The Florist And The Prince (ON HOLD)

~ 7 ~

Avery's POV

Organising the freshly delivered craters of coloured tulips on the rack that was mounted onto the wall behind the counter, eighteen year old Avery Cartwright thought back to the boy who hid in here in grandparent's flower shop yesterday. Who was he and why did he hide from the palace guard.

"Avery."

She looked over to her left, seeing her grandmother walk out from behind the shop. Her fair skin looked slightly flustered and her salt and pepper hair clamped onto her forehead and neck.

"Are you alright nan?" She asked, concerned.

Her grandmother nodded and waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine dear, its just the heat. Anyway could you go over to Matilda's bakery and buy some peach tarts? It's nearly lunch and I'm famished."

"Sure." Avery nodded and dusted her hands on her denim dungaree before she threw her cardigan over it and took the money from her grandmother.

Her mother was British and her father, a native Northdenian but he died before she was born and she was raised single handedly by her mother, who still had a good relationship with her late husband's parents, so for the holidays, she'd send Avery over to them to spend those times with them and she loved it. Her mother was full Afro-British while her father was part Afro-Northdenian and part Caucasian-Northdenian.

Walking out of the store, she smiled at the little girls who were playing hopscotch on the side walk next to the store and waved at them before crossing the road, and walking down towards the bakery. There were three bakeries in town but Matilda's was the first one here before the town expanded and other people decided to open up bakeries too, but Avery and both her grandparents still preferred Matilda's baked goodies to the others.

Three blocks away from the bakery, Avery saw a familiar homeless man lying down on one of the benches, sleeping peaceful and smiled happily when she saw that he was wearing the red beanie and charcoal-grey coat that she bought for him a few weeks ago. She never used to see him around when she came for the holidays before but when she came back now for the summer and saw him, her heart immediately went to him, so from time to time, she helped him whenever she could.

Although it was summer now, it was cool and the nights were pretty cold too as Northden was located towards Northen Europe between Scotland and Sweden. Letting the man rest, Avery continued down to the bakery to buy the tarts.

"Avery!" Someone called behind her and she turned go see a familiar boy jogging across the road, towards her.

"Oh, hi Lewis." She smiled.

"Hi, are you going to the bakery?" The dimpled boy grinned.

He was biracial. His father was a Indo-British and his mother a Afro-Northdenian, so he had a russet skin tone, soft curly black hair, brown eyes with dimples and was average height standing at six foot with a lean physique.

"Yes, my nan wanted some tarts."

"Of course she does. No one can say no to those tarts."

Avery smiled. "Yes, uhh...is there anything you wanted?"

Lewis scratched the back of his neck, looking nervous all of a sudden. "Umm...will you be going for the summer dance at Willow's Park?"

"I don't know. Dances are not really my thing and to be honest, I'm a terrible dancer." Avery told him.

"Oh! Okay...yeah, I don't know why they keep doing it though. Its so old fashion."

"Yeah, but I think it's great that we are still that tradition."

"Yeah, yeah...okay, uhh...see you later."

"Bye." Avery offered him a small smile and continued down to the bakery.

Opening the door to the thatched cottage that was actually the bakery, she was instantly hit with the delicious aroma of baked goodies and hot beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, lattes and cappuccinos.

"Good day Avery, what can I get you?"

"Hello Mr. Weatherbe, can I please have a dozen of your peach tarts, a shepherd's pie and two cups of hot chocolate."

"Of course, just give me a few minutes to get them for you."

Avery smiled and went over to the side, to give way to other customers. Sitting by the window at a small table, she looked out at the town, it had definitely grown bigger in the past few years but still had its picturesque small town charm to it. Diverting her eyes up to the mountain, she looked at the palace standing proudly upon the mountain, its beige walls standing stark against the green foliage of the mountain and trees. It was a elegant looking palace.

"Avery!"

Avery went back to the counter and got her order. "Thank you. How much will that be?"

"Fifteen pounds and pass my hello to your grandmother for me. I know those tarts are for her." Mr. Weatherbe smiled.

"I will do that. Have a nice day."

"You too deary."

Walking back out of the bakery, Avery looked up the street to see that the old, homeless man was awake and sitting up on the bench now.

"Hello Avery."

"Hello Rudolph. These are for you." Avery smiled, handing the pie and one of the hot chocolates to the old man.

"Thank you my dear. There should be more people like you." Rudolph smiled gratefully. His blue eyes sparkling.

For a old man, he had such beautiful eyes. They always sparkled and held such kindness in them at everyone, even to the people that ignored him or were mean to him and had so much depth to them, as though he has lived many lives.

"You know, that boy likes you." He smiled.

"Which boy?" Avery frowned, confusion.

"The one that you were talking to before you went down to the bakery." Rudolph answered with a knowing grin.

Avery's eyes widened in shock. "You were awake?"

The old man chuckled and nodded his head. "Yes, I was and I heard everything."

Avery looked up and laughed. This man was something. "Umm...yes, I kind of picked that up too."

"But you don't like him?"

"No, no its not that, I do like him but not in that way. I see him more as a friend than a...you know."

Rudolph nodded his head in understanding. "Well, everyone has a soul mate. I'm sure that you will find yours soon."

"I'm not in any rush. I'm only eighteen years old." Avery stated matter-of-factly.

And the old man let out a hearty laugh, making her stare at him funnily. He could be strange something, but she just brushed it aside.

"Okay, well I'll leave you to have your food."

Rudolph held up the portable cup of hot chocolate and nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Thank you again."

"You're welcome."

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CAST;

• Emmɑ Thompson ɑs Nɑn/Clɑire

• Jɑke. T. Austin ɑs Lewis

• Wɑllɑce Lɑnghɑm ɑs Rudolph