Free The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali McNamara

his pocket and pulls out a hankie. He dabs it at his eyes.

‘I’m sorry,’ he says, turning away. ‘Seeing you here, and knowing you’re going to take over Rose’s wonderful shop. It’s just too much!’

Declan smiles at me.

‘Ant is always a bit overemotional,’ he explains. ‘I’m used to it.’

‘Oh!’ I exclaim, suddenly realising. ‘Your names! You’re Ant and Dec!’

Ant spins around, his sorrow now turned to joy. ‘I know, isn’t it cool? We used to hate it when we were first together and they were PJ and Duncan, but now they’re international celebrities it’s rather fabulous!’

‘They’re hardly international celebrities, sweetie,’ Declan says. ‘But it’s a good hook for the business.’ He looks up at the back of the shop, and I see an elaborately painted sign:
     
    Welcome to
    The Blue Canary Bakery
    Where your hosts
    Ant & Dec
    will be pleased to serve you today.

‘The customers love it,’ Declan continues. ‘And they never seem disappointed when it’s just me and Ant serving them.’

‘As well they shouldn’t,’ I say. ‘I’m sure the two of you are just as entertaining, if not more so.’

‘When do you think you’ll have the shop open again?’ Anthony asks. ‘The ladies of the Women’s Guild have been running it since your grandmother went into hospital, but their ways…’ He pulls a face. ‘Let’s just say they’re not quite up to your grandmother’s standards.’

‘Let’s be honest, no one could replicate Rose’s touch with a bloom,’ Declan says wistfully. ‘That was something extremely special to behold.’

They both exchange a knowing look.

What on earth did my grandmother do with flowers that was so wonderful? I remember people often leaving her shop incredibly happy, even crying on occasion, which had seemed odd to me at the time. But what was she doing with flowers to make them so special?
 

‘I’m not too sure when we’ll be open again,’ I tell them. ‘But luckily I do have someone to help me with the shop – a new florist, all the way from New York!’

‘Oh, how decadent!’ Anthony says. ‘I can’t wait to see what they do. Let’s just hope she… or is it a he?’

‘She.’

‘
She
can sprinkle some Manhattan magic into your grandmother’s shop. It’s sure been lacking it of late.’

They exchange another glance.

‘I’m sure we’ll both give it a good go,’ I assure them, wondering again what all these looks were about.

‘It’ll need more than that, sweetie,’ Declan says. ‘The way things have been here lately, it’ll need a miracle.’

It’s 9.30 a.m. and we’ve breakfasted on custard tarts and more tea, and even though I’d suggested Amber stay and try and get some more sleep, she insisted on coming with me to visit the shop this morning, so she could see just what she was letting herself in for.

‘It needs work,’ Amber says. ‘A lot of work.’

‘Yes, I know that,’ I say, taking a step back to get a better view. ‘But in what way? I mean, we can’t just give it a lick of paint, can we? I’ve a feeling it needs more than that.’

‘I could tell you about your mom’s shop, if you like?’ Amber suggests.

‘I know what it’s like; I’ve seen it when I’ve been over there.’

‘I don’t remember you visiting,’ says Amber. ‘Was I there?’

‘No, I don’t think so. It was some time ago.’

The truth was I’d visited years ago when Mum first opened the shop. It had seemed super exciting, Mum opening a florist in New York, and I’d jumped at the chance of a free trip over to the Big Apple. I’d had such a great time seeing the sights and living it up in the city that never sleeps, that I hadn’t taken much interest in Mum’s flower shop at all. I feel guilty now as I stand looking up at my grandmother’s old store, as though a piece of my history has died along with a member of my family.

‘Anyway,’ I try to sound bright, ‘I don’t want to emulate one of my