Chocolate Sundae Mystery Read Free Page A

frowned.
    “Yes,” Simone continued. “Yesterday, he said his vanilla milkshake wasn’t mixed correctly, but he drank it anyway. He said he knew how to make much better ones.”
    Mr. Brown sighed and shook his head.
    “I told him I was sorry he didn’t like his shake,” the waitress continued. “He said he couldn’t understand how I could be working here when I didn’t know how to do anything.”
    “So today when he came in, he gave you instructions?” Mr. Brown said kindly.
    “Yes, but you heard what he said about his ice cream soda.” Simone looked sad.
    “I heard him,” Mr. Brown answered grimly. “Did he at least pay yesterday?”
    “Yes, but he almost threw the money on the counter,” Simone replied.
    “If he comes back, let me know,” Mr. Brown said abruptly. “I’d like to talk to him. Now you must excuse me. I have to get back to the kitchen. I’ll be right out with your sandwich,” he told the woman in the white skirt.
    While the Aldens ate their lunch, they could not stop talking about the strange customer.

    “It sounds like that man just wanted to make a big scene,” Henry remarked as he stirred his vanilla milkshake.
    “I wonder if there really was anything wrong with his soda,” Jessie said thoughtfully. She bit into her sandwich.
    Henry sipped his milkshake. “This one tastes just fine,” he said.
    “Yes, but Mr. Brown probably made that milkshake. It came from the kitchen, not the counter,” Violet reminded him.
    “That’s true,” Henry said. He took another long sip.
    “Why do you think that customer came back,” Violet asked, “when he didn’t like what he had yesterday?”
    “Maybe he is going to tell everyone about the problems here,” Henry said. He wiped his hands on his paper napkin.
    “Hey, maybe he works for Mrs. Saunders,” Benny suggested. He sat up a little straighter.
    “We’ll just have to keep our eyes on him,” Henry said. He added some salt to his sandwich. “I wonder if he’ll come back.”
    Benny nodded. He licked the last bit of chocolate sauce from his long spoon. “This ice cream sundae is as good as always,” he said happily.
    After lunch, the children cleared their table themselves because Brian was very busy. “At least they’re getting more customers,” Violet remarked to Jessie as several mothers with young children came in.
    Jessie and Violet went behind the counter to help Simone. Benny grabbed a broom and swept the floor, and Henry worked in the kitchen making sandwiches.
    The next customer at the counter ordered a strawberry ice cream soda. Jessie called Simone over so she could watch Jessie make it.
    Carefully, Jessie measured the strawberry syrup and milk. She poured the ingredients into a tall glass and stirred them. Then she added soda water.
    “See, I’m leaving some room at the top of the glass for the ice cream,” Jessie said as she dropped a big scoop of strawberry ice cream into the glass. She then added a little more soda water and some whipped cream.
    “Oh, you make it look so easy,” Simone said. She made a vanilla soda while Jessie looked on. The customer said it was delicious.
    “Oh, I’ve learned so much,” Simone told Mr. Brown at the end of the afternoon. “I can now make milkshakes, sodas, and malteds.”
    “I’m glad, Simone,” Mr. Brown said encouragingly. “I knew all along you could, but I’m glad you feel more confident.” He turned to the Aldens.
    “I can’t thank you enough,” he told them. “With Henry making all the sandwiches, I had time to make enough ice cream to keep up with our orders for the week.”
    “That’s good. We need more chocolate and vanilla ice cream at the counter,” Simone mentioned.
    “All right, I have some in the kitchen freezer,” Mr. Brown said. “I’ll fill those containers before I leave this evening.”
    “Could you teach us how to make ice cream sometime?” Henry asked.
    “Of course, my boy. I’d love to.” Mr. Brown seemed delighted. “Just