Under New Management

by June Hopkins

  Mollie is trying hard not to laugh. She feels bad, but at least she isn’t worried about not looking her best anymore. “Sorry”, she manages to choke out.

  When Kieran glares at her with a peeved look on his face she says, “Well if you were pissed you would think it was funny too.”

  This causes even more hilarity and they all fall about laughing uproariously. Kieran’s initial frustration recedes as it is replaced with humour. He joins in with the laughter and moves to the bar to pick up his pint. Taking a deep breath, he does something that he hasn’t done in years. He downs it in four large gulps, slams down the glass and necks the whisky in one shot. This results in cheers of admiration from the others. He is officially accepted. Mollie shoots him a look of appreciation. Fair play, she couldn’t argue with that.

  Chapter 16

  The following morning Mollie wakes at eight thirty. She opens her eyes carefully and is surprised to find that she doesn’t feel too bad at all. Rolling over in her bed she pulls the duvet up around her shoulders and snuggles down, determined to have a lie in. The room is still gloomy and she closes her eyes hoping to get in another hour. Distant thoughts are roaming through her mind and they seem to be pushing sleep away. How annoying.

  She goes with the thoughts and her mind drifts back to yesterday. She can’t seem to remember getting home. Come to think of it, how did she get home? What can she remember? The pub, having a lovely time, a lot of laugher and singing. She cringes as she remembers singing badly on the karaoke. All of this had been early on though. She remembers John, the landlord, being annoyed at them all for keeping on about putting the karaoke on. He had obviously given in at some point. She frowns: what time had that been? A little light goes on in her head and flickers slightly. Five she remembers now, mainly because John had kept on about it being too early for karaoke. If memory served, it had turned into a bit of a party. He must have made a few quid, she thinks. Don’t know what all the fuss was about.

  A memory of Kieran singing ‘The Wonder of You’ flashes brightly. He had been really rather good. Jack too had sung a Green Day song and he hadn’t been bad either. Mollie smiles as the memories become brighter and she moves into fully alert mode. No point in staying in bed now; she may as well go and get a cup of tea. Her mouth feels like something has died in it.

  Smacking her lips she gets up and realises she is still in yesterday’s clothes. Bloody hell! This is becoming a habit. She drags off her day wear and pulls on a t-shirt and shorts before shrugging into her dressing gown. She stops in her tracks as she notices brown, oily marks on the front of her new top. What the hell is that?

  Kebab. She had a kebab last night. How on earth did she manage to get it all down her top? She leaves her room shaking her head and wanders into the bathroom.

  Mollie sits on the toilet peeing gratefully, her eyes suddenly widen and her head shoots up. OMG! The memory smacks her right between the eyes. She’d snogged Kieran again last night. Worse than that, she had stalked him; followed him into the gents, where, amongst the urinals and the sour smell of men’s urine, she had thrown herself at him. Kieran had been slightly taken aback at the manner and location of the assault but had at least for thirty seconds joined in wholeheartedly. Her mouth forms an ‘O’ shape as she remembers the entire scene vividly. She had felt him stiffen and not in an encouraging way and so had ripped her lips from his before he could get there first. She had thrown him what she had assumed was a saucy smile, given a tinkling little wave to old Mr Darnsey, who was at the urinal trying to make himself decent, whilst staring at them in astonishment. She left the room jauntily.

  Mollie puts her hands up to her face and buries her head, cringing. Bloody hell, whatever had possessed her? She wasn’t normally one for blatant, reckless shows of affection; she tended to be a little more reserved. She usually went for the nonchalant approach - liked to encourage the recklessness in others. Her preference was for flirting, reeling them in and ensuring that they were up for it.

  This was the second time that she had attacked Kieran. Perhaps it was delayed shock from the whole David thing. Maybe she wasn’t being herself and hadn’t noticed? Were all her loved ones whispering about her in concerned little groups? ‘Poor Molls, what are we going to do with her? Should we take her to the doctor?’

  Oh God this was a nightmare and so, so wrong. Mollie searches her mind for the reason; there must be a reason. Surely she didn’t just take it into her head to dive on him? There must have been something, he must have encouraged her.

  “Mollie, that you in there?” Jim’s voice calls from the landing, jolting her.

  Mollie shrugs off the thoughts, “Yep, I won’t be long.”

  “I’ve brought you a cup of tea love. I’ll leave it by the bed. Do you want some breakfast? I’m cooking bacon. Want a sarnie?” Jim asks as he moves into her bedroom to deposit the tea on her bed side table.

  Mollie’s stomach turns, “Um no, thanks Dad, I’ll get some later,” she says with feeling.

  As Jim moves back past the door to the stairs she hears her Dad laugh, “I’m not surprised, state you were in last night. I had to put you to bed, it was a good night though. Shame that Kieran bloke left early, light weight. See you later love.” he calls over his shoulder as he heads back downstairs.

  After sorting herself out Mollie heads back to the sanctuary of her bed. She needs to remember everything. Sipping her tea she concentrates and allows her brain to piece things together.

  She recalls that Kieran had taken his time before actually talking to her. He had sunk a few more drinks and she had watched him loosen up considerably. She remembered being very aware of him and that she had kept glancing over to where he was. She remembered that she hadn’t been the only one guilty of furtive glances though. She had caught him a number of times; they had caught each other.

  There had been a lot of flicking of eyes, a sudden interest in things or people in the vicinity of the stares. Eventually he had moved closer until they had chatted together animatedly.

  His arm had slowly moved to the back of her chair. With the aid of the rotating bar stool, she had manoeuvred her crossed legs into a position where they rested imperceptibly against his leg. As time passed and people were singing along to the karaoke, Kieran and Mollie moved closer.

  They were both very drunk, and though they carried on conversations with others, each was profoundly aware of the presence of the other. She remembers the delicious feeling that had overwhelmed her when very delicately his hidden hand had started to play with her hair. She had reacted by slowly moving her leg closer, where she could feel the heat of his leg. From what she could remember this foreplay had gone on for a considerable amount of time. It certainly answered the question of why she had stormed the Gents and pounced on him. Mollie feels relief wash over her; at least she had a bloody good reason. He had come on to her shamelessly. OK, so once again she had made the first move but he clearly fancied her rotten. He just needed a friendly nudge and she’d given him one. She smiles widely to herself. Putting down her tea she hugs her knees as she tries to slot the rest of the evening into the puzzle.

  So what happened after that? Her mind is fuzzy. She remembers going to the Ladies and hanging about in there for a bit, too flustered to go back to the bar. In her mind’s eye she leaves the toilet, re-enters the fray and searches for Kieran. She expects him to be waiting by her stool in order to carry on where they left off, but he isn’t. She returns to her stool and listens to her Dad singing something. A long time went by while she waited. In the end Jack had appeared by her side and informed her that she would have to make do with him as Kieran had gone.

  Mollie lets out a whoosh of air. Bloody hell! Yes, he had. He’d buggered off and left her there. After all the flirting, the touching and the kiss, he had fucked off. Un-be-bloody-lievable!

  He hadn’t even bothered to say good bye! How rude was that? Mollie frowns now. The rest of the evening is a blur. How long did she stay after that? She couldn’t imag
ine it was long. It couldn’t have been that late either. Straining to remember, she thinks about the kebab. How did she get there? Jack! It comes to her in a flash. Jack walked her home. Thank God, she remembers.

  They were both laughing like hyenas, nearly got thrown out of the kebab shop in fact. She giggles as it comes back to her. What on earth were they laughing about?

  She remembers the stagger home, gorging on their kebabs. She thinks they were actually throwing food at each other, which explains the stain on her top. She wonders if Jack is downstairs, again. At least she knows her Dad put her to bed. Could have been worse - Jack could have done it.

  This thought provides some comfort, until without warning a memory rushes in and smacks her full in the face. She reels back with horror. She had snogged Jack as well!

  Mollie throws the duvet over her head, curls up in a tight ball and groans. There it is in all its glory. They are both standing on the doorstep, pushing and shoving each other playfully. Jack moves in without warning, takes her by surprise and she doesn’t pull back. She gets stuck in. OMG! They were really going for it right outside the front door up against the wall. It had been pretty full on and she had enjoyed every minute. In fact she had decided to move proceedings up to her room, parents or no parents. However, said parents had thrown cold water over their ardour when they had arrived on the scene. Luckily Jim’s loud voice had shocked them away from each other before they entered the house.

  Mollie is at least thankful for that and they were none the wiser, she hoped. Jack had said goodbye and left, she remembered, even though Jim and Lindy invited him to stay. Mollie had gone in and passed out on the couch.

  This is just great, she thinks to herself as she cowers under the duvet. What the hell was she thinking? She needs locking up. God, she is supposed to have a meeting with Kieran this afternoon. Great, just great. Mollie is horrified. How is she going to get out of this one?

  At the same time as Mollie is freaking out, Kieran is walking briskly along the river bank in the cold morning air. He is also freaking out, wondering how he could have been so stupid as to have put himself in that position. He feels bad for bailing out on Mollie. He shouldn’t have done it, but he really didn’t know what else to do.

  After she had kissed him in the Gents he had been so startled that he had run away. He didn’t blame Mollie - after all he had been getting carried away in the bar. He had drunk far too much, far too quickly in an effort to catch up. He had been aware of her the entire time, the chemistry between them had been palpable.

  When they were next to each other she had filled all his senses, the smell of her perfume had wafted around him, drawing him in. He had completely lost control, even playing with her hair. She had followed him to the toilets and had initiated the kiss, but he couldn’t honestly say that he wouldn’t have gone for it himself if the flirting had gone on much longer.

  The kiss had jolted him out of the sensual stupor he had fallen into. If he hadn’t removed himself from the situation it would have gone from bad to worse. Kieran kicks at a fallen branch viciously. What a complete idiot he had been. What on earth had he been thinking? He should never have gone. Why did she evoke these emotions in him? Kieran met women all the time, stunningly beautiful women, yet he had never encountered anyone that elicited this sort of reaction from him. What was it about Mollie Brown that he couldn’t resist?

  Three hours later Mollie is sitting at the kitchen table chopping carrots half-heartedly. Lindy is pottering about cooking up a storm for their Sunday lunch. Mollie is in such a state about the whole thing that she has blurted it all out to her mum. She keeps sighing deeply and Lindy throws her knowing looks every now and then.

  “I’m not going Mum, I can’t. It’s just too embarrassing.” Mollie wails hopelessly.

  Lindy sighs and putting down her knife, sits next to her daughter. Taking Mollie’s hand she gazes into her eyes. “Listen to me, young lady. None of this is your fault, do you hear me? You’re vulnerable at the moment.” As Mollie throws a glare at her and forms her lips in preparation to argue, Lindy silences her. “No don’t. Whatever you may think my girl you have been through a massive life change. Whether you like it or not, that’s a fact. You cannot be held responsible for your reactions in a drunken situation, situations in fact.” Mollie winces. “You most certainly cannot be held responsible for the fact that two very gorgeous men fancy you. Let’s face it, you are your mother’s daughter, why wouldn’t they?” She smiles and strikes a model pose, Mollie laughs.

  “You have to get a grip, Mollie. You are going to that meeting, and you will be stunning. You will walk into that Hall completely in control. You will be beautiful, cool, disdainful and poised. They are not going to know what’s hit them, either of them. If they think they’re good enough for my gorgeous daughter they will have to step up. If they don’t, you will leave there a few quid better off, your integrity and pride intact. You will leave Kieran begging to have you working for him. You’re going to show him the wealth of knowledge that is in that pretty head of yours. Well perhaps not all of it, no need to show all your cards! Let them feel bad Mollie and trust me they will, both of them. You, my girl, will be fine. Now get on with those carrots. I want us to eat our lunch and start on your makeover.” Lindy gives Mollie’s hand an encouraging squeeze and goes back to her cooking.

  Chapter 17

  At two o’clock on the dot Mollie rings the Hall’s front door bell. It seems strange not to go round the back, but she doesn’t work here anymore. Today she is a consultant. Lindy was absolutely right. No matter that her stomach is churning so much with nerves that she could easily throw up. She takes a deep calming breath as she waits for someone to answer the door.

  The door opens and Kieran and Mollie gaze at each other like startled rabbits. Mollie quickly gives herself a mental kick up the backside.

  “Kieran, you have remembered our meeting, I take it?” she asks as she runs her eyes up and down his clothes coolly, just as her mother had told her. Think of Florrie, Lindy had told her, imitate her and you won’t go too far wrong.

  Kieran’s eyes widen and he stares dumbly at her. He had been so sure she wouldn’t turn up that he hadn’t even bothered to change out of his jeans and t-shirt.

  The t-shirt is helpfully emblazoned with ‘FCUK YOU’. It and the jeans are old and faded, his official slobbing-out wear. He’s appalled. Whatever had possessed him? He would never in a million years consider having a meeting dressed like this. She looks a million dollars. Her blond mane has been dressed to fall over to one side, and is softly waved. Her makeup has been carefully applied to appear as if she isn’t wearing any. She looks fresh and beautiful. She has dressed carefully and wears a grey pencil skirt and white open necked blouse under a matching short, nipped in jacket which accentuates her hourglass figure. A dainty silver necklace and matching earrings are her only jewellery. As his eyes move down her, he takes in sheer black stockings and high peep toe black shoes. She smells divine. Bloody hell!

  As Mollie waits she holds her breath and controls the smirk which is desperately trying to break out from her lips. This is priceless and she mentally high-fives her mum, what a fabulous idea. She feels completely in control as she watches the Adam’s apple bob nervously at his throat.

  After what seems an hour, but in reality is closer to a minute, Kieran finds his voice. Thinking quickly he blurts out, “Mollie, God I am so sorry! I’ve been out on the estate, and I really had no idea of the time. I was just off to get changed, how unprofessional of me. Please come in, let me get you something to drink,” he lies convincingly as he steps back to allow her access.

  Mollie isn’t that stupid, but she goes along with the charade, “No problem. Would you like to shower and change? I’m happy to wait, although please don’t worry on my account. It is your house after all,” she says softly with an authoritative air. She is mightily proud of herself.

  Assuming she had got the wrong end of the stick last night, she is now intent on b
razening it out. She now gives herself a mental high-five and smirks as she walks past him. In her mind’s eye she is running around a room full of people shrieking and high-fiving all over the place, this is excellent. Pulling her straight face back on before turning to him, she holds her head up and levelly fixes her eyes on his.

  Kieran finds that he can’t meet them. That has never happened to him before. He’s alarmed, to say the least, and as much as he would also love to brazen it out, he needs time to get his act together.

  “If you don’t mind my getting changed, that would be great. What would you like, tea or coffee? Please come on through to the sitting room.” He is speaking quickly as he closes the front door after her and heads past her through the hall to open the sitting room door.

  Mollie follows him, smiling to herself.

  “Tea would be lovely, thank you,” she tells him as she follows him into the room.

  “Right, yes, I’ll, um, ask Angela to bring it through to you. Ermm, I have printed out a list of the questions I wanted to run through with you. Would you be happy to go on and look at them for me?” he asks as he rummages through the paperwork on the bureau which stands just inside the door.

  “Yes of course, after all that is what I’m here for,” she says simply as she takes a seat on the sofa and arranges herself seductively.

  Kieran turns from the bureau with the hastily found document, and swallows hard. He hands it to her, his hand shaking slightly, and retreats from the room backwards, closing the door behind him. He bends double in the corridor, taking a deep breath as he puts his hands on his knees. Pulling himself up, he breathes in deeply again, mentally slapping himself for being an idiot. He heads for the kitchen to ask Angela to make Mollie some tea. He then flies up the stairs to make himself decent and level the playing field.

  Mollie concentrates on the very long list of questions Kieran has given her. She accepts the tea from Angela, who seems a very pleasant lady, and sits quietly whilst she forms her thoughts. She is pleased she has been given this time, enabling her to form clear, accurate responses. She wants Kieran to be impressed; it is of the utmost importance to her, especially after last night. God knows what his impression is of her. It is paramount that he sees her as more than a needy, gullible, woman. She has to show him her other side. When she leaves the Hall today she wants him to be blown away, his interest roused. She has to win back some self respect and gain some much needed kudos.