CHAPTER 9

                                    

                                          
CHAPTER 9 - The Shopping Trip
                          
The afternoon came round to quick for my liking, I had overslept my alarm, I ended up waking up at 10.30, yes i know lazy Git.
                          
Putting my shoes on I heard the doorbell go. Worst decision I have ever made. The melody was entertaining at first but after it breaking on the second night of having it, and it playing non stop since 3 in the morning it was beginning to bug me. I ran to the door 'Are you ready?' She paused 'Jo is in the car with the air con on' that was Al's way of saying hurry the hell up. 
                          
I locked the door and we went down the stairs, Jo was waving at me with a big grin on her face. We had got about 3 minutes into the journey when we noticed an older woman putting a for sale sign outside her shop 'you still want that little cake shop of your own Charlie? That'd be perfect' Al said pointing to the small shop it clicked she was right it would be great 'STOP THE CAR!' I shouted, Jo was always edgy driving anyway me screaming like that I think pushed her over the edge, she slammed her breaks on and the car wheels screeched. 'BLOODY HELL CHARLIE!' Good job no one was behind us. As I leapt from the car I shouted back sorry, what else could I say? 
                          
I walked towards the woman 'is this your shop?' Stupid question OBVIOUSLY it was hers...'yes love, you interested?' I nodded 'I'm selling privately' she continued my eyes lit up 'do you have time to talk?' I nodded again I was still amazed how we had stumbled across this. We wouldn't be too long talking I'm sure my two fruit loops would be fine...
                          
*30 minutes later*
                          
'You can pay monthly instalments' she continued 'this is sounding brilliant' I couldn't stop smiling 'why are you selling?' 'This shop had been in my family for years but I've had enough of it now time to look for new things' she had a sad smile then it came to me, she could help run this cafe it'd be pretty hard to run on my own, with money coming in from my house back in the UK from renting it out I could afford to give her a decent wage. 'How would you feel running a cafe with me?' I smiled but biting my lip she looked up with tears in her eyes 'I've always wanted a cafe' a small tear rolled down her cheek, she was in her late 50s and she looked like she belonged in a cafe. 'Is that a yes then?' I laughed softly she got up and hugged me, 'I can make cakes and decorate them and we can have little tables with flowers on' she was so excited, 'maybe we could keep a section of the book store, but turn it into like a little library in the corner where children and anyone can grab a book?' That's it she was full of tears and hugged me again, I'd known this woman less time than Whippet and she had already hugged me more. 
                          
We both walked out of the shop, she took down her for sale sign and waved me off as I climbed back in the car, I pressed save on my phone, I'd got her number turns out she lived not far from me. 'She took that down quick?' They questioned me as they set off driving, 'I've just bought a shop...kind of' Al turned round to look at all smiley 'first step to owning your cafe' I nodded 'but what about the old woman?' Jo continued looking at me through the mirror 'she running it with me but I own 51%' she nodded in acknowledgment. 
                          
As we got it the shops I was ecstatic, I was for sure in the mood for shopping. 'Where shall we go first' Jo asked looking around the mall, 'that surfing shop' I pointed out, they both turned round and looked at me 'what?' 'You want to go to a surfing shop?' They questioned 'well I guess Ryan has brought the sporty side out of you' I smiled just at the sound of his name. 'Well okay then what you after? A new swimming cossie?' 'No' I said shaking my head 'a surfboard' the looks I got were interesting....
                          
We walked into the shop, it was strange not our usual shop, boards laying around everywhere but I was drawn to one...it had a little cupcake in the corner with shiny bits coming away  in swirly patterns. 'That one' I pointed and the both the girls leaned in to look in my direction 'typical Charlie' Al laughed 'with a cupcake on' Jo giggled we walked up to the counter a young man turned round to face me 'how can I help you lovely ladies?' Hmm he was quite dishy not a patch on whippet mind...but something clicked for Jo. 'I'd like that board over there, With the cupcake' 'nice choice' he smiled, as he went to get the board we turned to look at Jo 'phwaor' she let out this started us two off in fits of laughter, just then he came back we tried to pull straight faces, I was good at it...Al..not so much she had to walk out of the shop, I kept getting jabs in my ribs from Jo 'would you like your name on the board?' 'Hmm?' Confused 'I can write your name in the board in silver...if you like?' Ooh why did everyone seem to know me here! Shiny silver writing!! 'Yes please!' I girly clapped, yes I did it and I don't care. 'Come back in half an hour and it'll be ready' he smiled I felt Jo go wobbly at the knees, he kept winking at her 'excuse me' I finally said 'can my friend here have your number?' Well this wasn't like me at all! He blushed though  and gladly wrote down his number 'thank you' I smiled and gave it to a very red Jo we walked out of the shop with confidence.
                          
We walked around the mall for 30 minutes, I needed a new pair of shoes, well I didn't but I wanted this pair so bad, they were calling out my name. 'Time to go back and see lover boy' I playfully hit Jo on the arm 'OW!' 'Oh that didn't hurt' I laughed, as we got to the shop it was there stood in the corner with my name written in the side in the silver swirly lettering. Perfect. 'Hey again' he smiled lingering on Jo. 'Ive thrown in a few extras, for free but shhh don't tell the boss' he winked she went wobbly again. 'Thankyou' I whispered giggling. We walked out the shop again surfboard under my arm 'it suits you' Al said 'what carrying a big thing under my arm?' 'Noo i Can just see you surfing...but can you surf?' 'Yes I can' I paused 'not very well but I can!' 'How can you?' Jo finally spoke 'I've had lessons from Ryan' I smiled I continued to tell them about how it all happened 'his face would've been like inches from your ass!' Jo laughed I nodded 'he then wanted me to kneel up' Al let out a horrendous laugh...she snorted and everything 'pig' I winked and ran...tried to run to the car. 
                          
'It won't go in!!' I said breathlessly 'well what can we do?' Al too was breathless just then Tom, the boy form the surf shop came by with his car, it was big enough for a board....'fancy helping a few girlies out!?' I asked 'sure' he nodded he took my board and placed it in his car, I went with him I had to tell him where to go.....and all the gossip on Jo!
                          
He dropped me off at home with my board 'thanks for the info on Jo!' 'Thanks for the lift' I laughed 'don't forget she LOVES rosé wine' he nodded and I waved him off, the two girls had gone home leaving me on my tod, I didn't mind I could sit and write out my plans for my new cafe!