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‘That rain slowed everything down this morning, and those roadworks don’t help!’ exclaimed Susie, bursting into the flower shop. ‘Sorry I’m a bit late.’ The fragrance from the flowers never failed to cheer her up after the horrible early morning rush hour.

‘Morning,’ answered Jenny. ‘Yes, living above the shop does have its advantages, especially when it’s pouring down.’

Susie reappeared with mugs of steaming coffee. ‘I wonder if he’ll appear today. It is Thursday!’

‘Oh, your mystery man. Surely you of all people can find out who he comes in to buy flowers for.’

‘Well, it must be someone special, he comes in every Thursday, without fail,’ Susie pointed out. ‘Presumably he works around here somewhere.’

When five o’clock came, Susie gathered her belongings and waited for her brother to give her a lift home. When Matt had asked her to put him up while he restored his boat, she didn’t think it would take this long. But thank goodness it was nearly finished, soon she’d be able to reclaim her small flat.

She heard his familiar car pull up outside with two beeps of the horn. As she picked up her bag and called to Jenny that she was off, she glanced up into a familiar pair of grey eyes and realised it was her mystery man. Shame, she thought, as she smiled and made her way past him, I’ve waited all day to see him and now I’ll have to wait another week...

‘You okay?’ enquired Matt, as they drove away. ‘You seem a little bit preoccupied.’

The next morning in the florist’s was quiet. Susie and Jenny discussed plans for the weekend as they pottered about. ‘Sunday’s going to be warm and sunny,’ said Jenny.

‘I know. I’ve promised Matt I’ll help clean the boat, he thinks I’m being really helpful – little does he realise my motive,’ said Susie. ‘It’s near a pub that serves delicious lunches with the most amazing Yorkshire puddings!’

Sunday dawned bright and, after working hard all week, Susie sat on the bank sunning herself. Glancing along the water’s edge, she noticed the other boats using the mooring.

‘Do you know your next door neighbours, so to speak?’ she asked Matt. ‘Who lives in there? In The Lady Josephine?’

‘A woman called Jo. She’s on her own now and decided to sell up and buy the boat,’ Matt replied. ‘Her son lives nearby, but

her daughter’s in the Midlands. Says it’s going to be fun taking her home on the boat when she visits! Right, ready for lunch?’

By Thursday, the warm sunshine had turned into a heatwave, the entire city seeming to struggle to stay cool. Susie and Jenny fanned themselves in the florist’s.

‘So, are you enjoying the peace and quiet now Matt’s gone to live on the boat?’ asked Jenny.

‘Didn’t realise just how quiet it would be. Still, it’s nice to get my space back,’ Susie confessed.

The door to the shop opened and the two women looked up to see the mystery man stroll in.

‘Phew, it’s too hot to do anything today,’ he said, undoing his top shirt button and loosening his tie.

Susie tried desperately to run her fingers through her hair. He didn’t look hot or uncomfortable, and the loosened tie seemed to add to his attraction.

‘I’d like roses again please, six white ones and some of those.’ He pointed to some stems of gypsophila.

Carefully removing the flowers, Susie looked up.

‘Someone likes roses,’ she said. A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. ‘Yes, they’re her favourites,’ he replied.

The girl really did have a lovely smile, thought Tim, as he stepped into the heat of the street. Pity he’d seen her getting into that car on the day it had rained. She must be seeing someone.

‘Well, did you hear that?’ called Susie to Jenny, gazing glumly after him and sitting down hard on the stool behind her.

When Sunday came around again, Matt and Susie sat down in her favourite pub.

‘This certainly beats slaving over a hot stove on Sunday morning,’ said Susie. ‘Besides, I’m not much good at making Yorkshire puddings,’ she smiled.

‘I know,’ grinned Matt. ‘We were lucky to grab the last table.’ Matt looked round. ‘Oh look, there’s Jo, my neighbour.’

‘Is she by herself? Maybe she’d like to join us,’ queried Susie. ‘She’s meeting her son. I’ve already suggested they both join us,’ Matt replied. ‘Never met him – I hope you don’t mind?’

‘No I don’t mind,’ she answered, as she watched the tall man greet his mother and follow her to their table. ‘I don’t mind at all.’

‘Pleased to meet you,’ said Jo, smiling at Susie. ‘This is my son, Tim, he usually visits on Thursdays.’

‘Yes,’ answered Susie. ‘And he always brings roses…’