The Garden Of Eden

The assistant clearly loved his work, and Amy could understand that . . .

OH, my! It really did smell of chocolate. Amy bent closer to take another sniff. There it was, the unmistakable smell.

She lifted the label and read it.

Cosmos.

She looked back at the large, dark-brown, daisyshaped flowers. It would make a perfect birthday present for Kate at the office, who loved chocolate.

Turning the label over, she studied it. Kate only had a balcony. Would it grow all right in a large pot?

Lifting her gaze, Amy looked around the garden centre for someone to ask.

It was busy this morning. People swarmed in and around the displays and there was a queue at the cash desks. On one, a small cat reclined in a patch of sun, soaking up the rays and fuss from the customers in equal measure.

The Garden of Eden was popular, with good reason. Beautifully laid out, with gorgeous flowers and decorations, it held a homely air that people loved. Your garden could look this glorious, it said.

Amy thought about her own garden, which could use some attention. The house, too. Both seemed large after her tiny flat.

She’d been in the house a couple of weeks and most of her time had been taken up with unpacking. The garden was next on her list.

Amy slipped the cosmos into her trolley. Joining the end of a queue, she moved slowly forward, stroking the cat while she waited. The cat’s throat vibrated with a soft, relaxing purr.

“Excuse me,” she said as an assistant lifted up the cat from the counter.

The man looked at her, cat dangling in his arms.

“Sorry, were you still stroking him? Jasper does like a fuss, but it’s time for him to go home now. He’s finished for the day.”

She laughed.

“He’s lovely, but I wanted to ask about this plant.”

The assistant glanced down into her trolley.

“Ah. Cosmos atrosanguineus. Very popular. It’s the fragrance, you see; people catch the scent as they walk by. We do have more coming in.”

“Would it be suitable for a balcony? In a large pot?”

“Certainly,” he said cheerfully. “They’re fine for cutting, too. The more you cut, the more it will flower.”

“That sounds perfect. It’s for a friend of mine.”

Why she’d volunteered that piece of information, she wasn’t sure. She saw the assistant smile. “Lucky friend.”

She looked up into his face. It wasn’t obviously handsome, but warm and friendly. His eyes seemed to radiate contentment and matched his beard and neatly trimmed hair. “Thanks for your help.” “My pleasure.” Lifting Jasper up, he walked off, the cat still purring like a small engine.

****

In the offices of Wheatfield & Partners, Kate gasped in surprise.

“It really does smell like chocolate!”

Amy grinned.

“I know, isn’t it amazing?”

Kate sighed. “Shame it’s not edible.” “You’ll have to make do with this chocolate cake. Pass your plate.” “Yum. Is it one of yours?’ “It is. Only finished it this morning, though, so the icing’s still a bit sticky.”

She passed a slice of cake to Bill Evans in Accounts.

“The guy in the garden centre said if you keep cutting the flowers on this plant, it’ll grow lots more,” Amy said.

Kate licked the last of the chocolate cake from her fingers and looked at her.

“That’s the third time you’ve mentioned him, Amy.” Her eyes were smiling. “Nice, was he?” “He was very helpful.” Kate’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh, yes?”

“For goodness’ sake, he was the assistant! Though he did have nice eyes . . .”

“Nice eyes?” Bill looked up. “Amy’s in love!”

“Don’t talk daft.” But she smiled all the same.

“We’re having a barbecue at the weekend,” Bill said. “Why not bring him along?” “I barely know the man!” “Pop in and ask him,” Kate urged.

“I can’t! He’s probably married or something.”

“You don’t know till you ask. Look at me and Stuart. Sometimes it’s just Fate.”

Amy knew they’d met in the supermarket. Kate dropped her shopping, Stuart rushed to help her and they’d been deliriously happy ever since. Opinion was

divided on whether she’d dropped her shopping on purpose, but what did it matter? It was Fate.

“Ask,” Kate urged as they left for home that evening.

“So I just turn up and ask if he’s single?”

Kate tutted.

“No. But you could get him chatting. You can ask him about plants for that big garden of yours.” “Hmm,” Amy said. “Sometimes,” Kate said, “Fate needs a nudge.”

****

Amy stared in the mirror that evening. Ask him about plants, indeed!

She brushed her long hair and secured it with a clip at the back. It would do for the evening class, after all.

A six-month course on garden design. Perfect when one didn’t have a clue where to start.

“If you don’t know, learn,” Mum always said.

It was advice Amy had followed often. Last year’s class had ignited a love of cooking and cake decoration, a passion she enjoyed every spare moment.

The school hall was already busy when she arrived, the crowd gradually dispersing to find their classrooms.

Looking around, Amy’s heart leaped as she spotted a man handing out paperwork. It was the assistant from the Garden of Eden, minus cat.

It quickly became clear that he was tonight’s tutor. Hardly an appropriate time to ask him to a barbecue.

“Ah,” he said, as they did a round of introductions. “The lady who bought the chocolate cosmos.” He held out a hand. “Steve Dell.” “Amy Langdon.” He smiled.

“Nice to see you again, Amy.”

The class started.

Two hours later, Amy glanced at the reams of notes on her pad. There was so much to consider before one could even start. She had a feeling garden design wasn’t going to be her thing.

All she wanted was a tidy, low-maintenance garden.

“Hope you didn’t find it too daunting.” Steve had appeared beside her.

“No, not at all. It was very interesting.”

He grinned.

“That didn’t sound altogether convincing.”

“I didn’t realise there was so much to it,” she confessed. “To tell you the truth, I have a large garden and . . .”

“And you just want a nice, low-maintenance garden that you can enjoy?” She nodded. “Understood. Is it a mature garden?” “Very.”

Sliding his laptop into its case, Steve reached into his pocket and took out a card.

“I also run a gardening service. Anything from landscaping to general maintenance. I could have a look for you, if you’d like? It probably only needs a little attention.”

Amy found herself staring at the card. What had Kate said?

“Fate sometimes needs a little nudge.”

Yes, but what if he was already spoken for? “That’s kind of you. “I’ll give you a call, shall I? I can get your number from the course form.”

At the door, Steve called after her.

“Um, I assume I won’t be seeing you here next week?”

Amy shrugged.

“I’m really sorry.”

He held up a hand. “It’s OK. Gardening’s one of those things you have to love – have a passion for, you know. Me, stick me in a garden among flowers and trees and I’m in heaven. That’s why I love the garden centre – something new every day.”

Amy remembered the look of contentment in his eyes.

“My sister’s the same,” he went on. “We run the business together. With Jasper, of course. I’ll speak to you soon.”

She nodded. “Fine.”

****

“Fine?” Kate’s voice took on a note of disbelief. “Fine? I can’t believe that’s really how you left it.” “Well –” “Honestly, Amy! He gave you his card. He’s going to ring you.”

“It’s his job.”

She could almost see Kate’s face on the other end of the phone line.

“You have to give Fate a nudge, Amy. When he comes round, offer him some tea or coffee.

“Better still, get him to try some of your scrumptious cake. One bite and he’ll probably offer you a contract to supply the café in the garden centre.”

“There isn’t a café in the garden centre.”

“No, but I bet he’s about to open one.”

Amy closed her eyes. Kate’s imagination!

“I have to go, love. Make sure you ring me later and let me know how it went.” “It won’t be today.” “Of course it will! Trust me, Amy. I know these things.”

With that, she rang off. Amy stood for a moment, phone in hand, then put it down on the table and looked around.

Maybe a tidy up, just in case . . .

She was emptying the dishwasher when the phone rang. Her heart skipped a beat. Surely not?

“Is that Amy?” “Yes?”

“Hi, Amy, it’s Steve from the evening class and the garden centre. How are you?”

“Fine, thank you. You?” “Yes, yes, thanks. Just wondering if it would be OK for me to pop round and have a look at the garden today? I’m in the area. Only if it’s convenient.” “That would be lovely.” “About one o’clock?” “One o’clock would be fine.”

“Great. See you then.” Short and sweet, Amy thought. He was in the area. Oh, well.

****

“Wow!”

Steve swallowed his second bite of chocolate cake.

“This cake is amazing,” he said. “Absolutely delicious.”

“Thank you.” He glanced at her. “You made this?” “Yes.”

What was the matter with her this afternoon? She couldn’t seem to get past two or three words.

“I took a course. Last year, at the school. It’s been a passion ever since.” “Well, it’s wonderful.” He brushed the crumbs from his fingers, and gazed out at the garden.

“It’s a magnificent garden. I can soon sort it for you. Just needs a little TLC. Though I fear there’s not much I can do for this old lady.” He patted the old magnolia which stood in pride of place.

“Thank you for taking a look at it. Perhaps you’ll let me have a quote?” Steve nodded.

“Well, I’d best be off.” He took a few steps and then suddenly turned. “Amy?”

Her heart thumped. “Yes?”

“We’re thinking of opening a little café in the Garden of Eden,” he said. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested in supplying us with a bakery service? Cakes and things?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Well, yes.” She laughed. “Maybe I could give you a quote!”

He smiled at her and she felt her heart lurch. In her head, she heard Kate’s voice.

“Give Fate a little nudge.” “I don’t suppose . . .” she began.

“Yes?”

“Do you like fish? Only, I’m trying out a new recipe tonight. You’re welcome to join me.”

The smile on his face broadened.

“I’d love to.” “Seven OK?” “Perfect.”

****

“So I took Kate’s advice and gave Fate a little nudge,” Amy said to the magnolia tree later that afternoon. Leaning forward, she patted the bark. “Here’s hoping.”

A sudden gust of wind swayed a tiny branch beside her. On the very tip was a burst of bright green. n