Damaged Before Christmas

Chapter Five

I groaned when I heard my alarm going off on the bedside table beside the bed alerting me that I was to get my butt in gear for my first shift at the bakery. I seriously wanted to stay in bed as the bed was extremely comfortable to sleep in as it was like I was sleeping on a cloud. I rubbed my hands over my face before throwing the covers off me and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.

I managed to drag myself to the bathroom and turned the shower on making the water as hot as I could tolerate it. I tied my hair high on my head in a messy bun before stepping in. I scrubbed myself not letting my hair get wet as I had washed it the night before and it was a pain to blow dry in the mornings. I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower covering myself with one of the fluffy towels that I had found the night before in a cupboard.

I walked back into the bedroom and went into my closet and found a simple pair of black trousers that were part of a suit I had bought for my old office job. I found a red top that would be comfortable to wear with it. The top was casual but paired with the trousers it looked more business-like. it had short sleeves and emphasised my curves even if it was a subtle emphasis of them. It was floaty around the belly so it was perfect for my shift.

Once I had dried myself and got dressed. I sat down in front of the mirror and brushed my hair and tried to tame it so it behaved when I put it up in a high ponytail as it would be in the way if I left it down when I was working. I finished off my look with a touch of eyeshadow in a dusty pink with mascara and a light pink lip gloss. Once I was happy with my look I slipped into a pair of black ankle boots with a good grip especially with the snow that glittered on the pavement below.

I walked into the kitchen and turned the kettle on needing that cup of tea to start my day. I pulled down a mug from the cupboard and went and got a teabag from the box I had placed beside the kettle. I reached for the sugar before tipping two big piles into my mug and adding milk before the water. Tea was my one weakness as I hardly drank alcohol except when I was going out and I didn't smoke as I never understood why people smoked.

I was trying my best to not think about Holly's brother and what his problem was with me. He didn't even know me to judge the situation or the deal I had with his mum in regards to the flat. I wondered what his problem was. Yes, he was extremely good looking with those blue eyes that dragged you into them when you looked at them or the blonde hair that he had that looked like it shone like the sun when the light hit it just right. I found myself wondering if his body looked just like my imagination had conjured up with muscles galore.

I shook my head as I finished my tea before washing the mug and placing it in the drainer. I glanced at the clock and cursed myself as it was 8:45 and my shift started in 15 minutes. Rushing back into the sitting room I grabbed my bag making sure I had my phone and keys before throwing on my jacket and threw opened the door. I was thankful that I only lived 5 minutes away from the bakery. I made sure the door was locked before flying down the stairs and briskly walked around the corner towards the bakery.

I managed to get to the bakery in record time even though my feet slipped out from under me a few times with the snow lying on the ground. I pushed the door and walked in feeling the heat inside of the store. I saw Holly standing behind the counter. I walked over as she looked up and smiled when I got in front of her.

"Hey, you're right on time. Come through to the back and we will get you settled before we get any customers," Holly said walking around the counter and slipping her arm through mine. "You can leave your bag here." Holly pointing to a cubby hole that was hidden just past the counter.

I placed my bag on top of hers and shrugged my jacket up and hung it beside the other jacket that was hanging on the hook rack. Holly must have seen me linger at my jacket as she came up beside me. "Don't worry, you will be fine. Plus you have the privilege of me training you today."

I looked sideways and gave her a small smile. "So what's the first thing?" I asked trying to sound more confident then what I felt.

Holly grabbed my arm and dragged me back into the front of the store. "First thing first, we always make the customer feel important by smiling and engaging them in conversation."

I smiled my best smile making Holly grin even wider. "That's the spirit. The register is easy enough to learn," Holly said as she showed me what needed to be done with the register.

"I should have brought something to write everything down. I'm not going to remember everything you're telling me, Holly," I groaned after dealing with my first customer and messed up the amounts going through the register.

"It's your first day Iona, you'll get it eventually," Holly said just as the door opened and her brother walked in making me groan again.

I glanced over at Holly hoping she will be able to deal with her brother. I saw her look up and frown when she spotted her brother. "Look what the cat dragged in," Holly said before turning back to what she was doing.

I stood behind the counter and hoped the ground would open and swallow me as his gaze looked around the store before landing on me. I met his stare with one of my own before a customer approached the counter with a list of cookies and cakes she was wanting to buy. I tore my eyes away from him before focusing on the woman standing in front of me.

As I was dealing with the woman I kept glancing over at the man who had me confused since I first saw him. I knew that he was watching me as the hairs on the back of my neck were standing to attention and goosebumps rose on my arms. The butterflies were going nuts in my stomach as I watched him walk over to his sister right past the counter.

I watched as he said something to his sister low enough that I couldn't hear what he had said. I couldn't look away as Holly threw the cloth onto the table before coming over to me. "Iona, I know it's a lot to ask you but can you watch the store while I go deal with the grinch."

I gulped but I nodded that I would do what she was asking me to do. I mean we had a few busy periods but nothing major that I couldn't handle. I watched as Holly turned on her heel and walked off in the direction her brother had gone in.

It was a little while later that Holly reappeared from dealing with her brother. She threw herself in a chair before sighing in defeat. "That man can be such a pain."

"He can't be that bad," I said taking the seat across from her. "I mean he looks like he gets coal for Christmas but he's still your brother."

Holly looked my way with a confused look on her face. "I know he's my brother but he can still be a pain. I mean he's to take over the family business but he's too much into his own head to actually see why he needs to take over."

I ran my tongue over my bottom lip thinking about what Holly said. "Well, why can't you take over the business if he doesn't want to?" I asked leaning forward.

Holly thought for a minute while she thought of my question before answering. "It had to go to the son as it has been that way forever. I mean I would jump at the chance to take over but I can't. I know that the bakery will come to me eventually."

I frowned as she informed me that it had to be a son who took over but that she was getting the bakery. "Wait a minute, are you not on about the bakery that your brother has to take over?"

Holly's eyes went as big as saucers as she threw her hands over her mouth, realising what she had just said. "Yeah, I meant the bakery. Just ignore me as it's always stressful when I talk to my brother." She couldn't look me in the eye as she said it was the bakery that she was talking about.

I knew she wasn't telling me everything but I thought since I was new around here I wouldn't push her into revealing the truth. "OK, if you don't need me is it alright to call it a day as I'm knackered and I can't learn anymore," I said jokingly.

Holly's smile returned as she checked the time. "It's closing time anyway. What are you up to tonight then?"

I smiled back. "I plan on taking a nice hot soak in the bath before lazing on the couch and watch something. I don't know what I will be watching but you're more than welcome to come over and watch it with me."

Holly squealed before grabbing my arms as she jumped and down. "I'll bring wine and munchies, can have a girl's night. Not had one ever," she squealed.

I started laughing watching her jumping and down. "Well, give me an hour and then come over. There's no point in telling you the address as you already know it," I said when she finally calmed down enough to get our coats and bags from the cubby hole.

We were both laughing when we left the store making sure it was locked and the alarm was set. We parted ways as she was heading home to change and get the munchies together for our girl's night in. I was looking forward to getting to know Holly a lot more.