Free Red Letter Day by Colette Caddle Page B

but I'm going to be terribly late.'
    'Come up and see my flat first.'
    'Sorry, that will have to wait till the next time.'
    'Oh, okay then.' Celine stood up and went over to the counter to pay. As she stood waiting for her change, she realised that all the paintings were gone. 'Oh!'
    'Something wrong?' Tracy asked.
    The paintings, they're gone. Surely you haven't sold them all?'
    Tracy laughed. 'No such luck. No, the artist decided he didn't want to sell them after all.'
    'What a pity.'
    'Celine?'
    'Okay, Marina, I'm coming. Thanks, Tracy, bye.'
     
    'Nice lunch?' Rose asked as Celine came back into the shop.
    'Yes, thanks.'
    'I'll leave you to it for a little while.' Rose suppressed a yawn. 'I could do with putting my feet up.'
    'Go ahead, I'll be fine.'
    'Just shout if you need me,' Rose told her and went through to the back.
    Celine looked around the empty shop and wondered what to do. The shelves were a little untidy so she took down the clothes and started to refold them. She fingered a cashmere cardigan with reverence. The material was a rich shade of royal blue, a colour that had always looked beautiful on her mother. She smiled. Whenever she had designed something or chosen material, her mother had often come to mind. Like Celine, she had loved clothes and had been fairly nifty with a needle. Maybe if she'd been alive when Dermot had died Celine wouldn't have given up her career.
    Ann Moore's death at just fifty-three had been a devastating blow to both Frank and Celine. The brain tumour was found after Ann had complained for months of blinding headaches. It had been all downhill from there on.
    Celine gave herself a mental shake and turned to re-hang some of the dresses on the rail. She noticed some marks on a black trouser suit and went in search of a clothes brush. After she'd cleaned the suit to her satisfaction she went through all the rails, brush in hand. She was just finishing when two young girls came into the shop. She donned a welcoming smile. 'Hi. If you need anything just ask,' she said and moved quickly back behind the counter. She always hated pushy shop assistants who hung over your shoulder. Thankfully, Rose felt the same way. Her tactics paid off and after trying on several outfits, both girls bought something. Eyes shining, Celine went through to the back to report her success to her boss. Rose was in the armchair with her feet up and eyes closed. Celine backed out immediately.
    'Come in, come in, I was just resting my eyes. Is everything okay?'
    Celine nodded. 'It certainly is. I just sold the red velvet skirt and the black Rocha dress.'
    Rose did a quick calculation. 'One hundred and forty-five Euro.'
    Celine nodded. 'You're good!'
    'So are you,' Rose retorted. That skirt has been on the rack for months.'
    'I suggested to the girl that she put a fringe or lace trim on the bottom. She was a student,' she added by way of explanation.
    Rose eyed her speculatively. 'I can see your talents are going to come in very handy. There are a lot of my customers who would love advice like that.'
    Celine shrugged. 'I'll be happy to help if I can.'
    Rose smiled as the bell on the shop door jangled. 'Why don't I go? You put on the kettle. And there's some shortbread in the cupboard.'
    Celine did as she was bid and as she fetched the biscuits she thought it was just as well she and Rose would only be working together for a few weeks or she'd be as big as a house! Rose was back moments later, a scowl on her face. 'Time-wasters,' she grumbled. 'I wouldn't mind but they're always the ones who pull the clothes around and I can tell from the moment I set eyes on them that they've no intention of putting their hands in their pockets!'
    'Tea or coffee?' Celine asked.
    'Tea, please.' Rose sank back down into the armchair.
    'It's sad though,' Celine remarked as she made the brew. 'Having nothing better to do but wander around the shops. They probably can't afford to buy anything.'
    'Rubbish. Even a down-and-out could afford