CHAPTER EIGHT
835 Words
CHAPTER EIGHT
The moment Aggie arrived home, she changed out of her new black polo, skinny jeans and Ugg boots and put on the warm, baby blue onesie her nieces had given her for Christmas—something they’d chosen themselves on account of it being covered in rainbows and unicorns. But it didn’t matter, whenever she put it on, it made her smile.
After re-heating a bowl of tomato soup that she’d made the night before, she put it on a tray with two slices of spelt bread and headed to the living room where she flicked on the TV and settled down with the remote control.
“…And apparently we hit a nerve last week on our breakfast show with our little talk on the new bedroom gadget to hit stores this…” said the presenter on screen.
Rather than change the channel, Aggie turned her full attention to the show as she started to eat her soup.
“…Sold out in stores…”
Her ears pricking, she put down her spoon and listened to what was being said.
“The small company that developed this fabulous new toy…”
At that moment the woman’s on-screen partner began to chuckle.
“Well, it is fabulous,” said the presenter, “and I’m quite happy to admit it. I’m no prude.” She smiled straight at the camera. “But worry not people, a spokesperson for the company has assured us that more toys are in production and will be available in stores, and online, very soon. Watch this space. And that’s all we’ve got time for today…”
Aggie sat back as the adverts started and looked out the window. She thought back to what Coco had said about a s*x shop being the perfect way to make money.
Maybe it was the right business to start. She sighed. But how? How could she get over her acute embarrassment?
She turned her attention back to her soup, dipping the bread into it before taking a large bite, followed by a small mouthful of the delicious tomato broth.
But she couldn’t shake Coco’s words out of her head.
“You’re twenty-eight years old, Aggie. It’s time we got you over your prudish ways. Think about it. You’re almost broke. How are you going to continue paying your mortgage? You need to do something big, something huge, something to get the town talking. And a s*x shop will do that”.
Coco was right, of course. A s*x shop would be the talk of the town, whether for the right or the wrong reasons.
“What am I going to do?” she said out loud.
You’re going to open a s*x shop, said Coco’s voice in her head.
“No, I can’t. I can’t do it,” she said aloud.
Of course you can. I’m going to help you, aren’t I? said the imaginary voice again.
All of a sudden, Aggie felt like a light bulb had been switched on in her head.
“Coco’s going to help me, that means…maybe she could work in the shop and I’ll do everything else. Now that’s a better idea. I wonder if she’ll go for it?”
oOo
“It is a thought, babe, but I can’t work full-time,” Coco stated.
“Really?” sighed Aggie, a little deflated. “But why not?”
Coco popped some salmon sashimi into her mouth before replying, “I’ve got my weekly appointments to go to. I can’t possibly miss having my hair done, and my mani-pedis. Are you insane? It takes effort to look this good you know,” she grinned.
Aggie shook her head in disbelief, “Can’t you just have all that done after hours or something?”
“Aggie, honey. I’m more than happy to work in the shop part of the week, but you need to be there too. How are we gonna get you over your fears if you don’t jump in the deep end? But I am chuffed to bits that you’re seriously considering this. So have you finally made a decision?”
Aggie shook her head as her chopsticks twisted within her fingers and she dropped a salmon roll into the bowl of soy sauce.
“Bugger, no not yet. I’ve been thinking about it all night though.”
“Yeah? Me too. I asked Kyle’s opinion too,” she grinned.
Aggie’s eyes grew large all of a sudden, and she blushed.
“Sweetie, stop worrying. He thinks it’s a fabulous idea anyway. And…”
“And what?”
“You know I mentioned he’s got some big new development happening in town?”
Aggie nodded.
“Well, it’s actually not far from the shop, so he reckons that could be a plus for us.”
“For us? You didn’t tell him it’s my shop did you?”
Coco took a gulp of water and nodded.
“But you said you wouldn’t tell anyone.”
“My brother’s hardly just anyone, Agg. He’s a businessman and he knows what he’s talking about. He said we should go for it.”
“Oh Coco. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Jesus, Aggie! Stop it. It’s getting ridiculous. Stop being so embarrassed all the time. We’ve got to shake it out of you.”
“Sorry,” Aggie muttered. “You’re right. I just can’t help it most of the time.”
Coco rubbed her friend’s arm and nodded, “I know. But we’re going to sort it out. Me and you are going to change Frambleberry for the better and it’s going to make you super confident. I promise,” she grinned.
“Really?”
Coco nodded, “Really.”
Aggie picked up another salmon roll with her chopsticks, but this time managed to dip it in the soy sauce and pop it into her mouth as if she’d been using them her whole life.
“Way to go, girl,” Coco laughed. “See…you’re quickly becoming a confident young woman and we haven’t even opened the shop yet.”
“Hardly,” Aggie laughed. “It’s only chopsticks.”
“Today, chopsticks…tomorrow the world.”
Both women fell about laughing.
- Writer
