Neville and Luna are putting together the final touches before opening Tempest in a Teapot. Will they make it to Chess Club on time?
Song Stay on My Shore by Joan Shelly
Luna looked up from the papers on her desk. Neville was standing in the doorway of their office with two mugs of tea.
"I thought I would bring you some tea before I headed out to the greenhouse." Neville placed her Tempest in a Teapot mug on her side of their partner desk and turned to leave. "Just going to check on the wisteria before the shop gets busy. I have to transplant it into the new pots this afternoon. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks, Neville." Luna set her pencil on the stack of papers and picked up the mug. "I was just looking over the lists and schedule for tomorrow. It looks like everything is almost ready."
"I can't wait to see it all come together," Neville's voice carried across the store as he headed for the green house. "Tempest in a Teapot is going to be amazing."
"I hope so." Luna stood and walked to the door. "Ginny is coming tomorrow to cover the Open House for her paper and Hermione has had patrons asking about it for a couple of weeks."
"It's going to be great." Neville returned to the door to hug her. "Come to the green house with me for a few minutes. Breathe. Double checking plans can wait a few minutes."
Luna: What time will you be here tomorrow?
Ginny: Noon. The photographer wants to get pictures before and during. I want to interview you and Neville before the Open House starts.
Hermione: 10. I'm bring some books by for the "Borrow Me" shelf . Do you need anything else?
Daphne: 2. I'm picking up the aprons on my way home from work today. I'll bring them with me then.
Luna: Thanks. I might be a little nervous.
Ginny: This is an amazing idea
Hermione: I know it is going to be fine
Daphne: Whose idea was it?
Luna: Neville's
Ginny: Neat
Daphne: When did you two start planning this?
Luna: The night I quit
Hermione: So…what's up between you two?
Luna: Nothing...we're just friends
Ginny: Are you sure?
Luna: For now
Hermione: I think he likes you
Daphne: And you like him
Luna: And…
Ginny: Ladies…let her get through tomorrow before we badger her more about Neville…one event at a time is all I can manage right now
Neville felt most comfortable in the greenhouse, digging his hands into the dirt, bringing new plants to life. He used his morning time in the greenhouse to get his mind set for the day. Having Luna working with him had caused some changes in his routine. He had discovered he didn't mind the changes.
Neville was surprised at how much she wanted to learn as they had developed their idea. One of the greatest parts of Tempest in a Teapot was her idea for his Gran's trellis garden. She wanted to turn it into a bower that people could rent for special occasion. It was turning out to be a beautiful spot on the property and Ron had already asked if he could be the first to use it.
He had no idea what was going on between Ron and Hermione other than Ron turned to mush when ever she looked his way. Everyone knew they were together again, but no one was sure how long it would last. Neville got to work putting the last of the geraniums into pots that would be moved into Gran's bower later today. There was still so much to be done before the Open House tomorrow.
Neville: Who is coming tomorrow?
Harry: I'm getting there around noon with Ginny and the photographer.
Ron: I'll be there by 3. Do you need me earlier?
Theo: I will be there by 2. Thanks for letting me have a corner
Neville: Sounds good. Luna is nervous.
Harry: I'd say she is not the only one
Neville: I'm glad she is doing all the talking tomorrow
Ron: So…what's going on with her?
Neville: We're friends, business partners
Theo: I'd guess it was more based on the night she quit
Neville: I'm not saying anything
Harry: Do you like her, Nev?
Neville: Maybe
Theo: So ask her
Neville: Not right now
Ron: After tomorrow?
Neville: Maybe …
Luna looked up from the box she was unpacking. Neville's quiet curse as he pulled his fingers out from under a large pot had caught her attention. She needed to get the last of the teacups on the shelves before she left for the night, but his outburst had surprised her. Neville was moving potted wisteria into the bower as a final touch before tomorrow.
The plants would eventually be trained to grow along the trellises that made up the bower, but for now, he was going to tie them in place. He had decided to close early today so they would have extra time to get all the plants and furniture positioned for tomorrow without worrying about moving around customers. They would still have things that needed to be done in the morning before Ginny got there, but they would both sleep better if the major pieces were in place before morning.
Luna almost dropped a teacup when she realized Neville was working without his shirt on. She had not realized what was hiding beneath the khaki shirts he wore every day. Maybe she should take a picture for later. She could not wait for tomorrow to be over. The girls had given her some things to think about.
Ginny: WHO is that?
Daphne: That can't be …
Hermione: "My view at work"? Luna?
Luna: That. Is. Neville!
Ginny: With no shirt … and ABS!
Daphne: NSFW tag next time please
Hermione: No wonder she likes her job now
Luna: It is a very nice view
Ginny: I think she may like more than the view
Hermione: Agreed
Daphne: Who knew guys with green thumbs could look like THAT?
Luna: You … Theo isn't just a teacher
Ginny: This is true
Hermione: DO tell…
Luna: Please …
Daphne: :/
Neville hoped Luna hadn't heard any thing he had said as he moved the wisteria pots into position. His Gran would have boxed his ears for language like that around a lady. She wasn't here to temper his tongue and the pots were heavy. This round of curses had been caused by the second heavy pot to land on his fingers in the last ten minutes.
His fingers were going to have bruises in the morning from being caught between the pots and the ground. It didn't help that the conversation with the guys in the group chat at lunch was distracting him. He really did like Luna and had begun to wonder what it would be like to do more than work with her. He would have to be careful in how he approached her since they were business partners as well as friends. He just had to survive tomorrow, then he could worry about the rest.
Harry: It may be an early night for me
Ron: What's up?
Theo: Everything okay?
Harry: Got called in at 5 this morning
Theo: That's not good
Harry: A new cold case - my boss gave it to me before I was awake enough to say no
Theo: Sounds like the end of my day
Ron: Sounds like you have had a long day
Harry: But I can still beat you on the board
Theo: I'm not so sure about that… game or two of Blitz, oh great detective
Ron: Harry doesn't play blitz
Theo: Afraid to face me on the board?
Ron: Anybody heard from Nev?
Neville: Sorry. Busy. Moving plants.
Harry: Are you coming tonight?
Neville: Yes, just have a few more things to do before I go home
Ron: How's Luna?
Neville: Good. Nervous. I'm giving her a ride home when we are done here
Theo: Do you need us earlier tomorrow?
Neville: No. Don't want to mess with her timeline
Harry: Her timeline?
Ron: Sounds like she has been talking to Mione
Neville: She needs this to work
Theo: You both have worked hard on this
Neville: I know. It means a lot to both of us. See you at chess
Luna grabbed her bag from the back seat of her car. She wanted to get some writing done tonight. She had been distracted lately with getting ready for the Open House, so much so that she was behind on her competition piece. She knew better than to sign up for fests or comps when life got intense, but she liked the idea for this comp and it had not taken much for the girls to talk her into joining them in writing for it.
"Wait up, Luna." Neville walked up behind her and reached for her bag. "Let me help you get your stuff. Is anyone else here?"
"Looks like at least Ron is here," Luna said, scanning the parking lot. "Wonder when Harry and Ginny will get here."
"After they are supposed to be here," Neville chuckled as he reached for and opened the door. "After you. Is that Daphne standing behind Theo?"
"Looks that way," Luna headed for the counter to place her order. "What do you want to drink? My treat tonight."
"Just a chocolate smoothie," Neville answered her. "I'll watch for our orders if you want to set up your stuff."
Hermione: So…Daphne walked in holding hands with Theo
Luna: And…
Hermione: Did you see her car in the parking lot?
Luna: No
Hermione: Look at the jacket she is wearing
Luna: Is that a motorcycle jacket?
Hermione: Yup
Luna: Interesting…Where's Ginny?
Hermione: I have no idea
Luna: I guess she will be here eventually
Daphne: Starting to gossip without me?
Luna: Nice of you to join us
Hermione: What was so interesting at Theo's chess board?
Luna: Theo's ear?
Daphne: No ... I just took him his coffee
Hermione: You kissed him on the cheek…and stood there for a while
Luna: Really…do tell
Ginny: What have I missed?
Hermione: Nice of you to join us
Ginny: Just woke up from a nap
Daphne: Really?!
Hermione: A nap
Luna: I think she meant to say she just woke Harry up from a nap…
Ginny: LUNA!
Hermione: I think she is on to something
Daphne: Me too...