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

are all sold. Do you know youraised over twenty thousand pounds for me?'

‘Did I? I realised we were getting somegood prices, way above the estimates, but I didn't know which, or how many ofthe books were yours, of course.'

‘Go and get a cup of tea. You deserveone.’

Flora's knees nearly gave way as she climbed down and the audience,most of whom had learnt that it was her first time, gave her a round ofapplause.

Virginiawas there and hugged her tightly. 'Well done, Flora! You were fantastic! You did sowell. We all knew you would.’

Suddenly, everyone was congratulatingher on her success.

‘That's thousands of pounds' worthyou've sold - and for far more than it's worth, going by the guide prices,'said Louisa.

‘But you know the guide prices arealways fairly low to encourage people to come,' said Flora, embarrassed.

‘Thoselast two bidders just competed with each other for your attention! Theymust have known they were paying over the odds.'

‘Well,as long as everyone is happy. I think I did make a couple of mistakeswith the book.'

‘Yes, but you put it right by inventingan imaginary bidder,' said Louisa. 'Did Geoffrey tell you to do that?'

‘He certainly did. He was coaching mefor hours last night.'

‘Well worth it! You've made himthousands!'

‘I'm glad about that, but we can't standaround here feeling smug, we've got loads to do before we can go home.’

Then shewas caught from behind and turned round. Almostbefore she registered who it was, Charles had his armsround her and was crushing her half to death. 'Well done, Flora,' he breathed into herear. 'I knew you could do it.’

Then he kissed her, full on the lips.

For a moment, it was just a kiss between friends, a congratulatory kiss, that she might have exchangedwith anyone, but then, for the briefest moment, it took on a quality ofpassion that made her catch her breath.

They brokeapart, both astounded and horrified. They stared at each other, neitherknowing what to say. A lifetime passed before Flora licked herlips. 'Um . .

‘So,'said Annabelle in a flat voice. 'Flora Pulls It Off! Or something. How does it feel to be thetitle of a girls' school adventure novel?’

Floratried to laugh. 'Er - fine.' She looked at Charles's white faceand knew it was a reflection of her own. 'I, er . . . excuse me. I think I'll justpop to the Ladies'.’

She was washing her hands when Annabellecame into the room and stood with her back to the door, so they couldn't be interrupted. Flora felt shaky, amixture of shock, guilt and a nervous reaction to her performance as anauctioneer.

‘What the hell do you think you'redoing?' Annabelle looked hot and bothered, but her gaze as she stared at Florawas icy.

‘I .. . I don't know what you mean,' Flora stammered. How much had Annabelleseen?

‘Don't give me that. I saw you. You andCharles.'

‘Oh,'said Flora weakly. 'You mean when he kissed me just now? It was justover-excitement, Annabelle, really, don't read anything into it. He was just—'

‘I'm not talking about the kiss, Flora,'Annabelle said furiously. 'That was a bit ofmeaningless sentimentality. I mean the look.'

‘Look?'echoed Flora weakly. 'What look?'

‘Oh, grow up, Flora,' snapped Annabelle. 'You're in love with him,aren't you?’

`No—' said Flora hotly.

‘Don't try to deny it! It was plain as apikestaff.’

Flora shookher head. Everything suddenly seemed to be happening so fast that she didn't know what to think.Charles's kiss had been unnerving enough, but Annabelle was right. It was theway he had suddenly pulled back, the waythey had looked at each other, that gave everything away.

She felt aninappropriate little rush of pleasure. Charles didn't just think of her as hislittle cousin, he thought of her as a woman.And clearly found her attractive. But what about Annabelle?

‘Look,I'm sorry, Annabelle, really, I—'

‘Honestly,Flora, I don't want to hear it. I can't imagine there's anything you could say that I'd want to hear. But there'sone thing you should know. Even if Charles did think you were more than just aminor irritation in his life, he'd never leave me for you.'

‘Why not?' Flora was surprised to findshe'd spoken out loud.

‘Becausewithout me, he'd lose everything.’

‘Everything? What do you mean, everything?'

‘I mean he'd lose the company. He'd loseStanza and Stanza.'

‘Thatcan't be true.' Flora didn't understand. 'I'd know about it, if that wasthe case.'

‘Not necessarily. He doesn't tell youeverything, you know,' Annabelle saidnastily. 'In fact, he doesn't tell you much at all.'

‘So youtell me then.How would he lose the company if he left you?'

‘Theoffice building needed completely rewiring. My father paid for it, withCharles's half of the business as collateral.'

‘You mean, your father lent Charles the money?'

‘Sort of, but the arrangement is thatthe debt will be written off when we get married. So however much he loved you - even if he does, which I sincerelydoubt -he'd still never leave me. His precious company will always bemore important to him than any woman.'

‘I see. Well, thank you for makingthings clear to me. And I hope you'll behappy knowing that Charles is only marrying you for your father'smoney!'

‘Not"only", darling, but he has got an awful lot of it.' She looked pityingly at Flora. 'I did try totell you. I thought I'd made it quiteclear how things are. Charles and I are going to get married, we'vealways been going to get married, and that's that.’

Flora'smouth filled with salt water and she knew that, unless she was very lucky, she wasabout to be very sick. She also knew shecouldn't retreat to a cubicle and throw up where Annabelle could hearher. With a huge effort of will, sheswallowed hard and pushed past Annabelle.

‘Excuseme. I've got to go.’

*

She stoodin the corridor for a few moments, feeling sweat prickle along her hairline,wishing she could just die of humiliationand not have to endure the process ofgoing back into the saleroom, where everybody would want to talk to her. She opened the door to astoreroom, obviously used by theplaygroup, and full of tricycles andscooters, space hoppers and lorries. There was hardly space for her, too, but she squeezed in and stayed there until she heard Annabelle leave theLadies'; then, when her nausea had passed, she emerged, feeling