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

by Tara Ford

  Tasha’s eyes widened. Shooting a cursory glance through the window, she looked back to Jenny. “I don’t mind staying here if you want to go. Or… I’ll go if you want me to.”

  “It would be quicker if I go. Are you sure you’ll be ok?”

  Tasha nodded, timidly. “Yes, I think I’ll be fine.”

  “Can’t believe I’ve forgotten to do them. If anyone else rings, tell them they’re on the way.”

  “Didn’t Jordan turn up this morning?”

  “Yes – it was me that didn’t turn up. Well, not on time anyway. He had to get off to school.”

  “Oh, you were late then?”

  Jenny nodded. “Yes… yet again.”

  Quickly, Jenny put together a pile of papers from the Monday delivery list. “Right, I’m going. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

  Mr Johnson must have been waiting behind his front door. As Jenny approached the letterbox of the dark green wooden door, the man whipped it open. “Ooh…” squeaked Jenny, as she almost fell through the doorway, while clutching several, damp newspapers. “Sorry.”

  “About time,” said Mr Johnson. Towering above her, the man glared down. “I was just on my way up to the shop.”

  “Sincere apologies. We… there was a slight problem this morning. I’m the owner of J’s – I’ve had to come out and deliver them myself.” Blinking away the raindrops dripping from her fringe, Jenny glanced up at the man, sorrowfully. “I do apologise.”

  “Do you have a phone? I tried looking for your number. Couldn’t find it anywhere. I can tell you – I was not best pleased about trekking out in this weather.”

  “Yes, of course. You should find it on your paper bill.”

  “Tried that – didn’t work. It’s the wrong number.”

  Jenny puzzled over this latest piece of news. “Are you sure?”

  “Are you calling me an idiot?”

  “No, not at all?” Jenny replied, shakily. “I will check it when I get back to the shop. Once again, I can only apologise.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find that your number is wrong. On the bill, at least.” The man’s voice had softened.

  Jenny smiled, weakly. “Thank you, I will look at it.” Turning to leave, she brushed her wet, bedraggled hair away from her face. “Good bye,” she muttered, politely. But the man had already closed his door.

  Soggy, tired and troubled, Jenny delivered the last two papers and then travelled the short journey, back to the shop.

  “Aaron’s here,” mouthed Tasha, as Jenny walked through the door, feeling the warm air tingle on her face. “He’s making you a cup of tea.” Tasha leant over the counter and continued in a whisper. “I wasn’t sure if I should let him go in the staffroom. He said you wouldn’t mind.”

  Jenny smiled, warmly. “No, it’s ok. He can.”

  Reaching the staffroom door, Jenny pushed it open. Aaron was standing by the kettle, dressed in a dark grey suit, pale purple shirt and a dark, maroon tie. He looked so handsome. So tidy. So dry.

  Two large croissants sat on two plates and Aaron was carefully stirring three frothy cappuccinos.

  “Oh dear – look at you,” he said, with a smirk on his face. “Is this all my fault?”

  Jenny shook her head and a drop of water dripped on to her nose. “No, it’s not,” she said, wiping the wetness from her face. “I should learn to get up when my alarm goes off.”

  “And I should learn to help you get up when your alarm goes off.” Aaron grinned, cheekily. “I’m leaving at ten – thought you might have some breakfast with me before I go.”

  “Thank you. That’s sweet of you.”

  “I won’t be back until late tomorrow evening… maybe I could see you Wednesday night?”

  “Yes, of course. More meetings?”

  Aaron nodded. “Manchester. It’s a pain but I need to go and show my face at these places.”

  “That’s what comes from being such an entrepreneur.” Jenny grabbed a hand towel from the wash basin and rubbed her hair dry.

  “Yeah – it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.”

  Peering in the mirror, Jenny growled. “Look at the state of me – I look like the Blair Witch.”

  “No you don’t. You look beautiful, as always... Ok, maybe you do look a bit Blair-ish.”

  A warming hug and a tender kiss, made Jenny’s morning so far, so much better. And even if she did look like a witch on a wet and windy morning, it was obvious that Aaron liked her – warts and all.

  Chapter 33

  It had rained for the last three days, practically non-stop. Or at least it felt like it had. The footfall and spend had decreased considerably and Jenny guessed that the bad weather had something to do with it.

  Staring at the pile of invoices to be paid, Jenny veered off into a day dream. If December didn’t pick up, she wasn’t sure how she was going to pay her next month’s rent on her flat – let alone buy any Christmas presents for anyone. Or eat food. Or pay her electric bill.

  Dayna and Tasha had been steadfast in their mission to deliver the leaflets. Their illuminous pink suits had protected them from the elements and they hadn’t once moaned about the weather. For some strange reason, they seemed to be enjoying their little trips out around the area.

  “I reckon we must have delivered about 350 leaflets between us, by now,” said Dayna, boastfully. “They’ll soon be rolling in, Jen. You just wait and see.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “Even if people don’t read the leaflets, we’ve had enough cars tooting at us and passers-by commenting on our clothing.” Dayna grinned. “I say to everyone – be there or be square.”

  “Did you sort out what you’re doing on Saturday?”

  “Oh, with Tasha you mean?”

  Jenny nodded.

  “I’m coming in at six, then she can go.”

  “Ok, good.”

  “Are you all right, Jen – you seem a bit down.”

  “Yes… yes I’m ok.”

  “No you’re not. Are you seeing Aaron tonight?”

  “Yes, he’s bringing a take away round to mine at nine.”

  “So what is it then?” Dayna wasn’t stupid. She could always sense when something bothered Jenny.

  “Same old stuff. I’m really hoping that these leaflet drops will work.”

  “They will, Jen. They’ve got to. There are hundreds and thousands of people living round here – you’ve probably only seen a fifth of them. Give it time… you’ll see.”

  “Hmm… I just don’t know how much time I can give it.”

  Dayna stared at Jenny’s downtrodden expression. “That’s not like my Jenny. Come on, get a grip. You’re usually so determined.”

  Smiling weakly, Jenny left the counter and headed to her office. The bills were calling her. The payroll was summoning her. The paperwork was demanding her attention and a lack of sleep was taxing her. She had to keep going.

  The evening arrived quickly. Jenny had been so absorbed in sorting out all of her tasks that the time had flown by. Dayna had popped her head around the door from time to time, offering cups of tea and high spirited hope. The shop had been fairly quiet all afternoon and Dayna had managed to clean all of the shelving down one aisle.

  “Right I’m off now,” said Dayna, cheerily. “I’ve bagged up some of the coins from the till.” Dayna passed over handfuls of money bags. “Do you need me to do anything else before I go? I’m guessing you’ll be wanting to get away early.”

  “No, that’s fine. Thanks, Day. You go – I’ll be finished here very soon.”

  “Ok, see you laters.”

  Locking the door after her friend had left, Jenny grabbed the till’s tray and went down to the office and waited for the EPOS report to be printed off.

  The sheet of paper popped out from the printer and Jenny picked it up to read.

  Total amount today: £737.56

  Considering that she was expecting to be taking somewhere in the region of £1,500 to £2,000
per day by now, and even more at the weekends – this amount was barely half.

  Jenny’s face reddened as a fear welled up inside her. The takings were going down, not up. She’d hit the £1,000 mark only twice in the time she’d been here and had put the low figures down to a slow start. It appeared that her ‘slow start’ was not even starting anymore.

  Driving home, Jenny frowned and cursed again and again, as she pondered over the poor figures. Her head began to thump and she’d lost her appetite of earlier.

  Her flat was warm and cosy and Jenny had managed to get home in record time but grabbing her phone from her bag, she sent a text message.

  Aaron, so sorry, can we cancel tonight? I’ve got a banging head and need to go to bed. Can’t seem to get enough sleep at the moment. Jen x

  Moments later a message came back.

  Not a problem, Jen. I totally understand what it’s like when you’re running your own business. Perhaps we could do Saturday night? I can come in and help out again, if you still want me to. Sorry, can’t help on Friday though – got another big job on this week. Aaron xx

  Sounds great! Thanks for being understanding. See you Saturday x

  Trudging through to the bedroom, Jenny changed into her Pyjamas. Although she couldn’t be bothered to see Aaron, she did miss him. She wished it could be easy – if only he could just turn up, say a quick hello and then go to bed – to sleep! Their relationship would work for her that way – for now.

  It had rained, non-stop, all week. Noah would have been very busy building an ark, Dayna had said, after one of her trips out to deliver soggy leaflets. Tasha didn’t seem quite as enthusiastic about the leaflet drops as she had at the beginning of the week, but Dayna had tactlessly reminded her that it could be the difference between them having a job or not having a job and to get over it – it was just a bit of rain for heaven’s sake.

  Saturday morning was no different from any other damp morning this week. Poor Jordan had turned up early, every day, with the same cheery smile. Not once had he moaned about the weather, even though he was practically soaked through to the skin before he’d even begun his deliveries.

  In contrast, however, Dolly had moaned constantly. She’d moaned about the weather, groaned about the price of Wilbur’s new raincoat and she’d grumbled about the Christmas hype, everywhere she went.

  “Your shop is the only place that isn’t decorated so early on. I expect you will be putting some up though. Have you got decorations?”

  “No, Dolly, I haven’t. Suppose I’d better get down to the town and get some.” Before you ram your unwanted opinions down my throat.

  “Well, yes, if you want to keep up with the other shops, you will. Just don’t go over the top, dear.”

  Tasha arrived at ten o’clock and just for a moment, Jenny wondered why she was here on a Saturday.

  “Yes, ok – just clicked. You’ve swapped.”

  Tasha giggled. “We thought you might have forgotten.”

  “I can’t believe that Dayna hasn’t been going on about it all week.”

  “She’s been worried, I think. She didn’t want to bother you with any more than you had already to worry about.”

  “Worried? About what?” Jenny looked questioningly at Tasha.

  “She said that you’ve got a lot on your plate.” Tasha paused. “And… and she didn’t want to upset you by going on about it, you know… because you haven’t seen Aaron.” Tasha’s face had turned a deep pink colour. “That’s what she said, anyway.”

  “Oh for goodness sake. I’m fine – and it was me who put Aaron off. I’m just too busy to see him most of the time or he’s too busy.” Jenny sighed, “When things are better… well, things will get better – you know what I mean.”

  Tasha nodded her head in short, quick movements. “Yes. Of course.”

  The fact that Aaron’s text message, only half an hour ago, had bothered her and it wasn’t fine, only seemed to enhance her last statement, ‘things will get better’.

  As soon as Tasha had made some tea and arrived at the counter, Jenny went down to the office to read Aaron’s text message once again.

  Really messing things up now, Jen. I can’t make it tonight – need to switch over this new system, it didn’t go as planned last night. They shut at 8pm. It’s going to take me a couple of hours to do the changeover. **Begging now** – can we do tomorrow night, like last Sunday? Can’t believe a whole week has gone by and I haven’t seen you. Aaron xx

  As long as I can get up on Monday morning, lol x

  Don’t drag me into your bedroom then! Lol xx

  Don’t remember dragging you – I’m sure it was you who used persuasive powers to entice me in. x

  The day dragged on and on. It was unfair to say that it was because Tasha was working and not Dayna but that was the case. And it didn’t help that Jenny did not have the evening to look forward to with Aaron.

  How are things going? Love Jen x

  “I’ve just texted Day,” said Jenny, excitedly. “Wonder how she’s getting on with her dentist.”

  “He might be giving her a filling as we speak.”

  “Pardon?” Jenny stared at Tasha, briefly, before laughing aloud. “A filling?”

  Tasha gasped and covered her face with her hands. “Oh… I didn’t mean like that…”

  “Are you sure?” said Jenny, in jest.

  Nodding her head, Tasha murmured, “Yes, I was joking…”

  “I know you were.” Jenny smiled. “Oh… that might be her now,” she said as her phone vibrated. Reaching underneath the counter, she picked it up and looked at the message.

  Good – I’ll be there at 6pm. Tell you then xxxxx

  They both kept on looking up at the clock. Even Marj did, when she noticed Jenny and Tasha peering upwards, clock-watching.

  “Are you waiting to close?” Marj asked, as she approached the counter with a pack of four white toilet rolls.

  “No – why do you say that?”

  “You keep looking at the clock, on the wall.” Marj pointed up to the wall above the window.

  “Just waiting for Dayna to arrive. These are white ones, Marj.” Jenny held up the toilet rolls, in front of her. “Don’t you want the turquoise ones?”

  “Oh no, dear. Bill and Ben have left home.” Marj grinned, snidely.

  “Left home? Bill and Ben? Are they your birds?”

  Marj nodded, a sorrowful look creeping over her face. “Gone. Flown away, dear.”

  “Really? Did they escape?”

  “Yes, I forgot to close their cage door… then they left.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Did you have the cage outside?”

  “No, indoors. They were flying around the house for a couple of days – I couldn’t get them back in.” Marj poked around in her purse and then pulled a £20 note out. “Do you have change?”

  “Yes, of course. So how did they get out and fly away?” Jenny was curious now.

  “When I went down to the bank… that silly daughter of mine… she let them escape, didn’t she?” Marj growled.

  “I’m sure she wouldn’t have done it on purpose.”

  Marj grunted. “Anyway, I’ve got two new white ones now. That’s why you haven’t seen me in here for about six months.”

  “Sorry?” Jenny puzzled over Marj’s last words. “Six months?”

  “It took me a long time to get over Bill and Ben. I’ve just got Florence and Fiona today. The man at the pet shop brought them round to me. Kind man – very kind man.”

  “You were in here the other day, Marj.”

  “Oh no – you must have me mixed up with someone else. I’ve been indoors. Grieving over Bill and Ben. It must be at least six months since I was in here.”

  “Marj – I haven’t even been open for six months.” Jenny shook her head and rolled her eyes to the ceiling as Tasha came walking up the aisle with a grin on her face.

  “Oh,” Marj giggled, “the one before you then. The other shop.”

>   “This shop was closed for a year, Marj and I’m sure you wouldn’t have used the tanning salon that was here before that.”

  Tasha covered her mouth with both hands, suppressing a horsey belch of laughter.

  “Yes I did, actually. I do like a tan.”

  “Ok…” breathed Jenny, resignedly. “So you have two new birds now.”

  Marj nodded her fluffy head. “Florence and Fiona.”

  “So why not the turquoise toilet rolls?”

  “They’re white birds, dear. I’m sure I just told you that.”

  Jenny didn’t dare look across to Tasha for fear of her starting to hee-haw. “Ok… so white toilet rolls for white birds – yes?”

  Marj nodded again. “Yes. Bill and Ben were turquoise blue budgies – remember?”

  “Oh yes, of course they were. I suppose that Florence and Fiona have to have white toilet rolls then.”

  “Yes, of course they do. I’ve told you all of this before, dear. Have you forgotten?”

  “Seems I must have, Marj. I’m sorry.”

  Tasha darted away from the counter and swiftly moved down the aisle, clutching at her mouth. Hee-haws were blurting out, sporadically, as she ran down to the end of the shop.

  “Here’s your change, Marj. I hope that you’ll be very happy with Fiona and Flo.” Jenny grinned, cheesily.

  “It’s Florence,” said Marj, disgustedly, before leaving the shop in a huff.

  Dayna passed by Marj at the door and walked into the shop with a huge grin. “Yoo-hoo only me,” she hollered. “She still going on about paying you some money for the shop?”

  “No. She hasn’t mentioned it in a while – thank God.”

  Dayna grinned. “Hopefully that little episode is over with then.”

  Jenny nodded, agreeably. “So… How did it go?” she asked, impatiently.

  “Let me put my coat and bag away first.” With a cheeky flick of her eyebrows, Dayna tottered off to the staffroom.

  Tasha left the shop hurriedly, smiling shyly, as she went. “See you on Monday, Jenny. Bye.”

  Moments later Dayna appeared, at the counter. “So, Marj ok, was she?”