“Don’t wait too long or they’ll offer it to some big garden center chain instead, and do you really want to be responsible for growing their already obscene wealth? Surely that money is better going to the humble, hardworking everyman?”

“Have you ever thought about going into politics?”

“No, I’m too honest.”

“That’s my girl. How’s the shop doing?”

“It’s doing good. I’ve got a list of private collectors who will only buy through me, and having the online shop as well has made a big difference. And obviously Christmas helps.”

“Can Andrew manage without you?”

“He’s got Seb helping out as well. I think he’s been looking forward to having the run of the place.”

“How’s parenthood treating them?”

“It’s like they were born to it. If I ever have children, I’m paying them to childmind.”

“What do you mean if you ever?”

“Well, I might not have children, it’s not a given.”

Her dad scoffed.

“You’ve got Jackson and Lucas to keep Noel and Son going, so you don’t need to rely on me for future heirs.”

“I’d just like to see you settled, Nory.”

“I am settled, Dad. And besides, you’ve hated every one of my partners to date.”

“Not all of them!”

“Name one.”

“There was that one, you know, the taxi driver, came in and waited for the tow truck . . . Hitesh.”

“He wasn’t my boyfriend, Dad. He was an actual taxi driver. He crumpled his axle in a pothole driving me down from the station.”

Her dad scratched his chin. “Oh yeah. Shame. I liked him.”

Nory rolled her eyes.

There was a knock at the door, and Isaac’s voice floated in.

“Jake, are you in here?”

Nory felt her cheeks get inexplicably hot. She looked up at her dad to find him looking at her curiously.

“In here, Isaac,” her dad called, and they stepped out from behind the tall metal plant rack they’d been standing behind. “What can I do you for?”

“Sorry to disturb.”

“Not at all, son, just catching up with my best girl,” said her dad.

“Hello again, Nory,” Isaac said casually.

“Isaac,” she returned.

For a few seconds, the world seemed to stop as they stood looking at each other. She fought to keep a straight face, but her smile pushed through and she watched as it was mirrored in Isaac’s expression.

“Ahem!” Her dad’s rough voice broke through their private stare-off, and Nory busied herself with untangling two poinsettia plants whose flowers seemed locked in an embrace.

Isaac cleared his throat. “Yes, um, flowers, yes, right. I was wondering if you had any cyclamen plants. I want to put some in around the trees; I’m trying to put in winter color that the deer won’t be tempted to munch on.”

“Good luck with that, mate. How many do you need?”