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

he's notsomeone I would wish any relative of mine to go out with.'

‘Isn'the? Well, never mind, we're not that closely related.’

Charles pursed his lipsand strode off.

ChapterNine

 They leftFlora's Land-Rover in town and drove to a charmingpub with a sloping garden that was full of people with their dogs and children.

‘Iwas so glad you rang me,' said Henry as he delivered a glass of Pimm's to her. 'I was going to ring later, but I never thought you'd be free for lunch today.’

Flora feltrather guilty, aware that she'd arranged a date withHenry almost as much for Charles's benefit as for the pleasure of his company.

‘Iwas really lucky you were free, but I was in town already, and it's such a lovely afternoon, Iwanted to take the chance.'

‘Well,here's to you,' said Henry, picking up his own Pimm's and looking downinto her eyes.

Flora methis eyes for only a second, but then inspected the fruit salad floating in herdrink. She didn't want Henry to get too keen until she'd decidedhow much she liked him. If he did get too eager for her company,she'd go off him immediately. In fact, she rather hoped Geoffrey was right abouthim being a philanderer - the last thing she wantedright now was a complicated relationship.

Fortunately,he seemed to take the hint. 'Now, what do youfancy for lunch? They do excellent home-cooked ham and a particularly good saladdressing.’

Florachuckled. 'And I thought I'd left all the gourmet flesh-pots behind in London.'

‘Seriously, the ham isoutstanding.' Henry was laughing too. 'You should definitely try it.'

‘I willthen. And the particularly good salad dressing.’

WhileHenry was away, placing their food order, Flora thoughtabout him. He was good looking, and laughed at her jokes, which was a definite plus- she'd had enough of people not gettingher jokes all day. He would definitely do for the time being.

Later theywent for a walk along the canal tow-path and Florakept asking Henry about the various wild flowers growing along the path.

‘I'mafraid I know nothing about any of them. Flowers have never interestedme that much.’

Flora wasdisappointed. 'I think, because of my name, I should know more about them. I'll geta book.'

‘Sodo you think you'll stay around for a while?’

It was thefirst remotely serious question he had asked her andFlora considered how best to reply. For some reason shedidn't want to reveal her passion for her family business too early in theirfriendship.

‘Ohyes, for a bit, anyway. I'll probably go back to London when the weather gets horrible, but I'm definitely herefor the summer.'

‘Oh good,' said Henry, 'then so am I.’

Henrykissed Flora's cheek when he dropped her back at hercar. It was very pleasant. She liked Henry and she couldtell he liked her, but not in an oppressive way. He seemed very relaxed andlaid back about things, and that was just what she needed.

*

Flora wasin the garden pulling up the goose-grass that coveredeverything with a sort of green mist. She had taken her breakfast out and eatenit at the little table and then felt inspired to do what shecould to make the garden look better. She was surprised at herenthusiasm but even more surprised when she heard a car,looked up and saw thatit was Charles.

‘Goodmorning,' she called. 'I didn't expect to see you again so soon.'

‘I'vegot some garden tools for you. Annabelle wanted you to have them,' he said through the window. 'But I see you'vestarted without them.'

‘Justthis green stuff. It comes out easily, although it's given me a bit of arash.’

Charlesgot out of the car. 'You need long gloves.' He went roundto the back of the car and opened the boot. 'I've gota fork, a trowel, some fairly ancient gardening gloves anda bucket with a hole in it. To put the weeds in.’

By thistime Flora had joined Charles at the boot. 'Where did these come from? Anothersale?'

‘No,I think these are throw-outs from Annabelle's parents. They're great gardeners. Annabelle's keen, too, although of course there isn't much garden withher house in town.'

‘Shedidn't want me to have an idle Sunday, obviously,' Flora said wryly.

‘Actually,I offered to bring them over. Not because I want you to get stuck into clearing out the bindweed . . .' Hepaused.

‘What?'

‘I couldn't just have a peep at the kittens, could I? I've beendying to ever since they were born.' He appeareda little embarrassed by this request. 'As I said, I didn't like toearlier, in case it upset Imelda.’

Flora wasstrangely touched. And since William had left anote saying he was off for the day and wouldn't be backuntil suppertime, she didn't have to worry about him suddenly appearing.

‘Come on then.’

As Floraled Charles through the house she worried briefly incase William had left some trace of his presence, butif he had, Charles didn't notice. And she had at leastmade her bed, so if her room was a bit untidy, it didn't look too slutty.

Charlesknelt down on the floor in front of where Imelda was ensconced, feeding herbabies, purring loudly. Seeing his large form hovering over the tiny bodies, whowere pumping their mother for all they were worth, was surprisingly touching.

‘Can I pick one up?'

‘Takethat one who's stopped feeding for a minute. Aren't they heavenly?’

He put thekitten next to his neck and stroked it with along finger. 'Mm. I do wish we could have one, but . .

‘It's all right.I know. Annabelle's allergic to cats.’

‘And she doesn't like them,either.'

‘I supposeif they make you sneeze, or itch, it would put you offthem a bit.' Flora was trying to be generous. How could anyone not like cats? He shook his head. 'Her mother's the same. She'snot allergic, she just doesn't like them.'

‘Is Annabellelike her mother in other ways? You know what they say,' she went on playfully,wishing she could shut up, 'you should always check out the girl'smother before you commit yourself, because that's whoyou'll end upmarried to.'

‘She'sa very fine woman.' He frowned slightly. 'I think I remember meetingyour mother once.'

‘Oh?'

‘Yes. She looked very like you, Flora. Very pretty.’

UsuallyFlora would have accepted this compliment with graceand aplomb. Now she felt embarrassed. It was probablybecause Charles didn't usually say things like that: itmade her feel awkward.