Not Our Kind of People

Not Our Kind of People

By

Bridgitte Lesley

Version 1

Published by

Bridgitte Lesley on Smashwords

Not Our Kind of People

Copyright © 2013 Bridgitte Lesley

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a production of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

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Not Our Kind of People

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CHAPTER 1

Jessie drove up the rocky little road towards the flea market. She looked up and saw the rain clouds looming and sighed. She drove to the gate and smiled at the woman who stood with her clipboard. And you are? Susan Smith. She looked at the list. Right. Your space is right at the top on the left. Number seventeen. Near the food tent. Can I park behind the stand? Yes you certainly can. The market starts at nine. Please make sure you are all set up by then. Jessie nodded and smiled. Will do. She slowly drove up the rocky little road. She saw the area that had been marked as number seventeen and parked her van behind the bit of ground.

Jessie opened the van and took the table out. Right. She walked over to the spot and put the table together and stood it up. She walked to the van and took the box of goods out. She lay the cover over the table and started putting all the jewelry out. It took ages to get everything set up using the display stands. She put the pile of business cards on the table. She fetched her chair and put it behind the table. She took her little money tin and put it on the floor. She walked to the van and fetched her flask of coffee and walked back to her chair. She picked the money tin up and put it on the table.

Jessie looked at all the beautiful items that she would be selling. Susan had made everything. She had been hard at work for months and months. Sitting for hours making only one item. She put her hand out and looked at the little price tags. She made sure that she could read every single one. She sat down and poured a cup of coffee and closed her eyes. She sipped at her coffee. She knew it would be a very long day.

The slow trickle of visitors started arriving. Jessie smiled as she sold item after item. She kept tabs on every item that she sold so that Susan would know which items she had sold. She looked up and smiled. Marybeth which one would you like? I like green Daddy. Jessie smiled. She looked at all the colors. Marybeth. I think you should be wearing a turquoise. It would go so nicely with your eyes. Marybeth smiled. Could I try it on? Sure. She held the mirror as Marybeth tried the necklace on. She nodded. I think you are right. Daddy could I have the turquoise one please? Michael smiled and nodded. He took out his wallet and handed the cash to Jessie. She counted out the change and handed it to Michael. She took a little packet and popped the necklace in to the packet. Here we go Marybeth. It looks beautiful on you. Marybeth smiled and looked at her. Michael looked at Jessie as she looked up. He smiled and reached out and took a business card from the table. He slowly put it in his back pocket. He looked at Jessie. Will you be coming here every week? The stall will be here every week. Yes. He nodded and smiled. You. Will you be coming here every week? Marybeth walked off to the next stall. No. But the goods will be here. And why is that? Gosh. Because this little business needs to take off. And exposure is all that matters. He smiled and nodded. Do you make these items? No Sir. Someone else does. He nodded. This is the first time I have been here. Yes. Myself. And I am looking at those rain clouds and praying that the weather stays as it is till three. He chuckled and looked up. Do you have a tarpaulin? No. I am not that prepared. He chuckled and nodded.

Daddy! He smiled. I guess that would be me. Jessie smiled and nodded. He turned and walked off slowly. Michael walked with his hands in his pockets. Jessie watched as he walked. She couldn’t help but look at him. He was beautifully built. He was so masculine. He was all male. He was good looking with his dark hair and the greying area on the side of his head just above his ears. It made him look rather distinguished. Everything about him appealed to her. She watched as he slowly walked off. He turned to look at Jessie and she suddenly looked away and felt the blush creeping up her neck. She smiled at the next little family that came up to the table.

Hi. How can I help you? Just looking sweetheart. Take your time. The elderly woman smiled and nodded. Gran I like the red one. That would be nice for Gretchen. Not red sweetheart. We need something to suite her looks. Jessie smiled. And what does she look like? Blonde with green eyes. Well then I would suggest either the emerald green or the softer shade of green. But I do have a luminous green. Not that it would match a set of eyes. Tanya giggled and nodded. Gran I think the luminous green. I think so sweetheart. Jessie smiled and put the necklace into the packet and took their money and gave them their change. Thank you so much. She popped a business card in to the packet. Dorothy looked at Jessie. Gran? She smiled and looked at Tanya. Gretchen ran up to them. Hey! Michael is over there. I am going to run over. Dorothy nodded as Gretchen ran off. Tanya looked at her Gran. Come Gran. You go on ahead. Catch up to Marybeth and your father. Jessie looked away. She immediately made the connection. And Gretchen was obviously the beautiful little blonde, green eyed girlfriend.

Dorothy looked at Jessie. I know your face. And it does not belong here. No Ma’am. I don’t think so. No. What I mean is I know you. I don’t know where from but it is not from here. Jessie smiled. Doing a favor for someone. Dorothy nodded. I wish I could introduce you to my son. Michael? Gosh yes. Do you know him? No. But he was here with his daughter. Marybeth. So good with names aren’t you? Yes Ma’am I am. Dorothy nodded and looked at Jessie. So the little blonde with the green eyes and Michael are an item. Dorothy smiled. I don’t know what to think of it. That girl doesn’t even greet. A new relationship. And I do not support it at all. She is a gold digger. Not good for him at all. Well we can’t all choose the right person for family members. More is the pity. A new relationship. Very new. We met her a few weeks ago. But a strange relationship. He does not hold her hand. He never kisses her. But she is all over him. Like custard over ice cream. We should not discuss or gossip. Dorothy chuckled and nodded. I am Dorothy by the way. Nice to meet you. Jessie smiled. Very nice to meet you. I popped a business card in to your packet. But that isn’t you. No Ma’am. But I am manning this stall and promoting someone. It would not be right to give you my name. Now would it. Dorothy chuckled and nodded.

Gosh your face is so familiar. Where do you work? Gran! Dorothy smiled and looked over. I cringe every time I see her clutching on to him. Go before they send a search party. Dorothy roared with laughter. Do you drink wine? I do. I like Sweet Rose. Very sweet. And very soft. Nothing dry or full bodied. That goes straight to my head. Dorothy roared with laughter. A woman after my own heart. Kind of fooling them isn’t it. Just a tad. But there is no falling over or repeating myself eight or ten times. That I leave to the rest of them. Dorothy chuckled as she walked off and waved.

Michael smiled as he turned. Hey Michael! Gretchen. Dad, Gran is on her way. She was chatting to the bead lady. He smiled and nodded and turned. He watched as Jessie poured a cup of coffee and took a sip. He stood and admired her. She was beautiful. Dorothy walked up to Michael. I have arrived. He smiled and nodded. Fancy something to drink? Dorothy nodded. Oh I am not thirsty right now. They all looked at Gretchen. Sorry Gretchen. But I think we are thirsty. Gretchen pouted and took her hand from Michael’s arm where she had her hand looped. Dorothy looked at the action. They all walked to the beer tent and took a seat at a table. Gretchen looked at the list of food on offer. I don’t like anything here. I would far rather go to a restaurant and have some proper food. Be my guest. Didn’t you come in your own car? I did. Well then. If you are not happy you are most welcome to leave. Gretchen got up from her chair. You have humiliated me for the last time. Good bye Michael. They all watched as she walked off in a huff.

Dorothy looked at Michael. He looked at the list of food. I rather fancy the hot dog and chips. Marybeth looked at Tanya and nodded. Dad. Yes Tanya. Gretchen left. So she did. Marybeth smiled and looked at Dorothy. Gosh I was chatting to a lovely young lady over there. I would like two glasses of Sweet Rose please Michael. And I am going to have the sloppy joe. Make that two. Michael chuckled and shook his head. And are you going to eat and drink that much? No. But I know someone who is. And it is almost lunch time. What do these stall keepers do if they need the bathroom? I don’t know. Mum these are not our kind of people. And what kind of person is our kind of person then? Well. Not these people.

Dorothy looked at Michael. Why so snooty Michael? Tell me something. What is so special about Gretchen? Uhm. She works in a hair dressing salon and washes hair. What is so special about that? Mum I am not getting in to this discussion. Well I hope you and her haven’t. Michael looked at Dorothy. If I have or have not is of no concern of anyone’s. And it is not up for discussion. Dorothy nodded. Michael got up and walked over to the food stall and bought their food. He handed it to Tanya. Does that mean you aren’t going to see Gretchen anymore? Tanya I never was seeing her. She just latched on to me. Which is a good thing too. Looks aren’t everything Dad. I know that sweetheart. Tanya smiled as she took the food. Michael bought their drinks and walked over with Tanya. He sat down as he put everything on the table.

Dorothy got up and took a sloppy joe and a glass of wine. See you in a little while. She walked out of the tent and walked over to Jessie. Young lady your lunch has arrived. Jessie roared with laughter. Oh my! She smiled and looked at Dorothy. Dorothy you really shouldn’t have. But I did. Did you see that other young lady breeze by? Uhm. Are we gossiping? Yes we are. Yes I saw the thunder cloud pass by. She almost tripped over her own lip. Dorothy roared with laughter. Bring the green back and I will swop it for something for the other little young lady. Would you? Absolutely. Dorothy smiled as she handed the sloppy joe and the glass of wine to Jessie. Back in two minutes. I hate wasting money on things that are not important. Rather prefer a refund? No. But a swap would be nice. Dorothy smiled as she walked off. She walked to the tent and took the packet with the green necklace.

Tanya would you go back to the bead lady and swap this for something that you like? Please. If you don’t mind. I don’t think the lady will Gran. Yes she will. Tanya got up with the packet. She took out the business card. Susan Smith. But I don’t think that is the lady. She doesn’t look like a Susan. Tanya smiled and walked out. She walked to Jessie. Gran asked if we can swap this one. Yes of course. Now I think a lovely soft shade of blue for you. Tanya smiled and nodded. They looked at all the colors of the necklaces and chose the perfect shade of blue for Tanya. There we go then. Your Gran is lovely, isn’t she. She is. Gran lives with us. Oh that is nice. With you and the folks. Only Dad. Our Mom died when we were little. And then Gran took us. And then Dad. Well he isn’t really our Dad. He is our Uncle. But we call him Dad. Dad moved back home so that he could look after all of us. We were very little and Gran couldn’t. Gosh that was thoughtful. Mom died in a car crash. Sorry to hear that sweetheart. I am glad you have your Gran. And your Dad. Tanya smiled and nodded. And your real Dad? Mom and Dad didn’t get married. They lived together. But after the accident Dad. He just kind of left. That is sad. I am sorry to hear that. Tanya smiled and nodded. Jessie walked around and hugged Tanya. Sometimes these things happen. They say for a reason. But we don’t always know the reason. Do we? Tanya smiled and shook her head. But the reason could be to pull you all together. Gran and Dad. And you and Marybeth. You might find that you are all so much closer than a normal family. You know. Tanya nodded. We are kind of close. See? Tanya chuckled and nodded. Jessie gave her a big squeeze. Tanya chuckled.

Enjoy your lunch. Thank you sweetheart. And tell your Gran I said thank you. Tanya chuckled and nodded. She walked off smiling. She walked back to the tent and sat down. That lady is so strange. What do you mean Tanya? Gran I have never told anyone about Dad. And our Dad. And Mom. And it was so natural. Dorothy smiled and nodded. Something about that lady that I like. Tanya smiled and nodded. Me too Gran. She is kind of like a Mom. Like a Mom should be.

Do these people have full time jobs or do they do this all the time? Michael looked at Tanya. A lot of these people do this full time. Dorothy nodded and smiled. Not your father’s kind of people Tanya. Tanya smiled and looked at Michael. Well that lady is very nice. I like her. Well that is what sales people are like. They talk and then they sell more. Not that lady. Michael smiled and nodded. They all tucked in to their meals. Michael was quiet as he ate his meal. Dorothy looked at him and smiled to herself. Whoever the young lady was she had