Good Deed Bad Deed, Marcia Morgan [summer beach reads TXT] 📗

amongst themselves. Valerie hurried up the street to her shop, and spouting apologies for their inconvenience, she unlocked the door. It seemed evident that Chloe, the shop girl who was supposed to be in attendance, had closed for lunch and not returned. The women entered the shop and moved about, inspecting the merchandise, while Valerie fussed at things behind the counter, taking a careful accounting of the cash drawer.

She had become increasingly aware that Chloe was a bit of a flake, but she had a fantastic sense of style and seemed to zero in on what would please a customer. This was her most inexcusable stunt so far. But Valerie knew how difficult it was to find someone truly qualified to work for what she could pay. Chloe was young and hip, and still lived with her parents. Valerie surmised that Chloe’s main reason for keeping the job was to take advantage of the small employee discount. Regardless, she planned to give her a good dressing down for her irresponsibility.

The women filed out, one by one, without making a purchase. Valerie sighed, having become used to that fact that most shoppers only want to look and have little intention to buy. She decided to call Chloe, to make sure it was only negligence on her part, not illness. Just as she picked up her mobile phone to dial, the business phone rang. “Hello, Boutique Le Bijou, Valerie McKinnon here,” she said in her most business-like manner.

In a hesitant and subdued voice Chloe Lambert began to speak. “This is Chloe. I know you must be beyond annoyed with me for not opening the shop after lunch, but I had a good reason.”

“What could be a good reason for me to lose business?”

“I’m sorry if you lost any business, but I couldn’t get back to the shop. I’m in the hospital.”

“My God, what happened to you?” Valerie said with genuine concern. She began to pace back and forth behind the counter, obviously very disturbed by the news.

“I stepped off the curb and got hit by a car! I was lucky because it had begun to slow to make a turn. It was more of a glancing blow.”

“That’s terrible. How injured are you? At least you’re conscious and coherent.”

“Broken ankle, slight concussion and a torn ligament in my knee.”

“You poor thing. What can I do to help?”

“Well, they’re keeping me here overnight, because of the concussion.”

Valerie paused before asking the question that pertained to her own inconvenience. In a concerned tone she asked, “Chloe, how long will it be before you can return to work? Any idea?” She waited, realizing that the young woman probably had no idea.

“I’m in a cast for six weeks, then they say I’ll need therapy for at least another month. But I think the doctor said I could be switched to something called a ‘boot’ in a few weeks. But I still wouldn’t be able to stand for long periods.”

“Well, well… Seems I’m up a stream without a paddle—we both are.”

“What?” Chloe asked. “I’ve never heard that saying before.”

“It’s American. Just means that I’ve got a problem with no probable solution. Your problem will solve itself, in six weeks.”

Chloe sighed and said, “I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t help it. Are you going to replace me? I really like working in your shop, and I always do my best.”

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of letting you go. I just have to figure out what to do. I can’t be there all the time.”

“My sister was here. I told her I might get the sack, and she said she would help out at the shop, if it would help me keep my job. But I have to be honest … she really doesn’t know much about clothes. She’s only sixteen and still a total tomboy.”

“Please thank her for me, but that doesn’t sound like the best idea. I think the best thing is for me to close the shop for a few weeks while I sort it out. My ex-sister-in-law has been after me to take a trip with her. If it wouldn’t be longer than that, I just might take her up on it.” As the thought of closing the shop entered Valerie’s mind, the thought of how her father would react to that decision came directly after. She sensed that his tolerance was wearing thin. Daughter or not, his investment had brought little return, if any. Perhaps it would be best not to tell him until after the fact.

Chloe interrupted Valerie’s short reverie. “If that’s all, the nurse has come in to give me something for pain. I’ll probably be incoherent in a few minutes.”

“Oh yes, that’s all for now. But can I bring you anything? I doubt you really want or need visitors since you’ll be going home tomorrow. I’m sure your parents will baby you, so enjoy it while you can.”

Chloe laughed a little then there was nothing. Valerie wondered if she had hung up, or if the nurse was administering the drug. Maybe it had taken hold already. Just as she was ready to disconnect the call, Chloe spoke. “I just remembered. A man called several times this morning, looking for you. He wouldn’t give his name.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t Mr. Langdon? He’s been after me to go out to dinner with him, but I’ve declined because there’s just something about him that makes me feel a creepy discomfort. Not nice to say.” Valerie wondered why she was drawing the injured Chloe into the situation, but continued. “He came into the store asking if he could come back with the portfolio of his company’s hats. We exchanged business cards, but I told him that with current fashion trends, the call for hats was virtually non-existent. Then the calls about dinner started—like clockwork.”

In a quiet and slurry voice, words disjointed, Chloe said, “Not him… different voice… wanted a number…Olivia…” Then there was silence.

Valerie ended the call. Confusion set in as she wondered why