had become obsessed but the path she was treading was very fine and unsteady. Violet wasn’t daft at all, at least Annie had assured me she was busy with customers and hadn’t cornered her as yet, which was a relief. Just thinking of the excuses, she had concocted together in her head to remain ambiguous in true respect hadn’t needed to occur if she had stuck to her original shifts. The last thing I needed on top of everything else was for Violet to wonder why I was having secret calls with Annie for fuck’s sake. I had sort of now wished I had given Annie some sort of white lie rather than the truth to be honest now.
Decision made after Annie had made my heart have palpitations of epic proportions of late, I would take back the plan into my own hands tonight rather than ask for help. Even though her heart was in the best place I needed the control as the idea that struck was to create a display using these amazing floral candy sweets all arranged in heart shapes. One of the fonder memories and facts I learnt was her obsession with them and how she always struggled to source them. I thought a special remembrance of a memory which would it make seem significant to her when she discovered the truth.
As I locked up and made my way to the shop, I decided to leave a little earlier than normal thanks to Annie’s presence and my need to be with Violet early again in the morning. Tonight, it was a crisp, dry night, the full moon illuminated the sky with the odd scatter of stars visible, I needed my jacket but only just now a slight chill in the air had formed. You never knew though the potential of change in the night and if the frost could strike too, fingers crossed though it didn’t.
The goosebumps and hairs on the back of my neck stood raised and elevated throughout the short walk to the shop. As I reached for my keys, I felt a presence just as if someone was watching me nearby as I glanced over my shoulders the dead empty street was all I could see. That sense of déjà vu and familiarity washed over me. I just couldn’t shake off this feeling that ran down my spine, and the shudder I felt flowing through me once I stepped inside the shop, keeping the lighting to minimal, as if someone had walked over my grave.
With the unknown factor of being unable to distinguish the sudden shadow I felt and being a person who doesn’t scare easily, I was fine deciding to carry on as planned but knowing that someone could be out there and it quite as easily could have been Annie placing the gift or Violet here alone. So, yes it felt strange, I seriously had a reason to feel that way as I hurried to lay all the hearts out for the morning, placed the envelope in-between the flower netting, and double-checked all the doors had been locked properly. I needed to check without Violet’s knowledge that all security was up to date, safety came next to nothing and if I wasn’t here, I needed to know she would come to no harm. Least in my head, I knew Violet would be safe and protected as I would be here before her in the morning just in case anything was out of place.
With the street double-checked that no one was visible to my eye, I hurried home to bed where my dreams would take me to Violet and the possibilities that lay ahead for our future.
Chapter Thirteen
Violet
Wrapped up warm and snug, layers upon layers in black clothing, I had my hair thrown in a ponytail and then placed it up inside a hat. I wanted to disguise myself as much as possible to ensure that if I was spotted from a distance it would be hard to recognise it was me. With a mix of camouflage techniques though and the use of alleyways and other shop corners it was easy to remain hidden and out of view from passers-by.
Preparation was key with no timescale given from Annie, the time spent here could span in great lengths so headphones with my latest playlist on, a flask with some scorching hot chocolate, and some snacks to graze and nibble on were key essential must-haves. I was ready for this stakeout. One part of