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

by Tara Ford

  “Oh dear, get the kettle on and you can tell me all about it.”

  “I’ll do it,” said Tasha, removing her coat and hanging it on a peg in the staffroom.

  “So, what sort of week have you had, Jen?” asked Dad, leaning on the counter top.

  In between customers, Jenny began to tell them about her eventful week…

  Handing the note over, Jenny watched the faces of her dad and brother as they read it together. Then she gave Jacob the repair bill. The two of them scrutinized the pieces of paper in their hands, peered at each other with deadpan faces and then looked at Jenny.

  “Bloody hell – you’ve got some strange people living around here,” said Jacob, staring down at the bill in his hand. “And don’t think you’re paying this for one minute.” Jacob tossed the sheet of paper onto the counter and thumped his fist on top of it. “I’ll contact these people and tell ‘em I’m acting on your behalf. You’re not paying this, Jen.”

  Surprised by her brother’s animated reaction, Jenny nodded in agreement. “I could handle it myself, Jay, but I just don’t have a lot of spare time to go chasing up people at repair garages.”

  “No, it’ll be dealt with. I’ve used them before. I know one of the blokes there. I’ll sort this out – bloody taking the piss if you ask me,” said Jacob and then turned swiftly to make sure that no one was in the shop and had heard his ill-chosen words.

  Young Tasha stood at the end of the counter, dumbstruck. Listening to every word, her bewildered expression suggested that she couldn’t believe that so much had happened, while she’d been having one day off work.

  “Right,” Jenny’s dad interrupted, “let’s get this awning fitted. I think that ten past nine is a reasonable time to start – what do you think, Jen?”

  “Yes, go for it Dad. He can complain all he likes, upstairs.”

  “Worst thing is… you’re fitting the awning directly below his flat,” said Tasha, a worried expression creeping on to her face.

  “That’s a point,” replied Jenny. “How much noise are you going to be making?”

  “We’ve got to get it out of the box yet,” said Dad. “And read the instructions – I may not even have everything that we’ll need, love.”

  Tasha’s wide-eyed stare began to soften. “Isn’t it supposed to be ‘no noise before ten o’clock on Sundays’?”

  “Well there probably won’t be any before ten – especially if you’re going to be making another one of those nice cups of tea,” said Dad, handing his empty mug to her and winking.

  “And he doesn’t have a leg to stand on anyway. He makes enough noise of his own, whatever day of the week it is,” Jenny added.

  “Is it safe to come in?” asked Aaron, poking his beaming face around the door.

  Jenny looked up and chuckled as a warm, swirly feeling, filled her whole being. “Think so,” she replied. “Quick – get in while you can.”

  Aaron peered left, then right with narrowed eyes. Crouching over, he stepped tentatively into the shop, swiveling his head from left to right repeatedly, as if he were in the throes of a commando attack.

  Chuckling like a little girl, Jenny watched as he made his way towards the counter. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt like this. “You do make me laugh,” she spurted.

  “Now…” Without warning, Aaron’s voice changed to a serious tone, “if I’m not mistaken, there’s a rather odd looking, long metal object lying on the pavement outside…”

  Jenny smiled. Tasha stared, in amazement.

  “I have reason to believe that you may be constructing a two-person, oscillating vehicle for the sole purpose of enticing valued customers to your premises, Madam.”

  Shaking her head, Jenny frowned. “What?”

  “Either – you are erecting an awning of some description, Madam, or as I suspect, you are building a see-saw.”

  Jenny stared blankly for a moment.

  “Is that a see-saw you’re building? It’s all becoming clearer, Madam. Your intention is entrapment, is it not?”

  Jenny burst in to a raucous laugh. “To catch Margery Daw…” she shrieked.

  Aaron and Jenny had a fit of the giggles. When a customer entered the shop, the raucous pair had to head off towards the staffroom, leaving a bemused Tasha standing behind the counter.

  “What are you two laughing at?” asked Dad, from the back of the office.

  Jacob was crouched on the floor behind his dad, examining the contents of the large box.

  “Oh, it’s just Margery Daw… and her seesaw,” replied Jenny, peering round the door with watery eyes. “You’ve met Aaron before, haven’t you?”

  Jacob looked up. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he grinned. “Yeah – hello mate.”

  Peering over Jenny’s shoulder, Aaron smiled. “Hello. Please, give me a shout if you need any help with the fixings out the front. Looks a pretty cumbersome piece of kit.”

  Jenny raised her eyebrows and smiled as a cold shiver ran down her back.

  “Thank you, we may just take you up on that offer.” Dad looked at Jenny. “I don’t think Calvin will make it today. He’s got a hangover – silly bugger.” Turning back to Aaron, Dad continued. “Has our Jen had you working hard, this weekend?” he asked, brushing a dusty cobweb from his sleeve.

  “Slave driver,” replied Aaron and laughed.

  Jenny cringed at the mention of Calvin. Why did her dad insist on including that total loser in everything?

  “Right,” said Jenny, clapping her hands together. “I’m making Aaron a drink – anyone else want one?”

  “Have you got two brothers?” asked Aaron, as he watched Dad and Jacob carry parts of the awning to the front of the shop.

  “No… no…. only the one.”

  “Ah, ok. Who’s the one with the hangover?”

  “Oh, that’s just Calvin… he… err… he works with my dad sometimes… you know, helps him out.”

  Aaron nodded his head. “Were you all right about me offering to help them if they need me to?”

  “Yes – sure. It’s really kind of you, Aaron. Thanks.”

  Aaron grinned. “I’ve brought the two tills with me today. If you’re going to have the two, it’ll be easier to fit both of them at the same time. Then I can set the program to recognise both tills.” Aaron paused, in thought. “What about doing your newspaper delivery accounts on the second till? I could set it up and run through the program to show you how to do it.”

  “Now that’s a good idea,” said Jenny. “At the moment we’ve got a cash box under the till to put payments in. Then I write out a duplicated receipt. Would I be able to give them a receipt from the till?”

  “Absolutely,” said Aaron. “Leave it with me. It’ll probably take me most of today to fit the tills and set the program up but I can come back pretty much any time at the moment, to go through things with you.”

  “Thanks Aaron – you’re a star.”

  Aaron laughed. “Are we still on for lunch tomorrow?”

  “Ooh… yes. I forgot about that,” Jenny lied. “Between 12 and 2 is good for me.”

  “Yep – I’ll be here at 12.” Aaron gazed into Jenny’s eyes, thoughtfully. “Right… I’ll get the gear in and then make a start when I’ve drunk that tea you’re making me.”

  “Oh, sorry, I forgot.”

  “Thought you had – the kettle boiled five minutes ago.” Aaron smiled and left.

  Pathetically swoony, Jenny watched the contours of Aaron’s behind undulating, as he walked up the shop. She flicked the kettle back on and began making tea for everyone. She sensed that it was going to be a good day and even more so because it was early close on Sundays. Finishing at six o’clock in the evening was becoming the highlight of the week.

  Chapter 22

  The awning was up by four o’clock. It looked beautiful. Turquoise blue and green stripes complimented the J’s Convenience Store sign, perfectly. The remote control awning extended and retracted, silently and effortle
ssly. Dad had reported, late morning, that the man in the flat above had stuck his head out of the window and growled something incomprehensible, when he and Jacob were drilling the walls. Dad had shouted an apology and assured the man that he would be no more than ten minutes making the noise. The man growled something about making a complaint to the council and then slammed his window shut.

  It had been difficult to serve customers effectively, during the afternoon. However, Tasha’s patient and friendly nature had ensured that there were no disgruntled customers as Aaron switched the tills around. Leaving the old till working and situated peculiarly, in the centre of the counter, Aaron placed the other two into position, ready for the switchover later. One customer after another, quizzed, questioned or commented on the number of tills on the counter. Why were there three of them? Time and time again, Tasha explained that they were not expecting a deluge of custom to the shop and that it was purely a temporary set up, while the new tills were being installed.

  Jenny had helped Aaron with the installation. Creating passwords, restarting the computer and beginning the arduous task of inputting data and scanning the barcode of every single item she sold in the shop. It was going to take a week to complete the task, as Aaron had previously warned her, but it would all be worth it in the end. Starting with the products that were sold the most often, Jenny had completed over a hundred items by the time the awning was finished.

  The shop had been busier than normal. Jenny suspected that the activity outside had drawn curious passers-by to come inside and have a look around. Both Jenny and Tasha had noted that there were a lot of new faces on the scene.

  “It’s amazing! Thank you – both of you.” Jenny peered up at the awning and pressed the retract button on the remote control again. “I hope it’s really sunny tomorrow. Then we can have it out all day.”

  Dad smiled, “Yep – it’s very nice, Jen.”

  Jacob nodded his head and looked at his watch. “Come on then, dinner will be ready soon.”

  “Load the tools up then boy,” said Dad, in jest. “I’m getting a roast dinner tonight – not bad eh?”

  “Can’t remember the last time I had a roast dinner,” said Jenny, dolefully.

  “Well, why don’t you come to me one Sunday evening? We can cook something up together.”

  “I will Dad- thanks.” Jenny flung her arms around him and kissed his cheek. When Jacob returned from the van, she did the same to him.

  “Ok, ok. That’s enough,” said Jacob, wiping his cheek in disgust.

  Jenny laughed. “See you both soon –yeah?”

  Dad and Jacob nodded and smiled, simultaneously, like they were twins.

  “I’ll call you as soon as I’ve been to the garage – let you know what they say,” said Jacob, as he walked away.

  “Yes and thanks big bruv.”

  “Do I get that when I’ve finished?” asked Aaron, in a hushed voice, as Jenny returned inside.

  “What?”

  “That treatment – do I get it when I’ve finished this job?” Aaron was behind the counter, programming the second till and Jenny could just see the top of Tasha’s head, down by the milk fridge.

  “What? Do you mean the goodbye I just gave my dad?” Jenny whispered.

  Aaron nodded. “Yeah.”

  Jenny’s face flushed. “You mean the kiss goodbye?”

  “Well, I was thinking more along the lines of both. The hug as well.” Aaron smirked. “I don’t want to be short changed with just a kiss on the cheek.”

  The heat in Jenny’s face began to burn. She smiled, bashfully. “Of course – everyone gets a thank-you like that from me.”

  “I’ll hold you to that,” said Aaron and laughed.

  With her heart jumping up and down in her chest, Jenny replied casually, “Ok,” before scooting off down the aisle to join Tasha at the fridge.

  Feeling nervous and excitable about Tasha’s departure at five o’clock, Jenny said goodbye and watched her walk out of the shop. Aaron was down in the office completing the installation of the EPOS system. The new tills looked like brand new ones but as Aaron had already told her, he had spent a lot of time cleaning them. When the shop closed at six, the old till would be removed and the new ones would come alive. Aaron had explained that it would be easier to do the initial ‘hook-up’ once the shop was closed. That way, any problems that may arise, could be dealt with without the worry of inconveniencing customers.

  The fact that Aaron was still in the shop and would be until close gave Jenny butterflies in her stomach and a racy heart. The atmosphere between them had changed dramatically since Aaron’s suggestion, earlier. The inside of Jenny’s mouth salivated, wildly, and she found it difficult to talk to customers without first gulping. She wanted him. She knew, for sure, he wanted her.

  Turning the ‘open’ sign round, Jenny locked the front door and switched off the front set of interior lights. The half lit shop didn’t feel quite so eerie tonight, in contrast it seemed to glow romantically, causing Jenny to shudder. The time had come to cash up the old till and start up the new ones. Excitedly, Jenny watched in anticipation as Aaron turned the key on the first till. After a few bleeps, it sprang to life. A blue display screen shone brightly, lighting up Aaron’s handsome face. He then turned to the other till and repeated the process.

  “Right, they’re on. Come round here and I’ll show you how to turn them on,” said Aaron, a satisfied grin beaming across his face.

  Moving round the counter, Jenny’s heart skipped. She stepped closer to Aaron and could feel the heat emanating from his body. “Go on then,” she said, softly.

  Aaron looked down at her, by his side, and then quickly snatched his gaze away. “Right… so… you put the key in and turn it three times, to here,” said Aaron, marking the position with his finger.

  “Ok,” replied Jenny. The thumping in her chest and an excessively wet mouth, caused her to swallow hard.

  “Then this screen will appear,” Aaron continued, pointing to the wording on the small screen.

  “Right…”

  “You’ll then have a menu of options to choose from.”

  Jenny leant over the till to look closer.

  “To use the till in normal mode, tab down to here,” said Aaron, tapping the cursor down the list of options.

  “Ok – that seems quite straight forward.”

  “Well that’s pretty much it for the till. That will get you up and running tomorrow morning.” Aaron glanced down at Jenny and smiled. “I need to show you a few things on the computer, which you will need to know, and then I can come back a couple of times to train you up on the more detailed things. Is that ok?”

  “Sounds great. I can’t thank you enough for this, Aaron.”

  “Yes you can… I mean…” Aaron paused, thoughtfully. “Why don’t you… come out for a meal with me tonight? When you’ve finished up here.”

  “I thought we were doing that tomorrow.”

  “We could do both.”

  Jenny looked down at her jeans and dusty dolly shoes. “I can’t go out for an evening meal dressed like this.”

  “So go home, get changed, slip me your address and I’ll pick you up around eight. What do you say?” Aaron beamed.

  Jenny gulped. “Err… right… ok. Yes, why not.” Jenny knew that the other option was a frozen meal-for-one. “Can’t be a late one though – I have to get up at five.”

  “I promise it won’t be late. Write your address down for me… and while we’re at it… do you want to give me your mobile number?”

  “You’ve got it already – remember – you texted me?”

  “Ah, yes, ok – just your address then.”

  Jenny nodded. “Yes, sure.” Fumbling around under the counter for a scrap of paper, she took a pen and then shakily, scribbled down her address. “Here,” she said, shyly. “Do you know the area?”

  “I soon will.” Aaron winked and then led the way to the office. “Come on, let’s get the computer lesson ou
t of the way.”

  “Coming Sir,” said Jenny and giggled, nervously.

  The computer lesson ran smoothly. Jenny had enough knowledge of EPOS systems to get through the basics. However, there was an awful lot that she didn’t know, but with Aaron’s help, over time, she would grasp the workings of her new operating system.

  By 6.45pm, Aaron had finished the computer run-through, removed the old till from the counter and gathered his tools together. “Right, I’m all done. Can I do anything to help you get out of here quicker?”

  “Oh, thanks – you could put the newspaper bundles out the back for me. There’s a cupboard by the back door.”

  “No problem – I’m on it.”

  Aaron trotted off with a spring in his step. Excitement filled the air with anticipation. Was tonight’s meal going to be a date? Or was it purely business again? No, there was too much sexual energy buzzing around. Jenny could feel it. She could sense it. She knew it.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done this weekend, Aaron,” said Jenny, as she slipped her coat on and picked up her bag. Stretching up closer to him, she pecked his cheek quickly.

  Turning to her in surprise, Aaron smiled and chuckled under his breath. “That’s only half of it.”

  Jenny looked down, coyly. “Oh yes – a hug, you mean.”

  Opening his arms wide, Aaron invited her in.

  Jenny moved closer and put her arms around his waist. Melting into the charged aura surrounding him, Jenny hugged his waist. Two long arms wrapped themselves around her shoulders and pulled her in closer. Looking up, Jenny met Aaron’s gaze. They stared. Aaron’s head lowered to hers. Their lips met briefly. Jenny swallowed hard. Their lips met again. Opening her mouth, she let him in. There was no use trying to stop it.

  A minute later they drew apart. Speechless, breathing heavily and flushed with a sensual energy, the pair gazed into each other’s eyes.

  Jenny rubbed her hand across her mouth. “Err… gosh. Shall we go?”

  “Sorry… I… err… wasn’t expecting that to happen. Are you ok?”