Chick Lit Box Set

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Coco, Christie, and Aggie stood with the main entrance behind them, all surveying the scene before them. It was ready. All the work was complete and they were all set for the grand opening that evening. All three stood in silence as they enjoyed the moment.

The large ground floor, with its black and white tiled floor, and new sage green painted walls, and gold accessories looked astounding. The antique chandelier hung sparkling in the centre of the room, casting pretty shards of light all over the shop floor, which was now full of a wide range of lingerie. More affordable bras and knickers could be found hanging alongside some exquisite pieces, which cost a fair amount more. Aphrodite’s Closet was a*****e for all pockets—something Aggie was particularly proud of. But most importantly, it was dedicated to selling quality.

The ground floor not only stocked lingerie, but also had a good selection of beautiful scarves, sarongs, and sleepwear, mostly in silks and satins.

The doors on the changing rooms contained painted images of the goddess Aphrodite—this had been Christie’s idea and she had invited an artist friend to do the work. The result was stunning.

The sexier the lingerie, the further back in the store it was positioned—something Aggie had insisted upon. All of that then led up the stairs to the quirky second floor.

The black and white floor tiles were duplicated in paint halfway up the wall to a black dado rail. Above the rail, the walls were painted a more muted shade of fuchsia. The effect was dazzling. Black and pink display cabinets and tables were positioned throughout the room, all containing various s*x toys, some more extreme lingerie for men and women, as well as a selection of erotic books and DVDs. Beautiful old-fashioned framed images of semi-n***d ladies adorned the walls.

The secret room on this floor had been cleared out and was now being used as a mini-kitchen, where the girls could make tea or coffee and have a break. It contained a fridge, kettle, and an old-fashioned cupboard they’d found downstairs while clearing out the place.

“I can’t believe it’s finally ready,” whispered Aggie.

“Me neither,” Christie replied.

“I know, right? It’s going to be amazing. It looks amazing. I feel very proud to be a part of this with you girls,” Coco smiled. “Aphrodite’s Closet,” she yelled. “Yeah!”

“Any joy with Mum yet?” Christie asked.

Aggie’s face dropped and she shook her head, “She’s still not talking to me. Has she spoken to you since last week?”

Christie shook her head too, “No.”

“She’ll come round,” Coco insisted as she walked back into the main part of the room and headed for one of the bottles of champagne on the table that had been set up for the party.

“Let’s have a glass before everyone arrives,” she suggested, picking up a bottle and waving it at them.

Christie and Aggie looked at each other and smiled, “Good idea, Coco,” Christie said. “Plus, I’m staying over tonight so I needn’t worry about driving.”

“You can’t get drunk though, Sis. We’ve got to be responsible adults tonight,” Aggie said, frowning, before she started laughing.

“Oh yeah, good one,” Coco laughed as the champagne cork popped out of the top of the bottle.

“But yes, semi-responsible adults,” Christie added. “We’ve got the press coming and everything.”

“And let’s hope the rest of the people we invited along too,” Coco said whilst pouring the three glasses so that they were almost overflowing.

“Easy tiger,” Christie laughed.

“Let’s just enjoy the moment, girls,” said Coco as she lifted her glass. “It’s pretty unique what we’ve achieved here and I’m determined to make it work for all of us. And like I said before, I’m so proud of what we’ve done. I can’t wait to get this baby going. So, here’s to us and Aphrodite’s Closet.”

“Us and Aphrodite’s Closet,” the girls said in unison before taking a long sip of the champagne.

oOo

At almost six o’clock, all three girls peered out of the window and were delighted to see a small queue of people developing by the front door.

“It’s happening,” whispered Aggie who was starting to feel somewhat queasy. “I…I…don’t think I can do this,” she whispered, moving away from the window.

“Hey, of course you can,” Christie said. “It’s just a shop. Don’t think of it as anything else, just a shop. No need to be embarrassed by anything. You got that?”

“Breathe, honey, breathe,” Coco said, “Put your hands on your knees, bend your head down, and just take a moment to breathe. You’re going to be fine. “It’s just nerves, that’s all. I’m nervous too, okay? I’m just hiding it better than you.”

“Yeah, nerves. Me too, Aggie, I’m nervous too,” Christie reassured her.

Aggie did as she was told and began to breathe through her nose. In and out, in and out. After a while, the queasiness started to subside and she lifted up her head again.

“You okay?” Coco asked as Christie walked over to the door and looked at her watch.

“Girls, it’s time.”

Aggie breathed in and then let the breath escape from her lungs. And she nodded.

“Let’s do this,” she whispered as she continued to breathe at a slower rate.

As Christie began to unlock the door, Aggie’s heart rate began to increase again.

“Just nerves, just nerves, just nerves,” she repeated to herself under her breath.

“Welcome to Aphrodite’s Closet, everyone,” Christie said loudly as people began to enter the shop.

“Help yourself to a glass of champagne,” Coco added as the crowd began to disperse around the store.

Cries of “wow,” “oh my goodness,” and “oooh,” could be heard throughout as Christie, Coco, and Aggie settled at the centre of the shop, waiting for everyone to walk inside. When it appeared that no one else was waiting outdoors, Coco stepped up onto a small pedestal.

“Hello everyone and a very warm welcome to Aphrodite’s Closet,” she stopped for a moment while there was applause all around. Smiling, she began to talk again. “Aphrodite’s Closet is a joint venture with my best friend, Agatha Trout, and her sister, Christie Valentine. As some of you already know, this beautiful shop was left to Agatha by her Great Aunt Petunia, who sadly passed away late last year at the grand old age of ninety-nine years old.”

Whispers of “wow” could be heard while others nodded amongst themselves.

“Agatha knew she wanted to re-open the store but wasn’t prepared to continue it as an ordinary corner shop, which is where I came in.”

Those that knew Coco began to chuckle before she continued.

“I’ll admit that it was my idea to open a*****e for adults only. After all, Frambleberry doesn’t have a*****e anything like this and it seemed right to give the town a bit of cheekiness andsparkle—and a little extra sophistication never goes amiss, right?” she said as the crowd laughed.

“We’ve worked hard over the past month or so to create a unique place where people will feel at home whilst buying lingerie and,” she stopped for second, “other items for the bedroom,” she smiled, “So please, give it up for Agatha, Christie, and Aphrodite’s Closet.”

At that, everyone clapped and cheered.

“Please help yourself to more champagne and hors d’oeuvres. If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me, Agatha, or Christie. We’re here to help,” she smiled as there was more clapping.

“Thank you for doing that, Coco,” smiled Aggie as she shoved the pedestal under one of the tables out of the way.

“You’re welcome, hon. I knew you’d find that a little tough.”

“You’re so good at public speaking, it was much better done than if I’d have been forced into it.”

“I know, you’d have been a gibbering mess!”

“Tell me about it,” Aggie laughed. “Well, we’d better mingle and see how everyone’s getting on. I see Christie’s speaking to the local press.”

“Yeah, I’ve overheard her talking to a couple of journalists and I think they’re quite smitten—with her and the shop.”

“Let’s hope so,” Aggie smiled as the women walked away from each other and into the crowd. Coco headed upstairs while Aggie stayed on the ground floor.

Looking around at the crowds of people, she spotted Amelia Hornblower browsing some of the more plain pyjamas with a smile on her face. When their eyes met, Amelia waved and gave her the thumbs up.

Relieved that the Frambleberry town gossip was suitably impressed, Aggie smiled and waved in return.

“Aggie,” said a familiar voice from behind her.

“Dad!” she almost screeched, “You made it. I didn’t think you would.”

“I told you, I wouldn’t miss it for the world, love. The place looks incredible. You’ve done a cracking job with it. If your mother could see it, I’m sure she’d be proud of you.”

“If it wasn’t what it is, perhaps, Dad. But thanks for saying that anyway.”

“I brought a couple of golf buddies, Charlie and Pete, with me. I hope you don’t mind?”

Aggie looked aghast. “Really? They…wanted to come?”

“Are you kidding, this is exciting stuff, Aggie,” he winked, adding, “best of luck, love,” before he walked back toward his friends, who appeared to be deep in conversation about a slinky bodysuit that one was holding up.

Aggie frowned before she chuckled and turned to look the other way.

Kyle was standing in the doorway, taking in the newly decorated shop. An older woman was standing with her arm linked into his. She looked impressed and smiled when Aggie approached them.

“Aggie,” Kyle said warmly, as he extricated himself from the woman’s arm and pulled Aggie into a slight awkward hug.

“Good to see you, Kyle. Thanks for coming,” she said, blushing a little.

“Good to see you too, Aggie. The place looks amazing. You girls have done a brilliant job with the place. I’m very impressed.”

“Thanks,” Aggie said, blushing again as Kyle’s hands brushed her own before he let go.

The older woman cleared her throat.

“Oh sorry. Aggie, I’d like you to meet Helena Bruce, my business partner in the development we’re working on at the moment.”

“Oh, the one round the corner,” Aggie asked as she shook the woman’s hand. “Great to meet you, Helena.”

Helena nodded and smiled, “You too, Agatha.”

“Call me Aggie, please. Only my mother ever calls me Agatha.”

The women laughed.

“This place is quite charming. And how wonderful that it’s the first shop of its kind in Frambleberry. I’m sure you’re going to be a huge success, judging by the people’s reactions here tonight.”

“Well yes, I hope so,” Aggie said. “But it’s only the opening night. Fingers crossed the general public will be just as impressed.”

“I have no doubts,” Helena said. “Perhaps I ought to have a browse myself,” she winked.

“Yes, yes, go and have a look, Helena,” Kyle laughed. “You might find something fun,” he winked back as she chuckled and turned away.

“She seems nice,” Aggie said as Kyle turned his attention back to her.

“She is. I’m lucky to have found her,” he smiled.

“Fancy a glass of champagne?” Aggie asked.

“Sure. I’ll get it. Over there, right?” he pointed and she nodded.

“I’ll leave you to it and go and mingle.”

“I was going to bring you a glass,” he said, looking a little disappointed.

“Oh, thanks. In that case I’ll come with you,” she grinned.

Upstairs, Coco was enjoying seeing people’s first impressions of the second floor. Not only did they seem delighted with the decor, but many were quite tickled by the products on display. An older lady and her husband, however, had just about run down the stairs when they’d realised what was on display there. Coco couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you laughing at?” asked the voice of a man creeping up behind her.

“Luigi, you made it,” she grinned at him. “I wasn’t sure you’d manage it.”

“I created the hors d’oeuvres, I couldn’t not stay for a while,” he said in a strange accent that was both a mixture of Yorkshire and Italian. “It is beautiful what you have created here, Bella Coco.”

“Thanks, Luigi, and thank you for creating the hors d’oeuvres. They seem to be going down a treat.”

“It is my pleasure. And it seems, pleasure is what you’re selling, no?”

Coco laughed and nodded, “Yes I guess you could look at it like that. Anything that tickles your fancy?”

“Lots…” he winked. “Isabella has already pointed out the items she would like to buy.”

“Isabella came too? Oh where is she? I’d love to say hello. I haven’t seen her since the christening.”

“She is downstairs, but we must go soon. The babysitter has a date,” he said raising his eyebrows.

Coco laughed, “Then let me come downstairs to see her before you go.”

oOo

The debris from the night before had all been disposed of and the girls had continued to clean for an hour after everyone had left. It was now midnight and all three of them were splayed out on the sofa in Aggie’s flat.

“It was b****y brilliant,” Coco said, as she took a sip of coffee.

“I know,” Christie said. “The press seemed thrilled with it all too. I hope they write great things about us.”

“How can they not?” Coco replied. “Aphrodite’s Closet is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G,” she spelled out. “Everyone loved it.”

“Even Dad,” Aggie laughed. “Did you speak to him, Christie? You know he brought two golf buddies with him?”

“They bought stuff too,” Christie replied, laughing. “For the wives, apparently. Dad thought it was hilarious. He’s chuffed for us, you know?”

“It’s a shame Mum isn’t.”

“Oh Mum, Schmum…it’s her loss,” Christie hiccupped, causing the girls to c***k up laughing again.

“Exactly how much bubbly did you have, Christie?” asked Coco as she sat forward and put her empty mug on the coffee table.

“I don’t know, but quite a few glasses I think. I hope I didn’t make a fool of myself,” she grinned.

“I don’t think so. Not that I noticed, anyway,” Aggie said with a smile. “It was great that Kyle came.”

“Yeah, he was desperate to see the place finished,” Coco added.

“His business partner seems nice,” Aggie said. “Helena something or other?”

“Yeah, I met her once or twice recently. She’s quite a successful woman I think. She was the one who approached Kyle about working together. Apparently she’d read about him in some property magazine and was so impressed, she gave him a call.”

“A booty call?” Christie giggled.

“Well, maybe,” Coco laughed. “I don’t know who he’s sleeping with these days.”

“She’s a bit old for him, isn’t she?” Aggie queried, trying to remember how old she was.

“Was she? I didn’t meet her. She was quite beautiful though,” Christie said.

“Yeah very,” Aggie sighed. “How old do you think she is?”

“Fifty?” Coco suggested.

“And Kyle’s what? Twenty-nine? A year older than me, isn’t he?”

Coco nodded.

“That’s quite a difference.”

“Not really. Who cares about age these days? If she can get it on with a thirty-year-old, then good for her,” Christie slurred.

“I think you need another coffee, Sis,” Aggie suggested as she stood up and went over to the kitchen to pour some more.

“We sold quite a bit of stuff tonight, you know?” Coco said, standing up to stretch her legs.

“Really? That’s great. Did you give everyone the opening night discount?” asked Aggie.

“Of course, and the twenty-percent-off vouchers we made to encourage them to come back for more. Let’s hope they work.”

Aggie grinned. “Well, tomorrow’s the proper big day, so we ought to get some sleep. Are you sure you’re not going to sleep over, Coco?”

“Nah, I’ll be fine. I’ll call a cab now,” she said as she grappled in her handbag for her phone, before stepping to the window where she dialled the taxi company.

“Ready for bed, Sis?” Aggie asked Christie as she polished off the last of the coffee.

“Yep,” she hiccupped. “So ready. I’m very tired…” she said, closing her eyes while standing up and yawning at the same time.

“Well, the bed’s all made for you. There are towels in the cupboard and a dressing gown hanging on the back of the door if you need one. Feel free to sleep in tomorrow morning. I expect you’ll need to head home and see the girls when you get up though. I’ll be up bright and early and down in the shop if you need me.”

“Okay, Sis. Thanks,” Christie muttered as she shuffled along the carpet until she reached the stairs, climbing them until she got to the spare bedroom. She barely got her clothes off before falling into bed and sleeping for a good eight hours.