that some of them found it such a challenge. Zak was brilliant though, especially with the kids. Turns out he’s got more patience than I have.’
‘It’s your artistic temperament,’ I teased. ‘You’re used to working on your own now and doing things your way.’
‘Are you taking the mick?’
‘A bit,’ I grinned. ‘I think it’s brilliant that you offered to do the session though, even if you wouldn’t want to repeat it.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ he then surprised me by saying. ‘I’ve told Luke I’d do it again and Jacob said he’d love me to go into school to do some workshops with the kids. I reckon I’ll have to get Zak to help out with that though.’
I shook my head and laughed.
‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Tell me about your day then.’
I told him how thrilled Harold had been with the decorations and the plans to uncover the sitting room fire. Finn was all for making a start on it that night but, utilising some of my other skills, I managed to convince him to leave it.
* * *
Finn rolled on to his side, opened one eye and looked at me.
‘Morning, gorgeous. Are we late?’ he asked, his voice thick with sleep.
I’d been awake a little while, watching him and trying not to disturb him. It hadn’t been easy as I took in the steady rise and fall of his broad chest but I’d known how tired he’d been and thought it kinder to let him sleep. Even if I did have some interesting ideas about how I could wake him up.
‘No,’ I whispered, ‘it’s still early.’
‘Good,’ he said, sidling closer, ‘because I know the perfect way to start the day.’
Later, we threw caution to the wind and walked over to Prosperous Place, with Nell, together. I found it impossible to stop smiling and happily let my hand sit snugly in his. I couldn’t remember a time when I’d felt so complete and content.
My job was a dream, my house, although not mine, was perfect, I had more friends than I’d ever had before and now I had a wonderful relationship with a man I loved. And even though it was a new relationship, it wasn’t all physical. Finn was such a fascinating person. I loved his bravery and his creativity and the way we could talk for hours about all sorts of things. My life was richer for having him in it and even though we’d got off to a rocky start, everything had finally fallen into place and fit seamlessly together.
Thanks to Eloise’s timely beyond-the-grave radio re-tuning, everything had literally come up roses and I very much hoped it was going to stay that way.
‘Are you all set then?’ I called to Graham, having left Finn at the studio door and walked over to the Grow-Well with Nell, who quickly abandoned me in favour of the cosy bothy and the cats.
‘I think so,’ he said. ‘What do you make of this lot?’
Graham’s contribution to Winterfest was going to be a morning spent planting up containers with plants that were guaranteed to lift the spirits, even if you only had a tiny courtyard garden or even just a doorstep. He had sourced trays of pansies, violas and polyanthus in a riot of colours, as well as delicate cyclamens and trailing ivy and a variety of grasses to add structure and texture.
‘Absolute perfection,’ I told him. ‘If this lot doesn’t raise a smile, then nothing will. What about containers?’
‘I’ve got some for people to use,’ he explained, ‘but the majority are bringing their own and, if the emails are anything to go by, they’ve been quite inventive.’
As the group arrived and unloaded their pots, I realised what he meant. The repurposing and upcycling ethos was clearly thriving in Norwich and I was delighted to see it.
‘These are gorgeous,’ I said to Sara, who was looking even happier than the last time I saw her. ‘Where did you find them?’
‘I got them from my brother,’ she told me, handing over a mini keg beer barrel. She had already removed the top and added holes to the bottom for drainage. ‘He had a party in the summer and got through a few of these. He was going to dump them, but I thought they’d be ideal for planting up.’
‘They’re brilliant,’ said Graham, coming over for a closer look, ‘and someone over there has got an olive oil container, but we’re going to have to find a way to adapt it. Do you think Finn might