As the Flower Blooms Episode 10: “The Ledger Beneath the Lavender Ribbon”
Written by Petal Perfection Flower Company
Morning sunlight crept across the florist’s worktable, illuminating the two halves of the letter.
For once, Daisy had nothing to say.
Rose found that deeply unsettling.
“You’ve been staring at that ledger for ten minutes,” Rose said. “Either open it or stop making everyone nervous.”
“I’m making everyone nervous?” Daisy replied. “You’ve been guarding a cabinet like it contains your first marriage certificate.”
The Hydrangeas rustled.
“First marriage?”
“There was a marriage?”
“There is always a marriage.”
“There was no marriage,” Rose snapped.
Lily leaned toward the ledger, her white petals catching the light.
“Then perhaps we could return to the suspicious book.”
Peony stood beside the open keepsake box. “Do we have to?”
The mysterious White Rose watched from the edge of the table.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “We do.”
Daisy loosened the lavender ribbon.
Inside were neat columns of dates, flower varieties, and delivery destinations. Several entries had been crossed out. Others had small pressed petals tucked between the pages.
“Roses. Lilies. White roses,” Daisy read. “The same flowers as the garden photograph.”
Lily moved closer.
“These aren’t ordinary orders.”
“How can you tell?” Peony asked.
“Because,” Lily said, “someone recorded where every plant went.”
Rose’s outer petals tightened.
Daisy noticed.
Naturally.
“Oh, that’s a very interesting expression.”
“It’s my normal expression.”
“Your normal expression looks like you’re disappointed in the entire room. This one looks guilty.”
The Hydrangeas whispered in agreement.
Daisy turned another page.
Then stopped.
“The garden wasn’t destroyed.”
Nobody moved.
“It was relocated.”
Peony’s voice trembled. “But you told us there was nothing left.”
Everyone turned toward Rose.
For a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the flower cooler.
Finally, Rose lowered her bloom.
“I found a delivery receipt.”
“When?” Lily asked.
“Before the cabinet was opened.”
Daisy stared. “And you hid it?”
“I put it somewhere safe.”
“That is what people call hiding when they’re the ones doing it.”
Rose ignored her.
“The receipt mentioned Peony.”
Peony went perfectly still.
“Me?”
“I didn’t know what it meant,” Rose said. “I thought if I could find the answer first, I could keep you out of it.”
Peony looked down at the letter.
“You could have told me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“You keep saying that,” Peony whispered. “But I’m still frightened. I’m just frightened without knowing why.”
Even Daisy had the sense to remain quiet.
The White Rose finally spoke.
“The garden was moved to protect someone.”
Lily turned sharply.
“Someone—or something?”
The White Rose hesitated.
And that hesitation told them far too much.
A narrow shaft of sunlight reached Peony’s vase.
Rose instinctively shifted closer.
“You’re getting too warm.”
Peony looked up. “Rose—”
“Fresh flowers last longer away from direct sunlight and heat,” Rose murmured. “Let me at least get that right.”
After a moment, Peony allowed Rose to help move her vase into the cooler shade.
“I don’t need you to know everything,” Peony said softly. “I need you to tell me the truth.”
Rose had no answer.
Across the table, Daisy continued turning pages.
“Everyone?”
Nobody responded.
“Everyone.”
Something in her voice brought them back.
A single pressed crimson petal lay near the end of the ledger.
Beneath it was a delivery entry.
Lily leaned forward.
“That date…”
Daisy nodded.
“Tomorrow.”
The Hydrangeas trembled.
“An old book.”
“A new delivery.”
“Oh, I don’t care for that.”
Peony read the destination aloud.
“Petal Perfection Flower Company.”
Rose stared at the page.
Below the address, in darker ink, someone had added one final instruction:
The final delivery must arrive before the last bloom falls.
The White Rose closed her eyes.
“No,” she whispered. “It’s too soon.”
Then the bell above the studio door rang.
Daisy slowly turned.
On the threshold stood a flower delivery box.
No footsteps.
No driver.
Just a lavender ribbon…
…and a fresh crimson petal resting on top.
To be continued…
Today’s flower-care reminder: Keep fresh arrangements away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and other heat sources to help them last longer.
Next episode: “The Delivery Nobody Ordered.”
