𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙴𝙽𝙳 || Original Story

eight | handsome

The shop was quieter than unusual the next morning, but it gave me a bit of breathing space and an opportunity to check the condition of all the flowers and plants as well as other bits of stock.

It took longer than expected, but I was relieved to find everything in order. After I'd finished, I made myself a cup of tea in the back room and sat down at the counter and was surprised to hear the door opening, the bell above tinkling to alert me.

I was, however, even more surprised to see Douglas Alvarez (a very dear friend of mine) enter, his hands stuffed into the pocket of his jacket.

Douglas was undeniably handsome with his tanned skin, thick and curly dark hair, sharp jawline, and earthy-coloured eyes. His appearance matched with his sugar-sweet personality had girls all over the village swooning and who could blame them?

I had known Douglas most of my life. We met at school, but I didn't speak to him properly until towards the end of that part of my life. His grandparents were from Guatemala and moved to England when they were young. They'd originally moved down south- somewhere near Exeter- before coming to Maplebrook, where Douglas, his two sisters, and both his parents now lived.

"Good morning, Kate," he greeted with his usual friendly smile.

"Good morning, Douglas," I replied in the same fashion. "How are you today?"

"Oh, as busy as ever! And you?"

"As quiet as I've been for a while," I laughed, leaning on the desk. "So, what brings you here?"

"Work does, actually. It's about Mrs Mayall."

"Ahh."

Mrs Emaline Mayall was one of the village's most popular and most sociable people. She held her own mini gala a couple of times a year with the proceedings going to charity. So, naturally I knew what was coming next.

"She wants something different this time round," Douglas elaborated, pulling out a small notebook and a pen from his pocket. "She was asking after flowers to- and I quote- extravagantly decorate the stalls. And she asked if you'd do her the honours."

See? I knew it.

"I'd love to!" I smiled. "It'd give me an excuse to work my magic. I'm the florist equivalent of Harry Potter."

Douglas grinned. "You are indeed. You are the Chosen One."

"You see," I began, waggling my finger at him. "When I introduced you to those books, you didn't think that you'd like them because 'they were for children' and yet here we are."

"You don't have to rub it in. Just because you and your Hufflepuff innocence are jealous of my Gryffindor chivalry."

"Oh, yeah. Ever the hero."

He laughed at my sarcasm and the mischievous action of sticking my tongue out.

"Well, my little Hufflepuff, I can definitely put you down as an endorsement, then?"

"You can. I'm rather looking forward to it. I love Mrs Mayall's galas. They're always so much fun."

"She'll be glad to hear that," he replied, scribbling down in his notebook before shoving it back into his pocket. "So, it's official. The date is May 23rd. I'll let you know if any other details once I finalise things with Mrs M."

"Great! Thanks, Douglas."

He smiled and turned to leave, but paused abruptly. "Hey, when are your mum and dad back from holiday?"

"Not for another week," I replied. "Why?"

"Mrs Mayall was asking about food and I suggested that perhaps your mum could bake that carrot cake she's so brilliant at making. I think that'd go down well."

I chuckled. "I think so too. I'll ask her when they get back and let you know as soon as."

"Thanks, Kate," Douglas responded and then turning to leave at last. "I owe you one!"

With a faint smile, I watched him exit the shop and walk off down the road with a skip in his step. He was evidently glad his gala plans were going smoothly and I hoped, for his sake, they played out perfectly.