Episode 4: Making Up For The Loss

Lily arrived early to the shop that morning. Veronica was just unlocking the front door when she saw her and gave her a big smile.

“You’re early today?”

“Yeah,” Lily let out a small laugh “I think I should make up for the loss I’ve cost you, so I’ve come to help prepare the shop for business,” she said with a smile. Veronica knew Lily was a good employee and a very hard-working girl. She also knew Lily had been through a very hard life at a very young age. But she had to treat all her workers equally. They entered the shop together and Lily immediately went to work, starting with arranging the tables and cleaning the display window. Veronica watched her from behind the cashier counter contently.

Scott arrived half an hour later. He was yet to know about what had happened the day before. “Hey, where’s the bicycle? I was checking out to see if the tyres were flat but it’s not there.” He asked them as he stepped through the shop entrance. Veronica and Lily looked to each other.

“Your wheel’s at the workshop, Scott. Why weren’t you in yesterday?” Veronica answered bluntly. Scott’s eyes widen.

“What?! Why? Can’t I be sick for just one day without having anything happen to my bicycle?!”

“It’s not your bicycle, it’s the shops’!” Lily interrupted while polishing the display window.

“Lily went to deliver yesterday and she met with a small accident. The bicycle, I mean. But I’ve cut from her salary so you don’t have to worry.” Veronica explained. “Then how am I going to do any delivery today?” Scott asked.

“You can borrow my car.”

Scott finally smiled. For the next few hours, Lily stayed in the kitchen baking cupcakes as usual while Veronica stayed at the cashier counter to treat customers. It was another regular working day, so there were not really a lot of people coming in. Lily only had to finish the cupcake orders for a few customers that were due by the end of the week.

“Lily, there’s someone outside who wants to see you.” Veronica uttered slowly as she walked into the kitchen. Lily looked back with a surprised face. Nobody had ever wanted to see her in personal at the shop. Did something happen to her mother? Lily half-panicked and anxiously walked into the shop area. Someone was standing near the counter, facing outside the display window; a man.

“May I help you?” Lily carefully asked. The man slowly turned around and gave her a big grin. Lily blinked her eyes many times just to make sure. To her greatest surprise, it was the owner of the red Jaguar who had hit her bicycle the other day. It was the snobbish rich moron. Lily’s jaw fell open.

*

To Be Continued...