Anne Douglas (14 page)

‘How’s he going to run the shop here if he has the market garden to look after as well?’ asked Brigid. ‘He can’t be in two places at once.’

‘He’s dividing his time between the two. Mr MacVicar’s right-hand man, Arthur Weir, can be relied upon to manage the garden very well, anyway, and Mr Kyle is taking over our flat to be on the spot here. He’s planning to make offices of the first floor, keeping rooms for himself on the second.’

The girls looked at one another.

‘But where are you going, Mrs May?’ cried Shona. ‘We never thought you’d be leaving the flat.’

Mrs May laughed. ‘You wouldn’t expect us to stay on, would you, breathing down poor Mr Kyle’s neck? Anyway, we want to go by the sea for our retirement. We’re going to look for a place in Anstruther in Fife.’

‘Oh,’ said the girls, and for the first time fully realized how final this break between the Mays and themselves was going to be. There seemed to be no more left to be said, however, and as Mrs May returned upstairs Brigid told Isla to unlock the shop door and turned to face Shona.

‘Well,’ she said shortly, ‘what do you make of that?’

‘I don’t know. I don’t know what to make of it.’

‘One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be very different, working for Mr Kyle, isn’t it?’

‘We’ve no idea what he’ll be like.’

‘All I know is what you’ve told me. That he’s big. We’ll be working for a BIG man, Shona.’

Somehow, the idea struck them as funny and they began to laugh, but the laughter was close to tears and very soon they grew serious and moved out of the staffroom to begin work.

Knowing nothing of lawyers and their ways, the girls had expected the new owner to be installed fairly soon, but it was October before the sale of the shop was completed and they were able to say goodbye to the Mays.

Of course, Mr Kyle came to the shop to introduce himself before that and, as Brigid said afterwards, flattened them all the minute he walked in. Not only was he a large man physically, he had a personality to match, which allowed him to dominate any space in which he found himself, and any people, too. Certainly, he filled the front shop as though it was altogether too small for him, though he quickly disclaimed any idea of that.

‘This is perfect, eh?’ he said genially, walking round, doffing his hat to the girls and the customers who were watching him in awe. ‘I’ve always admired this shop. Used to come up from Leith with my folks and always look in the window. Wonderful!’

His light green eyes went to Isla’s small, anxious face and he put his hand on her shoulder. ‘Now, you’re Isla, eh? And not been here long?’

‘Not very long,’ she answered hoarsely.

‘But I bet you can take care of the shop for a while, can’t you, Isla? Just while I have a word with these two young ladies next door? I’d like to include you, but of course someone has to see to the customers.’

Swallowing hard, Isla nodded. ‘Yes, Mr Kyle, I’ll look after the shop,’ she said and he smiled, showing his dimples.

‘They can tell you what I’ve said afterwards. Now, Shona and Brigid – you don’t mind my using your first names? I’m not one for formality. Shall we go into your workroom?’

At the long table he took a stool and motioned to the girls to do the same. ‘No one here today,’ he remarked, looking round. ‘I understand the Mays are out house hunting, but Mrs May told me that this is the hub of the shop, where all those wonderful bouquets are made up. It never ceases to amaze me what can be done with the flowers I grow.’

‘Amazes us too, sometimes,’ Brigid told him with a smile.

‘No, no, you people know how it’s done – I don’t.’ He looked from one to the other of them. ‘But can I take it that you both want to stay on?’

‘Oh, yes, Mr Kyle, I do,’ Shona said at once.

‘Me, too,’ said Brigid.

‘That’s good. I’m glad. Because you two are my experts, of course. As I say, I know nothing about flower arranging.’ Fraser took out a silver cigarette case, then smiled at the looks on the girls’ faces and put it back. ‘Sorry, no smoking here, of course.’

‘Only in the workroom, really,’ Shona told him.

‘I won’t forget. Now, I just want to talk to you about my plans. I feel you’re entitled to know what’s in my mind.’

They waited, saying nothing.

‘I’m ambitious, I’ll admit,’ he went on, ‘but what I’m hoping is that this flower shop will not be the first I’ll be running. I’d like to see a chain of shops in the main cities of Scotland – and maybe over the border too, one day – all of ’em with the same standards as this one, all providing the style of flowers people want. And I’ve done my homework. Since the war, people want some beauty and colour in their lives. Where better to find it than in flowers?’

The girls, now staring at his large enthusiastic face, mesmerized by the light shining in his eyes, were speechless. What on earth was he talking about? A chain of shops, all like Maybel’s? Had he not realized that Maybel’s was unique? You couldn’t expect to find its like all over Scotland!

He was watching them, gauging their reaction, not surprised perhaps by their astonishment. ‘I know all this may sound unusual to you, but it’s the way money is made, you see. Someone gets on to a good thing and decides to try it somewhere else, finds success and carries on. I did it in a small way with my ironmongery shops, and you can see the same sort of thing with Lipton’s the Grocer’s, can’t you? When someone shops at a Lipton’s, they know just what they’re getting. It’ll be the same with Maybel’s Flowers.’

‘You’re keeping the name?’ asked Shona quickly.

‘Of course! It’s a good name. I’ve bought it with the shop, to the Mays’ full agreement.’

‘They know what you’d like to do?’

‘Ah, well, not really. I haven’t gone into details. They know I’ve got plans, as with my market garden, but we’ll leave those for the moment. All I need to know is that if I begin to develop things, you’ll be happy?’

‘I expect it’ll all take some time,’ Shona said cautiously.

‘Oh, sure. Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ Fraser stood up. ‘But even to begin with, I’ll probably take on more staff. Build up the outside ordering. And then there’ll be alterations to be made to the upstairs flat for my admin department. Might also turn Mrs May’s office into an indoor plant room.’ He grinned. ‘Think you’ll find this place whizzing pretty soon, eh?’

‘Sounds like it,’ said Brigid.

They made their way back to the front shop where Isla, amazingly, was at the till, ringing up a price for a lady’s mixed flowers. As Brigid stepped forward to serve a new customer, Fraser touched Shona’s arm.

‘You looked a bit stunned back there,’ he said in a low voice. ‘Haven’t alarmed you too much, have I?’

‘No, of course not. I’m sure it’s a good thing to expand.’

‘That’s true. Even if you don’t really believe it now, I bet I can make you see it eventually. Tell me, when are you coming over to the garden?’

She looked at him in surprise. ‘Why, I suppose when the sale is completed. Mrs May is still ordering the flowers.’

‘So she is, and I’ll be taking over that job in the future. Doesn’t mean you can’t come to the gardens, does it?’

‘No, suppose not.’ In spite of herself, Shona was showing her disappointment; she had been hoping that the job of selecting the flowers might come to her.

‘So, when the signatures are on the dotted line you’ll be along, won’t you?’ Fraser went on, disregarding her look. ‘Don’t forget, you said you’d like to come and I’ll hold you to that.’

He put on his hat and shook hands, first with Shona, then Brigid and Isla, saying how glad he’d been to meet them and how much he was looking forward to working with them. Not long now! With customers around, there wasn’t much the girls could say until they’d gone, but as soon as there was a lull, Brigid jogged Shona’s arm.

‘Honestly, have you ever heard such a piece of nonsense? Opening a chain of flower shops? I mean, they’re not grocery stores, eh?’

‘I can’t see it working out,’ Shona replied. ‘He doesn’t seem to realize that flower shops have their own character.’

‘Just hope he doesn’t find out the hard way and go bankrupt.’

‘Mrs May did say he was a shrewd businessman, remember.’

Brigid, her usual cheerfulness seeming to have deserted her, shook her head.

‘I just wish Mrs May was staying, and Mr May as well. This place isn’t going to be the same.’

‘At least we’re keeping our jobs.’

‘If we want them,’ Brigid said darkly.

Some weeks later the news came that the formalities had been completed. Maybel’s Flowers was officially owned by Mr Fraser Kyle, and Mr and Mrs May were making their goodbyes. A house had been found at Anstruther, and though they would be staying at a hotel until it was ready, as soon as they moved in the girls were told they must come and visit. Standing in the street, ready to get into their car, the Mays told the girls any Sunday would be perfect. They could have lunch, stroll around the harbour – now they did promise to come?

‘Try keeping us away,’ said Brigid, giving a signal to Shona, who dived back into the shop to bring out the exquisite bouquet they had made for the Mays, and handed it to Isla to present.

‘They couldn’t decide which of ’em should give it to you,’ Isla said with an unusually confident smile, ‘so they said it should be me. We just want to thank you both – for everything.’

‘All you’ve done for us,’ said Brigid.

‘And to say we’re going to miss you so much,’ murmured Shona. ‘Take care, eh?’

‘We don’t know what to say, do we, Hugh?’ Mrs May whispered. ‘You’ve been such good girls. We do hope all goes well for you.’

‘Aye, with everything,’ Hugh muttered. ‘Things are going to be different, but you’ll be fine – everything’ll work out.’ He gave a smile that for a moment made him look well again. ‘And you know, I’d say we’re the ones who are going to miss you.’

There were hugs and sniffs and final waves as Mrs May, having carefully placed her flowers on the back seat, took her place in the driving seat and, with Mr May beside her, slowly moved into the traffic of George Street and away to their new life.

For some moments the girls were silent, reflecting on their own new life still to come, before returning to the shop and, for a little while, the life they knew.

Even before work had begun on his alterations to the upstairs flat, even before he’d been able to do anything at all, Fraser told Shona that the time had come for her to visit his market garden. He would drive her over the following morning. ‘No time like the present,’ he told her cheerfully. ‘Even if it’s tomorrow.’

She looked at him doubtfully. ‘What about Brigid?’

‘What about her?’

‘Well, she is senior to me. I think you should take her first.’

His eyes flashed a little but his smile didn’t waver. ‘Shona, I’m taking you. No arguments. Brigid can go some other time, so warn her that she’ll be in charge tomorrow. She’ll have Isla to help out – I understand she’s doing quite well these days.’

‘That’s true. It just seemed to click with her, that time you told her to look after the shop.’ Shona smiled. ‘And she did. But I’m really worrying how Brigid will cope if there are any orders to prepare.’

‘There aren’t, I’ve checked.’ Fraser’s tone was pleasantly triumphant. ‘Ready to come tomorrow, then?’

‘Yes, Mr Kyle.’

With some reluctance, Shona found Brigid and told her about the arrangements for the next day, showing no surprise when Brigid’s look hardened.

‘You’re going out to the garden tomorrow? First I’ve heard of it.’

‘It’s only just been arranged.’

‘And I’m supposed to hold the fort? Our dear Mr Kyle might have told me himself.’

‘I think he’s on the phone to the people coming to do the work upstairs.’

Brigid shrugged. ‘Oh, well, it doesn’t matter to me. But you know why he’s taking you, don’t you?’

‘Looks like you’re going to tell me.’

‘Obvious, isn’t it? It’s his way of getting time alone with you. That’s what he wants. This has nothing to do with work so don’t be fooled, Shona. I’d watch my step if I were you.’

‘Brigid, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Shona’s cheeks were burning. ‘I’ve never heard such nonsense! Mr Kyle’s no’ interested in me. I don’t know why you should say such a thing.’

‘Doesn’t have to be spelled out when somebody’s sweet on somebody else. His eyes follow you wherever you go. I noticed it from the beginning.’

‘Well, even if that’s true, I’m sure there won’t be any reason for me to watch my step, as you put it. Mr Kyle isn’t the sort you have to worry about. But if it’s of any interest to you, I’ve no interest in him.’

‘Big enough to make sure he gets his own way – isn’t that what you told me once?’ Brigid smiled coldly. ‘Better make sure you know what his way is, then.’

Such warnings would have been quite enough to ruin Shona’s little trip into the country had it not been for Brigid’s repenting of her ill humour the following morning, when she waved goodbye as cheerfully as though she’d never said a word against Mr Kyle.

What a relief, thought Shona, sitting in the passenger seat of his large old Vauxhall and enjoying the drive to the garden centre. The winding road was lovely, so quiet and countrified, with only grazing sheep for company and, in the distance, a view of the Moorfoot Hills rising into the clear sky. Really, she now felt quite grateful to Mr Kyle for inviting her, and even to Brigid for obviously regretting her remarks.

‘Hey, why so silent?’ Mr Kyle cried as he drove smoothly down the quiet road. ‘It’s a beautiful October morning with sunshine on the hills. Even the sheep look happy. Not still worrying about Brigid, are you? I’ve told you she’ll have her turn.’

‘Yes, you did. Sorry. To tell the truth, I’m just enjoying the scenery. You forget what the country’s like, living in a city.’

‘That’s why I’m lucky: I’ve a foot in both places. A flat in Peebles and now another in Edinburgh. What more could a man ask? Where do you live, Shona?’

‘I’ve got lodgings in the Dean Village.’

‘Below Telford’s bridge? Ah, now I don’t know that at all well, but I believe it’s got quite a history. Full of bakers and flour mills, eh?’