‘Thanks so much for coming in Isabel; I appreciate it.’
‘It’s no problem. Is everything okay?’ She hoped she wasn’t being nosy.
Delwyn’s smile was wide. ‘Everything is great—better than great actually. Nico’s holding an exhibition of her pottery work in her studio from eleven-thirty until one-thirty and I promised her I’d be there to show moral support. It’s very early days for us, so I didn’t want to let her down. To be honest Isabel, I can’t believe she’s interested in me, she’s so talented and super gorgeous. I think she comes across as super confident, but she’s a bit of a marshmallow once you scratch the surface. I’ve got you to thank you know for introducing us.’
Isabel gazed at Delwyn’s daft expression and the penny dropped with a resounding clunk. Delwyn and Nico were an item! How could she have been so blind? Her mind raced, she wondered if Rhodri knew. So much for her thinking those two were an item of sorts, she thought still gobsmacked as Delwyn continued talking.
‘You can close your mouth, Isabel. I take it you didn’t know I was gay?’ Delwyn looked amused, and Isabel guessed her reaction was one she was used to.
‘No, and I don’t have a problem with it, really I don’t, you just took me by surprise. I thought Nico and Rhodri had a thing.’
‘Rhodri?’ She snorted. ‘Sorry, he’s lovely looking and all but definitely not Nico's type. I rather thought he was more yours.’ Her eyes twinkled.
Isabel flushed. ‘He’s a friend and my landlord that’s all.’ She realised he had become her friend over the weeks since she’d been living with him at Pier View.
‘Then why you’ve gone red? Ah, don’t worry about it I’m teasing you. And you’re not the first to be surprised by my sexuality; it’s something I don’t broadcast. I don’t see why I should. It makes no difference to who I am as a person.’
‘You’re right, you shouldn’t have to.’ Isabel was feeling embarrassed by her decidedly uncool response to Delwyn’s news and was keen to move away from the subject of her Welsh landlord.
Delwyn, however, smiled. ‘It’s no big deal. Anyway, I’d better get a move on; I promise I won’t be late back and thanks for this.’ She held her hand up in a wave and strode to the door.
‘Don’t rush. I’ll be fine.’ Isabel managed to call after her, watching her walk out the door, with a flummoxed look on her face. It was then she remembered she’d meant to ask her about taking her and Constance on her mystery outing. Bugger; it would have to wait until she got back now.
The two and a half hours sped by as in between the steady flow of customers, she familiarised herself further with the different products displayed around the shop. She read the labels as to what they were for, her mind soaking up all their different uses like a sponge. She was almost disappointed when Delwyn reappeared. She was glowing, and Isabel doubted it was down to any potion she stocked in the shop.
‘Hiya. How did it go?’ She put the bottle of rose water, which she had just learned was one of nature’s skin care superheroes, back on the shelf.
‘It was great, thanks. That woman is so talented. She took two commissions and sold four pieces.’
‘Brilliant,’ Isabel enthused. She felt a surge of pleasure at seeing her friend looking so happy.
‘Has it been busy?’ Delwyn threw her bag into the back room.
‘It’s been steady.’
‘Saturday customers are the best; they’re never in a rush and always in a good mood.’
‘You’re right,’ Isabel said thinking back to the lady she’d had a lovely chat with about the benefits of aloe vera juice.
‘Well, don’t hang about talking to me. It’s a gorgeous afternoon out there. Go and make the most of it.’ Delwyn opened the till and fished out a handful of notes holding them out to Isabel. ‘Here, take this.’
‘Oh, I didn’t expect you to pay me! It was just a friend doing a favour.’
‘No way—that’s not fair, go and treat yourself.’ Delwyn was insistent. ‘If you don’t take it then I won’t feel as though I can ask you again now, will I?’
Isabel took the money, albeit reluctantly. It was all well and good to be magnanimous when one was rolling in it but she was not, and she needed a pair of summer sandals. ‘Thanks. Oh before I forget. I promised Constance I’d try and arrange a lift for us on a bit of a magical mystery tour. She won't tell me where she wants to go, and I know tomorrow is your day off. So, I wondered how you were placed?’
‘Oh, Isabel any other time I’d say yes. I’d love an outing with you both, but I already promised Nico a trip over to Yarmouth for lunch tomorrow.’
‘No problem,’ Isabel said quickly, seeing Delwyn felt bad. ‘I’ve got a backup plan. I’ll check in with Rhodri, and see if he’d mind doing the honours. His car must be due for a run, or the battery will go flat.’
‘Well, good luck and if he can’t, I’d love to go next Sunday.’
Isabel did not think she could wait an entire week to hear whatever it was Constance was going to say. ‘Cheers, Delwyn. Enjoy Yarmouth.’
‘Will do, and say hi to Rhodri and Constance for me.’
Isabel gave her friend a final wave and headed off down the bustling Saturday afternoon street.
