CHAPTER 15
*~* Molly *~*
I’m nearly done with this stupid punishment, and I can tell you I’m ready to get out of here. The club women are a nightmare! They’ve all but Pattie been missing for two days, which is strange, however I’m enjoying the peace away from them.
Pattie has been working all the bedrooms and bathrooms, and I’ve not spoken with her, as I’ve not had the opportunity, but I’m happy she is okay.
I place two huge servings of stew with plates of biscuits and roasted potatoes onto the long table and take myself a small plate.
Walking out the back door of the kitchen, I walk over to the picnic table and sit.
I take a forkful of the stew and hum, as I’m pleased with the flavor that hits my taste buds.
Hearing someone walking toward where I’m sitting, I don’t bother looking up. Smelling the sandalwood and leather smell, I know it’s Breaker.
Breaker takes a seat opposite while placing an enormous plate of stew, biscuits and potatoes onto the picnic table. I continue to pick at my supper because I’m really not that hungry.
“You okay, Molly?”
Looking at Breaker, I give him a nod. “Yeah, I’m fine. Can I ask where all the club women are?”
Breaker chortles before he replies. “They are locked up in a bedroom, being guarded so they don’t make a break for it. They are in deep shit for what they’ve done, and I’m not sure what Whack is going to do with them.”
Nodding, because they went too far, and I’m not sure what punishment they will get, but I don’t need to know either. “When can I leave here? I have a job with Jamie to get to.”
“You can leave at the end of this week, when your punishment is finished. We’ll miss you at the clubhouse, Molly. Supper has never been this good, not even when Bri and Marcia were doing all the cooking.”
I smile at that, and think maybe I’ll leave them some things in the freezer ready to defrost and heat…maybe!
“Are you looking forward to working with Jamie?”
I put my fork down as I’ve had enough, but I’m surprised that Breaker has already eaten half of his enormous plate. “Yes, I am actually. It will be challenging, and I think I can make a difference, a good difference too.”
“Jamie wouldn’t employ you if she didn’t think that. She’s one talented woman, and I’m shocked one of the brothers hasn’t taken her as an old lady.” Breaker looks up when we hear someone walking towards us.
Andy walks nearer with Thorn. They both give me a smile and give Breaker a small nod to say they acknowledge he is sitting here.
They take their seats, and Andy speaks first. “Molly, we’ve thought about the changes you suggested for the shop.
Could you take another look at our plan before we hand it to Pens? ”
“Sure,” I reply and take the papers he has in his hands.
Pushing my plate away so I can look at the papers thoroughly.
I study them quietly, and when Thorn points out the restroom area I hum.
“Yeah, I agree Thorn, leave them where they are so no moving of drains, etcetera will be needed. It’s a good barbershop now, on paper at least, and remember to speak with Pens, Bank and Whack about the other idea. ”
“Do you think it’s ready to show Pens now?” Andy asks a little nervously.
“Yeah, go for it.” I pat his forearm and watch as he picks up the papers, and along with Thorn heads back to the clubhouse.
“You are good to them, Molly,” Breaker comments, and I look up shocked.
“No, I’m only being as kind to Andy as he was to us. Without his bravery, we might not have got out of that mess.”
“That’s true. They are prospects now, and going to work out their prospect time setting up, working and running the barber shop.
I think they'll be good brothers, and once they mature some, they’ll be better still.
” Rubbing his chin Breaker frowns. “I still have a feeling I know Thorn's name…Kincaide!” It just won’t come to me.
The rest of the week flies past, and I’ve been busy in the kitchen making two suppers a day and freezing one.
On top of that, I have shown Pattie how to make a heartwarming stew and some easy peanut butter cookies.
The freezer is looking good as I’ve frozen a massive batch of biscuits, and I’ve put a note in the packet saying, don’t eat all at once.
Whack calls me into the office and I enter then take a seat when he points to the one in front of his desk.
“Well, Molly. You are finally leaving us and taking all your cooking skills with you.” I give him a smile as he is obviously being easygoing with me.
“When your stepsister rears her head we’ll grab her, but if she takes us and you by surprise, you do anything you can to not go with her.
She’s just the type to throw you to the wolves, and by that I mean throw you to the Cobras to be one of their whores, without a moment’s hesitation. ”
“I will, and just so you know I’m not averse to actually killing her if needed. I’ve played to her tune for far too long, and it’s time she paid for all the misery she causes people.”
“We will keep watch, and we will protect you from harm.” I receive a lengthy, meaningful look from Whack, and I reply with a firm nod that conveys my understanding of the situation.
“I’m going to be busy at the practice, so don’t expect I’ll have time to wander around the town. I will live next door to the practice, so I’m on hand for emergencies. How about I give you a spare key to the house then, so that if you need to get in for any emergency, you can?”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll tell Breaker to get on that. Keep thinking safety first, Molly. I like you, and I would hate to see something happen to you.”
“Thank you, Whack, I like you too.” I wink, and that earns me a frown from Whack.
“I don’t mean I like you, like you; I just like you.
” I give him an enormous smile, and I can see I lost him somewhere along the line.
“Never mind, Whack. But I want to say thank you for having me here, and not leaving me out on a limb. It would have been easy for you to just get Breaker out of that situation, but you got me away too, and for that I’m thankful to you. ”
The morning that I leave the clubhouse to move into the house next to the practice; I leave a cookie tin with Whack’s favorite double choc chip cookies on his desk.
Bri and Marcia promise to visit one evening and drink wine and watch a movie, a proper ‘Girls’ night. One I’m really looking forward to.
Walking into the practice on Monday morning, I look around the reception area and, of course, Angel is setting herself up for the day. I give her a small smile as I walk past to reach my office.
Walking inside, I step over to the desk and take a seat. The list on my desk has me nodding to myself. This is great and exactly what I had asked Jamie for. A list of employees.
Tom Brackenridge—Doctor
Steven Melrose—Nurse Practitioner
Angela Stone—Nurse Practitioner
Janice White—Registered Nurse
Margaret Broadbent—Medical Assistant
Angel Anders—Receptionist
Barbara Thomas—Receptionist
Susan Allison—Cleaner
Gabriella Fellows—Pharmacist
I didn’t realize Jamie had another doctor working here, but that’s good as I can check the appointments to make sure that they both are not being run off their feet.
I open the laptop on my desk and start working. I check that Tom is already working and that he has appointments running right through until lunch. He has a forty-minute break before he continues until late afternoon.
Steven and Angela, the two nurse practitioners, have a list of patients to see today also, but they are taking a half shift each; hence, Steven is working this morning and Angela this afternoon.
That means I can catch Steven when he finishes, and call Angela in early so I can have my meeting with her.
Picking up the phone from the desk, I check for Angela’s contact details and make the call. It rings only a few times before she answers. “Hello, Angela. This is Molly, the practice manager. I presume Jamie informed you we would have a meeting?”
“Oh, hello, Molly. Yes, Jamie said you were going to be calling us in for an informal chat.”
Now, Angela sounds pleasant, and her voice shows no sign of worry, so I think that’s a good sign I’ll have no trouble with her. “Do you think you could come into work a little early so we can do the meeting before you start your shift?”
“Yes, I can do that. Would half-an-hour be early enough or will it take more?”
“If you can give me forty-minutes. I’ll make sure there is coffee, tea or a soft drink for you.”
“Great, thanks. A coffee would be lovely as I’m going into town before I come to work. I’ll see you later, Molly,” she responds, and we close out the call. That’s great, and I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.
After leaving a message for Steven to come to the office when he finishes, I head to the area where Gabriella, the pharmacist, will be found.
Knocking on the door I wait a moment before the top half of the door opens.
A stable door, which had plenty of locks on the inside from what I heard, before it opened. “Hello,” a pretty woman greets.
“Hi, I’m Molly, the practice manager, and I don’t want to disturb you. I just wanted to introduce myself and ask if there is anything I can do for you? I would like to have a few minutes of your time when you can spare it in the next two days.”
“That’s good. I can come over to your office in half-an-hour if that suits you? I’ve finished checking off my deliveries and no scripts to fill that are urgent, well not needed in the next hour at least.” Gabriella gives me a warm smile.
“That would be good, and I’ll make sure you get a drink while you are with me.”
“No, that’s fine. I bring a thermos of herbal tea I make up for myself.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll see you in a while.” The top of the door closes, and I head back to my office, checking how reception is doing as I pass before walking into my office.
I’m scrolling through the expenditures of the practice and keep seeing something odd regarding the reception desk. Why would they need printer paper, pens, and other items when it is all on a computer system?
A light knock on the door has me finding Gabriella at the office door. “Come in, don’t stand there.” I close the laptop and give all my attention to Gabriella. Once she’s taken a seat, I place my elbows on the desk and clasp my hands, but keep my body language relaxed.
“I’ve checked with Jamie that she is more than satisfied with how you run the pharmaceutical side of the practice, Gabriella. You have been with the practice for seven years since Jamie opened the doors.”
“Yes, and I love working here. Jamie basically leaves me to do what I do best, and I make sure I don’t overspend by overstocking on items we don’t need. All-in-all, I have to admit, I am proud of myself.”
“Jamie has only good things to say about you.” I pick up a pen and pull a notepad towards me. “Okay, so what can we improve?”
Gabriella quickly fills me in on the very few things that she thinks can be improved upon. But they are so minor I hardly write anything on the notepad.
“What do you think of the practice employing a handyman?” Gabriella asks, and I pause a moment while I consider her question.
“Do you think we need a handyman?” I ask because it’s something I’ve not considered.
Gabriella leans forward and smiles. “Well, we have things around here that often need mending or replacing. Tom and Steven often do that for us, but they have far too much to do to maintain the building and the grounds. A handyman would be as it says, handy. There are things inside to do, plus the outside of the practice has flower beds along the front that Jamie used to do but now doesn’t have time, and they look terrible.
Plus, the parking lot often gets messy with patients dropping things on the ground.
It all takes time that none of us have to spare. ”
“Leave it with me, Gabriella and I’ll look into it. I’ll speak with Jamie too, to see what her view is on the idea.”
The meeting concludes, and the day quickly passes, and I cover all meet and greets apart from Angel and Barbara who are the two receptionists. That’ll have to happen tomorrow. It’s time to head home and settle more into the house.