the stands where all the array of choices of flowers stood through the day and begin to take down the old display.
When I pull back the curtain my heart thunders in my chest wild and uncertain as I scan the room, eyes flitting around I realise someone has been here, but as all the locks were in place and nothing is missing, as thoughts riot of how they got in? A sense of uncertainty hits but I know Adam will be here soon, he will cool the storm raging within and tell me best how to approach this, but the minutes seem more like hours.
My jaw goes lax as the sun beams start to radiate in and the kaleidoscope of light hits an object which has been dangled over the display, my eyes lock onto the coloured stream and take the beauty in. A small red envelope, with the letter V, handwritten across the front with a single kiss underneath hits my peripheral vision. My mind flips a hundred times a minute with the uncertainty of where these have come from as my hands grasp and unclasp the item whilst studying the delicacy. In the palm of my hand, a beautiful resin pendant lay but the real special part was the encased violet trapped within it placed on a delicate chain, silver had been chosen, not gold. My hands shake as I reach for the envelope as I open and pull the small card out.
7 days of love
7 gifts to discover
Enjoy every moment
Violet deserves violets
The doorbell chimes and Adam’s gruff voice is heard, “Violet, I’m here, some real beauties caught my eye today.” As I step out from behind the enclosed space with both items in my hand and gathered tears held in the depths of my eyes, I attempt to hold myself together. With concern, Adam drops everything and in one swoop rushes straight to my side. “Sweets, tell me what’s wrong?” As he keeps his eyes down gazed.
Adam takes the items from my hands and looks them over. “You know Bea at Floras, over in the next village? I reckon they are playing nasty fucking games. They hated me from the word go and put that petition up about the window display event. I reckon they want me off my ‘A’ game.” As the temper rises in me, my anger raged and I felt the need to get my revenge.
Hands placed on my shoulders I take deep breaths and the sense of fury begins to calm. “Listen carefully, Miss Fireworks. What happens if you go round there full of accusations? Bea is going to come back like a bull in a China shop window. Cool yourself down and wait, I assume there is no damage?” As my brain continues to turn to mush from his touch.
I attempt to refocus but for some reason, my mind is overcome with the thoughts of Adam King and his power. “No nothing at all.” He was right, he’s always right. The last remains of yesterday’s display comes down. “Flowers, then shall we?” As I follow behind Adam to see today’s offerings.
Adam did amazing with his choices at the markets, with my creative juices flowing Dendrobium orchids and forsythia made a perfect display of a trio of crackle glass vases at various heights with the flowers protruding the top and a large wooden rose hung from behind. The extra touches of a few scattered crystals on the desk in reds just made day two’s piece pop that little bit more.
The daytime flew by and I didn’t have time to breathe, with the influx of customers and the compliments on my display. I was so grateful when Annie, my part-time help, had said she could throw in some extra few hours this week now she was on a break from college. I knew I had Adam but he needed to have his rest too, he had enough going on with his early mornings and wholesale runs let alone having to be at my beck and call. I won’t be ashamed to admit it though I loved to have him nearby.
No suspicious activities had been clocked by Adam or I, the remainder of the day. The vigilant looks I had scoured throughout had ensured nothing was amiss as tonight we both ensured all locks were secured before he walked me back home for a good rest.
Chapter Six
Adam
As I arrived home I began to panic, this morning I decided I needed to take some much needed