Page 24 of Kicks

It felt disrespectful to be having his conversation in her old shop. Billy hated to think how many hours she’d spent behind that counter. All for what? For it to become a high-class sex shop. She would have been horrified.

Billy led Harry into the storeroom.

“You’ve been busy,” Harry said.

“Yeah, I spent most of yesterday getting it looking half decent. I don’t want whoever comes to head straight out of the door.”

“Brother, you’re acting like we’re being interviewed.”

“Aren’t we?”

“Of course not. We’re holding the ace card.”

Billy frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Location,” Harry replied. “Pleasure Seekers will be biting our hands off, man. Have some faith in yourself.”

He had a point. The promenade was literally on their doorstep. The potential passing trade couldn’t be ignored, especially in high season. For shops selling things people actually wanted, it was practically a licence to print money. It still hurt to make such a change to the place. He had to get over it.

“I had a chat with Ian next door the other day,” Harry continued.

Ian and his wife, Carol, ran the café next door. They’d been there for years.

“He’s not leaving?” Billy asked. “Don’t tell me that.”

“No. They’re getting a booze licence,” Harry replied. “He reckons they’re all doing it. This is going to be a boozer’s paradise. If we open late too, stands to reason we’ll coin it in.”

“And I suppose I’m the one giving up my evenings?” Billy said.

Harry came up to him. “Kim has agreed to me spending some time here. To give you a break.”

Instant guilt at his suspicions swirled around Billy’s system. He relaxed his tense muscles. “Thanks, Harry. I appreciate it. I’m sorry to be so snappy.”

Harry shrugged. “I may have to ask you and Crystal to do a bit of childcare. If things get hectic.”

“You’d trust me?”

“Of course I would, you doughnut. We’re family.”

Billy found himself too choked up to reply. A flash of realisation at the responsibility he’d shouldered in recent years came upon him. When his mother had died, he hadn’t even considered not taking Crystal on. There had only ever been one choice.

The front doorbell sounded, snapping Billy to attention.

“He must be here,” he said.

“Or it’s a customer,” Harry replied.

“I admire your optimism. I’ll go.”

Billy strode out into the shop. A man had his back to him. He appeared to be inspecting a shell-covered jewellery box. Not one of Billy’s wisest choices.

“Can I help you?”

When the man turned around, Billy gasped. He hadn’t seen someone that handsome in a long time. With light brown skin and short dreadlocks that appeared to have been tinted by the sun, he glowed.

He was a contrast to Billy’s much darker tone and cropped hair. Fashion statements had never been high on Billy’s agenda. He took pride in his appearance whilst making minimal effort. Although when Crystal’s friends all became obsessed with giving each other facials at sleepovers, he did succumb to letting Crystal practice her technique on him.

The life of a girl dad proved to be a never-ending voyage of discovery.