‘Oh.’ There was a perceptible pause that cut through the air. ‘Really? I thought you were staying now.’
I turned to look at him. Into those deep dark eyes that had the power to seduce and inveigle me. ‘I’ve been offered a job in London. It’s a great opportunity. At Firman Brothers.’
Max let out a long slow whistle, clearly impressed. Without missing a beat, he said, ‘Wow, that’s great. Congratulations.’ He gave a rueful shrug, his mouth twisting in thought. ‘Now, who’s guilty of keeping things to themselves?’
‘Oh Max, I just haven’t had a chance to tell you.’ I felt my cheeks redden. ‘I only went for the interview yesterday. It all happened rather quickly. I’m just waiting for the formal offer to come through.’
‘And you’re going to take it?’
I clasped my fingers and stretched my arms out in front of me. ‘Well yes, I think so. Or maybe I won’t, but… Oh, I really don’t know yet. I need to think about it.’
‘I guess you’d be a fool not to.’
‘Mmmm.’ Those were my thoughts exactly. ‘I can’t really make any firm decisions until I’ve got the contract in front of me. I’m sorry, Max.’
‘Don’t worry, there’s absolutely nothing to be sorry about. You must do what’s best for you. I’ll be able to find someone else to run the pub.’ I nodded. I didn’t doubt it, so why did the thought make me inexplicably sad? ‘I just wanted to give you first refusal.’
‘Thanks. I’m really grateful for that. Honestly, I am.’
Max stood up, calling the dogs to his side. ‘Come on, we ought to be getting back.’
We turned for home, lost in our own thoughts for a moment before Max said, ‘Thought I’d organize a bit of a get-together at the pub to celebrate my new ownership. Just the regular crowd. To spread the news in case there’s anyone who won’t have heard. We’ll have a proper re-opening party when the refurb work’s been done, but it’ll be good to get everyone together now.’
‘Yes. Sounds fab,’ I said brightly, wondering why my mood didn’t quite match my words.
Thirty-One
The trouble was I couldn’t turn down a fabulous job at one of the most prestigious consulting firms in the world for the sake of a man. Never. I was mad to even consider it. Only I had been considering it. For days now. Every time I was out with one of the dogs my mind would go back to that conversation with Max on the bench. What it meant for us and our relationship if I did, as I’d told him, take the job and move back to London. Only a few days ago I’d been bad-mouthing Max and thinking the very worst of him, but that had all changed when he’d come to the house and told me his plans. That I’d featured in those plans, as his potential manager of the pub, was something I could never have anticipated. But really, what was there to think about? Manager of the local pub on a so-so salary or a senior management role in a top-notch city firm with a huge salary plus bonuses. Honestly, it was a no-brainer.
My personal feelings for Max were getting in the way of making a rational decision. The memory of his breath on my skin, the caress of his touch on my body, his distinctive and enticing scent were all conspiring to make my head fuzzy and giddy. But could I really trust my emotions? It was still early days for me and Max. What was to say that the flame burning so strongly between us at the moment wouldn’t fizzle out just as quickly as it ignited?
Now I only had until Christmas to decide what to do about the job offer from Firmans. The envelope with my offer of employment had sat on the mantelpiece at home ever since it had arrived, although I’d taken it down to re-read the letter several times. The terms they were offering were amazing, better than anything I could have imagined, £10K more than I was earning in my previous job and twice yearly bonuses with a clearly projected career path. All the perks that come from working with a big firm; gym, executive restaurants and private health care. Beautiful central London offices too.
My mind ran ahead thinking of all the possibilities. The people I would meet, the clients I would get to work with, the glitzy social events, the overseas travel. I would find a new flat. I could even think about getting a mortgage now – putting down some proper roots.
What was it Mum had said about dad’s job offer in Dubai? They would be silly to turn it down. Wasn’t it the same for me? Even if I only did the job for a few years. Enough time to make a sizeable nest egg and to gain the experience to add to my CV that would be invaluable for my career. There would be plenty of time in my thirties and forties to act out my countryside dream.
Carefully, I pulled out the envelope from the shelf again, tapping it against my hand. My mind was made up. There was only one sensible decision I could make. I would be accepting the job with Firmans, with a start date of 5th January, less than two months away now. I placed the envelope back on the shelf, pushing aside the stab of trepidation I felt in my chest. Instead I needed to focus on the bubbling excitement shooting around my body. Eek! Look out London, here I come!
*
Now, I was late. I’d spent so much time this morning mooning about, pacing up and down the kitchen, trying to come to a decision, that I’d completely lost track of the time. Gemma Jones had rung me earlier, in a bit of state actually, asking to see me, saying that she had something important to tell me. Would I mind having Digby to stay again, I didn’t doubt. Still I didn’t mind at all. I knew she was struggling at the moment. Hardly surprising with everything she had on her plate. And I wanted to make the most of the few remaining weeks I’d have left with my four-legged friends. I was determined to squeeze in as many walks as possible.
Dread filled my stomach at the thought of having to notify Gemma and my doggy other clients that I’d be closing down my business. I shook my head, not wanting to face that just yet. It could all wait for another day.
I rushed out the door feeling suddenly lighter at having made my decision. The uncertainty about what to do had been driving me mad, making me restless and agitated. Now, my mind was set, I could look ahead with optimism and start to make some plans. Obviously there was a huge part of me that would be sad to be leaving Little Leyton. I was going to miss the village hugely, my lovely friends, all my lovely doggy friends too, the pub especially, but I could always come home for the occasional weekend when I wanted to. It would be the best of both worlds. Yes, definitely. What it would mean for Max and me I just didn’t know, but I’d never planned my life around a man before and I wasn’t about to start now, especially when there was nothing to suggest our friendship was going to develop into anything more serious. Perhaps it was good that I’d be taking a step backwards before I got too involved with Max.
I walked up the path to Gemma’s beautiful home and rapped on the brass knocker.
‘Oh Ellie, come in.’ Gemma’s beautiful blue eyes were reddened and her face, bare of make-up, looked strained. Digby came running up to greet me, his tail thumping wildly against my leg. The baby yelled from his rocker on the floor and two adorable little girls offered me tea and cake from their colourful plastic tea set.
‘Girls, will you go into the playroom please. Just for a few minutes. I need to speak to Ellie.’ She whipped the baby out of the rocker and held him under her arm, although it did nothing to stop his relentless wailing. I pretended to ignore the incessant crying and instead I gave Digby a big cuddle as he was looking up at me with a forlorn look in his chocolate brown eyes.
‘Sit down,’ said Gemma.
It was only then I noticed the dozens of cardboard boxes littered over the floor.
‘Excuse the mess,’ she said with half a smile. She ran a hand through her blonde hair, exhaustion clear to see on her pretty features. She sank down on the sofa. ‘I’m so sorry, Ellie,’ she said, clutching her head in her hands.
‘Whatever’s the matter?’ I asked, as Digby sidled up beside me, and planted his head on my lap.
‘As you can see, we’re on the move. It’s all happened a bit quickly but…’ She let out a huge sigh. ‘The house is being repossessed.’
‘No!’ My hand flew to my mouth. ‘How come?’
‘Well I knew Nigel was having problems in his business, but I didn’t know the extent of it. He’s been keeping the worst of it from me and I’ve only just found out this week that we’re in all sorts of debt. You wouldn’t believe it. So much so, I don’t know how we’re ever going to get out of it. Our lovely house will have to go, along with the cars and there’s no way we’ll be able to afford the school fees anymore. It’s heartbreaking.’
‘Oh, Gemma. How awful. I’m so so sorry.’
She shrugged resignedly. ‘We’ll get through it somehow. I hope. For richer, for poorer. For better, for worse, and all of that. People go through much worse, don’t they?’
I suppose they did. My mind immediately went back to our trip to France, to the refugees in Calais, and though this was nowhere near as bad as that, for Gemma and her family it must be a completely awful and frightening situation to find themselves in. It certainly put my little niggles and worries into perspective.
‘Anyway, I wanted to let you know the situation. We’re moving out in a couple of weeks, just in time for Christmas. Great timing, eh? The thing is, and this is so embarrassing, Ellie, but I just can’t afford to pay your bill. I feel so awful about it. I’m furious with Nigel. If he’d told me how bad our finances were, I would never have kept using you to walk Digby. Honestly, I had no idea things were this dire. Once we’re back on our feet, I promise you, we’ll pay you then.’
‘Please don’t worry about it. Just forget about the money. Really.’ Seeing Gemma’s obvious distress and knowing what a difficult time she’d be facing in the coming months, it was the least I could do in the circumstances.
‘Thanks for being so understanding, Ellie. I’m not sure how I would have coped these last few weeks without you.’ She looked across at Digby who’d slumped into a heap at my foot, enjoying my constant petting of his back. ‘Poor boy. We’re going to have to let him go. The kids will be devastated, but the rented house we’re moving into won’t accept pets. Besides, Digby deserves a better home, somewhere they’ll be able to give him the time and attention he needs. I’ve been in touch with the local dogs home and they’re confident that they’ll be able to rehome him quickly. Hopefully they can find him a new family in time for Christmas.’
‘Oh no!’ My stomach twisted. I could hardly bear it.
‘Don’t Ellie,’ said Gemma, holding up a hand to stop me from saying anything more. Tears gathered in her eyes and I think she noticed the tears welling in mine too. She stood up and began gathering toys up from the floor.
‘Look I can see you’re busy here,’ I said, looking around at the books, crockery and linen spilling out of boxes. ‘Why don’t I take Digby for a walk, get him out from under your feet.’ This could be the very last opportunity I’d have to take Digby out, I realized with a pang of sadness.
‘But I can’t afford to pay you, Ellie.’
‘I know that. There’s no need. Honestly. Just one friend helping out another. That’s all.’
She came across and gave me a hug. ‘Thanks Ellie. You’re a star.’
I slipped Digby’s lead on and we headed outside towards the back lanes, both of us eager to set out on our favourite walk for one last time.
Poor Gemma and her family. Poor old Digby too.
*
Walking into the pub on a Friday night always lifted my spirits, but tonight there was an extra buzz about the place. An end of term feeling. A Christmas is coming feeling. Happiness soared in my chest to see the pub heaving with so many familiar faces. Dan, Andy and Rich were working flat out behind the bar and Eric was patrolling the front bars chatting to all his friends and customers, his spirits high, a big smile spread across his face. Just like old times.
Across the room sitting round the large circular table, I saw Josie and Ethan, Polly and Johnny, Bill and Tony, Paul and Caroline, and Max too. Our eyes literally met across a crowded room and it was though I’d been struck by a force of lightning, my whole body igniting with desire. He acknowledged me with a nod of his head and immediately stood up, weaving his way through the throng of people to greet me.
‘Hello Ellie,’ he said, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me on the lips, oblivious to the stares from everyone around us. I could have stayed like that, safe in his embrace, for the entire evening, but Max pulled away to look at me, stroking me gently on the cheek. ‘Let me get you a drink.’
What a fabulous feeling to be amongst my friends to celebrate the new ownership of the pub. With a glass of wine in hand, I raised a toast to Max.
‘To the new gorgeous owner of The Dog and Duck.’ I paused to kiss him lightly on the lips. ‘Wishing you every success and many happy years ahead in this beautiful pub.’
‘Thanks Ellie.’ Max smiled, raising his glass back at me.
‘You do know that you’re taking the pub on at the best possible time. Christmas is always such a vibrant and exciting time here. Especially once we have the tree in position and all the decorations up on the beams and over the fireplace. With the fire blazing it looks so magical. We’ll have some special Christmas beers on too. And it gets so busy, every single night of the month. On Christmas Eve we have the annual outdoor Christmas carol concert in the High Street and everyone piles in here before and afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies. Honestly Max, you’ll love it. I’m getting so excited just thinking about it, I can’t wait.’
‘Well it’s certainly a new adventure,’ said Max, clearly amused by my enthusiasm. ‘And talking of new adventures, what about you, will you be accepting the job offer from Firmans?’
I opened my mouth to reply, but the words stuck in my throat. Something stopped me from just coming out and telling him straight – yes I would be taking the job. For some reason it felt that saying it aloud might give it a validity that I hadn’t come to terms with myself yet.
‘Probably,’ I said, copping out. ‘You’ve reminded me though, I need to go through the paperwork, sign it and return to them. They want me to start in the New Year.’
‘Well it sounds like an excellent opportunity. Too good to miss.’
I couldn’t disagree with him, but I supposed there was a small part of me that hoped he might try and persuade me to stay. Still, tonight wasn’t the time to be thinking about my new job. I shut the thought out of my mind. Tonight was all about my friends, the pub and Max.
We wandered back over to the big table, stopping on our way to chat to different people. I introduced Max to the few he didn’t already know, but word had quickly spread around the village that Max had bought the pub and the news seemed to have been welcomed positively from all quarters. There was even a positive energy emanating from the old oak beams and the stone flag floors, as if the building was welcoming this new development in its history with open arms.
‘You all right, lovely?’
Eric’s warm and familiar voice resonated in my ear and I span round to see him, throwing my arms around his neck.
‘Just fine, Eric. I’m so sorry if I gave you a hard time the other night.’
‘Nah. You didn’t. I know you only want what’s best for the pub.’
‘Yes, and for you too, Eric. That’s just as important. You’ve been so good to me. Like a second dad. I’m going to miss having you around this place so much. You’re allowed to go off on your travels, but only on the promise that you’ll come back regularly to see us all.’
‘Just try and keep me away.’ He laughed, rubbing me gently on the back. ‘This place is in good hands now, you know that, don’t you?’
‘Yes, I’m sure it is,’ I said, as we both turned to watch Max as he mingled happily with the clientele, getting to know his customers.
‘Does it feel strange,’ I asked him, ‘to be passing the pub over into someone else’s custody?’
Eric gave a wry smile. ‘Do you know, Ellie, it doesn’t feel strange at all. It just feels right, as though it’s the natural thing for me to do now.
’
Funnily enough, I knew exactly what Eric meant. Despite my initial misgivings about Max taking over the pub, suddenly everything seemed to be falling into place. The pub was in safe hands and would continue serving the residents of Little Leyton, hopefully for years to come, Eric was happy in his decision to take time out to travel the world, Johnny and Polly’s relationship seemed to be growing stronger with each passing day, Josie and Ethan were full of love and pride for their new daughter, Mum and Dad were living the high life in Dubai and I had a fabulous new job and life to look forward to in London.
Everything was going swimmingly for now, but maybe the decision between my new job in London and a future in the village with Max wasn’t so straightforward as I first thought after all.
Thirty-Two
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Humming beneath my breath, I placed the advent candle on the shelf in front of the optics and stood back to admire its beauty. Perfect. I struck a match, holding the flame to the wick, watching it flicker into life, its amber glow reflected in the mirror behind.
It was the first day of December and there’d been such a happy and exciting air of anticipation wafting around the old oak beams in the last couple of weeks. Everyone was so pleased that the pub's future had been secured and now the Christmas preparations really could start in earnest.
‘You sound happy,’ said Dan chuckling, who wandered into the bar behind me, ready for the evening shift.
‘Oh, I just love this time of year, don’t you? The whole build-up to Christmas is just so magical. I love seeing all the houses decorated in twinkling festive lights and the Christmas trees glimmering in the windows. We should probably get our tree tomorrow morning, don’t you think? I see some people in the village have got theirs up already. We can put it in the bay window where it usually goes – and then I can get it decorated before we open at lunchtime.’
Christmas at the Dog & Duck Page 24