A Brambleberry Manor Christmas - Rosie Green Page 0,11

two months ago, when I started the business…

She frowned. ‘Accountants aren’t that amusing, are they? I mean, I thought we were meant to be the most boring people in the world.’

‘You? Boring? You seem to me like the least yawn-inducing person in the world!’

‘Why, thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.’ She twisted her mouth ruefully. ‘So why do you need a bar of chocolate that enormous?’

Sighing, I explained about my cash flow problem and my doomed business.

She thought for a moment, then she said, ‘So when you took the booking from Rosie and Daniel, did you request a payment up front?’

‘Erm, no. Was I supposed to?’

‘Well, that’s the usual way of doing things.’ She shrugged. ‘In simple terms, if you’d asked for a deposit, you’d have the cash to pay for the food.’

‘Oh. I really didn’t think I could do that. Ask for payment in advance.’ My mind was reeling at this discovery. But Flo must know. She was an accountant.

‘It’s…not too late to ask them.’ She looked at me speculatively.

‘What, now? Two days before the wedding?’

‘Well, it’s either that or you’ll have to cancel. If you give them the choice, I think I know which option they’ll go for.’

I nodded my head slowly. ‘The trouble is, I’ve wasted too much time. I’ll need to work day and night now to get everything done.’

‘No staff?’

I shook my head.

‘Well…I happen to know someone who’s desperate for a job. And she loves cooking as well.’

‘You?’

She nodded, grinning. ‘When the kids were growing up, Jamie Oliver was my best friend.’

I stared at her, thinking rapidly.

Flo shrugged. ‘I’m happy to help with the wedding feast. I’ll peel vegetables. Stir the soup. Whatever you need.’ She delved in her bag. ‘Tell you what, here’s my card. Just cross out the bit that says accountant.’

I took the card she held out, my mind whirling. She’d given me so much to think about. And she’d saved my bacon, in all likelihood.

I smiled at her. ‘I’m Jenny,’ I said. ‘And I’d love some help with this wedding.’

*****

When I got back to the house, I did what Flo had suggested. I phoned Rosie and Daniel to request a deposit. I was dreading making the call, but Rosie, who answered, didn’t think it was in the least bit odd. In fact, she said they’d wondered if I’d simply forgotten to ask for a part-payment when they made the booking. She transferred the money straight away, and first thing next morning, I went out and bought everything I needed.

I called Flo and she came round to help. And everything was going well, until Rosie called to check I’d be able to cater for the two vegetarians who’d be attending the wedding.

Flo saw the horror on my face. ‘What’s wrong?’ she whispered.

I swallowed hard. ‘Yes, Rosie, no problem. I have a note of that. Two vegetarian meals. Good luck for tomorrow!’

I ended the call and rushed to check the notes I’d made at the time. Sure enough, I hadn’t actually recorded the fact that there’d be a couple of vegetarians. It was the first booking I’d taken from people I didn’t know. I must have been so nervous I’d forgotten to write it down…

The problem threw me into a spin. I had so much to do and now this! But Flo made me sit down and take some deep breaths while she made me a reviving mug of coffee. She didn’t tell me she’d added a slug of brandy until I took a sip and almost choked on it.

‘For the shock.’ She shrugged and after I stopped coughing, I started to laugh.

‘This is really nice.’ I could feel the alcohol warming me inside and Flo’s grin was infectious.

‘Now,’ she said, ‘I’ve got this brilliant vegetarian recipe I used to make for my son-in-law. Even the rest of the family, who aren’t vegetarian, used to love it. So how about I make it and you can see if you like it? While you get on with the other stuff?’

‘Okay.’ I nodded, not sure what I’d say if I didn’t like it. I’d hate to hurt Flo’s feelings.

But I needn’t have worried. Her individual artichoke, spinach and cheese pies in gloriously buttery flaky pastry were a work of genius, and after sampling one, I had no hesitation in putting it on the wedding breakfast menu.

The next day, driving home from the wedding, I asked Flo if she’d like a permanent job as my assistant.

‘Oh.’ She glanced at me uncertainly, and I wondered