by R J Gould
Kanjani had finished their set and Jabulani’s brother was thanking the audience, informing them that their first album was about to be released. One of the reasons for such a crowded first night was the reputation that the band had acquired in the local area over recent months.
‘Luckily you’ve resigned, David, otherwise it would be instant dismissal on a charge of gross misconduct.’
‘It weren’t me, your honour, it were Jabulani,’ he exclaimed in mock defence. ‘Thanks ever so much for coming along tonight.’
She moved closer and kissed him on each cheek. ‘I wouldn’t dream of missing such an important event.’
David noticed Bridget looking across at them. She was behind the bar serving drinks – they were taking it in turns to support their staff there. ‘Let me introduce you to Bridget.’
‘Sure.’
As they headed across the room, Ross approached at considerable speed. He grabbed hold of David’s hand and shook it furiously. ‘Hello, mate. You’ve done it, well done.’ His attention turned to Mary. ‘I hope you’re going to introduce me to this beautiful lady?’
The beautiful lady didn’t seem to be put off by the crass chat up line. ‘I think I’m able to introduce myself. I’m Mary,’ her new voice said.
‘Well, hello, Mary. I’m Ross, a close friend of this entrepreneurial wizard.’ The entrepreneurial wizard needn’t have been present because Ross’s attention was fully on Mary. He took hold of her hand and kissed it. She didn’t mind – in fact she was beaming.
Red alert. Keep away from him, David wanted to warn her, but he was already relegated to bit-part player, in fact completely ignored as Ross invited Mary to join him at the bar for a drink. He watched as they walked off, his gaze fixed on the tight fitting purple skirt that Mary was wearing.
He caught Candy’s eye and she waved. She had come with a group of friends, students on her degree course. Presumably the relationship with Ross was over since she was sitting on the lap of a more appropriately-aged male. Ross would be on the lookout for a new woman and judging by what was going on by the bar, was already making good progress with Mary. They were sitting close together on bar stools and his hand rested on her knee. David dismissed his gut reaction to intervene. Mary was tough enough to cope and who knows, it might end up as the perfect match. Bridget was serving them drinks – David hadn’t got as far as introducing the two women.
And now another woman was on the scene. Jane approached him with a man by her side, who was rather formally dressed for the occasion in suit and tie.
‘Hi, David.’
‘Hello, Jane.’
They’d had a heart to heart after the attempted arson attack, Jane full of remorse and grateful that he hadn’t pressed charges.
‘I thought I’d support your opening. I wish you lots of luck.’ She looked across to Bridget, busy at the bar. ‘Both of you.’
‘That’s very kind, I appreciate you coming along.’
‘This is Rupert, he’s a friend from work.’
Rupert extended his arm and they shook hands. What with the tension of the opening night, Mary turning up, Ross chasing Mary, Candy with a new man, Rachel heading off to God knows where, and now Jane arriving, he was struggling to build up enthusiasm to speak to Rupert.
‘Go and get a drink. Now the band’s finished I need to put on some music then I’ll have to relieve Bridget at the bar.’
David led Jane and Rupert towards Bridget, passing Ross and Mary who were laughing away. He felt a tinge of jealousy. He escaped into the small office and chose a Beach House album to play, appropriately gentle end of evening music. They had to close by 11.30, so how to get customers to leave on time was on his mind when Bridget joined him.
‘It’s beginning to quieten down,’ she said. ‘I know we want masses of sales but I’m dead beat, I wouldn’t mind if everybody went home now.’
They peeped out.
Candy and her friends were still partying, the youngest of the mixed age profile of customers that they had so hoped for.
‘Wow, what a great night,’ Bridget exclaimed.
‘Yes, I think we’re going to make it. In fact, I know we are.’
‘I believe you could be right. When I first saw this idea on your list I thought it was a wild fantasy.’
‘No, you were my wild fantasy! I’ve been thinking, partner. Now we work together perhaps we should live together.’
‘Let’s not run before we can walk, David.’
‘Yes, but do you think a run might be possible?’
‘We’ll see, David.’
‘Stop saying “David” at the end of every statement! There’s no need.’
‘What are you talking about? Why are you laughing?’
‘A private joke, it reminded me of someone I used to know.’
‘Sometimes your humour is utterly incomprehensible. I’ve got no idea why I’m fond of you.’
‘It could be my money.’
‘Ha ha.’
They watched the band members pack up and left it to the more conscientious of their staff to collect glasses from the near deserted tables. Jane and Rupert, engaged in earnest conversation in the shadows of the far corner, were holding hands. David was happy to see that.
Candy and her gang were getting ready to leave. Drinks were being downed, coats put on, and the couples were having a farewell snog.
Propping up the bar ever closer to Mary, Ross looked across at Candy. When her kissing ended he laughed aloud to indicate that he was having the time of his life with a new woman. Candy didn’t notice or didn’t want Ross to see her notice. She waved at David and Bridget and blew them a kiss.
Ross rested a hand on Mary’s shoulder and whispered something that made her giggle. ‘Who’s that woman with Ross?’ Bridget enquired.
‘Why do you ask?’
‘I saw you talking with her earlier. Who is she?’
David reddened. ‘That’s Mary.’
‘Your ex-boss? God, she’s not at all what I thought she’d be like. She’s incredibly attractive. Don’t you think so?’
‘I suppose she is, I’ve never thought of her in that way. She was just my boss.’
‘Come on, I reckon it’s time we shut down,’ Bridget said as she turned off the music. They stepped out the office and observed the arrival of the very late comer.
David was flabbergasted that she’d popped in to support their opening night, presumably having just got off duty as she was still in uniform. He rushed over to greet her.
‘Hello, it’s great to see you. I’d better not contravene licencing laws or you’ll arrest me, but there’s just time to get you one drink before closing. What would you like?’
WPC Zara Dixon stood her ground by the entrance as the few remaining guests looked on.
‘That’s very kind of you, sir, but I’m still on duty. I need you to come with me to the station.’
Zara watched the woman who was by Mr Willoughby’s side take hold of his right arm. Next, Mrs Willoughby, assuming that was still her status, approached Mr Willoughby and clutched his left arm. The man who had had his arm around the maybe Mrs Willoughby’s waist followed her, clasping her spare hand.
‘The police station?’ David asked, the woman on each side of him tightening her grip.
Diagonally from the right a third woman came hurtling towards him at great speed. She yanked away from a man who struggled to retain his arm around her shoulders. To no avail; he stumbled and fell to his knees. Ignoring the cries of the fallen one, she continued her rush up to Mr Willoughby, flinging her arms around him. Their faces all but touched.
‘This is fabulous,’ Mary slurred. ‘Fabulous. I’m going to miss you so much; please promise you’ll keep in contact.’ Before he could answer she kissed him on the lips and sustained the embrace. He didn’t, couldn’t respond, because his arms were still pinned down by the other two women. The fallen one shuffled towards them on his knees then stood.
‘I know all about you two, you ar
e such a crafty bugger,’ he said to David as he pulled Mary away.
The other two women, still affixed to David, looked on in puzzlement.
Unsure who to face, the policewoman addressed a convenient gap to the left of David’s ear. ‘I’m afraid it’s your daughter, sir. She’s been apprehended for drunk and disorderly behaviour.’ And not surprising , she thought.
Women’s Contemporary Fiction
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Published by Accent Press Ltd 2014
ISBN 9781783756537
Copyright © R J Gould 2014
The right of R J Gould to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
The story contained within this book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publishers: Accent Press Ltd, Ty Cynon House, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN