Tamina
You're going to get what's coming to you.
The words continue to float around my head, tormenting me whenever I've got to turn the corner or pass stray pedestrians wandering aimlessly down the streets. The note came early in the morning, and for a solid two hours, I'd racked my mind about who it could be and why. I've seen Florentina, and she doesn't look like the type who can be bothered to run around neighbourhoods and post threatening notes. Other than that, no one comes to mind, and to make myself feel better, it's ruled as a prank note by a random kid who's stumbled upon a game of truth or dare.
With a huff, the angsty words are shoved to the back of my head. At least, they are until hasty footsteps sound, and they keep coming closer. Turning in record time to face the noise, my eyes widen when Jasmine's flushed features are close to mine, causing me to stumble back.
"You little bitch!" she squeals. "You just had to rat on me to Charlie, all because you couldn't take a joke!"
I scoff, making sure to regain my ground so she doesn't corner me anymore than she has. "A joke? Calling someone trouble and trying to degrade them is a poor excuse for a joke. I'd recommend comedy classes, but I think your past the sell by date."
A snort comes from her as she points a freshly manicured nail at me. "Mark my words, Rovers, this isn't over."
Triggering something deep inside me, I grit out, "And that reminds me, the next time you want to send a threatening note through my door, try saying it to my face."
Her thin brows crease in the centre. "You're crazy, but I guess it's cute you think I'd waist my extra time on you of all people." Her eyes narrow into slits as they pin me down. "Stay out of my way, you've been warned, bitch."
With that, she flips her hair and stalks off down the street, leaving me to eliminate her immediately off my suspect list. Releasing a heavy sigh, I pivot on my heels and change direction as my fingers pull out my phone to reply a quick 'yes' to Charlie, who's allowed me the next two days off because of Jasmine. Apparently to clear the air and give us space, and I'll still be paid, which I'm grateful for, but it's starting to set my decision on the matter.
The walk doesn't take long, and I'm confident my visit won't be much longer either with the fact mum wants to meet me in town for Costa, and Brandon wants to meet me at my earliest convenience. I'm curious as to know why, but he said it would be better if he tells me in person, but the cute little 'x' at the end suggests that it was nothing bad, so I'm somewhat at ease about it. As for mum, she wants to catch up, and there's no way I'd deny her, but I'd given her a heads up about Brandon needing me for urgent business.
And now, I'm standing at the desk, waiting for Quinton or one of his parents to come out from outback, so I can ask them for a huge favour.
Playfully dinging the bell, Quinton's voice sounds from inside the back room, and a small smile settles on my face when he finally comes out and greets me with a wide smile.
"Tamina are you alright?" he questions, coming to a standstill in front of me.
My head slowly bobs, before I'm politely asking how he and his family are, knowing straight up blabbing about favours is rude.
"Yeah, they're good thank you—oh!" His eyes widen in remembrance. "Did you manage to find a copy of that book you wanted? We managed to get a copy in."
A warm smile spreads across my features. "Thank you, Quinton, and I'm afraid so, I'm sorry."
Quinton waves a dismissive hand. "No worries, we'll keep it out back for future cases," he chuckles, and I can't help but laugh with him. "So, what can I do for you today?" he asks once we finally compose ourselves.
Rubbing the inside of my wrist, my eyes dart to my shoes. "I-I was wondering, are you guys needing any staff?"
He clears his throat, and then a small lift of his lips greets me. "That bad, huh?"
My head nods silently to his words, and he sighs deeply. "I'm really sorry, Tam; at the moment we've got staff to cover the weekends, so we're fully covered." Scanning the quiet background, he finally meets my gaze and offers another smile. "We'll be more than happy to give you a reference for whenever you need one, don't forget that, OK?"
"Thanks, Quin, that means a lot." Fidgeting with my top, I say, "I thought I'd drop in to see you before meeting my mum, she enjoyed her spa trip. I'll make sure to pop in again at some point, and say I said hello to your mum and dad for me, please."
"I'm glad to hear it, and no problem. Good luck with your work, keep us posted."
With a light grin, I nod. "I will, have a good rest of the day!"
Waving me off, I'm quick to backtrack out of the store with disappointment weighing on my chest.
Back to square one, here I come.
Mum's waiting for me outside Costa with two frostinos in hand, and I'm honestly relieved because I doubt waiting in a line in an overheating room is going to do me any favours—at least compared to the already heating sun beaming down from the sky.
Taking mum in after giving her a tight hug, I'm not surprised to see her in knee length leggings and a summery vest, while I'm in a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. The sun glasses pinned to her cranium glint in the light when she turns her head to incline where we're going to sit, and I'm more than happy after my missions. Originally, I was on my way to work to speak with Charlie to discuss when the furniture change was going to happen when I'd received his message. After that was the book shop, and now here I am.
"My darling, are you OK? You don't look so good," she voices, and each word is laced with concern.
I mean, everything other than the hazy cloud over my head is good in its own way, and I'm sure this will pass as well. There's no point in worrying her for nothing.
Nodding with softly, my lips do their best to sport a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, honestly. I've just been busy, that's all."
My quick scan of the wandering pedestrians is soon interrupted by the sceptical brow she hikes up in my direction. "Are you sleeping well?" she coos. "Remember, you have to take care of yourself first, that's more important."
In the time it takes me to think of an answer, I've taken a quick sip of my beverage, and a—what I'm hoping—is a convincing smile as my head inclines. The reply she wants doesn't come until we're both seated and I'm scrutinising the people nearby until a I'm asking, "How are you and dad doing?"
Mum chuckles before shaking her head and swallowing the quick drag she just took. "We're fine, my dear. Not going to lie, another spa trip would be good, but too much of one thing can be bad for you." Narrowing her eyes, she adds, "How is Brandon doing?"
Itching the inside of my wrist, I calmly reply, "He's alright, I'm kind of intrigued as to what he needs to see me for." Stretching my legs under the table and running my hand through my hair to unstick the small strands from my neck, I take my time to search our surroundings once more. Little to my surprise, there's no sign of dad. "By the way, where's dad?"
"Don't get me started," she laughs. "He's gone to visit his old friend, Derek. Do you remember him? He's the one with the liquorice craving."
It's my turn to laugh. "Yes, I remember! He used to give me liquorice whenever he came over; they always tasted bitter."
The both of us burst out into a fit of laughter before settling on how sweet he is until she asks, "Speaking of work, how's yours going?"
A heavy sigh comes from me. "Not the best."
"Jasmine?" she offers, knowingly.
My head bobs, leaving me to slip the lock of hair behind my ear when it falls. "Yeah, but it's OK. To be honest, I think I'm leaning toward the idea of moving onto a new career choice. . . but I'm not sure yet. I'll just ask around until either someone gets back to me or something catches my eye."
A proud smile takes up the room of her face, and my chest swells at the sight. "My darling girl, I'm so proud of you, and whatever you choose to do, you will do amazing in it."
"Thanks, mum," I murmur, taking a long, needed drag of my beverage. "How about you? I bet it feels weird going back to work after a whole week off," I offer, and a small groan comes from her.
"One hundred percent. Jason needs us to scope out the recent cat disappearances in town." Leaning across the table, she motions for me to copy her playful secrecy manner before putting her hand to her mouth as I make sure the coast is clear. "I reckon they're running away from him."
We both burst out into a fit of laughter, hitting the table with our hands and just letting the volume play out in the open with no shame. When we finally wrap it up after a few lingering stares and a couple of hiccups from us, she wipes her eyes with the back of her hands. "Oh darling, I've missed this."
My smile softens. "Me too, mum. Me too."
Taking a swift sip of her drink, her eyes take on a sparkle as they inspect something behind me. "Darling, how would you feel about me asking Brandon to join us for dinner?"