A surprise guest at the flower shop

Tim came into the shop one morning.

“Morning, Jenna.” He headed straight to the counter and greeted Jenna.

“Oh morning Tim, what brings you here?” Jenna was rather surprised to see Tim. She quickly pushed the clutter of ribbons to one side of her desk. He was wearing a pale blue long sleeve button down shirt. His light brown hair was neatly combed backward, with a parting line at one side. He was a nice-looking bloke, personable and well-mannered.

“I was thinking if I could get a bouquet of carnations for my mother. It’s her birthday today,” Tim said, in his customary genial mood. His immaculate smooth-shaven facial skin was radiant and covetous over the lights.

“Sure. Is there any particular colour you want? You can have a look at them just at the corner,” Jenna said, pointing to the corner of the shop where there were a few types of carnations with different colour in various buckets.

“I don’t know about flowers, I’ll let you to decide for me,” Tim said, flashing a smile on his face. His eyes locked on Jenna’s. They were made of honey brown irises, and his eyelashes were impressively long and beautiful. Jenna found herself flushed a little.

“Err… alright, if you say so.” Jenna got off from her chair and walked across the shop. She picked a few carnations, mostly in white and pink and some baby breaths to go with. She lifted the flowers higher to show them to Tim. “How are these look like to you?”

Tim had his arms folded as he watched Jenna picking the carnations for him. “Looks fine to me.” He shrugged nonchalantly with a crooked smile. He had this shy looks on his face for some reason, Jenna thought. Or maybe he wasn’t shy at all, what was I thinking?

“Great. I’ll get someone to do the wrapping,” Jenna said, and passed the flowers to Katie, knowing that she’ll be able to finish it in less than 10 minutes.

“This looks like a nice place to work in.” Tim looked around the shop. It was his first time there.

The flower shop was not very big, being occupied mostly by the flowers, leaving designated lane for walking, Jenna returned back to the counter with just a few strides. “Do you mean it’s better than the hospital?” Jenna joked as she flipped her hair to the back.

Tim gave a faint laugh and perched his arm on the counter, leaning even closer to Jenna as she started to prepare the bill. “Definitely. It smells better than the hospital. It’s full of colour here, very lively.”

“Come to think of it, you are right. The walls are plain.”

“Dreadful place to work at,” Tim said as he shook his head. “Everyone that comes to see you are worried, sick and in great pain.”

Jenna’s heart was imbued with compassion, thinking of how some of the children had lost their hair due to cancer treatment. “It’s true. Maybe they can put more flowers in hospital.”

“Well, it’s not very advisable, due to possible pollen allergies. Besides, we don’t want people knocking on the vases, do we?” Time straightened up and took a quick glance at Katie, who was almost done with the wrapping.

Jenna nodded in agreement. “That’s true, it didn’t occur to me. Well, I’m glad I’m not allergic to plants, or pollen. Otherwise you won’t be seeing me here.”

“I’m glad I’m not too. By the way, just a friendly reminder, join us this coming Saturday?”

Jenna stared at Tim for a moment. His lashes fluttered each time he blinked. It made Jenna laughed inwardly. Saturday… Saturday…Her mind was twirling for a decision. “Sure, I’ll come.”

“That is great. I’ll send my address over to you later on. Do you need me to pick you up?”

“Whereabouts do you live?”

Tim grinned. “In Earlsdon. It’s quite near to where you live. Gordon Street, right?”

It was unbelievable that Tim had done a bit of homework. It was no surprise as a doctor, Tim definitely had the access to her details that she had provided to the hospital as a volunteer. Thinking of how Tim screening through her personal details sent a little chill down her spine. “Then I guess a lift won’t be necessary. I prefer walking.”

Tim nodded lightly. “Sounds great.”

And Katie was super fast. She walked over with a bouquet of carnation in her hands. “Here’s your bouquet, sir.”

Tim thanked Katie and paid for the flowers. He checked his watch.

“I’d better run for work. Thanks, Jenna. See you this Saturday,” Tim reminded Jenna again before he left the shop.

The girls watched as Tim left the shop. They had been scanning him from head to toe from the time he entered the shop.

“So… Jenna. Who is that guy?” Emma dashed over to the counter, waiting eagerly for Jenna’s response. So were Claire and Katie. They were slipping nearer and nearer to Emma but within a safe distance from Jenna just in case she lets out fire.

“Just a guy from the hospital,” Jenna answered in a monotone.

“Is he a doctor?” Claire asked.

“Yes, he is.”

“Is he single?” Emma asked again.

“I don’t know.”

“Does he like you?” Katie gushed, followed by a giggle. Her pink cheeks were glowing like a youthful lass, it was hard to believe that she would become a mother soon. Apparently, Katie and her boyfriend decided to get married soon, and keep the baby of course. It would be something to look forward in coming weeks or so. Katie had started to make some preparations for the wedding, it was going to be as simple as possible. But the thought of Katie moving to Leicester with her future husband would have Jenna missing her dearly. She was such a wonderful human being.

“Well Katie, Emma, and Claire…” Jenna cleared her throat on purpose and made an annoyed face. “I don’t know if he likes me or not. I have no feeling for him whatsoever.”

“I think he likes you. Look at how he ogled at you from head to toes,” Claire said brazenly.

“Excuse me. Ogled?” Jenna retorted.

“Yeah, with a pair of hungry eyes,” Emma added on, and the girls laughed. “Jenna, you are rather revealing today, don’t you think?”

Indeed, today she had a V shaped blouse on, not exactly low cut but still… Jenna lowered her head to check on her cleavage instantly. She was showing more skin than she thought. She pulled up the neckline, and made a scowling face at Emma, and made the girls laughed uncontrollably.

Emma’s face was red from the suffocated laugh. “I was right, wasn’t I?”

Jenna rolled her eyes in disgust. “I didn’t know he was coming, ok?”

“I think he’s a nice guy, don’t you think?” Katie smiled cheekily at Jenna. Jenna flicked a quick look at Katie’s stomach, hoping to catch a glimpse of a baby bump, but it was still too early to be visible. “Perhaps you should consider him, Jenna.”

Claire snapped her fingers. “Absolutely right, Katie! It doesn’t matter who makes the move first. It’s not necessary to wait for men to make the first move.”

Emma fluttered her eyes dreamily. “I always dream about getting married to a doctor.”

“Hey stop the crap. He is just a friend.” Jenna calmed herself down and changed the irksome topic skillfully. “Perhaps one of you girls might want to help me to run to the bank and for some errands?”

The girls scattered away and pretended to be busy, still giggling under their breaths.

“Punks!” Jenna called out.

At the opposite of the flower shop laid a pair of scrutiny eyes. Of course, every moment and ever movement were being watched, and jotted down.

Paparazzo’s work continues

Day 3

Wednesday

30 November

7:30 – comes out of the house. Wears a red windbreaker and a pair of faded jeans.

8:00 – shop opens. Three other girls are arranging the flowers outside the shop.

8:37 – a tall, thin man walks into the shop. He is talking to Jane Brown while the other girl wraps the flowers.

Seth was observing the man with a pair of watchful eyes, trying to conclude his motive. After seeing him walked out of the shop with a bouquet of flower in his hand, he wrote down:

8:48 – the man leaves with a bouquet of flowers (not boyfriend).

There was a strange pang of relief in him. She is most probably still single, but does it matter to him? It’s none of my freakin’ business for Pete’s sake.

Seth put down his pen and sipped his coffee. The babel of voices in the coffee house died down. He looked around the place, the people had reduced. The sound of low murmur had his attention as he sipped for another coffee. His eyes dashed over to source of the sound, and found two waitresses whispering and looking at him suspiciously. He sensed danger, got up instantly, and walked out of the shop with no delay. He was scared that they will ask him for an autograph or picture or something.

That was close, but too risky to come back again.