Chick Lit Box Set

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“Mum, I think we need to talk. Can I come over this afternoon?”

“Why of course, dear. But not until after three because Eileen and Kimberly will be over to discuss WI matters. I’ll expect you at a quarter past three then, dear. I’ll have a nice cup of Earl Grey waiting for you. Toodle pip.”

Aggie put the phone down, a feeling of dread rushing through her body. How did one tell one’s mother one was about to open a s*x shop? And her dad? It was so…so…embarrassing. Aggie blushed at the thought, but tried to think positive, pushing her feelings to one side. It had to be done. And with only a few weeks to go until the big day, now was the time.

oOo

Aggie”s mother, Trixie, was standing at the front door at precisely a quarter past three. Aggie looked at her watch to make sure she wasn’t late. It was okay, she was exactly on time.

“Darling, how wonderful to see you. Come in, come in. Take your shoes off, dear, it looks like you’ve been traipsing in the mud.

Aggie glanced down at her trusty old walking shoes and saw that they were a little dusty from the shop, but by no means muddy. But she bent down and took them off anyway.

“Here’s a pair of slippers you can wear,” Trixie said, handing Aggie a pair of pink and orange floral slippers—the kind one would expect a great-grandmother to wear.

“Thanks, Mum. How was the Women’s Institute meeting?”

“Oh, don’t even mention it. That Eileen brought along her cousin with her and she was dreadful, just dreadful.”

“Why dreadful, Mum? What was wrong with her?”

Trixie rolled her eyes, “A real know-it-all she was. And Eileen’s gone and invited her to join. And she was wearing jeans. Jeans, Agatha! For goodness sake.”

Aggie looked at her own skinny jeans and wrapped her long cardigan around herself as she followed her mother into the kitchen where a pot of tea and two china cups and saucers sat waiting for them.

“You needn’t have got the china out for me, Mum. A mug would have been fine.”

“Your father broke another of the mugs last week, so we now only have one left.”

“I could have still used it,” she said, raising her eyebrows as Trixie poured the Earl Grey.

“You know how I like symmetry, dear. I couldn’t have you drinking from a mug and me a cup and saucer.”

Aggie stifled a snigger.

“But all that’s unimportant right now. Tell me about the corner shop. Now I know something’s going on down there. I’ve had several calls from several ladies from the Ladies Luncheon Club keeping me abreast of certain things. They tell me the shop’s being decorated? I must admit to feeling somewhat disappointed that you haven’t shared any of this with me, Agatha. After all, Aunt Petunia was my aunt and I am vaguely familiar with the old place.”

Aggie sighed and put down her cup. It rattled as she placed it back onto the saucer on account of her nerves.

“Yes I have been redecorating. The place needed it, considering how long it hadn’t been used.”

“I’m told that you’re using Ceecee Woodley for the painting?”

Aggie nodded, “Yes, she’s doing a brilliant job. Her guys are very talented. It’s looking quite incredible.”

“And may I ask what it is going to be?” Trixie finally asked, peering over her glasses.

Aggie sighed.

“Well, it’s…”

“Good morning, my darling daughter. Long time no see, how are you, angel?” said her dad, Ted, who’d walked into the kitchen with the morning’s newspaper under his arm.

“Hi, Dad,” she said as she stood up to give him a hug. “I’m great thanks. How’s the shoulder?”

Ted smiled and nodded, “Not too bad, love. Although I’m told I won’t be playing golf for a while.”

“A damn shame,” Trixie interrupted. “The WI charity tournament is just next week too. I’m certain your father would have won.”

“Nonsense,” Ted replied with a chuckle. “Charlie and Pete are both far better players than me.”

Trixie raised her eyebrows and pouted.

Aggie tried not to giggle at the two of them, until she remembered why she was there in the first place.

“So, we’re hearing you’ve been working on the corner shop. How’s it going, love? Got a date for for the opening yet?” questioned Ted.

“Yes…a…actually,” she stuttered. “We’re opening on the second of April.”

“Oh, a few weeks then? That’s exciting. Well, you can rest assured that your mother and I will be there to buy some goodies,” Ted smiled innocently.

Aggie spat out her tea.

“Goodness, Agatha. Whatever’s the matter?” her mother said, standing up and rushing for some kitchen roll to wipe the table.

“Sorry, it was just a bit hot,” she replied, feeling heat rising into her cheeks. It was time, she had to tell them. She had to get it off her chest.

“Mum, Dad. I really ought to tell you truth. I’ve been keeping it a secret for some time now. It’s about the shop…”

“What about it, love? Is everything all right?” Ted asked, with concern in his eyes.

“Yes everything’s great, Dad. It’s just that, well, we…Coco and me. Actually, Christie too. She’s invested some of her money into it as well…”

“She has? Well, that’s very sweet of your sister to do. I hadn’t expected that at all. She’s special, that girl,” her mum smiled. “But I hadn’t realised Coco was working with you too.”

“Yes, Mum. The three of us are in a kind of partnership, I guess you could call it.”

“That’s wonderful,” Ted announced.

“But the shop itself, well, it’s…it’s…”

Ted and Trixie both leaned forward across the kitchen table.

“It’s what? Do spit it out, dear,” her mother said.

“It’s an adult shop.”

There. She’d done it. Taking a deep breath, Aggie lifted her eyes.

Trixie had gone white. Ted wasn’t saying much at all.

“Mum, Dad?” Aggie asked.

“Er, angel?” Ted asked.

“Yes, Dad?”

“When you say adult shop, what exactly are you referring to?”

Oh God, thought Aggie. This was getting even more difficult.

“It means she’s going to be selling filth, that’s what,” Trixie spat and stood up from the table so that her chair almost fell backward.

“No, not filth, Mum. It’s not smutty or anything like that.”

“Well of course it is. Anything to do with,” Trixie looked away, turning red, “to do with…” She couldn”t quite say it.

“s*x?” Aggie whispered.

“Ha! Exactly,” Trixie pointed to her. “Disgusting. I’m in absolute shock, Agatha Trout. I’d never have thought you capable of something like this. How…how could you? I shall be the laughing stock of the WI and the Ladies Luncheon Club, not to mention the golf club.” Trixie was turning redder and redder.

“But Mum, it’s mainly just lingerie and a few toys, that’s all.”

Trixie’s eyes grew even wider as she turned away from her daughter in disgust. “Agatha Trout, I’m so disappointed in you. And I cannot believe that Christie has been dragged into such a nasty, seedy little idea as this. You’ve completely let down this family. How am I going to show my face again? I’ll be the laughing stock of Frambleberry,” Trixie yelled before storming out of the room.

Aggie just sat, staring after her mother. Her own face in shock. She knew her mother wouldn’t like it, but she never would have imagined a response like this.

She turned to look at her father. He looked at her with a sad smile on his face.

“Oh, Aggie,” he said, shaking his head.

“Dad?” she croaked. “I’m sorry…I just needed something to earn a living and, you know what they say, s*x sells? I didn’t even think how it would affect you and Mum.”

“Shush now, Aggie,” said Ted as he rose from his chair and went to sit next to his eldest daughter. “You just ignore what your mother has just said. She’s a drama queen. Always has been and we both know it. I’m just shocked because it’s you who’s doing it. Not because it’s an adult shop, sweetheart. You’ve always been the careful one, you used to call yourself a coward,” he chuckled. “And now look at you. You’re doing something that’s going to get the whole town talking.”

Aggie lifted her head from his shoulder and groaned, “Oh, Dad, if you’re trying to make me feel better, it’s not working,” she sighed.

Ted chuckled, “What I’m saying, sweetheart, is that I’m quite proud of you.”

Aggie sat upright and looked her father in the eyes, “You are?” she asked. “But, I’m opening a s*x shop, Dad.”

He chuckled again, “This is the twenty-first century, my love. These kinds of things are what the youngsters are into, I suppose. And I know you’ll keep it classy. You and Christie are classy ladies.”

“Dad, I’ve never been a classy lady,” she giggled.

“You were always a classy lady, you just didn’t know it,” he said, pushing her hair behind her ear.

Aggie leaned forward and gave him a big hug.

“Oh, Dad,” she sighed. “What am I going to do?”

“About what?”

“About…well, everything? How can I open Aphrodite’s Closet now? Mum will never speak to me again.”

Ted belly laughed, “Oh, sweetheart. She’ll get over it. She loves you more than she loves those old biddies. It might just take her some time to accept that, that’s all. I love the name, by the way. That was clearly your idea? Aphrodite’s Closet?”

Aggie nodded, “Kind of. There was an old armoire at the shop and it had been inscribed inside with the words Cornelia’s Closet so I kind of played with that until I came up with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.”

“You were always very smart, Aggie. But Cornelia’s Closet? I think Cornelia might have been Petunia’s mother.”

Aggie’s eyes grew wide, “Really? I had wondered about that. I had intended to try and find out more about Petunia but I’ve been so busy getting the shop ready that I just haven’t had the time. I was hoping to ask Mum about her but…as if that’s going to happen now,” Aggie rolled her eyes.

“Give it time,” Ted reassured her.

“Thanks Dad, you’re the best.”

“How’s the flat?” he asked. “Sorry we haven’t been able to come and see you but what with the surgery and everything, it’s been a little difficult.”

“That’s okay, Dad. It’s been pretty manic up there anyway. But I moved in last week and I’m loving it. It’s handy for work too—I could literally roll out of bed and be there to open the doors,” she chuckled. “But it’s perfect. I never thought I’d enjoy living in an apartment but I feel like I’m meant to be there, if you know what I mean?”

Ted nodded and patted her shoulder. “Clearly, you were.”

“And it’s probably bigger than the bungalow, being on two floors and everything.”

“It sounds perfect, sweetheart. I’ll come and visit soon.”

“Will you come to the opening, Dad?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”