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

leave it alone at night while it's still young,'said Flora protectively, clearing a space on a little table.

‘Oh,that's all right. I could stay in the flat for a while, until it's a bitolder.'

‘There'sa flat in the office building?' asked Hermione.

‘Yes. It'san old town house. We're thinking of putting it on themarket, to realise some capital. Or possibly part of it, converted into flats. It wasFlora's idea,' said Charles. 'She's beenreally innovative since she's joined us.'

‘Floraalways was an ideas person,' said Hermione, glancing at her daughterwith pride.

‘Wewere expecting a ditsy blonde,' explained Charles. 'Who knew nothing about auctions and antiques.’

Floralaughed, and handed him a plate of meringue, raspberriesand cream. 'Well, you were right. I am blonde and I did know nothing about antiques orauction houses. I know a bit more now,though. And you hate my teapot.’

Everyone inspected theball-of-wool-shaped pot, covered in ceramic kittens.

‘Oh, darling, I'dthought you'd given up collecting those,' said Hermione, obviouslywishing that Flora had.

‘I have toconfess I prefer the real thing to the china variety ofkitten, but those teapots do have a certain market,' said Charles.

Florachuckled softly at this display of tact. He glanced at her andcarried on, 'But generally you picked it up veryquickly, and you have a great gift with people.'

‘There!'said Hermione triumphantly. 'I told you that personalskills were more important than academic qualifications!'

‘Thankyou, Mother' – Flora handed her mother a loaded plate – 'for more or less telling Charles I didn't do toowell in my exams.'

‘Examsaren't everything and I'm sure Charles knows that.' Hermione smiled andFlora could almost see Charles softening under the warmth of it.

‘Well, I do now,' he said.

Floraperched on the arm of the sofa where her mother sat. 'These are Geoffrey's raspberries.Dig in.'

‘Delicious!'Hermione got to her feet after a short time when the scraping of plates replaced conversation. 'Can I get you some more, Charles?' She took his plate.'Are you sure? I'll just tidy up theedges and start my diet tomorrow.Have you heard about it? You don't measure calories, just G. I.s or something.' She frowned. 'I haven't finished reading the book, but it's really good!Not that you need to think aboutanything like that, Flora. I'll go and put the kettle on.'

‘Your mother is very like you,' saidCharles.

Flora wasused to hearing this. 'Is that good or bad?’

‘Very good. She's delightful.’

Florasmiled. 'She's a fun mother to have, I must say.' She fellsilent, suddenly shy. Then she spotted the kitten, curled up on hisneck, fast asleep. 'He really likes you. You must have him.'

‘Annabellemight become accustomed to him. I've heard of people who are allergic tocats but are all right with their own.’

Florasighed. 'But she wouldn't like the process of gettingused to him.' She wondered if part of her sub-clinicalmisery was worry about how well Annabelle and Charles were suited. The thought ofCharles spending the rest of his life withthe wrong woman was deeplydepressing. He deserved to be happy. He worked so hard.

As ifagreeing with her, Charles sighed. 'No, I suppose not. I'll work something out.’

Flora slidoff the arm and on to the sofa. She felt very tired.What she wanted more than anything else in the world wasjust to fall asleep, next to Charles. She let her eyes close.

Hermionecame in with coffee and peppermint tea. Floraopened her eyes and accepted a mug. Her mother arrangedthe little table and put Charles's coffee near him.

‘Ineed a shot of caffeine to wake me up,' he said. 'I was getting really drowsy just now. This is reallygood.'

‘I broughtthe coffee with me. Flora said it isn't always easy to get good coffee down here.'

‘Oh, you can'tknow the proper shops!' said Charles. 'There's a wonderful coffeeshop. I must take you there.' 'That would be nice,' said Flora, in a smallvoice. Why did this casual, almost meaningless invitation mean so muchto her? It was ridiculous. After all, Henry would take her to the coffee shop if she askedhim.

Conversationceased. They sat sipping their drinks, sleepingkittens on their laps, all perfectly content with the silence.

EventuallyCharles got to his feet, detached the kitten and placedit where he had been sitting so it wouldn't feel cold.'I must go. I've had a lovely evening. Thank you both, so much.’

He kissedHermione on the cheek. Flora, he just waved at. For amoment, she experienced a horrid pang of jealousy and hated herself.

When he was gone, Flora's mother said,'He's gorgeous! I can quite understand whyyou're in love with him.’

Flora burst into tears.

‘I'm not inlove with him!' she hiccuped. 'He's engaged to Annabelle.'

‘Iknow, darling,' said Hermione sympathetically as she put her arms round her daughter, 'but it's not enough to stop you falling in love with him, is it? Itshould be, I know, but it doesn't work like that.'

‘But really – I mean, he's so stuffyand—'

‘He's notstuffy with the kittens,' Hermione pointed out sadly,'and you told me he's really good at his job. There'ssomething about him, Flo, and I can't blame you for responding to it.'

‘Isthat what's wrong with me, then? I've been feeling so odd, so discontented, when everything is goingso well! I love it down here, and yetI know I can't stay here once Charlesand Annabelle are married. Is that becauseI'm in love with Charles? How awful!' Ever since the storm Flora haddone such a good job of persuading herselfthat she felt nothing more than cousinlyaffection for Charles that suddenly facing up to the fact that she'd accidentally gone and fallen in love with him was quite a shock. Although she realisedit had been true for quite a while now.

Hermioneled her daughter back to the sofa and sat down nextto her. 'Tell me everything. Things may not be as bad as they seem.’

Sadly forFlora, once she'd told Hermione the whole story, hermother agreed with her that things were just as bad as they seemed.

‘Youcould seduce him away from Annabelle,' Hermione suggested tentatively.

‘No Ican't! He might be perfectly happy with her, and even if he isn't, it would have to be his decision or he'd blame me if anything went wrong. No, I'lljust have to go away when thebusiness is going really well, and forgethim. I can't stay for the