WEEKLY SOAP Riverside by Glenda Young

Anna and Carol have some bad news for Jenny . . .

WHAT’S that, Ruby?” Mary asked as she slid into the booth. “It’s my new tablet,” Ruby replied. “I’ve been meaning to treat myself to one for ages and I finally bought it this morning. I came straight from town to meet you here, got connected to the Wifi and thought I’d give it a whirl.”

Mary shuffled along the seat of the booth to get closer to Ruby and the device.

As the two friends leaned over the tablet, Dave arrived at their table.

“Morning, ladies,” he said brightly, then he leaned down to give his mother-inlaw a peck on the cheek.

“Hey, don’t I get a kiss?” Ruby laughed.

Dave pointed at Ruby’s tablet.

“Have you seen Dad’s cake website? He uploads a video every week and you can watch him baking from the deli kitchen.”

“Talking of cake,” Mary began, “what’s on the specials board, Dave?”

“We’ve got chocolate lumpy-bumpy or lemon drizzle cake,” he replied.

Ruby and Mary exchanged a glance.

“Lemon drizzle,” they said at the same time.

“Two coffees and cakes, coming up,” Dave replied, then he left Mary and Ruby alone at the table.

“What are you going to use it for, Ruby?” Mary asked.

“Well, er . . .”

“It’s not like you to be lost for words.” Mary laughed.

“I thought I’d try internet dating, Mary. There must be a decent fella out there somewhere. And I’ll use it to keep an eye on my aunts, too,” Ruby replied.

The mention of Ruby’s aunts made Mary smile.

“How are Beryl and Pearl?” she asked.

“Neither of them is getting any younger. Oh, they’ve got friends in London, but I worry about them.

“I’m the only family they’ve got, and with this thing . . .” Ruby pointed to the tablet “. . . I can talk to them a few times a week to make sure they’re all right.

“I was thinking of asking them to stay for a few days next month for my birthday.”

“Oh!” Mary cried. “It’ll be your big birthday!”

“Shush!” Ruby hissed. “I don’t want everyone knowing!”

“It’s nothing to be scared of, Ruby.” Mary smiled. “I had my birthday milestone two years ago and I’m –”

“Exhausted?” Ruby interrupted.

Mary laughed. “Something like that, yes.” Dave came over to their table, holding a tray with cups, a cafetière and two slices of cake. After he’d left again, Ruby poured coffee and handed one cup to her friend.

“Actually, Mary, I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you have been looking tired lately, and you’re still pale. Is everything OK?” Ruby asked.

Mary confided to her friend the truth about her tiredness and how she’d been feeling run down for a few weeks now.

“Doctor Mahone took a blood test last week,” Mary explained. “I’ve to wait for the receptionist to ring so that I can make another appointment to get the results. I haven’t said a word to George, though.”

Ruby laid her hand on Mary’s arm.

“I hope the test comes back OK, Mary,” she said.

“So do I,” Mary replied.

****

Meanwhile, next door at Anna and Carol’s Beauty Salon there was an argument going on.

“I’m telling you we don’t need Jenny any more!” Carol yelled at her sister. “The two of us can do the work you were paying Jenny to do.”

“But the customers love her and she does the things neither of us have the time to do,” Anna pleaded.

“But we can’t afford to keep her, Anna!” Carol cried. “We’ve gone over the accounts twice. There’s no two ways about it.”

Anna felt tears pricking her eyes, but Carol was right. They’d struggled to pay three wages from their takings since Carol arrived from Tenerife, but she and Jenny had formed a close friendship over the past few months.

It wouldn’t be easy to tell Jenny she wasn’t needed any more.

Carol walked over to her sister and put an arm around her shoulder.

“I know you are friends, but this is business, Anna,” she said softly. “And once the word gets out that I’m working here as stylist and the two of us start pulling in more customers, we might be able to take Jenny back on in the future.” Anna looked at the clock. “Jenny’s due any time now,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Will you break the news to her, or should I?”

“We’ll do it together,” Carol said.

“Do what together?” a voice piped up from the doorway.

Carol and Anna swung around to find Jenny walking through the door. They watched as she strode over to the desk and picked up the appointments book.

Carol squared her shoulders and steadied herself.

“Jenny,” she said. “Could we have a word, please?”

“Shall I pop the kettle on first?” Jenny asked brightly.

Carol and Anna exchanged an uneasy look.

“Sit down, Jenny,” Anna said. “We’ve got something to tell you, and I’m afraid it’s bad news.”

More next week