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Luke
I waited until Fliss was busy and wouldn’t notice that I’d gone. I’d been planning this for a while, with the help of Dolly and Toby. I headed to my greenhouse to grab the small terracotta pot I’d hidden. My nerves and excitement rolled over me as I studied the boring brown pottery.
I reflected on how my life had changed since meeting Fliss. Marcus, my manwhore best friend, had found love and was moving in with his girlfriend. I think the paternity test finally gave him the reality check he needed. Now that Stella and Gordon had been kicked off the lottie, life there was so much better. It was also a godsend for all the men knowing they wouldn’t be accosted by that maneater. Rumour had it that they’d gone off together. But I didn’t believe that for one minute.
Fliss had changed so much. From initially being a real bitch and driving me up the wall, she’d turned into a more relaxed, happy individual. I liked to think I had something to do with that. Although she should take the credit for most of it. All it took was for two lonely people, much like Dolly and Toby, to fall in love. And yes, I was head over heels in love with Red.
Now she was field warden, and I was treasurer there, and we loved every minute of it. Okay, almost every minute. There were always going to be one or two who liked to complain about the smallest of things, but we’d got it covered. I was still working as an accountant, but now had my own clients instead of working for someone else. Fliss had changed roles completely, which was a surprise to everyone. She’d moved over to graphic design after enjoying working on flyers for people. And again, like me, she worked for herself.
I picked up the pot and stared at the earth inside it. “Now or never, Luke.”
I made my way back to the hall; the sound of laughter and happy talk filled the air. I could make out Fliss’s voice above all others, kind of like I was attuned to her. Walking into the hall, I saw her giggling with Vi over a carrot which looked like it had grown two dicks.
“Behave, you two,” I called out, which made them laugh even more.
Fliss beamed at me and strolled over.
“What’s that for?” she asked, indicating to the pot in my hand.
“For you.” I held it out to her.
She studied the dirt inside and then looked back at me with a brow arched. “Has it got something growing in it?”
I chuckled and ran a hand through my hair. “Why don’t you dig in and see.”
“I hope this isn’t some kind of joke. There isn’t a spider in there, is there?”
“You’ll have to look.”
I watched while she tentatively poked the compost with one finger. There was a rustling sound. She placed the pot down on a table and brushed more dirt away, pulling out a plastic bag with a box inside.
“What…”
“Just open it, Fliss.”
She held the bag upside down, and a small red velvet box landed in the palm of her hand. I went down on one knee in front of her. The room became silent, all eyes trained on us.
“What are you doing down there?” she hissed.
“Please, just look inside.”
She opened the box, and one hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes misted over with tears, and she continued to gaze at what was inside. A white gold ring, with a deep red ruby at its centre, guarded by a circle of tiny diamonds. I’d spent a long time debating which one to get, and by the expression in her eyes, it was the right choice.
She handed me the open box. For one minute, I thought she was giving it back, and I felt sick.
“Hey, it’s okay. Ask me the question, Luke.”
Thank fuck.
“Felicity, you drove me absolutely crazy when we first met… and not in an entirely good way.”
She blushed, and soft laughter rippled through the room as people watched on.
“But then I came to see what an amazing person you are. And like growing things at the lottie, I grew to love you. I’m crazy in love with you, Red. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she squealed and held out her ring finger to me.
I placed the ring on her finger, and we kissed hard, while everyone around us cheered and clapped.
Who knew that flowers, fruit, and veg weren’t the only things to grow at the lottie?