The Secret Shopper Unwrapped by Kate Harrison

Author:Kate Harrison [Harrison, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Contemporary Fiction, Women's Fiction, Literature & Fiction, General, Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Literary, Classics
ISBN: 9781409107309
Google: FAoXPQAACAAJ
Amazon: B004DNVXBA
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2009-07-15T21:38:47.895000+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Sandie

Even as Emily sobs into my jumper, I find myself wishing we could swap places.

I don’t want Will, or Freddie, or an ex-husband. But I do wish I had my period again. Never thought I’d miss my ‘monthlies’ as Gramma calls them.

‘There, there,’ I say, patting her on the arm. I’m not good with crying women. I’m more like a man. I do practical solutions, to-do lists, constructive criticism, reality checks. I do not do shoulders to cry on.

‘I shouldn’t have told him before I knew for sure.’

‘No, you probably shouldn’t have.’

Emily detaches herself. ‘Well, thanks a lot for your support, Sandie,’ and stomps off. Ah well. At least being cross with me has stopped her crying.

It’s getting dark, and the queues have died down outside the Emporium now, though the store glows prettily. I’d defy anyone to pass without wanting to go in. I do think it’s their best chance - their only chance, really - of keeping the shop open, but there are no guarantees. Everything’s an uphill struggle at the moment, for everyone.

Time to head back to London, before my Scrooge spirit spreads through Heartsease like a nasty dose of chicken pox. I’ll round up the troops and once we get back, I might lock myself in my office and try to lose myself in the paperwork I’ve fallen so behind on.

I haven’t seen my mother or Toby and Monty since Toby collapsed in a heap after the game of rugby with Freddie. I bet they’re in the pub and I bet they’re also expecting me to drive home. Isn’t it meant to be the other way around - the mother ferrying the daughter from bar to bar? I call Toby’s mobile as I walk towards the car.

‘Hello, my darling!’ In the background I can hear my mother’s laughter above a hubbub of male voices. Yes, definitely the pub.

‘Having a nice afternoon?’

‘A lovely afternoon,’ he says, missing my sarcasm. ‘Just needed to quench my thirst after all that running about.’

‘Well, your taxi to Chelsea will be leaving from outside the pub in four minutes’ time. Otherwise you’ll be running all the way home.’

And I hang up before he tries to charm me into letting him finish his drink.

I click the remote to turn off the car alarm, and phone Kelly: she’s been in the store helping out. Well, running the place, more or less, with Will gone walkabout over Emily’s phantom pregnancy, and Emily herself mourning the loss of a dream.

Kelly’s a revelation, the only person I can rely on right now. I feel unjustly proud of the way she’s developing. To think that I nearly didn’t appoint her at all. She’s a grafter, and approaches every new task with a set-jawed determination that reminds me a little of my gramma. Not that that is necessarily a positive thing. Not the way I see her now. I try not to think about Gramma at the moment. Too much of a toxic mix of rage at her, and guilt at myself for not wanting to call home.

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