The central space would be good for her oversized cash register table. From here, she’d be able to keep an eye on the rest of her shop but be far enough away to let her clients feel they were alone in the rooms. Let them imagine they were standing in their own home if they decided to let her take on the job of dressing their space.
She walked out the back of the shop and continued her inspection of the common area. A kitchen with a small table and chairs, microwave and refrigerator was to one side of the back entrance. Through the other door, April found two bathrooms with shower stalls, one with a male sign and one with a female sign on the doors. With a few of her styling techniques and fresh paint, these rooms would go from utilitarian to interesting. Some scented dried flowers and natural oils, handmade soaps, bright pictures on the walls to liven things up. She could see it already.
The door opened and a woman rushed in and pulled up short. “Oh, hello.”
“Hi.” April grinned. “I’m April. I’ve taken over the shop next door. Guess we’re going to be work neighbors.”
“Oh, right. Well, that’s wonderful.” She held out her hand. “I’m Helen, David’s practice nurse.” She stepped over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of cold water.
“Nice to meet you, Helen. Sorry, I won’t hold you up. I’m just getting my bearings, so to speak.”
“It’ll be nice to have someone in this side of the building. It’s been empty for years.” She unscrewed the bottle and took a sip. “Never thought they’d manage to lease it out.”
“I think that’s why I got such a good deal. Too good to miss, actually.” She gazed around again. “This building has a good vibe to it, doesn’t it?”
Helen grinned. “Yes, yes it does.” She turned and walked back to the door before speaking again. “See you around.” As Helen closed the door between them, April heard David’s voice and a smile came to her lips. She might enjoy seeing more of the handsome doctor and since they were neighbors, it was more than likely their paths would cross regularly. In fact, she was going to make a point of it.
“Bye.” April went back into her side of the building, a spring in her step and the thought that this could be a great move in more ways than one. She stood and took stock now she was alone. A passageway with the stairs that led to her living quarters, a storeroom past them, and small mudroom out the back where she could store her flowers until they were ready for sale. Perfect for what she had planned. The stairs would look good with a lick of paint and she could use them for displays as well. How cute would it look with an antique vase of blooms on every other paint washed step?
“Come on Hamish. Let’s look at the apartment.” She hurried up the stairs, decided to paint them all different shades when she had a chance and shuffled the keys until she found the right one for the front door. Hamish pushed his way in as soon as she cracked open the door. She stepped into an open airy room with a kitchenette to one side. Paint peeled from cupboard doors and the wallpaper was faded, but April didn’t care.
“It’s mine, Hamish. All mine!” She stood in the middle of the room and did a twirl, her arms out wide and eyes closed. “All mine.” Now all she had to do was prove to her family that she had what it took to take on this business and make it work. And she had to be kind to herself and stop second-guessing every single move she took, doubting her decisions and making herself so nervous she gave up and moved onto something else. Which was what had happened in the past. What chance did she have of being successful if her brain couldn’t settle?
With the loan Mari gave her, she had more than enough incentive to do her best. She had to make money to survive and meet her commitments so she didn’t let her sister down. Her savings wouldn’t last forever. April knew she could do it.
It was all she’d dreamed of for the last few months. Making the decision to move here wasn’t hard. Her sisters were here and she wanted to be close to them. The type of business she wanted was easy enough, too, once she’d finally figured it out. A mix of everything she’d done over the last few years was what she wanted to set up, but that would mean starting something fresh of her own. It was a risk, but one she felt capable of tackling. Diversity was what she wanted in her business and with the skills she had behind her, it would work. She’d make sure of it. She had a lot to prove, and prove it she would.
Regardless of what her father believed, she’d done more than take over the shop when her boss was ill. Ever since she’d returned to work, Margery had given April more and more responsibility and taken it easy knowing the business was in good hands. It was the praise from Margery that gave April the nerve to take the drastic steps she had. Encouragement she’d let sink in before convincing herself she was capable of doing it all.
Now it was a reality thanks to her big sister and a progressive realtor who wasn’t afraid to take on a “different” type of client. The first time she’d called and made enquiries about the building, Mr. Clements had been
