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

'Hi, Charles, I'mfine. Yes, it is a lovely day, butit looks like rain later. Though we do needit.' Bloody Annabelle! And bloody Charles! He might have said hello before he confronted her about William.

‘Who is he?'

‘Well,when Annabelle first told me about him, I hadn't a clue, but when I got back I found a note. He's a friend of a friend inLondon. He lives quite near here. Not sure where,' she went on quickly, before he could ask her awkward questions. 'The friend thought I might belonely and asked him to look me up.’

Thissounded feasible as long as Annabelle hadn't mentioned the naked t'ai chi.

‘Oh. Right. So you didn't meet himyourself?’

To lie ornot to lie? 'No. He might be calling again tonight.He's going to give me a ring on my mobile. Talking ofwhich, any chance of that land line? The reception's not good there.’

He frowned.'Sorry, yes. I'll get on to it. And would you mindmaking a start on typing up that valuation we didyesterday? Louisa is off and I want to get it done as soon aspossible. I realise it's not what you do, but I wouldreally appreciate it. Louisa can do it properly next week, but it would save her sometime.'

‘Noprobs, Charles,' said Flora, keen to be helpful. 'I'll get started just as soon as I've hung up myjacket. Is the computer on? There isa computer, isn't there? Not just anancient Underwood typewriter that didn't sell in an auction?’

Charlesalmost smiled. 'No, there is a computer. Just do as much asyou can. Annabelle said something about you wanting to go shopping.’

TrustAnnabelle to make her out to be the one in need of retailtherapy. 'I don't want to sound patronising, but to meshopping means London, Paris, New York, Milan if you'rein Italy, not some jumped-up market town. It's Annabellewho wants to go, for her school reunion, but if I'vegot work to do, she can go on her own. Or with her mother.'

‘Keepyour hair on. You're perfectly entitled to take time off whenever you like, you don't work for us.'

‘Oh yes Ido, Charles,' she replied, somewhat disconcerted that he seemed to haveforgotten. 'Now point me in the direction of the computer and I'll get on.’

Bythe time Annabelle arrived to take her shopping at about twoo'clock, Flora had not only typed the valuation, but she'dtaken advantage of being entirely alone to have a good prowl round thebuilding.

Annabellecame in looking prettier already, partly becauseher hair was loose and clean. It still needed a good cut, though. 'Charles toldme I'd find you typing. I expect you hunt and peck?'

‘I don't hunt, Annabelle. I think it'scruel.'

‘Ididn't mean that sort of hunting. I meant typing, but never mind, you can leave it now. Louisa willdo it later. There's no great hurry, after all.’

Florapicked up her jacket, not disclosing that she was in fact avery fast touch typist. Her mother had once told her, 'Learnto type, it's useful, but don't tell anyone or you may not get to do anything else.'

‘Where are we going shopping, then?Bristol?’

Annabellelooked shocked. 'Do we need to go so far?’

‘I think we do. Now, shallwe lock up?'

‘I'll do it.'

‘And,Annabelle,' said Flora as she watched her set the burglar alarm and memorised the numbers, just in case, 'you said you wouldn't tell Charles about .. . the man, and you did.'

‘Iknow,' said Annabelle breezily, making the building ring with the sound of the alarm. 'I changed mymind. He was surprisingly cool aboutit,' she went on, as they came outinto the street, all safe and quiet behind them. 'I think he's cominground to the idea of you.’

ChapterEight

‘Yes, youdo have to be fitted. It's the most important thing. Get measured properly. Mymother taught me that.' This last accompanied a shove in the backwhich finally gotAnnabelle into the changing room.

The kindlysales assistant added, 'I'll check your size and then goand find some bras I think might suit you.'

‘And I'llbe back when you're in one of them,' said Flora. 'Now I'm going to buy knickers.’

In fact,having forced Annabelle to be measured, Florapicked up a few bras that were in the sale and didn't even think of trying themon. Her mother had indeed given her that sound advice and Florabelieved it wholeheartedly. She just didn't think her size34 B needed quite as much attention as Annabelle'sdouble D cup.

She wasqueuing up to pay for them when she became aware of aman behind her. It was Henry. She laughed.

‘I know, Iknow, what's a man doing in the lingerie department?' he said.

‘Obviously shopping.' Flora indicatedthe pile of cotton in his hand. 'For you?'

‘No! My sister. It's her birthdaytomorrow. I was buying a card the other daybut I didn't find anything in theabbey shop that she would want that I could post.'

‘So, what have you bought her?'

‘Anightie — it's what she said she wanted. Do you think she'll like it?' He held up a rather mumsy white nightie which would certainly leave everything tothe imagination.

‘It's. . . er . . . lovely. I'm sure she'll be thrilled.’

‘Oh good. I'm just not sure of her size.'

‘Ohmy goodness! Don't tell me you're buying her clothes and you don't knowher size!'

‘Is that very bad?'

‘It's a disaster! Have you any idea atall?'

‘Well.'He regarded Flora for rather a long time. 'She's probably about the sameas you are.’

Flora tookhold of the offending item and checked the size. 'Thisis a sixteen. If she's my size it'll be much too big.'

‘I'llgo and get a couple of sizes down then,' he said meekly.

‘Sorry,Henry, but just think how horrible your sister would feel if she thought you thought she looked two sizes biggerthen she is.’

Heshrugged. 'It seemed sort of roomy, but I thought it'd be OK.'

‘No. OK is not good enough. Off you go.'

‘Iwill if you give me your telephone number,' he said with the twinkle she remembered from the abbeycard shop.

Florasmiled and let the lady standing behind Henry, who'd been enjoying theirexchanges, go in front of her. 'Only if you give me yours.'

‘It's a deal.’

*

'Istill don't see the point of spending so much money on somethingthat won't ever be seen!' said