Flowers for My Love by Katrina Britt

Davina.
    You look beautiful. I must have mine done. Do you think it will suit me?’
    ‘Of course,’ Davina had told her confidently. ‘Like me, you have thick luxuriant hair, so you won’t get that boyish look with it shorter. Besides, I’m sure a change is good. Sometimes we tend to get into a rut, so why not be something different from our usual boring selves? What about going to the hairdressers tomorrow? I’m sure they’ll fit you in if you telephone them now.’
    So Cheryl had done just that and so had missed Rex calling.
    Davina had no idea how the situation was between them so she decided to be diplomatic.
    ‘Nice to see you,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’m afraid Cheryl is out at the moment.’
    Rex looked his usual expensive self, expensive jeans, shirt and haircut. However, his usual jaunty air was dimmed. He almost seemed relieved to discover Cheryl was not there.

    He said wryly, ‘Not exactly a success, our visit to Aunt Lila?’
    ‘I wouldn’t say that exactly. It was a change, and we did eat.’
    They both laughed and Davina twinkled, ‘I was just about to make coffee—will you have a cup?’
    ‘About Cheryl,’ said Rex as she refilled his cup. ‘How does she feel about me?’
    Davina handed him the plate of biscuits again and he helped himself.
    ‘I haven’t a clue. Why not ask her yourself? She’ll be in soon,’ she suggested.
    He said ruminatively, ‘You know, you’re being awfully sweet to me. Why? I know you haven’t much time for me.’
    Davina shrugged. ‘I’ve no right to be anything else, have I?
    You’re Cheryl’s boy-friend, not mine. Everyone has a right to live their life as they choose, but I must confess that I would interfere a little with Cheryl’s or Darren’s if I thought they were heading for disaster.’
    Rex munched this with his biscuit. ‘You think Cheryl is heading for disaster with me?’
    ‘No one bettering themselves is exactly heading for disaster, although they might not, at the same time, be heading for happiness. I think happiness is the essential quality in life whether you’re rich or poor.’
    ‘What do you suggest?’ he put in dryly. ‘That I should give away my money, and live a hand-to-mouth existence?’
    Davina laughed. ‘Good heavens, no! Mind you, the experience might help you to mature, a quality that’s essential in a married man.’
    ‘Who said anything about marriage?’
    Davina’s eyes widened innocently. ‘I hope that some day you intend to marry, but don’t fool yourself that Cheryl is eager to marry you. I’ve no idea how she feels towards you. In any case, she can almost pick and choose in the matrimonial stakes.
    She’s pretty enough and intelligent too.’ She lifted her head as the door bell tinkled, and thrust her head between the beaded curtains separating the back room from the shop. ‘Here she is now followed by a customer, so I’ll leave you to it.’
    Davina served several customers, and after looking at her watch realised that ft was lunch time. Cheryl and Rex were still conversing earnestly in the back room and she made a sudden decision to eat out.
    She stayed long enough to praise Cheryl’s new hair-style and did not blame Rex for not being able to tear his eyes away from the sparkling blonde. Then she shed her overall, put on a short black velvet jacket and paused to alter the sign on the shop door from Open to Closed.
    ‘Sorry, closed for lunch,’ she informed the customer who bumped into her on her way out.
    She smiled up past expensive soft leather shoes, long legs in immaculate trousers to wide shoulders and ... Nick.
    ‘Good. You can have lunch with me. Come on.’
    Taking her arm possessively between determinedly strong fingers, he marched her off to his parked car.
    On breath regained, pulses hammering, Davina decided to play it cool.
    ‘If you care to leave an order, sir, I’ll make a note of it and attend to it later,’ she gasped.
    Darkly he said, ‘Into the car before I beat