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

by Tara Ford

“Ah, Day. I’m so sorry. I know you really liked him too.”

  Dayna nodded her head and peered down at her phone again. “Yeah… He’s put his name at the end… but no kisses.”

  “You can hardly expect him to put kisses on a text message, Day – he hardly knows you. I think you’ve made a good impression on him. He clearly likes you. Bloody shame he’s going back to the US though.”

  “Well, maybe I’ll keep in contact with him and we’ll fall madly in love and he’ll… he’ll ask me to go and live over there…”

  Jenny nodded. “It’s possible. I don’t want you moving to the US forever though.”

  “Well, I’ve decided. I’m not giving up that easily.”

  “I would never have expected you would.” Jenny laughed. “Just don’t get hurt.”

  “The message isn’t a ‘put off’. I think he really does like me, he just doesn’t see past his return to America.”

  “Yes, it does sound like he likes you. He didn’t need to say all of that, did he?”

  Dayna shook her head, determinedly. “No. So, I’m going to reply and say… well, I’ll say, shall we go out sometime, for a couple of drinks and a bite to eat, before he leaves?”

  “You’ve got nothing to lose,” said Jenny, biting her lip, worriedly.

  “He’s still got a couple of months before he goes, so I reckon I’ll push him a bit harder. He does sound interested – right?”

  Jenny nodded. “Right – but just be ready in case he says no.”

  Dayna shrugged and puffed her cheeks out. “So, have you heard from Aaron, yet?”

  “No,” Jenny replied. “Not yet.”

  “Ah, perhaps he’s been held up.”

  “Maybe…”

  “You’re not worried are you?”

  “About what?” Jenny frowned.

  “He will get in contact with you,” said Dayna, positively.

  “Oh, I’m sure he will. I’m cool – no worries.”

  Chapter 30

  Hi Jen, I know I said that I’d come in to see you today but I managed to get held up in Germany – missed my plane! Great news though – struck up a deal – Europe-wide! I’ll visit you tomorrow. Fancy lunch and an evening out? Aaron x

  Pleased to hear your good news, Aaron. I can’t do lunch tomorrow (unless you want to sit in my dingy little office, amongst the cans of coke and veggies) as weekends are less staffed. Don’t finish until 10pm either. What a life! X

  Damn! Forgot about that. I’m happy to sit between the carrots and potatoes, with a Costa coffee and a pre-packed sandwich, if you fancy that?

  Deal! Only get an hour for lunch (at 12pm) but we could make out we’re doing business to extend your stay (I’ll have to let Dayna go to lunch by 2pm at the latest though). Look forward to seeing you. Jen x

  Jenny heaved a sigh of relief, switched off the bedside lamp and snuggled under her duvet.

  In comparison to yesterday morning, Jenny was wide awake before the alarm had had its chance to rudely interrupt her sleep. Springing out of bed, she headed for the shower with a skip in her step. She was going to see Aaron again today. She had plenty of time to wash her hair, put some make-up on and find something nice to wear to work. Jenny was half glad that Aaron hadn’t been able to make it as previously planned. She’d been so late for work yesterday, that she hadn’t brushed her hair and couldn’t remember if she’d even cleaned her teeth in the morning.

  “Morning,” chirped Jenny, as Jordan walked through the door, ten minutes earlier than usual. “Beat you to it this morning.”

  Jordan chuckled. “I got here a bit early. Didn’t know if you’d want me to help again.”

  “Ah, bless you.” Jenny beamed. “No, I was up with the lark this morning.”

  “Lark? What’s that?”

  Bursting into a raucous laugh, Jenny held on to her stomach as it began to ache. “Oh… dear. You make me laugh. A lark…” Jenny caught her breath. “A lark is a bird. They sing a lot – I think. I suppose they must get up early too. It’s just a saying – that’s all.”

  Jordan nodded in acknowledgement. “Oh, right. I’ll have to remember that. My brother lays in bed until one or two o’clock at the weekends. I’ll tell him, I’m up with the lark.” Jordan chuckled and then grabbed his heavy pile of weekend papers and pushed them into his bag. “See you tomorrow then… up with the lark.”

  “Bye, Jordan… and thanks again… for yesterday.”

  “No probs, bye.”

  The hours ticked by slowly as Jenny waited for ten o’clock to come round. Dayna’s shift started then and she was with Jenny all day, until eight this evening. She hated to think it, time and time again, but it was so much more fun working with, Day. They were of the same age and they knew each other so well that they could almost finish off each other’s sentences. And apart from any of that – Jenny couldn’t wait to tell Dayna, that Aaron was coming in for lunch.

  “I’ve replied,” whispered Dayna as she shuffled past a couple of elderly women, standing a few feet away from the counter, gassing. “Just waiting to hear back.”

  “Oh wow, what did you say?” Jenny replied, with a hushed breath.

  “Said he should come out with me and make the most of his last few months in England.”

  “Let me know the moment he replies.” Jenny beamed and desperately hoped and prayed that he would reply to Dayna’s text and he would say yes – her best friend deserved to have something good in her life, even if it was only for a few months.

  “Aaron texted me last night…” said Jenny, feeling a surge of excitement rush to her head. “He’s coming here for lunch.”

  “Oh, good. Gosh, we’ll be going out in a foursome soon.”

  “Hmm…” said Jenny, thoughtfully. “I hardly think so… what with the long hours that I do.”

  “Ah, don’t worry about that. Me and Tasha are hotfooting it around the area starting from Monday. They’ll soon be rolling in here, spending all their money.”

  Jenny smiled, warmly, and then whispered. “Hope so – now go and make us a cuppa… oh, and there are some crumpets going out of date in the staffroom.”

  The two elderly ladies were oblivious to the conversation that had been going on at the counter behind them. Jenny watched as they gossiped and cackled like two witches around a cauldron, concocting a new spell. The large space, at the front of the shop, seemed to attract the elderly residents of Farehelm to congregate in small clusters, for a daily ‘catch up’ on all sorts of topics. In the time that the shop had been opened, Jenny had overheard many stories, ranging from the Grandson who had dropped out of university half way through his course, and then revealed his homosexuality to his whole family and left home to live with his partner, to the incident of ‘poor old Fred up the road’ who had gone out for a walk one day and never returned. Poor old Fred had been admitted to hospital, having been found wandering around the local copse in a confused state, three days after he’d left home. He then died two days later, apparently of natural causes.

  It had crossed Jenny’s mind as to whether she should start offering teas and coffees to the aging clique who populated the area in front of her counter but then she would be turning her shop into a café. The elderly folk did not spend anything like enough money in her shop to warrant a hot drink. Mostly, they purchased a morning paper and that was about it. In hindsight, perhaps Jenny should have opened a community centre/café for the residents of Farehelm. At least that way, she might have had a life. But no, this was what she’d wanted. This was what she’d strived for, for so many years… and this was what she was going to succeed at. And then she would get a life.

  The fluttery butterflies had returned and now filled her stomach as Jenny watched Aaron’s car pull into the side road, alongside the shop. He was so dependable and punctual. “He’s here,” she squeaked, excitedly. “I’m going for my lunch break.”

  “Don’t feel that you need to be back out here on time, Jen. I should be fine for a couple of hours.”


  Jenny nodded her head. “Thanks, Day. Call me if you do need me though.”

  “Only in an emergency then. I mean… I don’t want to interrupt anything do I?”

  “Like what?” Jenny laughed, excitedly. “We’re just having a sandwich together.”

  “Yeah, heard that one before,” said Dayna, with a huge smirk on her face.

  “Day, it’s not like that.” Jenny’s face flushed. “Yet…”

  Moments later the front door opened and in walked Aaron. Dressed in blue jeans, navy canvas shoes and a turquoise, checked shirt, he looked more gorgeous than Jenny had remembered. “Costa coffee, anyone?” Carrying three coffees on a tray, Aaron looked across at the girls.

  “Ooh, goody,” said Dayna, clapping her hands together. “Yes please.”

  Jenny smiled, sweetly. “Thanks Aaron. How are you?”

  Aaron moved towards the counter, pulled a cup out from its holder and passed it to Dayna. “Here, there’s no sugar in it – wasn’t sure if you had it.”

  “Nah, sweet enough, me.”

  “I’m good thanks,” said Aaron, meeting Jenny’s eyes. “Glad to be back on home ground.”

  “Congratulations on getting the European contract.”

  Aaron huffed. “Thanks – it’s been a long time coming. It wasn’t easy either.”

  “I bet it wasn’t,” said Jenny, shyly.

  “I thought we should buy a sandwich from the best place in town…” said Aaron, grinning.

  “Oh, where’s that?”

  “Here.”

  Jenny laughed. “Come on then, we’ll go and have a look what I’ve got left. They’re on me.”

  “No they’re not. I want to buy them.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely,” said Aaron. “This is my treat. Call it a celebration, if you like.”

  “Well let’s get the bubbly out then,” chirped Dayna. “If we’re celebrating we could have one of those big bottles.” Dayna pointed to the top shelf to her left, which contained several large bottles of champagne.

  “And serve customers in a drunken state all afternoon?” Jenny smiled.

  “Nah – shut the shop.”

  Tutting playfully at her friend, Jenny walked slowly down the second aisle, towards the sandwich fridge, with Aaron in tow.

  The atmosphere in the confines of the office, was heady and hot, while Jenny and Aaron ate their sandwiches and drank coffee. Making small talk, the two of them stared, longingly, into each other’s eyes. The urge to touch him, kiss him, jump on him, made Jenny struggle to swallow the bread in her mouth. She hadn’t realised how much she’d missed seeing him this week.

  “So, that’s my week – what about yours?” said Aaron, after giving a brief run-down of his week.

  “Well,” replied Jenny, thoughtfully. “I’ve had quite an interesting week, actually…”

  Jenny proceeded to tell Aaron about the man upstairs and also about the hopeless conversation she’d had one evening, with Marj.

  “So, I’ve given up trying to talk any sense to her. She’s either completely lost it or she’s winding me up. I cannot get through to her, at all.”

  Aaron had listened, intently, as Jenny told him about her week. Eating his sandwich slowly, his face had changed from one of amusement, to horror and through to disbelief as Jenny told him everything.

  “I mentioned your shop to my mum…” said Aaron, looking down at the last piece of sandwich in his hand and discarding it back into the cellophane wrapper. “I told her about the crazy customers you seem to have around here. You know, all the things that have happened to you, since you’ve been here.”

  Jenny nodded. “What did she say?”

  “Well, same as anyone would if you told them – she couldn’t believe it. She hopes that you’ll do really well here though.”

  “Ah, that’s nice,” Jenny replied, feeling warm and contented. “If I do anywhere close, as well as your mum, I’ll be a very happy woman.”

  Aaron smiled. “Give it time.” Moving his chair towards Jenny’s he reached over. “I thought about you a lot, while I was away… I missed you.”

  Jenny nodded, just before she was engulfed by his arms. Tightly hugged, she wanted to melt away as she put her arms around his waist. Their lips met. Jenny’s mouth and head filled with fizzy flickers of excitement. She wanted him. She knew he wanted her. It couldn’t happen.

  Pulling away with flushed cheeks, Aaron adjusted his seating and inhaled deeply. “Phew,” he whispered. “Can’t do this – you’re driving me crackers. I’ll end up turning into one of your crazy customers.”

  Jenny bit her bottom lip as the tingling sensation racing through her torso, began to subside. “I know.”

  Stretching up in the chair, Aaron stroked a hand across his mouth. “Shall I get us another coffee?”

  Jenny shook her head. “I’m ok, thanks. Shall I make you one?”

  “Joint effort,” said Aaron, grasping Jenny’s hand and pulling her up from her chair. “Come on.”

  It was no better in the staffroom. As the kettle heated up, Jenny found herself in an embrace again. Lips locked into a full-on kissing session. The kettle wasn’t the only thing that was beginning to boil.

  Aaron pulled away again as the kettle came to a climax and switched itself off. “I can’t be around you for more than five minutes (and I have to be honest here), without wanting to molest you.”

  Jenny giggled. “Ah, so you admit now, that you want me.”

  “Yes…” Aaron breathed, before moving in for a third kiss, “I do… I want you.”

  Finally, the coffee was made. Two coffees, in fact. Jenny had changed her mind after all the thirsty work of kissing the life out of Aaron. It had to stop though. It wasn’t right – not in the shop. The heightened state that they’d got themselves in to, was far too close to actually forgetting where they were and going for it completely – and possibly even, nakedly.

  “Can I see you tonight?”

  “I won’t be away from the shop until about 10.30pm.”

  Aaron sighed. “And then you’re back here at six in the morning, right?”

  Jenny nodded. “Well, six fifteen at the latest. I get up at five.”

  “Does Dayna help you to lock up?”

  “Oh gosh, no – she goes at eight.”

  Aaron looked puzzled. “So who’s here with you until ten?”

  “No one,” Jenny replied.

  “No one? You’re here on your own at night?”

  Nodding her head, Jenny smiled, sheepishly. “Yes, I know – I’m not even supposed to be here on my own. My alcohol license states that there has to be two members of staff on the premises at all times.” Jenny hesitated. “I just can’t afford anyone else, Aaron.”

  “But you can’t be on your own – what if a dodgy character came in or even the man upstairs? What if you desperately needed to go to the toilet or something?”

  Jenny nodded her head. “I know – I don’t have any choice at the moment. The good thing is that the people from the council aren’t likely to come and check late in the evening. So I should just get away with it… until I can get someone else in to work.”

  Aaron stared, thoughtfully. “Maybe I should come and help you.”

  “No, you can’t do that!”

  “I can – if you want me to.”

  Jenny shook her head. “No, Aaron – you’ve done enough for me already.”

  “But I want to help.”

  Touched by his kindness, Jenny moved closer and put her arms around him. “You’re so sweet but I really can’t expect you to do this.”

  “Well don’t expect it. I’ll surprise you each time.” Aaron bent his head down and kissed her again. “You’ve just recruited your first volunteer.”

  By 1.40pm they had to tear themselves away from each other. How on earth was she going to work for two hours this evening with Aaron? The good thing, she supposed, was that they wouldn’t be hidden away, out the back of the shop. They would h
ardly be able to kiss and cuddle on the shop floor, unless they dipped behind the counter for a quickie, or jumped in the freezer. But that wouldn’t happen because they were both far too professional to risk doing anything so foolish. So that was that. Aaron was going home now and coming back at eight o’clock.

  Dayna went for her lunch at a quarter to two. With a glint in her eye, she smirked at Jenny before she left. “Had a nice lunch have you?”

  Jenny nodded.

  “You’ve got that flushed look, Jen.” Dayna giggled. “Just behave yourselves tonight.”

  Nodding her head again, Jenny gazed at her friend, like a love-struck teenager. “I will.”

  Chapter 31

  It was so much fun working with Aaron. Thankfully, the needy desire to molest him had not arisen and the pair had worked very well together. He was great with the customers and on several occasions he’d referred to Jenny as ‘his boss’. Proactive and conscientious, Aaron’s help had been invaluable and refreshing. He’d come up with some great ideas to move some of the stock around, too. The last two hours of the day had whizzed by and Aaron’s company had made the late evening at J’s Convenience Store far less eerie and lonesome.

  “Time to lock up,” chirped Jenny. “Don’t know where the time’s gone. You’ve been great company, Aaron, and so helpful – I can’t thank you enough.”

  “You can thank me later,” said Aaron, with a smirk.

  By 10.15pm, the money had been counted and bagged, the EPOS report had been printed off and the paper returns had been bundled outside to the cupboard. Jenny sighed as she looked at the report. “The footfall isn’t increasing… neither is the average spend.”

  “You’ve only been open for a few weeks – give it time.”

  Jenny looked up and smiled weakly. “My ‘time’ is running out. I was expecting to double this by the end of the first three months.”

  “You may well do – Christmas is fast approaching.”

  “Hmm…” Jenny gazed into the middle distance, thoughtfully. “Christmas was supposed to be a bonus to sales figures – not the answer.”