Page 75 of Happy Days Ahead in the Cornish Village

‘Okay, that sounds good.’ But before she could let herself get carried away, Megan felt her heart sink. ‘I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t have any retail experience. Not recently anyway. I mean, I worked at a newsagent for a couple of years when I was a teenager, but?—’

‘Don’t worry. Our system is pretty straightforward. Nothing will take long to get your head around, I can promise you that. I just need someone reliable who can be flexible.’

‘I can be flexible.’ Megan looked across at Jay and crossed her fingers. He copied.

‘Good, good. You see, my mum isn’t too well and sometimes needs a little help, which is why I need someone who could, after training, be confident enough to run the parlour if I’m called away.’

‘Oh, right. Yes, that would be fine.’

‘Great. Could I ask you to pop in sometime and we can have a chat?’

‘Yes, okay.’ Megan glanced at Jay and waved her hand between him and Cindy before pointing up the beach to question if he was happy to head back.

Grinning, Jay nodded.

‘I can pop in now if it’s convenient? I’m just at the cove, anyway.’ Megan bit down on her lip. Did she sound too eager? Was there any such thing as being too eager when applying for jobs?

‘Perfect. I’ll see you in a little while then.’

And with that, Primrose ended the call.

‘Eek.’ Megan jiggled her legs up and down and laid the mobile on the sand. ‘I’ve got a job! Hopefully, anyway.’

‘That’s amazing! Congratulations!’ Leaning across the dogs lying between them, Jay cupped her cheeks with his hands and kissed her.

Megan reached behind the back of his neck and kissed him too. Yes, her new life was beginning to fall into place. Leaning back slightly, with her hand still resting on the nape of his neck, she grinned. ‘If I do get this job, then it means I’ll be able to save up, do an accountancy course and begin to build my own business.’

‘It sounds as though you have the job already.’ Jay tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

‘Ah, I don’t know. I still need to get through this interview-chat thing first.’

‘You will. I’m sure she’ll love you. And by the end of the day you’ll have bagged yourself a job!’

‘I really hope you’re right. I literally thought it would take ages to find something.’ Megan leaned towards him again, their lips touching.

27

After closing the gate from the lane behind her, Megan made her way across the courtyard towards Wagging Tails. She felt as though she could finally begin to move on. Primrose had offered her the job right then and there during their chat and had even given her a rota for when she’d be working, and although it was part-time, Primrose had promised her overtime on top of her usual hours. She’d have to take another look at the courses again tonight. She could even start thinking about names for her new business. Of course, she’d have to build her client base up, which made the job at the ice-cream parlour even more perfect. She could study and then eventually work on her new business around her hours at the parlour. And at Wagging Tails, of course. Sorting the books for Flora was still a priority, but she was sure she’d have enough time to fit everything in.

She looked to her right as she walked towards the reception area. The paddocks were empty, which was strange, as there was usually someone up in at least one of them with a dog or two. Perhaps Flora and Percy had finished their chat, and everyone was inside getting lunch.

Inching the door to the reception area open, she waited, trying to hear if the coast was clear or not, and on hearing chatter and laughter filling the building, seeping from the open kitchen door, she stepped inside.

‘Hello, you,’ she said, as Cindy came rushing out of the kitchen towards her, her tail wagging at full speed. Straightening her back, Megan folded the rota Primrose had given her and slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans.

‘Hey, how did it go?’ Jay walked into the reception area towards her.

‘Great, thanks. I’m now an official employee of West Par Ice Cream Parlour and I’ll be starting my first shift in a couple of days’ time.’

Stepping forward, he pulled her into a hug. ‘That’s fantastic news.’

‘Thanks. I literally can’t stop smiling. It’s only part-time, although she’s pretty sure there’ll be overtime, but I’ll still have time to come here and also to begin my refresher course.’

‘That’s perfect then.’

‘Megan, is that you?’ Alex popped his head through the open door.

‘It sure is.’ She grinned at him.

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