Read Online Reprobates by RC Bridgestock - Free Book Online Page A

to walk him today. I had to take him to the vets this morning and they’ve kept him in.’
    ‘ Oh God. Is he okay?’ Penny said, her eyes grew wide and her mouth hung open.
    ‘ Truth is I don’t know yet. The vet thinks he might have been poisoned. He hasn’t been chasing rodents when he’s been out with you has he?’
    Penny shook her head. ‘No. You okay, you’re shaking?’
    ‘I ’m anxious. What with Max and now I’m back to clocking in and out every time I go in and out of the building. It just doesn’t help having Avril on my case again.’
    ‘She ’ll understand surely?’
    Jen pulled a face.
    ‘Oh yes, it’s Godzilla we’re talking about isn’t it?’
    ‘ Exactly.’
    ‘ Try not to worry. I’m sure Max will be okay,’ she said, patting her friend’s arm reassuringly.
    A brief smile lit up Jen ’s face. ‘Yeah, hopefully. At least I’m only working part-time,’ she said.
    ‘It ’s alright for some.’
    ‘ Two and a half days a week. I can cope with that.’
    ‘ I wish I only had to work two and a half days a week. But walking Max for you isn’t really like a job, is it?’ Penny’s eyes danced with excitement. ‘I’ve got a new fella,’ she said, nodding towards the counter.
    ‘ What?’
    ‘It ’s early days,’ she said lowering her voice. ‘We’ve only managed to meet up a few times, what with the kids always being around. He buys me flowers,’ she said. A dreamy look passed over her face. ‘You could say I’m officially in love. Well, tell me what woman of a certain age wouldn’t say no to a toy boy?’ she grinned with a nod in the direction of the reception area.
    ‘No! You ’re a quick worker I’ll give you that. But if he makes you this happy then that’s good enough for me,’ Jen said taking a sharp intake of breath.
    ‘ What’s up?’ asked Penny.
    ‘Don ’t know. Call it a gut feeling but I’m having my back-to-work interview with Avril today and I never know what she is going to spring on me. I must go.’
    ‘Pessimist, ’ said Penny.
    ‘ You forget I know her of old.’
    ‘Ah, yes, ’ Penny said.
    ‘Avril ’s dry cleaning.’
    ‘ What did her last slave die of? You’re too bloody soft by half.’
    ‘ Yeah, well, that’s me. I guess I’m not going to change now, am I? See you at lunchtime. And Penny,’ she said as she was leaving. ‘Be nice to Malcolm. He’s a lovely genuine guy. Treat him gentle,’ she said.
    ‘ Of course,’ said Penny with a puzzled look on her face. ‘Malcolm?’ Penny thought as she saw her friend run towards the steps.
    Familiar faces nodded ‘hello’ to Jen as she walked on the top corridor towards the admin office.
    ‘ When you bringing Maisy in to see us?’ asked Margaret the disbursements clerk, sweetly when Jen reached the office. ‘Ah, it’s so lovely to have you back.’ Margaret reached out and gave Jen a motherly hug. ‘It must have been hard for you leaving the little one with the childminder this morning.’
    ‘Jack ’s doing that bit. It’s only three mornings a week, so it’s not too bad. I’m working two full days and Wednesday morning.’
    ‘ You are?’ Margaret asked, quizzically.
    ‘ Yes, that’s what I agreed with Avril, why?’
    ‘ Huh, another one with a kid who won’t be here in the school holidays,’ mumbled Donna from her desk in the corner. Rita who was filing some paperwork made a face at her behind her back. Jen tittered despite her anxiety.
    ‘Jennifer! ’ screeched Avril Summerfield-Preston from within the neighbouring office.
    Jen half-smiled. ‘Well she’s consistent, I’ll give her that. Nothing’s changed?’ she asked. Margaret shook her head. Jen’s stomach sank.
    ‘You ’d better believe it,’ Rita said as she passed Jen. ‘Welcome back to bloody Auschwitz kid.’ Rita had her hands full of evidence bags that were all shapes and sizes. Jen opened the heavy fire door for her. ‘I’ll be in the property store if you want me,’ she said.
    Jen stood