Chapter Eleven

It was mid-morning the next day when the bell above the shop door sounded and a young delivery boy entered bearing the most beautiful bouquet Holly had ever seen.

‘Miss Ivy Massey?’ he enquired as Holly approached him.

‘No, she’s at work at present, I’m afraid, but you can leave them with me and I’ll make sure she gets them.’

The young man departed and as Holly carried the blooms into the back room Miss May raised her eyebrows. ‘It seems young Ivy has an admirer.’

‘It does, doesn’t it.’ Holly grinned and quickly told the woman what had happened the night before. ‘The trouble is, she just went on and on about him for hours and then suddenly realised that she didn’t even know where he lived so then she went into the depths of despair and convinced herself she was never going to see him again. I’ve no doubt these will cheer her up no end if they’re from him.’

‘I can’t think of anyone else she knows well enough to send her flowers.’

Holly eyed the little envelope nestling amongst the blooms. ‘Neither can I but we’ll know soon enough. I hope they are, actually. I don’t think I can stand any more of her moping about with a miserable face.’

Later, once the shop was closed, Holly carried the flowers up to the flat and stood them in water in the little sink. They were the first thing Ivy saw when she came in a short time later and her face lit up.

‘Are they for me?’ she gasped and when Holly nodded she rushed over and plucked the little envelope out and read the message.

Dear Miss Massey,

It was so nice to meet you last night. I shall call around this evening to ensure that you are fully recovered, with love, Jeremy Pilkington-Hughes xx

‘Oh my goodness!’ Ivy flew into a panic as she stared down at her work clothes. ‘What shall I wear … and what shall I say to him?’

Holly giggled. ‘Put your new dress on,’ she advised. ‘And just be yourself.’

Ivy fled into the bedroom leaving Holly smiling as she finished preparing their evening meal; it was nice to see her friend so happy.

When they had eaten, Holly left for her Red Cross training, while Ivy paced the flat like a caged animal. When she returned later that evening she found Ivy tucking into a large box of chocolates.

‘Jeremy bought them for me,’ she told Holly. ‘And don’t worry, I’ve saved you some.’ She sighed happily then as she went on, ‘We had such a wonderful evening, though what he sees in me I don’t know. He’s so handsome he could have any girl he wanted. He’s calling for me after dinner on Sunday and we’re going for a walk in the park.’

‘How lovely,’ Holly said, genuinely pleased for her. ‘You deserve to meet someone nice, though personally I think Jeremy is the lucky one.’