Collette Bonnar's Short Stories: Millie's Mischief

Millie Horgan was putting the final touches to a bouquet of white roses and lilies as her boss, Peggy Mills, bustled into Buds and Blooms flower shop. 

“Phew, that was one busy morning,” said Peggy as she made her way into the back to switch on the kettle. “Cuppa?” she called out to Millie then added; “Emma has nipped down to the bakery to fetch some scones,” referring to the other shop assistant.

“I’d love a coffee, thanks,” Millie replied.

After Emma returned with the freshly-baked scones, the three women relaxed with their coffee during this rare quiet spell and began to discuss the busy morning.

“The church is looking really lovely now,” said Peggy. “But there were a few hiccups. The bride is a bit of a diva and arrived in just as we were finished. She insisted that we change all the arrangements around. The bows on each pew weren’t tied to her liking and the stems on the lily of the valley were too long. So, we had to trim each one which took ages…”

“Gosh, I’m glad you left me here manning the shop,” Millie sighed. Weddings. So challenging but always worth it in the end, especially when many of the brides posted the floral displays on social media which was great advertising for the florist.

Buds and Blooms was one of the main florists in the bustling town of Ashville. They did a steady trade in weddings, house parties, special occasions, birthdays, and of course the die-hard romantic husbands and partners who liked to surprise the women in their lives with the impromptu bouquet of flowers. As Millie resumed her task of preparing the next order for collection her mind drifted to Jack Gilfillan. She knew who Jack was but he wasn’t aware of who she was. He was a successful lawyer who lived in the small village of Oakglen. There was a very reputable florist in Oakglen but Jack choose to use Buds and Blooms where he remained aloof with the staff. For a very good reason. He always ordered two bouquets for the various occasions – one for his wife and one for his mistress. Millie disliked Jack, he was arrogant and cold. He could easily have gotten his secretary to order the flowers but Jack had a lot to hide so he came into the shop where he thought he wasn’t known. 

In Highfield Lodge, the Gilfillans’ home, Millie’s sister, Joan Horgan was busy hoovering out the dining room in preparation for the following evening’s dinner party. Joan had been working for the Gilfillans for the past five years. She had a good relationship with Laura Gilfillan but had no time for Jack. Laura was very pleasant to Joan and treated her as an equal, but Jack treated her as the servant. Joan was aware for some time that Jack had been cheating on Laura but he had been keeping up the charade that their marriage was wedded bliss, showering Laura with extravagant gifts and bouquets of flowers at every opportunity.

The following morning, Jack Gilfillan arrived into Buds and Blooms and requested two large bouquets – a bouquet of white roses and one of red roses. He wrote the cards, addressed the envelopes and gave them to Millie. “See that these are delivered this afternoon,” he declared pompously as he swiped his gold card in the machine.

“Certainly sir,” Millie replied. After he’d gone, Millie decided to engage in a little mischief. Jack hadn’t sealed the envelopes!

At Highfield Lodge that afternoon, Laura Gilfillan was relaxing, reading her book, when the doorbell rang. “Delivery for you,” Jim, the delivery man from Buds and Blooms smiled as he handed over the extravagant bouquet. 

“Oh. Thank you,” Laura replied, as she admired the flowers. Opening the envelope, her eyes darkened as she read the message. This confirmed her suspicions. Tanya Corbitt was a well-known accountant in Ashville. Laura googled her and within minutes had found her contact telephone number.

Pouring another coffee, Laura reflected on the events of the past two years. Finally, she picked up the phone and had a brief conversation with Tanya. It was time to act. She then showered, styled her hair and dressed in her latest designer trouser suit. The pale blue suit complimented her deep-blue eyes. She slid into her BMW convertible and drove off towards The Seasons Hotel where she made her way inside. Looking around the large foyer, she immediately spotted Tanya.  After the introductions, they ordered a pot of coffee and began to have a long chat.

“I got quite a shock this morning, when I read the card,” said Tanya; “‘My darling wife, Laura.’ I had no idea that Jack was still married. He told me he’d divorced you four years ago.”

Laura shook her head. “Nothing shocks me about Jack. I had my suspicions but when the flowers arrived this morning, it confirmed everything.” Then she gave a little laugh. “I wonder did the florist switch the cards on purpose?”

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” said Tanya, flicking back her mane of blonde hair. “I’ve been having my suspicions as well for some time,” she told Laura. “I thought it odd that he never wanted to dine out in Ashville, the town where he works. And, I’ve never been introduced to any of his work colleagues.”

“Well, as far as I’m concerned,” said Laura, “I plan to file for immediate divorce so in future he won’t have to lie about his marital status.”

“I’m planning to dump him as well. I realise now that it would be only a matter of time until he cheats on me. But I have a little plan…” Tanya smiled. She then went on to elaborate. 

“Let’s make the call;” Laura tried to suppress the smile that was creeping over her face as the other woman dialled Jack’s number.

Tanya hung up a few moments later. “He’s on his way. He can’t wait to see how I’m going to surprise him.”

Ten minutes later, Jack Gilfillan strode into the foyer of the 5-star hotel. “Over here, darling,” Tanya called out while Laura sank deep into the Queen Anne chair which was facing towards the window.

“My word, this is a great surprise,” Jack spoofed as his narrow eyes glided over Tanya’s svelte figure, her hair and make-up perfect.

“We wanted to show our appreciation for the wonderful flowers…” Tanya began.

“We?” Jack blustered.

“Yes. Your wife, Laura, and myself.” With that, Laura made her presence known. “For the past hour we’ve been comparing notes and it transpires, you’ve been keeping the two of us on a string. Well, no longer, Jack. You can take your flowers and your cheating face elsewhere,” Tanya spat, while Laura added. “I’m having the locks changed so you can pack your bags and find somewhere else to live.”

The two women rose and marched towards the dining room, leaving a stunned Jack in their wake.

As the maître d’ approached them, Laura smiled sweetly; “Table for two and a bottle of your finest champagne.”

Tanya chimed in; “Happens we have a lot to celebrate.”

Meanwhile back in Buds and Blooms, Millie was wondering how her little bit of mischief had panned out!