Flora's Lot by Katie Fforde (best books under 200 pages TXT) 📗

drop a very valuable lead crystal decanterthat was attracting a lot of interest. 'You should train.'

‘Not on your life,' said Flora through her smile.

Before the sale was over people came up to collect their purchases. One woman took charge of the pink slips that stated the items had been paid for andfound the items, whilethe others carried on ferrying glass, crystal, and silver from the back to the front ofthe stage.

With Charles back in charge the lots whistled by andbefore Flora had seen it coming,the sale was over. The crowdof people wanting to collect their treasures built up. Now the selling was over everyone dealt with customers, helping them pack and finding newspaper for wrapping.

Flora really liked this part. Now the bidding wasover thehardest-bitten dealer could appear pleased with what they'd bought, although they always muttered that they'd paid too much for it.

The pair of women were now extremely giggly, thinking up extravagant stories for their husbands as to why they felt they needed so much when they'd onlycome to buy a wedding present for a niece.

Virginia and the others knew many of the people and laughed and joked with them. Flora, as a new face, received a few curious glances. After a hurriedconsultation,Virginia introduced her as a new porter. Flora didn't want everyone knowing she was a familymember, until it waseither impossible to keep secret or politic to announce it.

She could have gone home; the others encouraged herto do so as it was her firstsale. But Flora wasn't going to gountil Charles and Annabelle did and she felt fairly certain Charles wouldn't leave until the floor hadbeen swept and everylast cup washed. She didn't want him accusing her of slacking.

‘Is there anything else for me todo?' she asked Charles when it wasonly him, Annabelle and Louisa, the secretary, left. It was the first timeshe'd had an opportunity to speak tohim and she wanted to congratulate him on being so good at his job.

‘I don't think so.' Charles regardedher with his usual, barely-concealedcontempt, all remnants of the charming auctioneervanished. 'How did you enjoy your first sale? It's not quite like it ison television, is it?’

Hurt that he should still be so stuffy when she had seen him be so different, she said, 'Oh no. It'smuch better in real life than it is ontelevision.'

‘Oh!’

She had the satisfaction of knowing she hadsurprised him.

‘It's not so bloody tiring ontelevision,' said Annabelle. 'Or asdirty. I'm filthy. I'm going straight home for a bath, Charles. Youdon't need me?'

‘I just want to let Louisa know what'sgoing on. We're doing a valuation over at a house in Churchfieldstomorrow, Lou.'

‘Oh, Charles!' Annabelle broke in.'Do I have to? Can't you do it on your own?'

‘I could, but it will take me ages. Thetape recorder's broken. I need a note-taker.'

‘Take Flora, then.’

Charles regarded his cousin, obviously debating who was preferable, a reluctant Annabelle or acompletely inexperienced Flora. He pursed hislips.

‘Really, darling, I can't.' Annabelledecided to help him in his decision.'I need to go over to the cottage and take a proper inventory. You don't mind,Flora, do you?’

Flora did mind, for lots of reasons, principallyWilliam. 'But, Annabelle,Imelda and the kittens! You're allergic to cats.'

‘Oh, I'd be all right for a bit. Aslong as I don't touch them or anything.'

‘But do you really need an inventory?I'm hardly going to steal thefurniture. And you can get Paris goblets at the local supermarket if Ibreak any.'

‘Yes,' Annabelle replied, 'but I'dlike to list what I've lent you. When you go in a couple of months, I might have forgotten what we'd taken out when wedecided not to rent this year.' Shesmiled. 'It would be awful if Iblamed you for losing something that had never been there, wouldn't it?’

Not quite as awful as Annabelle discovering William in the cottage, Flora thought, but of coursecouldn't say. 'Do you know what time you'll bethere?'

‘No, but you'll be out with Charles,anyway. It won't make any difference.'

‘Annabelle! I really don't want to take Flora.She's only just gothere. She knows nothing.'

‘Ilearnt a lot today, Charles,' said Flora in a way she hoped would both convince him and warn him that hecouldn't treat her like an ignoranttownie for ever.

‘Flora! I don't mean to be insulting—'

‘Then don't be.'

‘Butyou are as much use to me as a chocolate teapot. Or the novelty onesthat you collect.'

‘Butthey are useful. You can make tea in them. And I can take notes, or do whatever it is you need me to do. You shouldn't believe all those blonde jokesyou know. Blondes are no stupiderthan anyone else.'

‘Oh, allright then! You can come with me. But for goodness' sake put some more clothes on!’

It wasonly then that Flora remembered she was not wearing a bra.

‘Youwon't be wearing an apron tomorrow,' Charles reminded her.

Floraslipped away feeling surprisingly chastened. And she'dhave to warn William to stay out all day. Poor Imeldawould have to survive on fly-blown Kittikins and her litter tray. Life was neversimple.

Chapter Six

 Not havingto be at work until half past nine seemed like alie-in to Flora - although she would have enjoyed it more ifshe wasn't worried about William turning up at the cottage while Annabelle was there.

Theprevious evening when she'd got home there had been a notefrom him saying that he'd seen to Imelda andpointing out the salad he had made. He seemed to have usedsome lettuce and tomatoes that she had in the fridgeand a lot of very strange bits of plant which he musthave gathered from less orthodox sources. She recognisedtips of hawthorn and what might have been some sortof wild sorrel but nothing else. After she'd spent atime-wasting half-hour with Imelda and the kittens,she had eaten it. Either the bits of plant tasted very good,or the vinaigrette, which he'd also made, disguised any unpleasant taste.

Gratefulthough she was to come home to a delicious meal, shewould rather have actually seen William so she couldhave warned him about Annabelle. She could hardlyleave him a note telling him to keep out of the way - Annabelle was far morelikely to find it than he was.

Still, atleast she had