The Flower Shop on Foxley Street. Rachel Dove

and she laughed. The ladies turned their heads to look at the commotion. Lily went bright red, and put out a placating hand to them. They nodded, and went back to talking quietly. ‘Sorry.’ She giggled, a little ashamed by her reaction but apparently grateful for the distraction. ‘I just knew you had to work outside.’

      Will looked at her in puzzlement, which made her shrink with embarrassment.

      ‘Your hands,’ she exclaimed, reaching for one of them, turning it palm up. Her touch sent a shiver down Will’s arm, and he knew she must have felt it. Will felt like she had woken him up from a dream. It was as though they were charged to each other, like static fizzing between them. He kept his hand relaxed, not wanting to do anything that might make her let go. He was taking a chance here, a risk, but he couldn’t stop himself. She seemed to realize what she had done, and she gently released him. Will could feel the warmth leave his skin.

      ‘Working hands, you see?’ She held both her palms up to him, and he noticed she had calluses on her hands too, the odd scratch and scrape dotted on her fingers.

      ‘Green thumb club, eh?’ He grinned. She smirked back at him.

      ‘Definitely. What did you want to ask?’

      He told her of his plans, of leaving Harrogate and wanting to build up a local business. He was tired of the commuting, and wanted to keep things a bit simpler. Not exactly a lie; it was truth, just not the whole shebang.

      Lily listened to him without interrupting, only taking her eyes off him to see off the second round of coffee and toast he’d ordered. He noticed her skin was a tad pale, and by the way she ate and drank, she obviously didn’t have chance that morning to have breakfast either. He had felt a burst of pride when she took the second order without preamble, as though he had helped her a little. He liked the thought of making her day easier. He wondered whether her fiancé looked after her, where he was now. Did the guy know what he had?

      ‘I do know of a couple of people looking for gardeners and such,’ she said when he had finished. ‘Why don’t you bring some cards into the shop, and I can hand them out for you?’

      Will flashed her a grateful smile. ‘That would be great. Other than Archie, I don’t really know anyone here, and between working and commuting, it doesn’t leave much time for socializing.’

      She nodded. She knew how it felt to not have many people in your camp. The thought gave her an idea.

      ‘It’s no problem – just drop in whenever. And, just an idea, but are you busy Friday night?’

      Will looked at her in question. She had already told him she was engaged. Or rather, she didn’t deny it when he asked her. She shrugged when he didn’t reply.

      ‘It’s no worries if you are busy; it’s just that my friend Simon and his new girlfriend invited me out. I haven’t met her before, so it might be a good opportunity for you to have a night off, meet some people.’

      Will shook his head. He didn’t fancy the idea of playing fifth wheel on a couples’ night. The thought of seeing Lily with her fiancé put the night’s appeal right up there with gonad piercings and mucking out the stables for his uncle. ‘I think I would be in the way, but thanks.’

      Lily frowned. ‘No! You will be doing me a favour, honestly. I have known Simon since school. He is like my little brother, and watching him suck face with his girlfriend all night while I play gooseberry doesn’t sound like much fun. This way, I have someone to talk to.’ She looked away from him, and he realized she was a bit upset. His heart went out to her.

      ‘The thing is, Will, I have been told that I am a bit stuck lately, and I am forcing myself to actually do something about it. It sounds to me like you could be in the same boat.’

      Will studied her face. Just being near her today had lifted his mood. He couldn’t imagine anyone saying that she was anything less than a joy to be around.

      ‘You’re on,’ he said, his deep voice breaking the silence. ‘First tequila shot is on me.’

      The look Lily gave him had his laugh ringing out in the café, whilst the ladies looked on.