A seahorse teacup smashes noisily on the salesfloor, causing a few gasps.
Carol was already putting her coat near the hat rack trying not to pay any mind.
“Watch the store, Janine,” she tells her Tables & Seating assistant.
“Yes, ma’am. You going to freeze out there!”
“I’m one for the cold, dear.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Carol exchanges a look at the sorry-faced customer who broke the chinaware. She musters a smile and finds herself out of the shop; passing by a couple entering inside.
The January winter air met her sharply without warning. The wind picked up tufts of her hair where a headscarf was kept around her head for warmth.
Hell if I go back in there, she thought with dismay.
Her hand now swept in her faux fur side pocket and brought out her smokes.
Lightning up, she thought about Therese and how her day was turning out.