Ground Floor: Toys & Games

Copyright © Jorja Lovett 2014. All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Totally Bound Publishing. "God, if you want me to lose this job before I've even started, you're going the right way about it!" Jen tilted her head up towards the grey sky and let the rain wash over her. With mud splattered legs, and an inside-out umbrella in her hand, she was the picture of Northern Ireland in the springtime. The lights turned red to give her a break in the traffic and she sprinted across Royal Avenue as fast as her black court shoes would carry her. After the ongoing roadworks in the city had delayed her bus, she didn't have a second to spare. Kelsey's Department Store perched on the corner of the Belfast street like a stubborn old man turning his nose up at the youth of today. Where the new buildings around it were open and inviting, Kelsey's stern Victorian exterior immediately set Jen's nerves aflutter. Stone faces stared down at her disapprovingly. Little wonder. Her once pristine white blouse and black pencil skirt were wet through. Hardly the professional image the store required from their staff at all times. She dumped her useless umbrella in the nearest bin and ducked around the corner of the building to make some essential repairs to her appearance. The faded maroon veranda above a long forgotten floral window display gave her some shelter, and she used the glass as a mirror to finger comb her hair into some order. Unfortunately the brown locks she'd carefully straightened before she had left the house, now curled at the ends making her look like a Springer Spaniel. That meant a stop for hair accessories as well as a visit to the hosiery department. With a glance at her sullied stockings she decided it was better to walk in barelegged than dirty. At this time of the morning thankfully the alleyway at the side of the store was empty. Jen stepped out of her shoes and hoisted her skirt up her thighs so she could shimmy out of her nylons. Quick change complete, she slipped back into her heels and popped her wet things into her handbag. One long, deep breath steeled her to make the final journey into the store. The black and white tiled floor at the entrance glistened with wet footprints. Jen stepped gingerly across it. The way her morning was going she wouldn't be surprised if she made her grand entrance sliding through the great halls on her backside. "Where the hell have you been? You're late!" Kelly scurried up to meet her and took her by the arm. "I know. I've had a hell of a morning" "Well, Mr Kelsey will be doing his rounds soon and it won't look good for either of us if we're not at our posts." Kelly didn't usually play the big sister, but the scolding was well deserved. "I know I only got the job because of you, sis. I won't let you down. I promise." Someone with no recent work experience didn't exactly have a lot of options to choose from. Kelly's face softened. "As department supervisor I have a little sway, but Kelsey was only too willing to help my young, widowed sister." Immediately, tears threatened to fall. Even ten months on Jen couldn't think of Lee without crying. Kelly put her arm around her and gave her a squeeze. "Hey, now. No tears. You're wet enough this morning. This is your fresh start, so dry your eyes and help me meet today's sales targets." Jen did as she was bid and dabbed away her pain with the sleeve of her blouse. She'd spent too long curled in a ball shutting out the world. Today was her first step into her new life. The one without Lee.

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