Free The Secrets of Ice Cream Success by AD Hartley Page B

back now.’ Ben said with a grin whilst Newt and
Norton giggled at Carlo’s discomfort from the sofa.
    ‘ What? Why? I
tried and she didn’t answer; I left a message; why do I have to
ring her back again?’
    ‘ Because you
just left her the world’s most stupid message, that’s why.’ Ben
answered.
    Not convinced, Carlo pressed
the button again and waited for the answerphone one more time,
hoping desperately that Vicky wouldn’t answer in person. ‘Yeah,
err… Hi, again. I’m just ringing you because you, err… rang me. So
yeah. Bye.’
    ‘ Pathetic!’
Ben laughed as the two boys on the sofa howled in
laughter.
    ‘ Perhaps you
should do this in private?’ Abi suggested.
    ‘ Do what? I
called her again. That’s it… isn’t it?’ Carlo asked, now concerned
that Abi was suggesting it wasn’t.
    ‘ Boys are so
stupid!’ Abi said, standing up and dragging Carlo out of his chair.
‘Listen… Vicky fancies you and you fancy her… No, don’t deny it.’
she added as Carlo made to protest. ‘Now go out there,’ she
continued, pushing him into the hall, ‘and call her again. And if
it goes to answerphone say hello, say you’re sorry you missed her
call and that you’ll speak to her later… and try not to make it
sound like you’re a stalker this time.
    ‘ She won’t
want to speak to him at the party at this rate.’ Abi said to the
others, falling back into her chair as Carlo left the
room.
    ‘ Oh, you don’t
seriously think his invite still stands after this?’ Newton said
with a smile.
    ‘ We better
go.’ Norton said glumly as the others laughed. ‘My Mam’ll be back
soon.’
    ‘ Yeah, OK.’
Newton said picking up his bag. ‘Did she know we were coming
round?’
    ‘ Nah?’
    Without needing to ask why
Norton was anxious about leaving, the group having emptied the
recently re-stocked fridge, the gang stood and made their way to
the front door as Carlo finished on the phone and joined them,
looking rather ashen.
    ‘ What?’ Abi
asked, ‘Did you speak to her?’ Carlo shook his head. ‘Well? Did you
leave a message?’
    ‘ I got
confused.’ Carlo said miserably. ‘I don’t know why I said it. It
just sort of said itself.’
    ‘ What did?
What did you say?’ Norton asked excitedly.
    ‘ I think I may
have just asked Vicky Dearlove out on a date.’

A Good Reason to Cancel Social
Engagements?
     
    Carlo and Norton were sat in
stunned silence. The man on the other side of the desk was taller
than anyone they had ever met, had three teeth missing from his
smile and seemed to whistle every time he spoke. Norton’s mouth had
dropped open as he stared quite openly, leaving Randy to hurry the
interview to a close in order to limit any possible offence.
    ‘ I think
that’s it, unless either of you have any questions for Mr Lumsden?’
Randy asked, turning to the two boys.
    ‘ Yeah… just
how tall are you?’ Norton blurted out in a manner that suggested he had
been waiting to ask the question since Mr Lumsden entered the
office, a feat of patience not normally associated with
Norton.
    ‘ Richard!’
Randy scolded, ‘A work related question, please.’
    ‘ It’sssss OK,
Mr Fox. I am ssssix feet and ten inchesss.’ Mr Lumsden answered,
whistling tunefully as he pronounced every “ess”.
    ‘ Whoah.’
Norton volunteered as a reply.
    ‘ I think we
can assume there are no more questions.’ Randy added, giving the
boys a meaningful glance. ‘Thank you so much for coming in and
we’ll be in touch shortly.’
    ‘ Sssssuper.’
Mr Lumsden said, shaking hands with all three before leaving the
office in a crouch to fit through the door.
    ‘ Ssssssssssuper!’ Norton mimicked with a shrill
whistle.
    ‘ Richard, I’m
going to ask you not to attend the final interview.’ Randy said
sounding annoyed.
    ‘ I’m only
messing. Anyway, did you see him?’
    ‘ Yes, I saw
him and I also read his CV. He is highly qualified and I think will
fit in well here.’
    ‘ You said that
about