Chocolate Sundae Mystery Read Free

cream soda. You put too much fizzy water in it! Can’t you understand simple directions?” The loud voice of an angry customer interrupted the children’s conversation.
    “Who’s he talking to like that?” Violet asked, rather shocked.
    “To that new waitress up at the counter,” Henry answered pointing with his head. The Aldens turned.
    The customer waved his hands in the air as he tried to tell the waitress how to make his soda. By mistake, his hands hit his glass. His soda spilled all over the counter.
    A young woman sitting a few seats away jumped up to avoid staining her white linen skirt. The waitress looked as if she were about to cry.

CHAPTER 3
The Angry Customer
    “H ey, what’s going on out here?” Mr. Brown called as he came hurrying out of the kitchen. “That’s no way to talk to one of my waitresses,” he told the man angrily. “She’s new here, new to this country, and she’s never worked in an ice cream parlor before.”
    “That’s obvious,” the man answered. He was very tall, and when he stood up, he towered over Mr. Brown. Without saying another word, he stormed out of the parlor. He didn’t even stop to pay for his lunch.
    “Well, good riddance to him,” Mr. Brown said, shaking his head at the waitress. She managed a small smile then buried her head in her hands.
    “Why don’t we help clean up the counter?” Jessie suggested. “They seem very short of help.”
    “Good idea,” Henry said. Hastily, the Aldens gathered up some napkins. Henry and Violet began mopping the counter. Jessie cleared away a soggy sandwich.
    Mr. Brown wiped his hands on his big apron. He patted the new waitress gently on the arm. “Simone, please don’t cry,” he said gently. “I’ve just been so busy this week, I haven’t had time to train you properly. It’s not your fault we lost that customer.”
    Benny quietly handed Simone some napkins so she could dry her eyes. “Thank you,” Simone said, smiling at Benny.
    “Where are you from, Simone?” Jessie asked gently.
    “I’m from France,” Simone answered proudly. “I came here for the summer to improve my English.”
    “Your English is excellent,” Violet said with admiration.
    “I studied it a long time in school,” replied Simone modestly.
    Mr. Brown looked thoughtfully at the Aldens. Benny was now wiping the far end of the counter. Henry had gathered all the soggy napkins and was throwing them away in the trash.
    “I can see you children are hard workers,” Mr. Brown said. He looked very impressed. “Would you be able to help Simone and Brian this afternoon — after you’ve had your lunch? We don’t have a big staff yet, as you can see.”
    Before the children could answer, Brian hurried by carrying a tray of sandwiches. “Oh, Mr. Brown, one of your suppliers is at the back door. What should I tell him?” the young waiter called.
    Mr. Brown sighed. “I’ll be right there.”
    “I think those sandwiches are for us.” Benny eyed the tray hungrily.
    “Please children, sit down and have your lunch. Then, if you’d like, we’ll put you to work this afternoon. By the way, can you make sodas and milkshakes?”
    “I think we could,” Jessie answered. “We always used to watch Tom and Ruth work behind the counter.”
    “Oh, would you show me?” Simone begged. She dabbed her eyes with a napkin.
    “Sure,” Jessie said with a grin.
    Mr. Brown sighed with relief. “That would be wonderful,” he said. “Until we hire a cook, I don’t have much time to be at the counter. I’m so busy making ice cream and sandwiches.” Mr. Brown paused as if noticing other customers at the counter for the first time. “I’ll get you another sandwich,” he told the young woman in the white skirt.
    “Thank you,” she replied, smiling at Mr. Brown. “I think that man was very rude.”
    “He’s been in here before,” Simone said, shaking her head. “He’s always complaining about something.”
    “Really?” Mr. Brown