This is my first time writing a story, so I apologise if its rubbish,
I would appreciate any and all constructive criticism.
No harm Done
Kate squealed as she stumbled, and whilst trying to regain her balance she felt her elbow connect hard with someone,
I am so sorry she groaned in an apologetic tone, "Not to worry, let me give you a hand with that tree " said a voice she was very familiar with,
Kate hanging on for dear life to the heavy Japanese maple tree, the cause of her problem, peered through it's colourful foliage, and found her eyes connecting with the distinctive, fascinating, deep blue eyes of Caroline Elliot, Headteacher of Sulgrave Heath Independent School...her Boss...
Heaven help me, thought kate, of all people to strike with my pointy elbow, it had to be Caroline, how am i going to carry this through, every time she speaks to me, unless it is work related, I end up stuttering and stumbling my words, I must look like a complete twit to her, I would think she would wonder how she ever hired me in the first place, Kate muttered to herself,
Caroline now red in the face from helping Kate lift the heavy tree onto the customer-friendly courtesy trolley, and subtly holding her rib, asked "are you alright? I could see you struggling, and thought I better give a helping hand before you and your tree ended up on the ground", she smiled "this is why i never buy such big trees, I cannot move them on my own" caroline half laughed. "Will you be alright getting it home by yourself?"
"Oh yes I will be fine thank you," kate replied, "once I get it into my borrowed ute, it will be fine, my neighbour is on the look-out for me returning home, we have dug a hole ready for the tree to be planted, so thats not a worry".. she smiled at Caroline, "I quite often come to this garden centre, sometimes I buy plants or occasionally awkward trees", she laughed, "other times I just like to wander around, I don't know why but coming here relaxes me", for goodness sake Kate, she said to herself shut up!...your waffling,
Kate wanting to apologise for the bruise Caroline was sure to have now, said. "Caroline I am so sorry as I was trying to heave the awkward tree onto the garden trolley as you obviously saw, I lost control of it, if you hadn't rescued me, I may of been stuck under the blessed thing, with my feet sticking out, now that would of been a weird sight" she laughed, pausing for breath, Kate asked shamefaced. "Is your rib ok?".
"Yes my rib is fine, there was no harm done so relax," smiled Caroline, aware of Kate's embarrassment, and also aware of Kate's penchant for talking when nervous, which she found amusing, kept the conversation going, trying to ease the situation, " I enjoyed coming to the rescue like the knights of old or knightesses of old if thats a real word", she laughed, "actually last spring I also had a small disaster here, I accidentally knocked over an exquisite rose display, well it was exquisite before i destroyed it," Caroline added with a wry smile, "so yep l am very familiar with losing control of things myself in this very same garden centre" she chuckled
" Caroline can I buy you a nice cold drink at the little café here as a thank you for helping me,
and to atone for nearly killing you with my secret weapon.. My elbow?".. kate shyly asked.
"Perhaps another time" replied Caroline" I'm meeting my sister-in-law Gillian for lunch, and came in here to buy her a bunch of flowers for her birthday", seeing the disappointment in kate's eyes, Caroline found herself issuing an invitation of her own, "Our luncheon should be finished by three O'clock, perhaps we can meet after then, that is if you have nothing else planned for the afternoon," she smiled
"I would be delighted to meet you later on " Kate smiled at Caroline,
" Do you know the little café in the next street called " The Tasty Toasties," it's on the corner next to the health and beauty shop, the food is always freshly made, as the name suggest everything is tasty", she laughed, " the selection is varied, and the owners are lovely people, I have known them for a long time, would four O'clock give you enough time to get there without rushing?,"
"yes i do know it" replied Caroline smiling, I will meet you there at four" and with a cheery wave Caroline was gone, hurrying now to purchase her birthday gift of flowers for Gillian, a lovely spray of dark pink roses, she hurried out the exit door,
Kate stunned at this unexpected meeting with Caroline, and even more amazed that they were going to meet up later on, could not stop herself from grinning, with delight, she had dreamed of this, Caroline and her spending time together,
Kate with the help of the garden staff dragged the Tree to her borrowed truck, driving home she thought, I think caroline was as nervous as me today.. That's not like her I wonder why? I hope this afternoon it all goes well. so well in fact ,she will want to spend more time with me and then maybe more time after that... shaking her head at herself for sounding like an infatuated teenager. kate headed for home.