Flora's Lot by Katie Fforde (13 inch ebook reader TXT) 📕

‘No, so I can't test you. I heard someone else say, "Never trust a man who owns a picnicset". Do you?'

‘Idon't think so.' Henry feigned anxiety. 'There may be one in the attic. I'm not sure.'

‘Oh, ifthere is, put it in a sale. They sometimes go quite wellif they've got all their fittings. My colleague Geoffrey was telling me the other day.'

‘I didn't bringyou here to talk about work, Flora. Think what you want to eat.'

‘Guinea fowl soundinteresting.'

‘They don't, actually, they just make a quite boring cluckingsound.'

‘I meant toeat! Now don't get distracted. The girl will be back ina minute. It's such a bore when guests don't make uptheir minds because they're chatting. I've been a waitress,' she added, 'so I know.’

When theyhad eventually chosen, the waitress, who looked asif she was moonlighting from her day job as a model,so long were her legs and so short was her skirt,asked them if they'd like to sit outside. 'We've set a fewtables at the end of the garden. It's very pretty.'

‘Itsounds lovely,' said Flora. 'What do you think, Henry?'

‘If you'd like that, we'lleat there.’

They wereled to a table by the French doors that opened onto the lawn that led down to the river. It was a glorioussummer evening. The air was scented with jasmine andphiladelphus, and peacocks strutted about, adding theirraucous cry to the murmurings of people enjoying themselves.

Henryhad ordered more champagne. 'I only want one glass, soit might as well be the best. Here's to you.’

His eyesglittered down into hers as Flora raised her glass tohis. He really was very attractive, in a rakish, obviousway, and, still determined to make an effort, she flicked back her hair with aslanting smile.

Theywere halfway through their starters when Charles and Annabelledrew to a halt just by them. Flora had her elbows onthe table and was explaining to Henry how exciting working for an auction housewas. She was very animated and slightly flushed, and the strap of her dress had slippedoff her shoulder.

‘Oh,' said Charles.'Hello, Flora.’

Annabelle,slightly behind Charles, said, 'Surprise! We were sojealous to think of you both here, on this lovely summer evening, that wethought we'd treat ourselves. It was Charles's idea.'

‘Ohreally,' said Flora dryly, not at all pleased to see them. 'You just hada sudden urge to come here, Charles?'

‘That's right,' he said ratherwoodenly.

‘Tonight?'

‘Yes,tonight.' He had the grace to look slightly self-conscious;he clearly knew she knew that he was there to keep aneye on his cousin and the philanderer he thought she needed protection from.Really, thought Flora, irritated, what century did he think he wasliving in? Henry had already got to his feet and Flora leaptto hers, losing a shoe in theprocess. 'Fine. What a . . . er . . .surprise. Let me introduce you to Henry. Henry Burnet, Charles Stanza.'

‘Actually, we have met,' said Charles,crushing Henry's hand in a trial of strength.

‘Henry,this is Annabelle, Charles's fiancée,' said Flora, trusting thatAnnabelle would be more friendly.

‘We know each other too, Henry.'Annabelle had followed Flora's instructionsas to her appearance and was lookingalmost glamorous. 'We met at the Williams Ellises - remember?'

‘Howcould I forget?' Henry bowed over Annabelle's hand. Then he looked at Flora. 'Didn't you trust me?'

‘Ofcourse!' How embarrassing! 'Annabelle, I didn't ask you to come, did I?'

‘Dear me, no! As I said, we just thoughtit was a perfect night for this place, andwhen we phoned on the off-chancethey had a table.' She addressed Henry. 'I expect they had a largecancellation.'

‘I expect so,' Henry agreed resignedly.

‘Doyou mind if we join you?' suggested Charles. 'You've only got as far asyour starters.'

‘Ooh,that would be fun!' said Annabelle, either oblivious to Flora's dirty looks or choosing to ignore them. 'It's quite dullgoing out when it's just the two of you, isn't it?' She pulled up achair.

‘Yes,'said Charles. 'After all, we know it's not a first date, so you won'tmind.'

‘Won't we?' said Henry.

Flora shrugged.

Seeingthat he couldn't save the situation now, Henry said, 'Youcan join us on the firm understanding that next timeFlora and I dine, it'll be on our own.' He smiled. 'She's a very difficult girl to get togo out with.'

‘Isshe?' said Charles blandly. 'That's reassuring.’

Thewaitress appeared. 'We could order another bottle ofchampagne,' said Henry, 'or would you rather not?'

‘I don'twant to drink too much,' murmured Flora.

‘Oh, go on,'said Annabelle. 'Relax! Have another glass ofchampagne.' She leant in and whispered, 'If these two are goingto be like dogs about to fight, we might as well get drunk and enjoy ourselves.’

Flora couldn't decide if having Charlesto annoy would enhance the evening or not, but she silently agreed that a second glass of champagne mighthelp things along a bit. 'Oh, OK.It's Sunday tomorrow. As long asGeoffrey doesn't make me go to a car-boot sale.'

‘What?' asked the others in unison.

‘Never mind. Here's to us all!’

Chapter Twenty

 As shelowered her glass, Flora remembered her resolution toenjoy herself, and smiled warmly at Henry. His eveninghad been thoroughly mucked up - and her resolutionto develop a crush on him wasn't exactly helped by Charles and Annabelle'spresence.

‘Well,Charles, are you the director of the firm where Flora works?' askedHenry, good-naturedly.

‘Thefirm that Flora half owns, yes,' said Charles.

Henryfrowned at Flora. 'You half own it? Why didn't you tellme? And why on earth couldn't you agree a lower percentage with me?' He turnedto Charles. 'I wanted her to give me a special rate - a lowercommission - and shesaid she couldn't.'

‘Idid say I was an apprentice,' Flora pointed out. 'That sort of decision is entirely up to Charles. And as it isn't his choir who wants to go and sing atBurnet House, he probably isn't open to offers.'

‘Well?'demanded Henry, in a way that made Flora like him a little less.

‘Oh,let's not talk about business,' said Annabelle, smiling at Henry. 'We're here to have a break from work. I'm partof Stanza and Stanza, too,' she added.

‘Quiteright,' said Flora. 'It's Saturday night. We're all in this lovely place - the food is wonderful, bythe way- we shouldn't sully theoccasion with mere commerce.' She took rather a large gulp of champagne.

‘That's fine by me,' said Charles.

‘So, Henry,' said