Chris Maclean: saying it with flowers

One of my favourite people at the brewery is off sick. She rarely ever takes time off and has that ability shared by teachers and good licensees of always appearing to be present at all times. There are some licensees I know who, whenever I have visited their pub, are always present behind the bar even though I know they take more holidays than I do.

One of our policies here, and something we have always done, is to make sure that we let people know they are in our thoughts. Our diary is packed with dates of anniversaries, birthdays and key dates. Sometimes there is a clear and discernable benefit to us but more often than not it is just to let people know we are thinking of them.

The acknowledgement occurs in varying levels. Sometimes it is no more than a casual "happy birthday", often I'll buy the person a drink. But this friend of mine in the brewery has a special status because, in the 20 or so years I have known her, she has been a confidante, counsellor, agony aunt and comforter. She has that air of wisdom about her that invites total trust. I have never heard said a bad word about her.

So I bought a large bunch of flowers from our florist. I thought it would cheer her up. I know where she lives so I simply wrote an unsigned card saying "I am sorry to hear you are unwell" and propped the flowers and card by her front door.

I like the idea of anonymous flowers. I am sure she will guess who they are from but it is a nice gift.

But there's a problem. I've just seen her daughter and checked her mother lives at Park View. She doesn't. She lives at the next junction.

Another unknown person has found a bunch of beautiful flowers on their doorstep and assumed they were for them. I have, I think, brought a beautiful ray of sunshine to someone's day and I've no idea who they are. And my friend has nothing.

Ah well. I hope she does get well soon.