ChapterThree
CHLOE
As much as I want to fall to pieces and drown my sorrows in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s best, or a large box of chocolates, I can’t. Nina’s still missing in action, meaning it’s up to me to keep the shop open and running.
With Blake and Sylvia safely down the back of the shop, I clean the sales counter. That done, I get on with serving the next customer in what’s turning into a large crowd.
There’s no let up, to the point they’re three deep waiting to be served. Add in people yelling questions at me across the shop, and the place is chaos.
A quick peek at my phone is enough to see I haven’t missed any calls or received any messages. The chances of me getting a break any time soon are slim to nothing. Rather than get caught out, I put my coffee down on the shelf under the cash register. It’s a thought that immediately has me wanting to use the bathroom.
Where on earth are you, Nina?
Despite rattling through the sales and telling customers where the products are that they’re after, I haven’t made a dent in the crowd clamoring for my attention. And with half my attention firmly locked on Blake, there isn’t much left to go around.
I’m finishing up another sale when I look up to see Blake and Sylvia are back among those waiting to be served. But Sylvia isn't in any mood to wait, barging through the assembled customers, dragging a patently embarrassed Blake behind her.
She’s one person away from the sales counter when she reinforces her spiteful nature. “Huh, isn’t it just typical you wouldn’t have a clue when you’re out of stock. We’re off to Wright's Marine, aren’t we Blake? They have a much better selection.”
Her declaration having been as loud as any cheer, I’m not at all surprised when a few customers slink away. Thanks to their lack of eye contact, their destination is in no doubt.
And there’s nothing I can do about it, because Sylvia is right. I don’t have a clue what is and isn’t in stock. It would be different if my folks had invested in a modern system, but they preferred the appearance of the old cash register and the personal touch.
While I’d like to defend the Surf Shack, I can’t. At least not without looking pathetic. Wright’s is good and all, but it’s not a patch on the Shack when it comes to everything surfing.
As if sensing I won’t defend myself, Sylvia leans over the shorter man in front of her. She then takes delight in smashing the remains of her ice cream down on sales counter. “Come on, Blake, let’s get out of this hole. Wright’s isn’t far.”
As I watch Sylvia turn and barge back through the customers who’ve amassed behind her, I have to wonder if she’s on commission. Given the number of times she’s mentioned the opposition; surely she’s getting a kick-back of some sort?
My gaze follows Blake as he trails Sylvia to the front door. I’m disappointed he’s being so easily led, with his actions taking some of the shine off my memories of him.
Was I always this blinded by his good looks?
I’m not the only one, with one girl so intent on catching Blake’s attention that she walks into a mannequin. This sees both dummy and girl sprawled across the shop floor along with a pile of stock.
Great, just what I need. I’d say the day couldn’t get worse, but I’m not about to tempt fate like that.
BLAKE
Despite being lumbered with the dead weight that is Sylvia Chamberlain, I take my time walking around the shop, enjoying the memories as they reveal themselves.
Only now can I admit I’d hadn’t spent all those hours at the Surf Shack because of the latest boards, but because of the chance to catch sight of Chloe.
It wasn’t anything I’d admit to then, for fear of getting grief from my friends. Appearance is everything when you’re fifteen, and cocky. I was also too damned scared to ask her out because girls like her didn’t date guys like me.
College was never in my future.
Rather than walk straight to where I know I’ll find a good selection of fins, I dwell, checking out anything and everything to do with surfing, no matter how tenuous. My hope is that Sylvia will get bored and leave me to it.
I’m also enjoying the pure nostalgia of being back here. Of being able to revisit my youth without any strings attached. However, Sylvia is tenacious. She's also a slob with her leaving drips of ice cream all over the show.
“Hey can you be careful with that thing. Muck it up, and it’s yours!”
At least that’s what Chloe’s dad always said if he caught me with food in the shop. And no-one dared push it with Mr Henderson, the guy meant business.
Unable to draw it out any longer, I walk over to the spare fins. A quick check and I can see the one I’m after is out of stock. Blast it. I was hoping to try a few adjustments to its placement to see what worked best.
Preparation is crucial if I’m to have a shot at taking out the top prize. If I succeed, I won't need to worry about work for at least three months or even longer. As soon as I get my hands on the check, I’ll be off down to Baja for the winter.
