Chapter One
Judy sang softly along as the music played, and at the same time straightened the footwear display.
“It’ll be lonely this Christmas, lonely and cold…,” she sang, as she stood back proudly to admire her display of knee length leather boots which now stood to attention like well disciplined soldiers. Turning to the full length wall mirror next to the display unit, she smoothed down her navy blue pencil skirt suit, before flattening her long shoulder length dark brown hair. Moving closer to the mirror, Judy checked that her makeup was in order, and that the grey eye shadow she always wore to complement her large brown eyes was still in place.
Judy was the head supervisor of the clothing and footwear section, situated on the second floor of the largest department store in the region, and she had pride in her work. However big or small the task, it had to be done properly. She had been in the job for almost three years now and loved every minute of it.
“You’ll never be lonely, Judy,” shouted Clive the security guard in his usual jovial tone, “ if you need company, just say the word. I’ll keep you company.”
“Thanks for the offer, Clive, but I’ll be fine,” Judy laughed as she moved to the glittering display of crystal encrusted party shoes.
Clive was a six foot tall, quite stocky, kind-hearted, likeable lad; but that’s exactly what he was; a lad. At twenty two years of age, he was thirty years her junior. Indeed, he was younger than Judy’s own two children, Nicholas and Sophie. Neither of them would be content to work in a department store, they were destined for bigger things. While Sophie, twenty five, was off to University studying fashion and design, Nicholas, twenty seven, was travelling around Europe trying to ‘find himself’. Nicholas had been on virtually every college course you can imagine, and had tried one job after another. However, so far, Nicholas had never stuck to anything in his life.
Regardless, Judy loved her children and was immensely proud of them. She admired their adventurous spirit. And Nicholas reminded her, very much, of someone she used to know a long time ago.
Her mind had been drifting far more than usual. Perhaps it was the time of year that increased her daydreaming episodes. Judy got back to concentrating on perfecting the display. The high-heeled sparkling stilettos were truly amazing, and although platforms were back in fashion, they were not as high as they had been the first time around. Judy had always loved high heels, because standing only 5ft 2inches tall, they offered her the illusion of height when she wore them. Judy loved one particular pair of those glimmering shoes, but it had been a very long time since she had needed such glamorous footwear. She felt her mind drifting again.
Judy remembered the days when she had wined and dined with her late husband Bruce. He had owned a well-respected building company, and was always looking to build up his circle of influential business acquaintances. There was always plenty of opportunity to wear something new and elegant when Bruce was alive. They had both lived life to the full, but tragically that had all come to a sudden end.
“Hi Judy. Full of busy are we?” a familiar voice called from the other side of the shop floor. It was Elaine, Judy’s best friend. They had gone to high school together and always remained in touch since then. Their kids had gone to the same schools, and at least once a month they would meet up for a coffee and a chat.
The sound of Elaine’s voice brought Judy back from her reminiscing, just in time to prevent her from dwelling too much on the tragic event that left her a widow.
“How do you like my hair?” asked Elaine, “not too blonde, is it? I told Stacey not to go too wild, but I need a lot more highlights these days to cover the grey. She says you’re booked in on Friday. Why don’t you go for a change of color, Judy? How about some blonde
Judy sang softly along as the music played, and at the same time straightened the footwear display.
“It’ll be lonely this Christmas, lonely and cold…,” she sang, as she stood back proudly to admire her display of knee length leather boots which now stood to attention like well disciplined soldiers. Turning to the full length wall mirror next to the display unit, she smoothed down her navy blue pencil skirt suit, before flattening her long shoulder length dark brown hair. Moving closer to the mirror, Judy checked that her makeup was in order, and that the grey eye shadow she always wore to complement her large brown eyes was still in place.
Judy was the head supervisor of the clothing and footwear section, situated on the second floor of the largest department store in the region, and she had pride in her work. However big or small the task, it had to be done properly. She had been in the job for almost three years now and loved every minute of it.
“You’ll never be lonely, Judy,” shouted Clive the security guard in his usual jovial tone, “ if you need company, just say the word. I’ll keep you company.”
“Thanks for the offer, Clive, but I’ll be fine,” Judy laughed as she moved to the glittering display of crystal encrusted party shoes.
Clive was a six foot tall, quite stocky, kind-hearted, likeable lad; but that’s exactly what he was; a lad. At twenty two years of age, he was thirty years her junior. Indeed, he was younger than Judy’s own two children, Nicholas and Sophie. Neither of them would be content to work in a department store, they were destined for bigger things. While Sophie, twenty five, was off to University studying fashion and design, Nicholas, twenty seven, was travelling around Europe trying to ‘find himself’. Nicholas had been on virtually every college course you can imagine, and had tried one job after another. However, so far, Nicholas had never stuck to anything in his life.
Regardless, Judy loved her children and was immensely proud of them. She admired their adventurous spirit. And Nicholas reminded her, very much, of someone she used to know a long time ago.
Her mind had been drifting far more than usual. Perhaps it was the time of year that increased her daydreaming episodes. Judy got back to concentrating on perfecting the display. The high-heeled sparkling stilettos were truly amazing, and although platforms were back in fashion, they were not as high as they had been the first time around. Judy had always loved high heels, because standing only 5ft 2inches tall, they offered her the illusion of height when she wore them. Judy loved one particular pair of those glimmering shoes, but it had been a very long time since she had needed such glamorous footwear. She felt her mind drifting again.
Judy remembered the days when she had wined and dined with her late husband Bruce. He had owned a well-respected building company, and was always looking to build up his circle of influential business acquaintances. There was always plenty of opportunity to wear something new and elegant when Bruce was alive. They had both lived life to the full, but tragically that had all come to a sudden end.
“Hi Judy. Full of busy are we?” a familiar voice called from the other side of the shop floor. It was Elaine, Judy’s best friend. They had gone to high school together and always remained in touch since then. Their kids had gone to the same schools, and at least once a month they would meet up for a coffee and a chat.
The sound of Elaine’s voice brought Judy back from her reminiscing, just in time to prevent her from dwelling too much on the tragic event that left her a widow.
“How do you like my hair?” asked Elaine, “not too blonde, is it? I told Stacey not to go too wild, but I need a lot more highlights these days to cover the grey. She says you’re booked in on Friday. Why don’t you go for a change of color, Judy? How about some blonde
Similar Books
