LITMIR.BIZ

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fallen in love with interior decorating, something that was reflected in all of their homes today.

      Elsie often wondered which of them – if any – would one day inherit the shop from their father. Guin was busy building her home, managing her pottery studio and preparing for a family which she planned to expand to at least three children; Daisy had her partnership in the interior design practice and was unlikely to want to trade that in to run a provincial furniture store; which only left Elsie, who right now was more than happy to remain as assistant manager of the ice cream café. Jim appeared unworried by the prospect, however; content instead to see his three girls making their own way in the world.

      He was filling in an order form for an elderly customer when Elsie entered. He raised his hand and winked and Elsie waved back, busying herself by inspecting the new display of cushions by the side of the counter. She loved watching her father interact with his customers. Jim was a natural entertainer, eliciting smiles from the hardest-faced visitor, and this skill had earned him a place on the local town council where he was renowned as a peacemaker in the squabbling ranks.

      He escorted the old lady to the door and returned to hug Elsie. ‘My, are you a sight for sore eyes! How’s your day been, darling?’

      ‘Great, actually. It looks like I’m starting a choir.’

      Jim’s expression clouded until Elsie explained about the song in the beach café and her meeting with Woody, at which point an enormous grin spread across his face.

      ‘Woody Jensen from Hellfinger? Wow, kid, that guy’s a legend! And you’ll be working with him?’

      Elsie gave her father a look. ‘I didn’t know you were a closet rocker, Dad?’

      ‘Ah, there’s plenty you don’t know about me, pudding,’ he replied, tapping the side of his nose. ‘I saw Hellfinger in ’88 at Knebworth, the year after “Hard Rockin’ Summer” went to number one. Awesome, they were. Such a shame how it all ended for them. Their drummer killed himself while they were touring Japan and it turned out he’d been the glue holding them all together. With him gone, the band began to fall apart. I think they tried to replace Woody as lead singer after their gig in Cologne the following year and that was the final nail in Hellfinger’s coffin.’

      ‘Who knew my dad was the font of all things Hellfinger?’ Elsie marvelled, ignoring her father’s mock offence. ‘So, did you want anything particular or just to see your favourite daughter?’

      ‘I always love to see you,’ he replied, walking across to the company coffee machine that was steaming away in the small kitchen behind the counter. ‘Coffee?’

      ‘Love one, thanks.’

      ‘There you go.’ Jim handed her a mug and they moved to a display of two turquoise velvet chaise longues to sit down. ‘Now, I hope you aren’t going to be angry with me, darling, but I’ve been thinking about what you said and I’ve done something I probably shouldn’t.’

      ‘Oh?’ Amused, she noted her father’s sheepish expression. ‘Don’t worry, Dad, I’m not going to disown you. What have you been up to?’

      ‘Well, I happened to mention your big decision to Marty this morning and, well, we came up with a bit of a plan.’

      At that moment, Elsie knew her face belied her feelings at the mention of Jim’s business partner. Marty Hogarth had been in business with Jim since the mid-1990s and was the exact opposite in terms of his demeanour, attitude to customers and world-view. Where Jim believed the best of everyone, however misplaced this belief might be, Marty scrutinised the world with a cynical squint, believing that everyone was working to a hidden agenda. But Jim remained firmly fond of Marty, so for his sake Elsie and her sisters remained civil whenever he was in the room. What they said once he left was a different matter …

      ‘And what did Captain Cynical have to say about that?’

      Jim gave her a reproachful stare. ‘Now, there’s no need for that. Marty is a good man, Elsie – no, he is. In any case, he was most supportive of your decision.’

      ‘Really?’

      ‘Yes. You see, he’s not as dark as you like to paint him. I told him that you were thinking of dating again and he suggested someone who would be interested to meet you.’

      ‘Ah …’

      ‘Now, before you say no, hear me out. Marty’s nephew Oliver is a genuinely lovely chap. I’ve been working with him on the new company website for the past month and we get on like a house on fire. I really think you two might have a lot in common.’

      Elsie loved her father completely for his enthusiasm but couldn’t stifle the note of dread that sounded in her mind. ‘That’s a lovely thought, Dad, and I really appreciate it, but I don’t know anything about him, so …’

      Jim folded his hands in his lap. ‘I know you don’t. That’s why he’s coming for coffee.’

      ‘When?’

      ‘Any minute.’

      ‘Dad …’

      ‘I know I probably should’ve asked you first. But Olly said he would pop in today and I knew you wouldn’t be busy this afternoon, so I thought … Please don’t look at me like that, Els, I was only trying to be helpful.’

      If someone had asked Elsie which of her family and friends were most likely to attempt a matchmaking coup, her father probably wouldn’t have made the list. And yet now she found herself ambushed by him! She was about to respond when the door opened and Jim jumped up.

      ‘This is him, now. Promise me you’ll be nice?’

      Accepting the inevitable, Elsie nodded. ‘Of course I will.’ She rose slowly and prepared herself. This was not what she’d had in mind to be doing today. Looking over towards the door, she saw Jim chatting happily with a tall, blond-haired man. He had the relaxed air of someone who had just strolled off the beach, wearing a dark grey hooded sweatshirt, faded jeans and blue Converse trainers. But as he approached, Elsie noticed his smile – broad and friendly – and it instantly reminded her of someone she had known before. An unexpected ball of emotion formed at her throat and she had to momentarily look down at her feet until it passed.

      ‘Elsie, this is Oliver Hogarth, Marty’s nephew. Olly, I’d like to introduce you to my daughter, Elsie,’ Jim beamed proudly. ‘She’s assistant manager at an ice cream café in North Laine.’

      ‘Great to meet you, Elsie,’ Olly replied, holding out his tanned hand. When Elsie accepted, she noticed how warm his handshake was.

      ‘Nice to meet you, too. Dad was saying you’re working on his website?’

      Olly smiled. ‘Yes, I am. It’s been fun, hasn’t it, Jim?’

      ‘Indeed it has. Olly is a partner in a very successful web design company, Els, did I tell you? He’s very talented.’

      Way to go on the subtlety, Dad …

      Olly gave a bashful smile. ‘Your dad is too kind. It’s something I’ve done since uni and I’m lucky enough to do it for a living now.’

      ‘Splendid he is at it, too. Now, Olly, can I leave you with my daughter for five minutes? I just have to – erm – check something in the stockroom. Won’t be a tick!’ Jim was so excited by his matchmaking skills that he practically skipped away.

      Elsie shook her head. ‘You’ll have to forgive my father. He doesn’t get out much these days. Um – do you want to sit down?’

      ‘Yeah, thanks.’

      They sat on the velvet chaise longues and all of a sudden it was as if every sound in the whole furniture store ceased. Elsie smiled politely and desperately racked her brain for something to say. From the slight tension of Olly’s smile, it was clear he was doing the same. After a few gut-wrenchingly awful minutes, Olly laughed and relaxed a little.

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