The Art Guy (18+) COMPLETE, FREE to READ

Say it with Flowers

Daisy opened the door to a huge bunch of flowers, lilac freesias mixed with purple, white and pink-edged spray carnations, finished with gypsophila. It was so big, it obscured the carrier's face.

"Look," a disembodied voice squawked, "I dunno what to do to make you fink that I'm –"

Nice as it was to pretend the flowers and the sentiment were for her, Daisy knew she'd better stop him before he embarrassed himself completely.

"Alfie, it's me, Daisy. Not Katrina."

"Oh!" It was almost a howl. The flowers were lowered, and he looked crestfallen. And sheepish.

"I fort... well, Katrina usually opens the door, first like."

Too right. Her Scottish friend had long ago appointed herself as a sort of butler, first at the door to see who called and if she thought them worthy of letting in. As a tactic, it worked well for everyone. She was also talented at inventing reasons for why someone shouldn't cross the threshold. The Walker home had seen off endless Mormons, neighbourly bores and nosey acquaintances wanting to get the gossip on Tony this way.

"So...?" Daisy pointed to the flowers.

"I'm fed up of her not noticing I'm totally in love with her," he said. "And that Mick. He's a total dick'ed. He'll break her heart, 'cause he'll never be able to resist all those women who'll fling themselves at 'im, now he's a big star."

"Stop," Daisy said, holding out a hand. "You're preaching to the converted, I promise. And anyway, she's dumped him. Punched him in the balls in front of everyone. I cheered when she did it."

Alfie's face changed completely. His eyebrows shot up, as despondency became hope.

"When's she back? Is she out doing her mobile hairdresser thingie?"

It felt mean to disappoint him once again. Katrina, Daisy said, was in Glasgow, having left London this morning. Her cousin, Kippy—Alfie had met him, right?—had been badly beaten up by nasty gangsters.

[She congratulated herself afterwards at how dispassionate she'd made that sound. Honestly, it had been difficult to do, the thought of those injuries done to the guy who'd been her first love overwhelming and sickening.]

"When will she be back?" Alfie asked, and Daisy shrugged. How long was a piece of string? It depended on Kippy's injuries, and how his mum and dad were. Maybe they would need to cling onto her, a life raft in the choppy waters of parental fear and worry.

Daisy could see the whir of Alfie's brain. He was weighing something up, trying to decide if he should do something momentous or not.

"Just do it," Daisy said, smiling. She didn't know for sure what he was planning, but a big gesture was needed. And she was a big fan of those films that showed men do all kinds of massive actions in order to win the love of their life. Love was terrifically important, wasn't it? The biggest thing you ever did in life. Worth doing big stuff for.

Worth making sure it was for the right person.

She gave her blessing and watched him rush off, flowers dumped at the front gate and forgotten.

/