This London Love Read Online Free PDF

Kate at the kitchen table. “Why straight too, obviously?” Vicky swept some of her long hair out of her face and eyeballed her sister.
    “You know,” Kate replied. “She’s a florist .”
    Vicky gave Kate a look. “And that means she’s straight because?”
    “How many lesbian florists do you know?”
    “Seriously?” Vicky looked amused.
    “Look, I know loads of lesbians and not one of them is a florist.”
    “So that means no other lesbians can be either? You’re very close-minded sometimes.” Vicky took a Jammy Dodger from the biscuit tin and took a bite. “I don’t think being a florist is a barrier to being a lesbian.”
    “I think it might be,” Kate replied, deadpan. “I’m just saying that lesbians tend to be in certain occupations. Teachers, nurses, designers, writers, mental health, that sort of thing. Florists aren’t high on the list.”
    Vicky took another bite of her biscuit. “And you tell me I’m prejudiced.”
    Kate pouted. “I’m allowed to say these things, I’m a lesbian.”
    “If you say so.” Vicky paused. “But more interesting than whether or not Ms Florist is gay is that you’re interested in her. And you haven’t been interested in anyone since Caroline. So I say a thumbs-up for Ms Florist.” Vicky gave Kate a double thumbs-up. “Does she have a name?”
    Kate fluttered her eyelids and smiled. “Meg.”
    Vicky snorted again. “Look at you, Ms Giggly! Did Meg have a wedding ring on?”
    “She did not,” Kate replied, then blushed. “But I imagine florists wouldn’t wear them because they get their hands messy all the time.” Kate shrugged. “Anyway, nothing’s going to happen apart from Meg’s going to give us some lovely flowers for Uncle Mike’s funeral. And then I’ll never see her again and she can go back to her boyfriend — let’s call him Phil. The end.”
    Vicky stuck her bottom lip out. “You’re so cute when you like someone,” she said. “And can I just say again, I like this very much — the ‘you liking someone’ bit. You’ve been so down on relationships since Caroline cheated on you, but life goes on. It’s high time you found somebody else.”
    Kate gave her a look. “Spoken like a happily married person.”
    Vicky just laughed. “I’m not apologising for my relationship status and my gorgeous husband.” Pause. “And I’m serious. You’ve been all doom and gloom when it comes to love, so it’s good to see you taking an interest.” Vicky’s smile grew wider. “Even if she is straight.”
    “She’s bound to be, isn’t she?” Kate said. “She’s a florist .”
    “So you said.” Vicky rolled her eyes again. “Anyway, are you staying for dinner?”
    Kate thought about it. “What you having?”
    “Probably a Chinese takeaway. Just don’t report me as bad mother of the year, okay?”
    “Guides’ honour,” Kate replied, holding up her three middle fingers.
    “You weren’t even in the Guides, you liar.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    6
     
    Meg closed up the florist and walked along Finchley High Street, thinking about Kate. Specifically about Kate’s gorgeous blue eyes and endearing smile, but in her business brain working out what flowers she might need to buy for the funeral. And then which flowers would go best with Kate’s eyes. Maybe irises? Or perhaps blue orchids? And also which flowers she could put on the table when she made Kate dinner. A bunch of baby blue eyes?
    Stop it. For the rest of the afternoon, she’d had the song Blue Eyes in her head and it was playing again now. What if it got lodged there for good and she was doomed to spend the rest of her days with Elton John on repeat? It didn’t bear thinking about.
    Really, Meg had no idea what her brain was doing. I mean, first the song. And second, hadn’t she learned? That women were to be avoided at all costs and that her life had been so much simpler since she’d thrown herself into work and avoided any issues — well, most of the