A Flower for Love

When I was working as an office temp on a year’s contract, there was a young male member of staff who was ‘blessed’ with all the things girls desire, that is if you like tall, blond, blue eyed and not-bad-looking guys I guess.
The company’s mail Messengers were old boys with a wicked sense of humour, and if wives or girlfriends were sent flowers, all offices on all floors were subjected to ‘a look’ (and some dashed hopes) before the blushing recipient was presented, with a gentlemanly flourish, with their bouquet.

There was a lot of interest as a single red rose was doing the rounds, and the Messenger was in his element as every girl was allowed to look, wish, but not touch. Said rose (in a crystal vase and presentation box tied up with a red silk ribbon) took almost an HOUR to be delivered, and no-one could have been more stunned than the person who received it.

Yep. “The Adonis” had been sent this beautiful flower for Valentine’s Day with the cryptic message ‘You’ll know who sent this because I’ll smile as I pass your desk’.For the next twenty minutes, his desk attracted more traffic than Victoria Bus Station. He said ‘Thank You’ to several smiling girls who shook their heads as they walked by, and got more than a little worried when the guys started smiling too.
By the end of the morning, he was no wiser as to who his secret admirer was, and was more than a little embarrassed to ask.

A few days previously I’d chatted to him by the coffee machine. He’d admitted he was between girlfriends and a bit down about it. It was definitely not a come-on to me, as I was over 20 years his senior, so he saw me more as a Mumsy figure to confide in. I seem to have this effect on people, as if anyone has a problem, they feel they can talk to me about it. I’m like an unofficial Agony Aunt, but I really don’t mind to be honest.

Lunch time, he sought me out in the canteen and asked if he could join me. Over cups of tea and sandwiches, he asked if I had any idea who could have sent the rose, and I truthfully said I didn’t. I learned quite a bit about him in those fifty minutes, and actually he was quite a likeable chap (or maybe that was the unfulfilled mothering bit in me) who seemed a bit unlucky when it came to girls.  I suggested perhaps he was trying too hard and the girls expected too much too early. We agreed though that it was a lovely rose, and hopefully the sender would make herself known by the end of the afternoon.

As 5pm approached, machines were closed down and turned off as people made to leave the office.
The lad picked up his rose and as he made his way towards the door, one of the girls from the typing pool touched him on the shoulder. He turned round and beamed at her. ‘Hi!’
She slipped her arm through his and commented on the rose.
‘It’s beautiful isn’t it. But where have you been today? I haven’t seen you around’.
‘Dentist,’ she laughed. ‘The anesthetic is finally wearing off after two extractions and I’ve got control back over my mouth!’
I was behind them as they walked out of the office together. He asked her if she was doing anything that night and wondered if she’d like to go see a movie or something.
‘Love to, ‘ she replied. Then added ‘ By the way, I’m glad you liked it.’ And smiled.