short story “Mrs Jessop? What are you doing here?” Lily had
exclaimed, unaware on that first day that the former proprietor would soon become a permanent fixture. “Come to give you a hand of course!” Mrs Jessop rolled her eyes at Michael who in turned grinned at Lily, holding her gaze for what she remembered as an age. Was that how it had been or had she just imagined
that spark of connection for the last 12 months? Of course she had. They only met for a few minutes. People didn’t really fall in love at first sight. Well, not other people anyway. “You’ve got very nimble fingers Lily,” Michael had said, watching
as she worked quickly. “How do you know my name?” Lily
“Last minute shopping?”
Lily asked him, smiling. “Not exactly. Last minute memory. I had stuff, but
I left it behind. How about one of those red things?” “A poinsettia?” Lily smiled. “To be honest, when
someone gives you a poinsettia, you know they have not given it much thought. What about a bouquet? I’ve got some gorgeous Christmas roses, amaryllis to give it colour and some holly. I can make it really special. Your wife will soon forgive you.” “Oh god, its not for my wife,” he’d said grinning.
“I don’t have a wife. My sister. I’m home on leave for Christmas and she’s putting me up. Or should I say putting up with me.” “Are you a sailor?” Lily asked him, taken with his
warm, open smile. “Soldier. Afghanistan. Bomb disposal.” He said the
words quickly, as if he’d rather not dwell on them. “Oh,” Lily eye’s widened. “You must be so brave.” He shook his head. “Not really. So this bouquet?
Will it be more than 30 quid?” “It will be less,” Lily said, deciding to give him the
flowers at cost. “First customer then?” Mrs Jessop had suddenly
appeared from behind the beaded curtain that Lily hadn’t had time to get rid of yet. “Not bad looking,” she said, looking him up and down. “If I were a few decades younger, I’d meet you under that mistletoe!”
asked, looking up for a moment. “It’s above the door,” he smiled. “I’m Michael, by the way.”
“And I’m Emily Jessop, not that anyone
will notice me with all this flirting going on. Keep setting your cap at all your customers, young lady, and you’ll be the talk of the town before February.” “Mrs Jessop!” Lily exclaimed, shaking her head at
Michael. “I’m so sorry.” “That’s all right,” Michael said. “I was sort of hoping
you were flirting with me. I never can tell when girls like me. It’s probably why I’ve never got round to getting married. That and the fact I disappear for months on end with a high probability of coming back in pieces.” Michael’s grin faded when he saw Lily’s stricken expression. “Sorry,” he said gently. “We joke about it – that’s
how we get through.” Lily took a length of deep red satin to finish off
the bouquet. “Actually,” she said on impulse, “I was flirting with
you, only I’m a little out of practice. I was married until a few months ago. I’ve forgotten how to.” “Well, whoever let you go was a fool,” Michael said
as Lily tied a bow. “I let him go,” Lily said, “Because, don’t you think
life is too short to not at least try and be happy?” “I do,” Michael took the bouquet and looked at
her. “Beautiful.” “Oh, just get a room,” Mrs Jessop had muttered.