Calling All Customers (Calling All... Book 3)

by Tara Ford

  “Not a problem, love. What else?”

  “I think I might need some kind of lighting for outside the shop. Something above the sign, to illuminate it somehow.”

  “I had thought about that at one point but forgot to mention it to you, Jen.”

  “Do you think it would be expensive?”

  “Not sure, I’ll have a look in to it. I suppose you’d need it quite soon, what with the dark evenings drawing in.”

  “Yes,” replied Jenny, nodding her head and twiddling with a pen. “Someone came in earlier and said that they thought we were shut last night because there were no lights on.”

  “Oh, that’s not good. I’ll ask Jacob to source them for you. I’d imagine you’ll need some downward-facing, strip lighting.”

  “Thank you Dad. I really appreciate everything you do for me.”

  “I know you do, love. Isn’t that what dads are for?” He chuckled.

  Chapter 10

  Giggling among themselves, in the afternoon sun which poured through the slits in the blinds, Jenny and Dayna had to stop abruptly, each time a customer walked in. Once again, and if yesterday was anything to go by, Marj’s appearance at the door was not a surprise at all. She hobbled in, waved her dainty little fingers toward the girls and then scuttled off down the first aisle. Dayna looked at Jenny, raised her eyebrows and grinned knowingly.

  “This is only the second time she’s been in today, I’m sure,” Jenny whispered, “unless Tasha forgot to mention any other visits this morning. Hope she’s not buying more toilet rolls… we’ll have to stop her somehow, if she is.”

  “You can’t really decide on what she does and doesn’t buy, Jen.”

  “Yes, but if she has got dementia, or something like that, we can’t just let her keep buying the same thing all the time. It’s not fair.”

  As the two friends watched Marj through the mirror, their eyes were suddenly diverted to a tall, sleek and handsome man, dressed smartly in a dark grey suit, who walked through the open doorway. He smiled and acknowledged the girls before heading down the same aisle where Marj had just disappeared.

  “I’m serving him,” whispered Dayna, nudging Jenny with her elbow.

  “No you’re not – I am,” breathed Jenny. “Go and do some menial task – he’s mine.”

  Dayna stared, with a downturned mouth and wide eyes, “Pleasey-weasey.”

  Letting out a short burst of laughter, Jenny cupped her hand to her mouth and tried to discreetly contain the giggles. Up in the mirror, she could just see the reflection of the young man slowly moving along the shelves, looking from side to side.

  Nudging her friend in the ribs, Dayna tried to push her out of the way of the till. “Come on, move. He’s mine I tell you.”

  Both girls giggled too loudly and simultaneously covered their mouths with their hands, to suppress any guffaws.

  “You win,” said Jenny, “I’ve got stuff to sort out. You can have him.” She winked a long-lashed eye at Dayna, turned to leave the counter area and then stopped sharply, when she saw Marj and the young man talking at the end of the shop. Turning back to Dayna, Jenny whispered, “Think I’ll wait until Marj has gone.”

  At the end of the aisle Marj could be seen holding on to the man’s jacket sleeve and giggling. She was whispering to him while he leant over to catch what she was saying. Then he would laugh or smile and try to edge away from Marj’s grasp. The young man looked up the aisle towards Jenny and Dayna, and smiled awkwardly, before raising his eyebrows and rolling his eyes. Marj pulled him over to one of the freezers and began to point to various products.

  “Oh no, what is she doing?” asked Dayna, rhetorically. “She’s hooked herself up to him. You can see by his face that he wants to escape.” Dayna shook her head and tutted.

  “I’ll go down and ask if Marj needs any help,” replied Jenny. “He might be able to escape her then.”

  Dayna shook her head again, in disapproval. “Bloody ridiculous, she shouldn’t be allowed out.”

  “That’s a bit harsh, Day. The poor woman can’t help it.” Jenny sighed, “I’ll sort it out.”

  As Jenny approached the couple, the man turned and smiled at her warmly. Smiling back, she felt herself blush slightly – his deep brown eyes seemed to penetrate straight through her. “Err… Marj, is there anything I can help you with? I’m sure this young man has got things to do.” Jenny smiled again and raised her eyebrows.

  “Oh, we’re just having a friendly chat. Must you rush off?” asked Marj, staring up at the man’s face.

  The man nodded and grinned, “I’m afraid I must,” he said in a gentle voice.

  “Come on then Marj, let me help you get some things,” said Jenny, tucking her arm through Marj’s arm and trying to steer her away. “Now what is it that you want today?”

  “Excuse me, could I just ask whether you sell Milk Tray?” the man asked politely.

  Letting go of Marj’s arm, Jenny looked round and was instantly aware of the man’s eyes burning deep into hers. “Err… well… err, we only sell milk in poly-cartons… I mean, I don’t know if you can get it in a tray… how much is in a tray?” Jenny pointed to the milk fridge, further up the aisle. “That’s the only kind of milk we do I’m afraid,” she said, coyly.

  Dayna had sauntered down the aisle to join the group, just as the young man burst into laughter and began to shake his head.

  “That’s a good one.” He managed to say before laughing again.

  Stopping dead, Dayna had overheard the conversation and stared disbelievingly at Jenny, before bursting into uncontrollable giggles too.

  Marj continued to look into the freezer, mumbling to herself about whether she should have the ice-cream or one of the cheesecakes which were further back in the icy chest unit. She was oblivious to the comedic situation going on behind her.

  With a flushed, puzzled gaze, Jenny looked at Dayna and frowned. She had missed something.

  The young man stopped laughing and grinned at Jenny. “I’m sorry, that made me laugh,” he said. “I meant do you sell boxes of Milk Tray? You know, the chocolates, Milk Tray, made by Cadburys.”

  “Oh my goodness. Oh no, I’m so sorry – how stupid of me.” Jenny cringed as her face burned to a deep scarlet. “Yes, they’re over there, on the top shelf.”

  The man looked at Jenny sympathetically. “Don’t worry about it.” He smiled warmly, “it was funny though,” he said as he walked off, still chuckling to himself.

  Jenny looked towards Dayna, who was biting her bottom lip, and shook her head despairingly, before rolling her eyes to the ceiling. What an absolute idiot she’d been.

  “Why do you always do that when you see someone you fancy?” whispered Dayna.

  “I don’t fancy him. I don’t know what I was thinking – I feel so bloody stupid.”

  “Well you did sound stupid. I’m sorry but it was so funny, Jen. Never mind, don’t worry about it. But I think you do fancy him though.” Dayna laughed and walked back up to the counter.

  Jenny followed behind, having already decided that she had to see this through to the end, in order to save face. She would serve the man with his box of Milk Tray and apologise to him again.

  “Shall I make a cup of tea?” asked Dayna. “You look like you could do with one.”

  “Yes please. I will serve him now – I feel so bloody stupid.”

  “I’m sure he found it quite hilarious and doesn’t think you’re mad.” Dayna picked up the two empty cups from under the counter and left.

  Marj was leaning over the side of the freezer, still muttering something under her breath. Her tiny frame, with outstretched arms, could barely reach the ice-cream, let alone anything else.

  The tall, and most definitely handsome, man had found the chocolates and had already picked up one of the larger boxes of Milk Tray. With the box tucked under his arm, he moved up the aisle to the magazine rack and stood with his back turned to Jenny, as he perused the titles.

  A few minutes lat
er, the man turned and strolled over to the counter. “Is this a new shop?” he asked.

  “Yes, we’ve just opened,” replied Jenny, feeling her face begin to heat up again. “Sorry about that, a minute ago, I must have been on another planet.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” The man grinned again. “Sorry I laughed so much – it was funny though. Is it your shop?”

  “Yes,” Jenny gulped as her face continued to heat up.

  “How long have you been open?”

  “Err… one day… precisely.”

  “Cool – nice shop. I see you’ve got an old till there,” said the man, pointing to the old, electronic till.

  “Yes, I got it secondhand. I need to get up and running before I can spend any more money on it. It’s a bit of a sad looking till, I know.” Jenny laughed nervously.

  The man smiled. “Ah ok, cool. Well let me know if you want to upgrade later, I sell EPOS systems to independent stores like yours.” The man fiddled around, searching his pockets. “Don’t think I’ve got a card on me at the moment.” He tutted.

  “Oh, is that why you came in?” asked Jenny suspiciously.

  “No – not at all. I didn’t know this shop was here actually. I don’t do cold-calling. I have a company online. I gain business by recommendations or by word of mouth but mainly jobs come directly through my website. I run a retail systems support network too.”

  “Oh, that sounds interesting. I might just contact you once I’m doing a roaring trade,” Jenny spoke jokingly. “Marj, down there, my number one customer on day two, should help.” Jenny laughed, nervously.

  “I’ll drop a card off to you, I don’t think I’ve got any in the car either. Stupid really.” The man smiled again, “See, we’re as bad as each other.”

  “I’m sure you couldn’t be as silly as me. I live on planet Zog sometimes.”

  “The name’s Aaron – Aaron Frey,” said Aaron, stretching out a hand towards, Jenny, “nice to meet you.”

  Discreetly, Jenny wiped her perspiring palm on her thigh, took his hand and shook it gently. “Jenny Fartor,” she replied shyly. “Nice to meet you too.” She gazed up into Aaron’s deep brown eyes and momentarily, she was transfixed by them. “Err… right, shall I take that for you?” she said, reaching for the box of chocolates.

  “Sure, thanks.” Aaron passed them over the counter…

  “Ooh… oh… argh! He…e…e…e…lp…”

  Both Aaron and Jenny turned their heads at the same time.

  Their mouths fell open as they both peered down the aisle.

  Aaron threw a horrified glance at Jenny, dropped his box of chocolates onto the counter top and shot down the aisle at a surprising speed.

  Jenny’s heart thumped in her chest, as she too, followed Aaron towards the tiny pair of 40 denier, beige coloured legs, sticking out from the freezer, frantically waving around in the air.

  Marj’s whole torso was inside the freezer.

  She scrambled around, right at the back of the unit, trying to push herself back out as the boxes of frozen desserts crumpled and moved aside. Her little, stocking-clad legs swayed back and forth as she desperately tried to grasp on to anything to help pull her out.

  Having heard the commotion, Dayna walked out of the staff room with two mugs of tea in her hands and halted, mid stride. Gawping at the sight of Marj’s legs poking out of the freezer, Dayna was frozen to the spot as she watched the young man lean over the freezer unit, grab Marj around the waist and carefully drag her out whilst talking to and reassuring her all of the time.

  A disheveled heap of frailty, Marj’s face had turned deep pink. She grimaced as she rubbed her right hip but remained silent.

  “I’ll grab a chair,” said Jenny, flying past Dayna, who was still holding two cups in her hands and staring, wide-eyed at the scene before her. “Bring her in here,” Jenny called out.

  Supporting Marj’s slight frame, Aaron guided her past Dayna and into the staff room.

  Pulling a high stool towards her, Jenny lowered the seat and helped Aaron ease her up onto the seat.

  “Have you hurt yourself anywhere?” asked Jenny, nervously. “Marj, could I get you a sweet cup of tea or something else?”

  Marj remained silent, but shook her head slightly, while staring absent-mindedly across the room.

  “Are you sure that you’re ok Marj?” Jenny leant into Marj’s face, trying to get a coherent reply or even just some recognition in the poor old woman’s dull, grey eyes.

  Dayna had turned and followed the trio’s exit into the staff room, whilst still holding the steaming teas. A moment later she was pulled to her senses sharply, as a couple of mothers and toddlers walked into the shop. Swiftly, Dayna placed Jenny’s tea on the sink and then hurried up to the counter with her own.

  Leaning on the doorframe of the staff room, Aaron watched as Jenny tentatively responded to Marj’s needs.

  “Here, Marj, have a sip of this,” said Jenny, passing a small glass of water to her. “You’ve had quite a nasty shock. Is there anyone I can contact? I think that your family should know that you’ve had a bit of an accident.”

  “Haven’t got any family. I’m all right. I’ll sit here for a moment, thank you. Do you have any biscuits?”

  Jenny turned and looked at Aaron despairingly. “Would you mind picking up some biscuits from the shelf up there.” Jenny pointed to the first aisle, on the opposite side from the freezer units. Turning back to the poor old woman, Jenny asked, “Which biscuits do you like, Marj?”

  “Oh, I do like a chocolate digestive, thank you.”

  Aaron headed off up the aisle to find the digestive biscuits, like an obedient dog. Jenny watched after him, admiringly, before he disappeared around the corner.

  “Marj, is there anyone at all who I could contact? What about a friend or neighbour?”

  “No there’s no one my dear. I am fine, really I am. You don’t need to call anyone. I’ll finish this water and then be on my way.”

  Jenny nodded her head, “Ok, well if you’re sure… Can I get your shopping for you then?”

  “Shopping?”

  “Yes, what did you come into the shop for Marj?”

  Marj chuckled, “Oh yes, well my dear. I need some toilet rolls. That is all.”

  “Ok, I’ll get them for you. Do you want the same as usual?”

  “Yes please. The nice turquoise ones.”

  “Ok and they are on the house Marj – you can have them.”

  “Are they free?” asked Marj, looking surprised.

  “Yes, you can have them for free.” Jenny was somewhat relieved that Marj did appear to be all right.

  Returning with the chocolate biscuits, Aaron passed the packet to Jenny and their eyes met again. There’s something in those eyes, thought Jenny, briefly. They excited her and created little bubbles in her stomach. She did fancy him.

  “Is there anything else I can get for you?” asked Aaron. A warm smile spread across his faultless face as he gazed at Jenny.

  Jenny then knew that he liked her too. She could feel it. She could see it. She could hear it and she thought she could smell it. “Are you sure you don’t mind? Marj would like some blue toilet rolls.” Jenny whipped her gaze away from Aaron and looked at Marj. “Do you want a two pack Marj?”

  “A two pack?”

  “Yes, toilet rolls. You wanted some toilet rolls. Would a two-pack be enough?”

  “Oh no, I’d like four please, the nice turquoise ones.”

  “Nice turquoise ones it is then,” said Jenny. “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?”

  “Not at all, I’ll go and grab them,” replied Aaron, before turning to leave. “Urgh… I’m sorry,” he grunted, as he walked straight into a woman carrying a small child.

  Jenny pushed the staff room door to, as the two women and their young children in tow, tried to peer into the staff room to see what was going on. Tutting and rolling her eyes upwards, Jenny leant back on the sink unit with her arms folded, as Marj nibbled o
n a chocolate biscuit. “How did you manage to fall in the freezer, Marj?”

  “Fall in the freezer?”

  “Yes, we’ve just pulled you out of the freezer, Marj. Do you remember?”

  Marj giggled, “Oh my goodness, yes. Those cheesecakes are in too deep, dear.” Marj extended her biscuit out in front of her. “May I?” she asked, before submerging the digestive into Jenny’s cup of tea and letting it go.

  “Err… yes…” Jenny replied, surprised. “Yes… go ahead.” Picking the mug up from the sink, she passed it to Marj. “Here, help yourself…” she said, peering down in disgust, as the soggy, chocolatey biscuit floated on the top.

  “Thank you.” Marj gave a wide, biscuit grin. “Do you have a spoon? I need to get the rest of the biscuit out.”

  Slightly irritated that Marj appeared to be making a meal out of her accident now and had messed up her cup of tea, which she had been longing for, Jenny continued. “I realise that the freezer is too deep now… but how did you actually get in there, Marj?”

  “I climbed up. I called you but you were too busy talking to your husband.”

  “He’s not my husband Marj, he’s just a customer,” replied Jenny, defensively.

  A moment later there was a tapping noise at the door. “Come in,” called Jenny.

  “Toilet rolls.” Aaron’s tall and slim figure stood in the doorway. “Is she ok?” he asked, eyeing the little woman, perched on the stool, pecking away on pre-dunked digestive biscuits, like a caged bird.

  “Yes, she’s fine. Thank you so much for all your help.”

  “It’s not a problem at all. I’ve never seen so much drama in a shop before.” Aaron grinned and then winked his eye at Jenny. “I’ll leave you to it then… are you sure you’ll be ok?”

  Jenny nodded and smiled. She didn’t want him to leave but she couldn’t think of any reason for him to stay.

  “I’ll drop that business card in to you sometime,” said Aaron.

  “Great, thank you. I’m sure I could use your services in the future.”

  “Is this your husband dear? I’m dreadfully sorry. Here…” said Marj, beckoning Aaron to come inside the room, “would you like to sit in here?”