Free Chances by Freya North

they’re the same price – whichever you choose.’
    ‘It’s for an American friend of mine.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Vita, as if solving a riddle, ‘well then, I’d definitely go for the white – it’s more traditional. More Englishy cottagey oldie worldie.’ Tim smiled. It was a very Vita thing to say. It was also a good sales tactic. The white set was bought. The customer looked thoughtful and all it took was a collusory prompt, sotto voce, from Vita.
    ‘You love the cream set,’ she said. ‘Why not treat your self?’
    The customer glanced back at it.
    ‘I’ll knock a little off, if you have both.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Five pounds.’
    The customer paused and then grinned guiltily. ‘Go on then.’ And while Vita was wrapping and packing, the lady handed over four packets of quirky paper napkins that were displayed near the till. They cost more than the discount.
    ‘She’d have bought both without the discount,’ was Tim’s opening gambit when they had the shop to themselves.
    ‘She wouldn’t have bought the napkins though. It’s the feel-good factor. She’ll be back. She’ll always come here for gifts. And sometimes I’ll give her a discount and other times I won’t. And that means she’ll come back even more often.’
    ‘Whatever you say,’ Tim said. He’d never really figured out Vita’s business strategies.
    Vita looked at him. They were standing next to each other, both of them with hands on hips, looking at the table with the little creatures made from teasels and pine cones, as if observing naughty children.
    ‘Are these popular?’
    ‘No, not really,’ Vita said. ‘The kids all want them, but the mums worry they’ll make a mess or have creepy crawlies hibernating in them.’
    Creepy crawlies. A Vita-ism. Tim smiled.
    ‘How’s things?’ he asked. She looked good today. He’d stopped noticing. A long time ago.
    She shrugged. ‘June’s not been a good month – but not a bad month either, all things considering. A little down on last year.’
    ‘And outside of the shop? Work and play?’
    She shrugged again. ‘Not a good month, not a bad month. A little down on last year. All things considered.’ The allusion was lost on him. ‘And you?’
    He shrugged too.
    Tell me about Suzie, Tim. Own up. No, don’t.
    An awkward silence during which, standing there, side by side, elbows almost touching, she could sense his body heat. They were close but too close for comfort. Vita stepped away. ‘So!’
    ‘So,’ said Tim, ‘about the trade fair.’
    ‘Yes,’ said Vita, ‘what do you think?’
    ‘I’m meant to be in Edinburgh,’ Tim said. ‘I can’t cancel it – they’re a new client for the consultancy.’
    ‘But what about the shop?’
    ‘Could Jodie come in? The show’s only at Alexandra Palace. You don’t need to stay over. One day would probably be enough anyway.’
    ‘I thought you said Jodie’s beyond useless?’
    ‘As a Saturday girl, yes,’ said Tim, ‘but midweek – she’ll probably be flattered, she may even rise to the challenge. She’s an impoverished student – she’ll probably relish the chance to skip some boring lecture.’
    ‘I’ll ask her. But what if she can’t?’
    ‘God, Vita, why don’t you just ask her first – and depending on her answer, then worry about a plan B?’
    And Vita thought to herself, Remember that? The way he turns? The way you think you’re pals and suddenly you wonder if he really dislikes you?
    ‘I’ll do that,’ she said and she wanted him to leave.
    ‘Let me know,’ he said, on his way out. And then he paused. ‘Nice dress. By the way.’
    It gave her a lift. And she was angry with herself for letting it.
    Before she rang Jodie, Vita did the sensible thing and allowed herself a few minutes to think about Tim. To really think about him. Wondered why he didn’t use his relationship with Suzie against her when that really would be a very Tim thing to do. Shove it in her face, brandish it about. What meaning