He smiled at her as he passed her the change. His hand touching hers as he emptied the coins to her. She looked up and flashed her bright green eyes at him. His heart skipped a beat and stomach flipped. 'Is she flirting with me?' He thought.
"Thank you very much," he said, "have a good day."
"Sorry to bother you some more Richard, but I don't suppose you could drop it round for me do you? I have more shopping to get and don't think I can manage it all."
"Not a problem Lorrinda. I'll drop it off in my lunch hour. Will you be in about 12.30?"
"I will make I am. What do you drink? Tea or coffee? I will have the kettle on."
"Coffee. White no sugar please. Just leave your bags and I will bring them round."
"You're such a polite young man. Not everyone would be this kind to an old lady like me!" she said with a smile and a wink.
'My god, she is flirting with me.' Richard thought with a smile.
"Next please." And on he continued with his work. Serving customer after customer on the never ending conveyer belt of a convenience store.
12.25 came round and Richard finally left the till, went to get his coat and collected Lorrinda's bags from the chiller. "No rush to get back Richard. Remember the customer always comes first here."
"Thanks boss. Will be back as soon as I can." He shouted back as he left the store.
Lorrinda only left 5 minutes away; slowly Richard walked round the corner and headed to her house. Feeling slightly nervous as he saw her house a little further along the road his paced slowed as he thought about what to say to her.
As he reached the door, he found it open. And a voice from inside the house shouted "Come in. I'm in the kitchen. Just follow the hall to the end and you will find me. Close the door when you come in."
Richard followed the instructions and knocked the door shut with his elbow. He heard the latch lock click into place locking the door behind him. Walking down the hall he looked around at this impressive house. He had heard that Lorrinda had money but was never really aware of how well off she was.
The tiled stone floor was polished to within an inch of its life, the furniture, large and old stood sentry like either side of the hall, guarding their mistress with their imposition. The bags now seemed full of lead as Richard continued down the hall, past the large staircase towards the end door. The house was silent apart from the faint humming coming from the kitchen.
Opening the door with his hip, he practically fell into the kitchen. Stumbling, he finally fell sprawled on the floor at Lorrinda's feet. Looking up from her feet he finally took in this lady who he had thought about all morning.
Her peep toe shoes, the painted pedicured toe nails of a woman of wealth, stockinged legs, the skirt that ends just above the knee, the cream blouse and the hair freshly coifed.
"It's been too long since a young man has thrown themselves at my feet", she giggled, "and with all my shopping too." She took a long pull on her menthol cigarette and expelled a plume of silvery smoke from her nostrils.
Smiling, Richard got to his feet. "Sorry about that, I hope I haven't broken anything."
"If you have I will have to take it out of your body!" came the reply. The smile gone from Lorrinda's mouth.
Richard was confused. Not knowing how to handle such a situation he reverted back to his customer service training that he had received in the store. "Sorry madam, I'm sure that if I have broken anything I will replace it for you. Once again. My apologies."
"I don't want your apologies. If you have broken anything I will take the cost from your body. Now check the shopping."