Teddy gave Mrs Davis a sheepish smile and said,"I was just here last month Mrs Davis. I bought flowers to celebrate my mother's win."

"That's decades ago, dear. How is the Mayor, is she faring well in that dreary office? You should buy her some flowers it will cheer up her office and maybe she will give us a high budget for the town sprinklers."

"Mrs Davis," Teddy Chided "Town sprinklers are not for growing flowers. They are for the vegetation of the town."

"You fret too much dear." Mrs Davis said, finally turning to face me, "Who is this handsome young man? Your boyfriend? You tell him to buy flowers too. A good boyfriend should always buy you flowers Theodore."

Teddy's grin turned gleeful and he leaned in to whisper conspiratorially, "He is just a friend Mrs Davis. But he does need a job and you have that help wanted, sign out back?"

"Oh you want a job?" Mrs Davis said, patting me on the back, "Why didn't you say so. A handsome guy like you can't speak for yourself?"

"No mam, I can." I said trying to smooth the rolled up résumé I had tucked in my pocket. 

"Nonsense, we don't do ‘Maam's’ here. You call me Mrs Davis like everyone else or you can even call me Grandma Davis like Theodore does."

Teddy winked at me and smiled. 

Small towns. Everyone was someone's something in small towns. I bet if asked they are not even related. But I wasn't going to risk it by asking either of them. 

Mrs Davis smoothed her apron and turned her full attention towards me,"Have you ever worked in a flower shop young man?"

"He..."

"Teddy, you are not the one looking for a job are you?"

"No Grandma." Teddy whispered.

I bit my lip fighting off a smile, "I have not worked in a flower shop before. But I have a pretty good grasp on colours and I know which ones go together. And if you don't mind teaching me I am a quick learner."

Mrs Davis took in my appearance and smiled, "Well having a face like that behind the counter would increase sales. And dressed like that you look like no one can mess with you. That can scare away any potential thieves that might want to mess with my shop."

I nodded, not sure how to respond. She didn't look apprehensive like my last three Interviews and honestly getting that type of response left me more speechless than the ill-treatment I had received previously. 

"Ok, hand me that," she pointed at my CV and I extended it towards her. "Let me find you a uniform and I will see you Tomorrow at nine. The university will be planning its annual Founders dinner soon and I am afraid I am a little too old to be lifting up flower pots so I could use a sturdy young man like you." 

My mouth gaped as she went around back to ruffle through whatever was there. Teddy elbowed me in my ribs and I swatted him away. I was still in shock that I had gotten the job without an actual interview too. The job itself didn't suit me one bit but a job was a job. I hadn't asked how much Mrs Davis was going to pay me but I figured since Teddy knew her she wouldn't put up a fuss about actually paying me. 

"See Beard," Teddy grinned proudly. 

I rolled my eyes wishing he hadn't been right. Because if he was right how would I get anything done in this damn town. Would I need a token local every time I needed to get something done? A frown pulled at my lips but I quickly hid it before anyone could notice. 

"I think I found your size," Mrs Davis called out coming from the back, "And this book. My granddaughter bought it for me a while back, she is a lawyer in the capital you know. But she never forgot about her summers working here so she bought me a book with flowers for beginners. You take this and learn a couple before tomorrow."

I reached for the book and the outrageously yellow t-shirt. I held the t-shirt up and grimaced at the garishly yellow colour, short sleeves embroidered in white tiny flowers on the sleeves edge and the large smiling sun flower on the front. A great compliment to my tattooed sleeve I thought.

Teddy laughed, before giving Mrs Davis a short bow, "Thank you Grandma Davis, Sam loves the uniform. He will be here at nine o'clock sharp."

Mrs Davis, who had gone back behind the counter was now deftly arranging a new bouquet with her eyes trained on the flowers in her hand. She smiled at us and gave Sam a curt nod. 

"Yes dear, you both can pick up your bouquet's then." She said waving us off. 

"Our bouquet's?" I asked as we left the shop. 

"That's how she makes money. Don't let that gentle smile fool you. Mrs Davis upsales everyone who enters the shop and because she is so nice people can't say no. It keeps her shop in business."

I shook my head as I pushed my free hand into my jacket pocket, "Small towns, man. What will I do with the bouquet I am being forced to buy then?"

"Give it to a boy?" Teddy folded over laughing as if he had said the best joke ever. 

"Ha ha funny. I guess since she said I should buy you flowers you can find someone to give them to."

Teddy's face fell and I instantly regretted my words, "Teddy you know just because you don't..."

"It's ok. You weren't thinking. I get it."

"But Teddy just because you are..."

"No, Sam. I don't want to talk about it."

"Ok," I nodded pretending I didn't see the flash of agony that appeared on his face, "let's go celebrate my new job, one thing I know about West Kinsley is The Kinsley Mug will be the last place standing at the end of the world. So you know we have to go get a beer or two."

Teddy Shrugged following me in the direction of the Bar.