The Second Chance Shoe Shop (8 page)

A
t ten o’clock
, Riley took an unofficial break, hoping that Suzanne, the praying mantis, wouldn’t come by for a spot check and find her missing. If she did, Sadie and Dan had been told to say that she’d had to rush to the doctor’s.

It had been a month since their competition had started and yet things were still slow. She took a bus out of the town centre and, only fifteen minutes later, was crossing the road towards Petrani’s Insurance Brokers, as Ash had instructed her. Above the brokers’ office, she could see large letters on skew-whiff coloured posters spelling out the name Streetwise. Serena’s dance studio was on the first floor.

She pushed on a door and went into a small reception area with a row of chairs to one side and a desk against the far wall. Sat behind it was a thin young woman who didn’t look old enough to have a job, her thick dark hair hiding most of her pretty face until she looked up. Her name badge said Rhianna.

‘Hi, I’m looking for Serena,’ said Riley.

‘Hi, yes, she’s expecting you.’ Rhianna glanced at her watch. ‘Her class is due to finish in a few minutes. Do you want to go up?’ She pointed towards a staircase.

As she went upstairs Riley heard faint music, and imagined herself flying around the room like Jennifer Beals in
Flashdance.
Laughing to herself at the ridiculous image, she heard a thud, thud, the beat getting louder as she levelled with the first floor. She could hear a woman shouting ‘Five, six, seven, eight. Good work, Jessica! And again. Two, three, four, and change!’

There was a narrow corridor ahead. On the left side, along its length, was a window at waist height, and she stood for a moment, entranced by what she saw. A group of children, she reckoned no more than six years old, were running around the room dressed as elephants. It was the cutest thing she had seen in ages and it brought a lump to her throat. One young boy, seemingly unfazed by the fact that he was in the minority, was racing round the room chasing the girls with his arm made out to be a trunk. Riley smiled when she saw him being chastised by the tutor.

‘Now, now, Freddy,’ the woman shouted. ‘Let’s not get carried away.’

Riley thought his name fitted him perfectly but wouldn’t like to put a bet on which Fred he was most like − Krueger or Flintstone.

The woman clapped. ‘Right, you lot of ugly mugs, back to mums and dads and I will see you next week. And remember,’ she said, holding her arm out like an elephant’s trunk, ‘keep practising being an elephant!’

As the room exploded with the sounds of screeching and footsteps thundering across the floor, the woman turned to Riley.

‘Peace at last,’ she sighed. ‘I do love that class but they try my patience, little imps.’ She held out a hand. ‘I’m Serena. You must be Riley.’

Serena reminded Riley of a young Gwyneth Paltrow. Her blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, showing off her fresh complexion. She wore leggings under a loose, oversized T-shirt that slipped off one shoulder to reveal a flash of a shocking-pink bra strap.

Riley shook her hand. ‘I’m the one with two left feet and a mission impossible, should you choose to accept it.’

‘Oh, I will definitely choose to accept it.’ Serena pointed to a room off the main hall. ‘Let’s grab a drink.’

Once Riley had gone over her ideas, she tried to apologise for coming up with such a ridiculous notion.

‘It’s a mad idea, isn’t it?’ she cringed.

‘Let me be the judge of that,’ replied Serena. ‘A flash mob sounds exciting. Do you have a song in mind?’

‘Yes,’ Riley smiled in embarrassment. ‘This is going to sound ridiculous, but whenever Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” comes on in the shop, which isn’t that often thankfully, we all stand in a line and do a dance.’

‘A dance?’ Serena’s eyebrows went up questioningly.

‘Yes.’ She clapped her hands in the air and then down at her side. ‘I know it’s really silly, but we have the customers in stitches, most of the time − ourselves too.’

Serena paused momentarily. ‘Can I have a think about what song might work with one of the routines they already know? That way there won’t be too much preparation on my side, apart from drilling you and your staff into shape. I’m sure I can sort you out with something easy to do that will look spectacular.’

Riley beamed. ‘Be my guest. I’m really happy that you agreed to see me, let alone want to do this.’

Serena handed her a mug of coffee. ‘Are you kidding? I mentioned a flash mob to the group and I couldn’t hear myself telling them the rest of the details as they were screaming so loud. They were so excited. I’m not sure how many of them will be able to keep it to themselves, though. But I suppose any publicity is better than doing this kind of thing and no one stopping to look at you.’

Riley agreed, though even just the thought of it scared her. ‘So the dancers − what are they like?’

‘They’re aged between fifteen and twenty-one. We have fifteen girls and three boys. So with you three, plus me, and Ash mentioned that she’d like to be involved too, that’s twenty-three people. I reckon we can put on a good enough show with that number of dancers. What do you think?’

Riley was still dubious. ‘How long will it take us to work on our routines?’

‘You’ll only have a basic routine. I reckon you’ll master it within an hour. For me, it’s a matter of working out who appears when, and where from − perhaps a few shop doorways on the High Street. I suppose we’ll need to do a couple of practice sessions here at the studio with all the dancers. Then you can practise whenever you get the chance. It’ll be thirty seconds at the most.’

‘And you’re sure you don’t want any payment?’ Riley gnawed at her bottom lip. ‘I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, it’s a lot of work for you.’

‘I like a challenge.’ Serena waved her comment away. ‘Besides, I’ll get some press coverage for my business. And as long as you stay on your feet during your performance, and don’t go arse over tit, then it will be good fun for you too.’

Riley laughed. ‘Thank you so much. I know a lot of people wouldn’t have given up their time for something like this.’

‘You’re right. But if I can help someone who is willing to help me, then I’m all for it. I love two-way promotion. Plus the dance group need to be motivated every now and then and this is just the thing.’

Riley grinned. ‘So, when can we start?’

‘I have an hour free on Friday, around seven − does that sound doable?’

Riley nodded. ‘I’m sure it can be sorted. We have a six-year-old girl that would have to tag along. Is that okay?’

‘Do you think she will join in?’ Serena pondered. ‘The cute factor will be incredible if she did.’

‘Yes, I expect so!’ said Riley, knowing that Esther would love to be involved. ‘I’ll have a word with Sadie − that’s her mum − and see what she says.’

‘Perfect. I’ll see you here on Friday. Dress comfortably, but bring heels that you will be wearing on the day.’

‘Will do!’ Riley headed for the door.

‘You’re gonna love this. If it gets seen, we’ll all be laughing.’

‘As long as it’s no one laughing
at
us!’

Serena sniggered. ‘I can’t promise that. And it will depend on my song choice, which I will let you know on Friday. When do you want this to happen by?’

‘The following weekend. Do you think that’s possible?’

‘I’ll let you know on Friday when I’ve seen exactly how you dance.’

‘I imagine we’ll be really bad,’ Riley admitted.

‘I’ll sort you out. We’ll get the guys wanting more.’

‘That sounds like the wrong kind of dance to me.’

Serena laughed. ‘There are no poles to wrap yourself around in here.’

As Riley left the building, her steps were a little lighter. How kind of Serena not to want any payment. It had been one of her biggest worries. Riley loved someone who had an entrepreneurial streak in them.

She couldn’t wait to get back to the shop. Now all she had to do was persuade Dan and Sadie to put in the time for a week, and then they could strut their stuff for the good folk of Hedworth. And on Friday, they would learn their fate, determined by Serena’s choice of song.

The High Street would never look the same again after this.

‘
S
o what do you think
?’ Riley looked at Ethan with the wonder of a child, hoping that he didn’t think she’d gone mad. After all, he hadn’t known her long. This could put their fledgling relationship into serious jeopardy.

She’d called him once she had seen Serena, to see if he was available for a quick coffee.

He stared at her straight-faced for a moment, and then laughed.

Riley felt unsure whether to smile or frown.

‘I think it’s a brilliant idea!’ he said. ‘But why do you need to promote the shop that much? Didn’t you say it was doing well?’

‘I might have exaggerated a little.’ Riley looked sheepish. ‘I thought maybe the paper wouldn’t want another feature on a shop that was being threatened with closure.’

‘You might close?’ Ethan reached across the table for her hand. ‘I had no idea things were that bad for you.’

‘For all of us. It’s our livelihood.’

‘It’s not all about the money for you, though, is it?’

Riley shook her head. ‘Nor for the other staff, if I’m honest. I’ve seen people on the news where factories have closed and I’ve always thought, oh, that’s a shame, and I hope there are other jobs out there for most of the people. What I hadn’t thought about, until now, was the effect it would have on our lives away from work. It pays the bills but we’re a team too, Ethan − we work so well together, but we’re also really close outside of office hours. You mentioned office politics − we don’t have that for a reason. We’re like an extended family and I― I don’t want to lose that.’ Tears welled in her eyes and she looked away quickly. ‘Sorry.’

‘Hey.’ He paused until she looked at him. ‘I think the passion that you have is amazing. If I can help in any way, I will.’

A tear escaped and slid down her cheek. He wiped it away, still staring at her.

‘I can set up the filming, that isn’t a problem. I can also get Kim involved − she is brilliant with PR. If it’s something we can spring on people, even better. I’ll check with my boss and let you know.’

‘You can do all that?’ Riley hadn’t thought further than the flash mob.

Ethan nodded. ‘How long will it be before you’re ready to do it?’

‘We’ve agreed on next Saturday at two o’clock. There should be a fair number of people around at that time. I can set everything up by then but I doubt we’ll be ready.’

‘From what you’re telling me, you have a twenty-second slot at the end, and then you’re handing out leaflets.’

‘Yes, but―’

‘Parkinson’s Law,’ said Ethan. ‘Whatever time you have in which to do something, it will be done in that time. So if you set a date, you’ll hit the deadline.’

‘I wish I had your faith.’

‘You don’t need faith, Riley. You have courage and desire.’ He gazed at her. ‘So, now that you have a date for the flash mob, do we have another date too?’ He leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips. ‘I need my Ethan time too.’

She nodded again, this time smiling. Ethan time − she liked that. Then she began to panic.

‘It won’t go viral, will it?’ she asked. ‘I’d hate for people to see me make a fool of myself.’

‘If you can sit in a shop window looking like Cinderella, I think you can do this. You’re made of strong stuff.’

Riley really did hope so. Because if it went wrong, not only would she bring unwanted attention to Chandler’s, she would also be the laughing stock of Hedworth.

’
H
ow did you get on
?’ Dan was the first to ask Riley when she got back to work later that morning.

‘Really great.’ Riley shrugged off her jacket and went behind the till. ‘Are you both free on Friday evening?’ she asked.

‘I can be,’ said Dan. ‘I doubt I’ll have any exciting dates to go on at this rate.’

‘I can be, if I can get Christine to keep Esther with her for a while longer,’ Sadie said, joining them once she’d finished serving a customer.

‘No need. Serena says she can come with you, if you like.’ She threw Sadie a grin. ‘Serena is happy for Esther to join in with the dance, if that’s okay with you?’

‘Really?’ Sadie frowned. ‘Do you think she’ll cope with a dance routine?’

‘She’ll be more than capable,’ sniggered Dan. ‘It’ll be us that will take some teaching.’

‘Serena suggested that she came on at the end to do one simple move,’ said Riley.

‘Maybe she could carry a sign with the Twitter hashtag on it?’ Sadie suggested.

‘That would be great! I’ll make a list of what we need and what we have to do before next Saturday. I did tell you we’re doing the flash mob a week on Saturday?’

‘What?’ Sadie and Dan spoke in unison.

‘But we won’t be anywhere near ready by next Saturday!’ Dan complained.

‘Coffee anyone?’ Riley grabbed their mugs as the other two threw excuses at her. But just as she was about to disappear downstairs, she spotted Marsha coming along the High Street. She went to greet her, and the two people she was with, at the door.

‘Marsha,’ said Riley. ‘It’s so lovely to see you again.’

‘These are my friends.’ Marsha pointed to a girl dressed almost identically to her, with long blonde hair and pale features. The only colour on her face was a dash of deep purple lipstick. ‘This is Ruby and,’ she pointed again, ‘this is Frank.’

A young man who seemed as if he would be more comfortable on a beach in Newquay grinned at Riley. He looked like a fresh-faced surfer boy without the tan, his dark hair in messy dreadlocks, a tattoo of a bird on his neck and a ring through his bottom lip. His eyes were welcoming, putting Riley at ease. She couldn’t help but glance at his clothes, instantly loving the sense that his baggy trousers, Converse trainers and slash-necked jumper with thick-ribbed cuffs had all been thrown together to create the perfect look.

‘I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,’ said Riley, pointing to the seating area. ‘Have you brought any bags with you?’

‘Yeah, I’ve got a few.’

Marsha held up another tote bag, decorated with picture postcard motifs. ‘A bag full of bags.’ She laughed as she handed them to Frank. ‘We’ll be back in about twenty minutes.’

‘Thanks,’ said Riley. She pointed to the back of the room.

While Dan and Sadie took it in turns to look after the shop, Frank showed Riley several bags. They chatted amicably about how he came up with particular designs, why he used certain colours, how he drew some pictures and used motifs for others.

By the time he had shown her the fourth bag, Riley was sold. These were just what she needed to attract people’s eye to the shop window.

‘Are you able to work on a sale or return basis?’ she asked next. ‘I can’t pay upfront at first but if you have some to display, and they sell well, we could always order some in then.’

‘Yes, I’m up for that.’

Riley watched Frank’s dreadlocks bounce around as he talked animatedly. Up close he was really attractive and she wondered how he would look without all the hair. She could imagine him in a sharp suit but, equally, knew that he would look drab in it compared to the way he looked now.

‘How does forty per cent sound?’ asked Frank.

‘And you say they will retail at fifteen pounds?’

‘For starters, yes. Once I get more well-known, the price will go up. “Designed by Frank” is going to be the bag to be seen with. I have other plans too, and―’

Riley signalled for him to stop. ‘Twenty per cent and you have a deal.’

‘I was after at least thirty.’

‘If it was exclusive, I might run to twenty-five . . .’

‘Exclusive for how long?’

‘Shall we try three months?’ Riley knew that the shop might not be open that long but she wasn’t going to tell him that.

Frank paused for a moment before nodding his head. ‘Twenty-five per cent it is, then. Three months exclusive to you. Do you have a website?’

‘Not yet, but I’m working on it. We also have plans to promote the shop over the next few weeks, so I’m sure you’ll get some coverage.’

Frank held out his hand. ‘Great, we have a deal.’

Riley shook his hand and stood up. ‘Are you leaving these with me or do you want to display them yourself?’

‘I’d like to display them, but I’ll need to think about how, now that I’ve seen your window. Can I come back tomorrow?’

‘Yes.’ Riley beckoned Marsha and Ruby over as they came back into the shop. ‘Ladies, can you give me some advice on these sandals I’m thinking of stocking?’

Riley showed the two girls the sandals, her smile widening as she saw their excited faces.

‘Ooh, they are cool. How much are they?’

‘Twenty pounds.’

‘Twenty pounds! That’s a bargain,’ said Marsha. ‘I love the blue ones.’

‘They are my favourites, too.’ Sadie came over to join them after the last prospective customer had come and gone, empty-handed.

‘Are you going to buy some in?’ Marsha wanted to know.

Everyone looked at Riley. She would be going against Suzanne if she did stock them. But with Frank’s tote bags on display, and the bright colours of the sandals, Marsha’s age group could be a target market for Chandler’s to concentrate on. It could bring in some much needed trade. She nodded vehemently.

‘Yes, I think I am.’

‘Great, would you save me a pair in size six, please? I definitely want those blue ones.’

Riley jotted down the details.

‘Me, too. I’m a size five, please,’ said Ruby, smiling shyly. ‘I reckon half the girls on the campus would like them, too.’

Riley grinned as they left the shop. Half the girls on the campus sounded great to her. And along with Designed by Frank tote bags, their window was going to look very inviting.

She just hoped Suzanne wouldn’t be too annoyed with her for taking control.

F
rank had been gone no more
than twenty minutes when Suzanne came into the shop. Riley was showing Sadie some of the designers she was following on Twitter, pointing out some of the crazy shoe designs. Dan was serving a man who needed a pair of shoes to go with the suit he’d just purchased. He was going to his father’s funeral. Dan had been giving him extra time as he chatted.

Riley sighed, putting down the cup of coffee that Sadie had just made for her. Typical, they would be caught on a break.

Suzanne walked past, leaving behind the smell of something sweet and sickly.

‘Riley, come with me,’ she beckoned, curling her index finger. ‘Chop-chop.’

‘Chop-chop?’ Sadie mumbled. ‘Who the hell does she think she is?’

Riley rolled her eyes and picked up her drink again. She wasn’t missing a cup of coffee for anything. ‘Into battle I go,’ she said quietly before following behind Suzanne.

Suzanne twirled around in a flash when Riley joined her in the staffroom. She pointed to the competition chart, on the wall to her right.

‘There don’t seem to be many sales added to this, I see.’

‘It’s the beginning of the week,’ Riley explained. ‘We make most of our sales at the weekend, sometimes Thursdays as it’s late-night shopping in the shopping centre.’

‘That’s something we need to look at,’ Suzanne nodded, still staring at the chart. ‘If we do keep the shop open, despite the abysmal sales you’ve racked up between you, then we’ll need to think of staying open longer during the week as well as starting to open on Sundays. Until seven each weekday evening, at least.’

Riley didn’t feel like protesting. She wondered what Suzanne meant by “we” − it definitely wouldn’t include doing extra hours herself. And Riley was willing to bet that the pay would remain the same either way. Really, was there any point? It was worse than being at school.

‘Have you thought of any more ideas for how to increase sales?’ Suzanne looked at her now. ‘It’s been three weeks and, even with the article in the local news, nothing has impressed me so far. I think you need to motivate the staff more, or make them work harder. It’s your responsibility. I need to see you pulling your weight.’

‘I
am
pulling my weight. I want Chandler’s to stay open, and I want it to do well, but I don’t think threats will help.’

‘Threats?’ Suzanne looked insulted. ‘I’m not threatening you.’

Riley said nothing, deciding instead to take a sip of coffee.

Suzanne folded her arms. ‘I’m trying to save your skin, so I expect you to be a little more grateful.’

Riley clenched her teeth to stop herself spitting out anything about the flash mob. ‘I just don’t know what else we can do to drum up more trade,’ she said, finally.

‘I’m sure you’ll think of something.’ Suzanne glanced at her watch. ‘I have an appointment for a manicure in ten minutes. I might call in later to see you, or it may be tomorrow.’ She tapped a finger twice on the chart. ‘This needs to improve, and quickly, or I might just tell Max to go ahead with his plans when I next speak to him on the phone. He wants to close before the three months are up. That’s not what you want, is it?’

‘Do you know what, Suzanne?’ Riley put her coffee mug down with a bang on the table. ‘I just might tell Sadie and Dan that Max came round quite a few times on his own last year. I know he was taking money from the till because I saw him.’

Suzanne paled.

‘He told me to mind my own business and I didn’t even ask what he needed the money for. Maybe that’s the reason things aren’t as good as they seem. If he paid back what he took, then―’

Suzanne held up her hand. ‘Whatever money went out of the till would have been taken because Max needed something for the business.’

‘Great, then if you can just drop off the receipts, I can enter them into the accounts.’

‘This has nothing to do with you.’ Suzanne narrowed her eyes, her nostrils flaring. ‘And it had better go no further, do you hear?’

Riley said nothing. It was clear something was going on between the two of them, something that Suzanne didn’t want anyone to know about. She wondered if it had anything to do with Max not being around. It wasn’t unusual for him to go overseas, but it was strange he hadn’t been seen since last year. And Suzanne didn’t bring his name up in conversation as much as she used to.

Suzanne glared at her once more before flouncing out of the room as quickly as she had arrived. Once the door closed behind her, Riley’s shoulders drooped. At least the flash mob was still under wraps. If word of that got out, Suzanne would try and stop it. And they were too close for that now.

F
riday night came around quickly
. Riley was filled with a mixture of fear and giddy excitement as they made their way to Streetwise Dance Studios. A different girl was on the reception desk and pointed them upstairs.

‘Hi, guys, come on in!’ Serena opened the door and held out her arm. ‘Welcome to the room of pain.’

‘Sounds a bit
Fifty Shades of Grey
to me,’ Dan quipped.

‘Believe me, you will be in pain by the time I’ve knocked you into shape.’ Serena pulled him inside the studio. ‘Hey, Ash.’ She gave her friend a hug.

‘This is Dan and Sadie.’ Riley pointed to them both in turn.

Serena smiled, then stooped level with Esther. ‘And who might you be, miss?’ she asked.

‘My name is Esther,’ she said. ‘I’m my mum’s lucky mascot. I was the apple of my daddy’s eye, but he died.’

‘I― oh,’ Serena looked perplexed.

‘Come on, poppet.’ Sadie flashed Serena an apologetic look. ‘Maybe we can show Serena how well you can dance. What do you say?’

‘I want to go on
The X Factor
, Mummy, not
Strictly Come Dancing.
’ Esther trotted forward, loving the sound of her feet clicking on the floor. She watched herself in the mirrored wall at the back of the room.

‘Tell everyone my dirty secrets, why don’t you?’ Sadie smiled. ‘I am a reality TV show fanatic, guilty as charged.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with a bit of Simon Cowell within reason,’ said Riley. She walked to the side of the studio, putting her bag on the floor and slipping off her coat. ‘Come on, Serena, put us out of our misery, and tell us what song you’ve chosen for us.’

Serena had been teasing Riley since her first visit. Each day, she had sent her a text message with a different song choice, threatening to use each one if they didn’t get everything sorted well in time. One of them had been Abba, ‘Dancing Queen’ − a complete and utter no. The next one had been Queen, ‘I Want to Break Free’ − another no. When she had suggested the Spice Girls, ‘Wannabe’
,
Riley had called to give Serena a categorical no. As Serena cackled down the line, Riley had realised that she’d been winding her up. So she was excited, yet apprehensive, to hear the final choice.

‘Wait and see.’ Serena pointed to the middle of the floor. ‘I want you all in a line here.’

Riley, Dan, Ash and Sadie obliged. Esther held on to Sadie’s hand.

‘Are you ready?’ Serena asked.

‘Come on,’ cried Riley ‘We’re dying to find out.’

‘Okay, here we go.’ Serena pressed a button on a remote control and raced to the door. ‘I won’t be a minute,’ she cried, before disappearing through it.

‘What’s going on?’ said Sadie.

Before anyone could reply, the music started. Riley grinned as she looked at Dan.

‘It’s Pharrell Williams.’ He clapped his hands in delight. ‘“Happy”.’

The door opened and in walked three girls. Dan’s mouth dropped open as, dressed in the highest of heels and the tightest of mini-skirts, they strutted across the floor and began to dance in front of them. Esther clapped her hands too, jumping up and down next to Sadie.

Another two lines of the song went by before the door opened again. Three more girls appeared, this time in leggings, hoodies and trainers. They did their own style of dance before moving to join the others and all six did the same routine. Over the next two minutes, every few seconds, two or three more dancers came into the room and joined in.