Flowers for My Love Read Online Free Page A

wanted me to go in for banking. I gave it a trial to please him and found that it was not only exciting but that I had a bent for it. So here I am.’
    Davina said coldly, ‘I’m afraid I’m not as free as you, Mr.

    Tabor.’

    He lifted a hand. ‘Nick, please.’
    ‘Very well, Nick. I have a brother to see through his medical studies and a sister to keep on the straight and narrow. I work long hours at this shop and I have no time for love affairs.’
    ‘But surely you have to eat. Surely you can have a meal out once in a while?’
    ‘Not this evening, thank you.’
    ‘Tomorrow, then?’
    Davina pushed back a heavy wave of hair from her hot forehead. Today had been another heavy day beginning at half past four to reach Covent Garden for the flowers.
    She shook her head, and the grey eyes narrowed on her pale face.
    ‘Who does all the heavy work like delivering orders and fetching flowers from the market?’ he demanded.
    Normally Davina would have told him to mind his own business, but as usual his presence was turning her into a kind of zombie.
    ‘We do it between us, Cheryl and I.’
    ‘Then how is it that Cheryl is as bright as a button today?’ He nodded at her look of surprise. ‘Yes, I saw her just now on her way to the shops. While you’re fagged out.’
    She lifted tired shoulders. ‘It’s one of those days—and your appearance doesn’t help.’
    He said tersely, ‘That’s plain speaking anyway. Seems to me that you’re doing all the donkey work. You’re just a couple of kids playing at shop.’
    ‘I’m twenty-four. At least we’re earning a living.’
    ‘And throwing your own life away in the bargain. Go and put your feet up in the back. I’ll take over until Cheryl gets back.’
    Davina looked at him as though he had gone mad. ‘You must be joking!’
    She stared at the beautifully cut City-going suit, at the immaculate silk shirt and sober tie. He looked like an advertisement for men’s wear out of Vogue and he was proposing to sell flowers.
    For answer he laid strong fingers on her shoulders, turned her round and marched her into the back of the shop through the beaded curtain.
    The shop door opened as she sat down and she hoped it was Cheryl. It was two young women wanting bouquets to take to the hospital. Most of the flowers were marked with the price and Nick was soon wrapping up flowers that the girls were delighted with including the service, Davina thought wryly. The man could charm ducks off the water.
    The shop door opened and closed several times after that, by which time Davina was fast asleep. The screaming sound of the electric kettle boiling awoke her out of what seemed to be a drugged sleep.
    Opening her eyes, she saw Nick filling the teapot with boiling water. Looking at her wrist watch, she cried out in disbelief.
    ‘It’s five o’clock! Why didn’t you waken me? Where’s Cheryl?’
    He put on the teapot lid and looked around for cups.
    ‘Not back yet,’ he replied lazily, and reached for the cups from a shelf.
    ‘But she has to be. She went out at two to do a bit of shopping.
    I hope nothing has happened.’
    ‘Drink this,’ he said, ‘and stop getting in a panic. She’s probably stopped somewhere.’
    Davina took the cup from him, her eyes dark pools of distress.
    ‘She wouldn’t stay out for three hours without telling me where she was going.’
    ‘I said drink the tea.’
    Warm strong fingers closed around her trembling ones and he lifted the cup to her lips. Davina gulped down the warm milky tea and looked up at him appealingly.
    Far from feeling refreshed her head was as heavy as lead. Her tongue felt like sandpaper and her throat burned. ‘I feel awfully ill,’ she said. ‘Please hold me.’

    The next moment she had passed out. When she opened her eyes again Nick had put a cold wet compress on her forehead and he had his arms around her.
    ‘Not to worry,’ he murmured. ‘I must get you home and send for the doctor.’
    Thickly she said,