fandomtownies | Monday: Covent Garden Flowers

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Monday: Covent Garden Flowers

Nell was back at work after a nine year absence that left her having to take a few minutes to relearn how to use the cash register and where everything was kept.

Oddly, when she checked on the plants she'd left behind she had a sense that they knew she'd been gone far longer than a week, responding maybe to changes in her energy and communicating among themselves and to the other plants there until there was quite an air of celebration in the shop. Every plant she touched perked up and seemed to greet her as a long lost friend till she couldn't help but smile.

It was a good day at Covent Garden and the flower shop was open for all visitors.

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Including one who was going to a) take off his hat and deposit it on the first sturdy-enough-looking plant he passed by and b) pluck a blossom off another to twirl between his fingers as he approached the counter?

"Mrs. Ingram. You look-" a pause. "Older."

Perhaps if it had been nine years on Fandom's end, Watts may have gained a little more tact. Alas.

Nell's eyes widened. She'd forgotten this about the Detective. She quietly shifted his hat to an empty pot and slid another flowering plant out of his reach.

"Detective," she said. "I am older. Nine years to be exact. It's good to see you. I'd ask how you've been, but I understand it's only been a week for all of you and it doesn't seem that Fandom made it an exciting wekk."

Her hand went to her face as if to cover her bruises in front of the policeman, but she let it fall again when she remembered that Lana had healed them for her. Shold she have gone to the police here? Most likely not, there was nothing they could do from here and getting the police involved was not something she'd have chosen to do back home in any case.

“Fairly routine,” Watts confirmed. He frowned a little at that aborted movement of her hand towards her face.

“Are you all right?”

"I'm fine," Nell said. "Now. Lana healed me. I was pretty bruised up when I returned."

For the record, the other plants were safe now that he had something to occupy his hands!

"Ah," Watts nodded. From the way she acted, he suspected her injuries had not been the result of an accident, but didn't feel the need to press. If she wanted to discuss it, she would. "I take it your marriage is no longer a concern?" Otherwise why would she have returned?

Nell would have to try and hand him something whenever he walked in then!

"My husband died about five years ago," she said, "so, no, no longer a concern. I'm a respectable widder woman now. But I'm glad to be here where I'm safe and where I can be myself without worrying about reprisals."

That hand crept up to her face again.

"Yes," Watts nodded, her mention of being safe and not needing to worry about reprisals lending credence to his suspicions. "I can certainly understand that."

She put her hand down again and looked up at him a little sheepishly. "Got myself a bit of bruised up," she said. "Just before I came back. Churchmen objecting to, well, all sorts of things really. Lana healed me up, but before then I had a couple of people telling me I needed to go to the police."

Nell shifted a little uncomfortably. "I thought that might have been why you were here," she said. "That maybe someone reported it and you came to check it out, make sure I was okay. Which I am. Now."

"I came to see how you were doing," he acknowledged. "But not because anyone alerted me to possible wrongdoing, though I am sorry to hear of it," he added with a frown. "I'd only heard reports on the radio that you were back."

"Should those who hurt you find their way here, somehow, I assure you they will be dealt with." He doubted that they would make it here at all, of course; he didn't quite ascribe the level of sentience to the island that some did, but its existence as a safe haven of sorts (aside from the occasional invasion) was quite well documented.

"I'm glad you stopped by," Nell asid honestly. "I'm glad to see another old friend."

She shuddered a little bit. "I don't think they'll make it here, but if they do I'll certainly be alerting everyone I know."

Honestly, the sort of justice her other friends could mete out would be far more effective against these particular offenders than anything Watts could offer, though he'd still felt the need to assure her her wouldn't stand for any mistreatment of her or anyone else who called this place home.

"I heard a rumour that you were to be setting up a new business." Which meant he hadn't even been entirely sure that she'd be here today, but figured it wouldn't hurt anything to swing by and check. And lo, here she was.

"I am, yes," Nell said. "I'll be setting up my own shop to sell plants, vegetables, and of course my teas and lotions and such like. It will take me a bit if time to get it up and running, so at least this way I still have a little income coming in."

"Impressive," Watts said with a nod. "I shall have to come take a look, once you're up and running." He gave her a considering look. "Other than the recent troubles, how have the past nine years treated you, then?"

"Well enough," Nell said. "It was just me out on Soulwood after John died. I went in to sell my things at the farmer's market each week, but otherwise I was on my own. Things weren't bad till about four months ago. Just lonely."

"I'm not one for crowds, but I suspect even I would find such a solitary existence trying," Watts said. Though lonely was clearly preferable to church life. "It'll be an adjustment, I imagine, being back here." Yes, the population here was small, but so was the island itself. There was always someone to run into. "On the bright side, at least we're all familiar faces, if no doubt somewhat faded in your memory."

"It is a little overwhelming at the moment," Nell admitted, "but my new apartment is very nice and I have it all to myself top to bottom. It's still smaller than my house back home, but it's going to be a good place to retreat to."

She smiled at him. "Yes, it's strange that so much of it has faded, while for people here it's still so fresh. But I'll get used to it. Everyone is always so kind here."

"I've found that as well," Watts nodded. "And of course, you can call on me if you ever need assistance with anything. Not- just police related matters," he added, in case she thought that's what he meant. "But in general. I would be glad to help."

"Thank you, Detective. I do appreciate it.". She smiled at him. "Might I get you a cup of tea or something while you're here?"

"Tea would be nice," Watts said with a nod. "Thank you."

Nell nodded and gestured him towards the back room where she could hear up the kettle. "Hospitality and safety to you while you're here," she said. "Is there a particular type of tea you'd like to try?"

"Something- herbal, perhaps? I liked the blend you made me last time, but why not try something different?" A pause, as he remembered she wouldn't likely remember. "It was black tea, with cinnamon, back then."

"Was it?" It had been a long time. "Perhaps a mint tea then?"

"I like mint in general," Watts said with a nod. "So, yes. Mint tea. I'd like that."

She smiled at him, "I'm rather fond of it as well. Just a moment."

Nell set out two cups and measured out some tea before pouring water into the pot. "I have some cookies of you'd like," she said. "Made then last night. Chocolate chip?"

"I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar," Watts said. He'd seen them for sale, allegedly, at the Perk on occasion, but they'd always been sold out for some reason. "But if you made them I'll gladly give them a try."

Nell set out a plate with several large chocolate chip cookies and or him a cup of tea. "You have to let me know what you think if this is your first time trying then."

Watts grabbed two cookies, stuffing one in his jacket pocket and taking a big bite of the other.

"Oh, that is marvelous," he informed her. Though at least he waited until he'd actually finished swallowing that first bite. Barely.

Nell tilted her head as she watched him stuff the cookie into his pocket. "I'd gladly have given you something to carry a cookie or two in if you'd wanted," she said. "Then they'd be much less likely to get crumbled up or get lint on them."

Watts blinked at her, momentarily puzzled, before he realised what she was referring to.

"Ah... sorry. Force of habit." Which explained exactly nothing, really.

Nell quietly turned and got a plastic sandwich bag and placed three more cookies in it before sealing it up and setting it by his place. "For later," she said.

Watts watched her do so, then reached out to pick up the bag and give it a closer look. "Oh, that's clever," he said. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome," she said. "Keeps both the cookies and the pockets clean. That way you don't have to worry about attracting mice or something."

“Mice haven’t been a problem yet, but no sense borrowing trouble, I suppose,” Watts acknowledged.

He took a sip of his tea, and then gave Nell a considering look.

“It occurs to me that your knowledge of teas and what flavours go together is similar to my knowledge of wine,” he commented. “Except, of course, that I do not make my own wine.”

"I know you know far more about wine than I will ever hope to," Nell said, "and I suppose I know a fair bit about teas and such, so yes, I think you may be right in your comparison."

"I admit I'd never given much thought to the flavour of the tea until you asked," Watts told her. "It was always just- tea."

"I could say much the same about wine," Nell admitted. "Occasionally Leah would trade for a bottle of red wine and I pretty much thought that was all there was."

"Well, if you're ever curious, I'd be happy to explain the differences some time," Watts offered. He wasn't sure if she'd actually take him up on that, but the offer was there all the same.

"I'm not sure I'l ever be much of a drinker," Nell said, "But I'd be glad to learn more about them."

And Watts would happily share! "All right then," he said with a nod. And then- "I should ask, as you're widowed now- is 'Mrs. Ingram' still to your preference, or is there another title I ought to use?" He was aware of the existence of 'Ms.', of course, thanks to Steven, but wasn't sure if it was to her liking.

"Most people just say Miz Ingram," Nell said, "But your welcome to call me that or Mrs. Ingram it even just Nell, Detective."

She smiled at him. "I only make people call me Mrs. Ingram if they're being annoying. Friends can call me what they want."

"I'll, ah. Keep that in mind," Watts said seriously. He'd get there eventually, with the given name.

"Truly, I'm fine with whatever you choose to call me," Nell said. "I trust you to be respectful."

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Monday: Covent Garden Flowers

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