Of all the years Rebecca had made her flowers in her shop, not once did anyone come in looking for work, but the following day someone came in offering their services.

It was Mr Thatcher.

Rebecca was sure the rumor about him wasn't true, for Mr Thatcher never showed any signs of aggression, but she did look at him differently as he trudged heavily inside.

'Hello, Rebecca.' He looked as if the entire world was against him.

'Mr Thatcher. How may I help you? Are you looking to buy some flowers? I just made an assortment of pansies.'

'Flowers?' He shook his head. 'I was wondering if you need an assistant. I'll work for cheap.'

So, if he did lose his job, did that mean the other part of the rumor was true.

Mr Thatcher's pitiful despair was on full display, like a lone stray dog out in the cold looking food and shelter. For Rebecca, it was almost like glancing in the mirror. And at that moment she felt a bit of compassion for him, as if they had been cut from the same ugly cloth with absolutely no hope of becoming beautiful flowers.

'If not, do you need anything fixed? I'm good with my hands.' His oozing desperation was overpowering and Rebecca was glad she hid her woeful yearning better because she never wanted to resemble anything like that.

'I need a lot of things fixed in this place, but I have no money to spare.' All of Rebecca's profit went to buying material for her flowers, rent and food. 'I'm sorry.'

'Do you know if anyone is looking to hire around here? I lost my job the other day and I've been searching every waking moment.'

'I haven't seen any wanted ads or heard anything.' Rebecca truly hated giving news people didn't want to hear. It felt like it was her fault, that she was the pen and not the messenger. Just the thought of letting people down always grabbed her violently and shook her long and hard.

Mr Thatcher nodded inattentively before going into a daze and only broke when the door opened behind him.

It was Brian.

Taking off his cap, Brian looked between Mr Thatcher and Rebecca. 'I hope I'm not interrupting.'

'I was just on my way out.' Mr Thatcher scratched his balding head before bowing. As he passed Brian to leave, though, he stopped. 'Do you know if Mr Fowler is hiring or will be hiring in the future.' 

'Sorry, Mr Thatcher, he's not.'

Mr Thatcher gave both Brian and Rebecca a forced smile before heading into the rain outside.

'Tough to see.' Brian came over. 'He looks as miserable as Mr Fowler.'

'Really?'

'Maybe it's our occupation, but Mr Fowler has no zest for life. You'd think being around death would make you see life differently, to see it as being precious, to enjoy.'

'Do you see that?'

'I think I do.' Brian smiled at Rebecca.

Again, was that compassion Rebecca saw on his face? For her? She couldn't tell. And it irritated her to no end. It was as if she had entered into a swarm of gnats and they plucked at her sanity with every bite.

'Also,' Brian continued meekly, 'Mr Fowler has everything to be happy. Money, and I mean lots of money, even though he's a stinking miser. He has a family that loves him and he has me.' He smiled again, which caressed every inch of Rebecca's body. 'But he chooses to be miserable.'

Chooses? Maybe it wasn't a choice, thought Rebecca. Maybe Mr Fowler was as flawed as her. Maybe there was a zest, a warmth in him that he just couldn't express. That it was deep down inside him trapped below a glacier of ice.

'Did he at least like the flowers you bought from me? The 'mums?'

'They did seem to make his day. Although, he thought the price was a bit too much for what he got.'

Rebecca gave out a demoralizing frown. 'Tell him the price of materials has gone up. So, did you come by to buy more flowers?'

'No, I was just passing by and thought I'd pop in for a second. See how you're doing today.'

The swarm of gnats came back.

'I'm keeping busy.'

'I bet. Are you working on another project in the back?'

'More like in the front.'

Brian looked around the store, confused. 'I don't see anything.'

Rebecca just tapped the side of her head.

'I'd love to know what's going on in there.'

You and me both, thought Rebecca. And was there a hint of mockery in his voice? She played his words slowly in her head but with no answer.

The toll of a bell outside put an abrupt end to their conversation.

'I need to get going or I'll be late.'

Stay a little longer, Rebecca wanted to say.

'I'll see you around.'

'Have a good day, Brian.'