Good, that’s a relief. Still, I’ll hurry and do my best to be there before the roses arrive. If you can start on the orders we prepped yesterday, we can get them ready for when Eddie comes with the van to pick them up at eleven.”

“Chill. It’s all in hand. I haven’t forgotten we have five wreathes on order and nine bouquets for collection today,” Keira assures me.

I squeeze a dollop of toothpaste onto my toothbrush.

“Mmm, that’s right,” I agree, scrubbing my teeth with Colgate. “They’re all for Mrs Williams who passed away last week,” I mumble through the foam. “She was a very popular lady, a staunch member of the community, so I don’t want any hiccups, not like last time.”

“You mean the humiliation we suffered when a certain local Mayor’s flowers were delivered the day after his funeral?”

I grimace at the reminder.

“Yeah, like that one. Now beat it and let me get ready.”

I hit the red button on my phone and try not to recall how I almost lost my entire business. Not that it was all my fault. The note the Mayor’s wife had given me had been soggy from an unexpected downpour, the numbers having run into each other. Pushing that dreadful day to the back of my mind, I concentrate on getting ready for work. With no time to shower, I wash my face, brush my hair and tie up my natural blond tresses into a ponytail. Heading back to the bedroom, I hear Callum snoring. Without making a sound, I get dressed and go over and kiss the top of his head. Even as he sleeps, I cannot escape the emptiness of my life. But for better or worse, I made a vow and a promise. I still love him. No one told me married life would be easy, so I don’t expect it to be. With a heavy heart, I hurry downstairs, grab my car keys and bag, stuff my arms through my coat sleeves, and within seconds I’m out of the door.

***

“After all that, you didn’t mention having a holiday?” Keira asks.

I push the last of the wreaths into the back of the delivery van, close the set of double doors and try not to catch Keira’s eye. “Seriously,” she insists, “you didn’t even broach the subject?”

I bang my fist on the side of the van and wave at the driver when I catch a glimpse of him through one of the side mirrors.

“Nope, I just couldn’t seem to find the right moment,” and I head back inside the shop.

“Hey, not so fast,” Kiera yells, racing ahead and jumping in front of me. “So, what happened? You were up for it yesterday; what made you chicken out?”

“I didn’t chicken out, well, not exactly.”

Keira cocks one eye. “Really? Well, it sounds like you did from where I’m standing.”

My shoulders droop as I gently push Kiera aside. “Look, K, how about we just let the matter drop?” I don’t wait for a reply but push in through the main shop door. I proceed to unroll a scarf from around my neck and pull off a pair of motheaten mittens, which I then throw behind the counter.

Through a mirror on the shop wall, I watch Keira pulling off a fluffy blue and red beanie hat. “It’s no use, I’m not going to quit asking questions until you explain why your bags aren’t packed. Besides, you promised to bring me back a wee dram.”

I turn towards her, deciding to tell her the truth.

“Well, the thing is…Callum came home last night in a vile temper. Some jerk at work stole his best client, and now he thinks he won’t get his bonus this year. He’s seriously pissed off, and you of all people know there’s no talking to him when he’s in such a bad mood. So…I decided to keep schtum about the mini break, for the time being at least; simply ride the wave and wait until the time becomes right.”

Keira hangs up her coat and rubs her hands together for warmth. “That’s such a shit thing to have happened to him, but I still don’t see why you can’t go to Scotland. His bonus shouldn’t affect you going away on holiday. I don’t mean to pry, but surely you only need to have a full tank of petrol to get you there.”