Part 1
Shane
came around the corner. He was forever hopeful, that there'd be a
line of eager customers, waiting for the doors to open, so they could
buy things. But as always he rounded the corner, to an near-empty
street, only a handful of people out walking, not the sort of crowd
to stop at Filan Fashions.
Filan
Fashions had been only open 3 months, and the novelty had worn off
in the first month. Hardly anyone stopped to browse in the store,
only a few tourists but there wasn't much trade. He could see his
sister standing there, waiting.
"Shane,
Good morning! Another bright and sunny day, I wonder if there'll be
business today" Yvonne said, sarcastically.
"Good
morning Yvonne. I hope so, I think we'll have to sit down and talk
about the business's future.
Shane
opened the door, and picked up the mail. Bills, bills, bills, was
all there was. People wanting money, that just wasn't coming.
Suppliers were calling every day, wanting to be paid, and threatening
to cut supplies if the money wasn't paid.
Gillian
Walsh, was the only employee that they had, and yet she was always
on time, and efficient, but with the decreasing sales, it would be
soon expensive to keep her on. Even if she was Shane's girlfriend,
they would soon need to minimize expenses, which would mean letting
her go.
As
always, Gillian arrived at 9am, right on opening time, to start work.
"Morning
All, isn't it a glorious day, theres a hint of spring in the air,
with the last of winter blues being driven away by the early spring sun."
"Hey
Gill," Shane said, coming from the wee kitchen off the main room.
"Shane,
I think we need to have a word about my employment, its just that my
aunt wants me to work in the new family café they're opening
around the corner."
"Café?
When was this organised?" Shane said, spluttering in his daily coffee.
"Shane,
it's a question of loyalty, and as for this place I don't see many
ppl wanting to stop, browse or even buy anything. The only people we
get are people who want directions or they want something to eat.
Hence this place was a café before." Gillian said.
"So,
what you're saying Gillian, is that you'd like to chuck this job in
for your family, over your devoted boyfriend." Shane said, smirking.
"Shane.
Oh and that's the other thing. My mam says, I can't go out with you
anymore, family loyalties or something. So I'm sorry." Gillian
said, walking out.
"Gill,
wait." Yvonne said, looking back inside, to where Shane was
sitting with his head in his hands.
"What
is it?" Gillian said, looking at her watch.
"Do
you realize what you've just done?"
"What
have I done? Broken his heart? Made all his dreams go up in smoke?"
"Shane
doesn't need this, you know. Its been 6 months since Westlife split,
and you ditching him, was probably the last thing he'd ever dream of
happening. What with the business going to shite, and Mam being
unwell, he's been under a lot of stress."
"Look,
spare me the lecture, I've got to get going. I promised Ki that I'd
be there to help with the lunch rush."
"Well,
I think you're making a big mistake, and you'll regret it, when he
finds someone else" Yvonne said, walking back inside.