by Charley Dee
‘So he didn’t say he knew about her crush Lucy?’
‘No Hun he didn’t.’ I replied honestly as he’d actually rather evaded the issue.
‘Thanks Hun I’d better get on with this pastry or it’ll never be ready.’
‘If I were you I’d wipe your face first it’s covered in flour, by the way any idea where Jena is?’
‘She’s in the restaurant with the frozen food rep.’
‘Ok then, time I done some work, catch you later.’ Phew glad that’s over for now.
Chapter 14
‘I can’t help it Andy, like I’ve said before there’s something about the guy.’ Jena remarked dryly.
‘Yeah I agree he’s a bit odd, but he seems to treat Lucy alright.’ Andy chipped in.
‘But does he? Since he moved in she’s hardly seen him, she has no idea where he eats, where he goes, when he finishes work. He as good as bribed her to let him move in and presented her with that cheap little silver necklace to honour the day. I mean he’s got motive written all over him.’
‘Maybe she doesn’t mind, the way I see Lucy is she’s very independent.’ Andy adds.
‘I know Lucy Ross better than anyone Andy, she’s impulsive, independent and caring, however she’s also vulnerable. I get the feeling Tim has a strategy, a plan of action.’ Jena said looking straight at Andy. ‘I can’t shake the feeling off.
‘You have to leave them to it babe, perhaps he’s just a bit of a loner. I must admit he isn’t someone I’d go for a few pints with, though you only have to look at the difference in our jobs. He’s a clever bloke working at a desk, where my work is manual.’ Andy described.
‘Don’t put yourself down Andy I bet you know as much as he does about technology.’ Jena insisted.
‘You only think that because you love me girl.’ He grins.
‘If that’s the case time you showed me how much you love me then.’ Jena leans over to give Andy a hug.
‘Good job we’re in bed then babe.’ Andy leaned over to kiss Jena and within seconds passion had taken over and all thoughts of Tim Carter had flown out of the door. They made love eagerly, hungry for each others bodies….longing to fulfil their desires…as they climaxed together….sated and breathless, still wrapped in each others arms they drifted into a restful sleep.
I received a surprise text message from Tim inviting me out for a meal tonight; I hadn’t seen him for a couple of days which makes me, question the fact do we actually reside in the same building now? It will make a change to have a Thursday night off, Jena will be around, so I quickly sent a message back saying I would love to meet him. I’m sure Jena, Andy and even Lucas think it’s rather strange that Tim rarely uses the bar and never eats in the restaurant. I allay any misgivings I have, by remembering the guy has lived alone for a long time. Plus he may not frequent pubs on a regular basis. Putting these thoughts to one side I delve into my wardrobe to select an outfit, something warm as there’s a definite chill in the air. Feeling a flush of excitement I dash downstairs to let Jena know I’m going out.
‘So where’s he taking you then Hun.’ Jena inquired.
‘I’ve no idea I’m waiting for another message.’
‘He’s like the elusive pimpernel that guy.’ Jena giggles.
I can understand her feeling that way as he certainly isn’t run of the mill, maybe that’s what I find so attractive though.
‘I guess he is a tad secretive, still maybe he intends to amaze me.’ I reply heartily.
‘Let’s hope so Lucy, by the way Archie has asked if he can have a Friday night off, I said I’d check with you first.’
‘Yeah that’s fine love we can get Jayne in for the night, she’s always reminding me she’ll do evenings any time.’
‘Ok I’ll see if I can set it up for tomorrow.’
‘Then you could go out on Saturday Jena, I’m sure Andy would be chuffed.’
‘Mm sounds good, another movie I’m thinking, nothing like the back row Lucy you should try it sometime.’ She laughs.
I’ll take your word for it love.’
Tim came back to the pub to collect me and we walked around the corner to Pizza Express. Don’t get me wrong this is a nice pizza place, however when Tim had asked me out for a meal this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, as at least once a week me Jena and Lucas order one in as a takeaway, nevertheless I didn’t utter a word, I mean we were actually out of the pub and spending time together. Our little jaunt took just over an hour when we got back to the bar Tim excused himself as he had urgent work to do. To say I was a tad discouraged could be classed as a trivial statement, however this is my job and his appears to be spending time on a computer. Jena gave me a strange look as I walked back in the bar and who could blame her; once she knows where we’ve been I can imagine her reaction. Since tonight was my time off I told Jena I’d be in my flat if I was wanted. So taking the stairs two at a time I was relieved to be able to spend time alone and not have to answer any awkward questions tonight. Tears could have come easily, however I realised I had to accept Tim the way he was. I mean he certainly wasn’t addicted to drugs or drink, plus he didn’t seem to go out much. So could spending countless hours on a computer be classed as dependence? I must admit I’m perplexed, anyway I’m captivated by the guy and maybe, just maybe, I’m over thinking the whole situation. I have to give it more time and try discussing my concerns with Tim before I presume there are issues that don’t exist. My sensible head is telling me that you have to live with someone to get to know all their little idiosyncrasies. Where as my silly girly head keeps barging in with ‘hey you should be spending time with me what the hell’s going on you tosser’….
Drifting away from my romance, my mind wanders back to Kate and how she’s coping with Jodie and her crush. Headstrong teenagers I’d far rather her than me, fortunately her son appears to be more into guitars than girls. Because Archie is now aware of Jodie’s crush, I’m relying on him to subtly influence her in the right direction. At sixteen she should be mingling with lads of her own age and just having fun in general, not hankering after hunks that are looking for their next lay. My mobile burst into action, stopping my dreamy thoughts, a text from Tim (who is only in the next room) asking if I’d like some company between the sheets later…Mm I rest my case for tonight.
It was Sunday after lunches had finished before me and Jena had time for a lengthy catch up. ‘At last, I’ve hardly seen you to chat to for days.’ I declared. ‘Where’s Andy?’
‘Oh he’s gone up for a kip; he had a few pints before lunch. What about Tim?’
‘The usual, swamped with technology.’ I grin. ‘I’m getting used to his ways now.’
‘You’re a very patient girl Lucy Ross. Anyway there’s something I must share with you. Friday night when Andy was walking back to the pub after work, he saw Archie in a café and he believes he was sitting with Kate’s daughter Jodie.’
‘OMG that’s awful, how sure was he?’ I press.
‘In Andy’s words about ninety percent, don’t worry I haven’t mentioned anything to Kate.’
‘Now my mind’s gone into overdrive, maybe they were just chatting, he could have been telling her he’s in a relationship.’ I add anxiously. ‘Surely he wouldn’t take advantage of her teenage craving.’
‘Lucy he’s a man that’s full of testosterone and Jodie is one fit young lady, don’t take much to work that one out.’ Jena exclaimed.
‘Holy crap it’s my entire fault, I was the one who told him.’
‘No Lucy’ Jena interrupted sternly. ‘It would have happened without your input, don’t you think he was aware she’d taken photos of him. Plus he certainly didn’t deny knowing about her when you spoke to him, you said he was evasive.’
‘What the hell am I going to tell Kate?’
‘If you want my opinion I’d say nothing at this stage, just let things take their course for a few days. There is still a chance it wasn’t Jodie.’
‘Mm and pigs might fly.’
&n
bsp; We both sat across the table in silence for a while, with neither me nor Jena having kids of our own made it more difficult to grasp.
After a long pause Jena added, ‘If you tell Kate now it will blow up out of all proportion, and we could end up losing Archie. Best leave it Hun as it could turn out to be a flash in the pan.’
‘I guess you’re right, nevertheless I’ll keep my eyes pealed, as I know you will too.’
‘That goes without saying, so changing the subject are you going to tell me where you went for a meal on Thursday?’
‘The Pizza Express.’ I laugh.
‘I’ll say that for Tim he sure knows how to show you a good time.’
‘I must admit I was a tad deflated at the time, although he did come in and keep me warm later.’
‘You are far too generous and considerate Lucy, I only hope he realises what a lucky guy he is that you even looked his way.’
I hope so too…only time will tell on that score.
Chapter 15
The next week was spent organising the Christmas festivities, me and Jena had garnished the bar and restaurant tastefully. We were serving Christmas lunches on specific dates and the restaurant was always fully booked. I’d had pocket diaries printed with the logo of the Frog and Toad enhanced on the cover, we will start to hand these out on Christmas lunchtime. Bands had been booked well in advance and Jena had devised a quiz to be held during the party week, when the Christmas raffle would be drawn. During this hectic time I hadn’t been out with Tim again, to be perfectly honest there had been no time to dwell on my liaison. Also there had been no further revelations about Archie and Jodie, which was a relief. Possibly Andy had been wrong when he thought he’d seen them together.
At last it was the morning of December the twenty fourth, Christmas Eve, all the gang was working. Kate was serving the last of the Christmas lunches, as I’d given her Christmas Day and Boxing Day off to spend with her family. Apart from Grace the rest of us would be working throughout, although the bar will close at three o’clock on Christmas afternoon giving everyone a free afternoon. Jena and Andy were going to spend the rest of the day with his family and not returning until the following lunch time. Lucas was staying at the pub so Kate had left a chicken curry ready for anyone who was hungry. I hadn’t managed to ask Tim if he’d made alternative plans, so I was assuming he would stay and eat with me and Lucas. So feeling reasonably sure all plans had been put in place I headed down to the kitchen to begin a hectic day.
Much later that evening, actually the early hours of Christmas Day I crawled into bed totally bushed. All day and evening had been manic with meals, music and merry making, whereby everybody seemed to have had fun. Tim had left me suitably speechless when at lunch time he’d announced that as I was working he’d be visiting his parents for a couple of days. This had come as a bolt from the blue as I couldn’t recall him speaking of his parents…obviously he had some? Perhaps he felt a little in the way as I was committed to work…who knows. Now far too knackered to think I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
As I slowly joined the land of the living on Christmas morning, flashbacks from the previous day sprung to mind, Tim had gone, nevertheless he’d left me a present and a card in the lounge. As I’d been so busy I hadn’t had a chance to return the favour, so he’d have to wait. Since it was already eight o’clock I dashed into the bathroom for a quick shower, as I had to sort yesterday’s takings out. Mary and Lucas were enjoying a cuppa in the kitchen.
‘A Happy Christmas darling.’ Mary exclaimed cheerfully. ‘Sit yourself down and I’ll pour you a cuppa.
Lucas pulled a chair out for me. ‘Happy Christmas Lucy.’
‘Happy Christmas to you both, early birds.’ I added. ‘Wow that was one busy day.’
‘It certainly was.’ Lucas replied.
‘At least we don’t open until noon and close at three, so a tad lighter today.’
‘Who’s on the bar Lucy I forgot to check last night.’
‘You, me and Jayne, Archie’s off until tomorrow, Mary why don’t you take tomorrow morning off love?’ I suggest.
‘I wouldn’t dream of it girl, I’m happy working.’ Mary added as she passed me a mug of steaming tea. ‘Get that down you and I’ll cook you and Lucas a decent breakfast.’
‘You’re an angel Mary.’ Lucas adds smiling.
‘I’ll second that.’
‘Can I do anything to help you Lucy?’ Lucas offers.
‘No I’m going to sort the takings out, you’ll have plenty to do in the bar and cellar.’
‘Hey I can multi task you know.’ He grinned mischievously.
‘Well that’s a first eh Mary?’ I laugh.
‘Oh he’s a good’en girl.’
‘Hold on Mary you’ll have me blushing.’ He quipped.
The Christmas lunchtime bar proved to be exceptionally busy; in fact the volume of punters actually exceeded those from Christmas Eve. Me, Lucas and Jayne served unceasingly, plus handing out the free diaries until three o’clock. The punters were dragging their feet, no one seemed to be in a hurry to leave, by the time the doors were locked it was almost four o’clock.
‘I’ll finish clearing up in here Lucy.’ Lucas offered.
‘OK then I’ll lay a table and heat up the curry, bring a bottle of wine in Lucas it is Christmas Day.’
Me and Lucas shared the bottle of wine with our curry and even indulged in chocolate fudge cake and cream for dessert.
‘Will you be going out this evening Lucas.’
‘No Lucy I guess I’ll watch TV or read a book, how about you?’
‘I’ll be staying in also, Tim’s gone to visit his parents and Jena and Andy are away until tomorrow, so looks like TV for me as well, how about another glass of wine?’
‘That sounds good to me.’ He replies heartily.
As we sip our wine I attempt to try and get Lucas to open up, he is such an enigma. ‘Is there somewhere you’d like to be today Lucas?’ I ask tentatively.
‘No not anymore Lucy, I suppose I’d class myself as a free spirit now.’
The last thing I want to do is cross the line with Lucas, if he wants to open up he will, I just want him to know he has a friend in me if he wants to share his plight. Because as sure as eggs are eggs he certainly has one. ‘Hey you know if you ever want a shoulder I’m always here.’
‘You must think I’m an irregular kind of guy, who is contented to work and stay indoors.’
‘Not at all Lucas, what ever floats your boat? However I just want to endorse that you have a friend here that you can trust.’
‘I’ve come to realise that since I’ve worked with you Lucy, although I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to my life stories on Christmas Day.’
‘We have a bottle of wine, no more work today, so what better time than to share our stories.’
Breaking the silence at last Lucas cleared his throat. ‘I was in a relationship until almost a year ago; I’d known Helen for a couple of years before we set up home together. We had made long term plans and decided to marry and have kids, so primarily the relationship was serious. The whole shebang was going well, then Helen became pregnant, after a long discussion we decided to postpone the wedding until after the baby was born. For reasons that still baffle me, she became rather introverted, knowing very little about pregnancy I put it down to her hormones. When she was almost three months pregnant I had to go away on a course in the midlands for ten days. I rang her each day on my mobile and she didn’t pick up once, so I sent her text messages on the night before I was due to go home, she sent me a message to say she’d be staying at her mothers. This was very strange as her mother lives in the West Country. All was made abundantly clear when I arrived at our flat, she’d left a letter, very short, curt and definitely to the point. I quote ‘I’m sorry had to tell you, the baby isn’t yours, staying at my mothers, don’t contact me.’ To say I was gobsmacked would be an understatement; my whole world had suddenly been blown ap
art.’
‘Wow that is some story, I’m so sorry…. did you ever discover the truth?’
‘Oh eventually yes, like most things it all comes out in the wash so to speak. Apparently Helen had been seeing one of my mates (who just happened to work with me) during the last year of our relationship, and he’s the father of her child. They are now married and have a daughter so that’s my story in a nutshell Lucy.’
‘Would it be fair to ask how you are now?’
‘Pretty good Lucy; though it will take a lot to ever trust again, I must admit working here is helping enormously.’
‘I’m pleased to hear that Lucas, come on let’s top these glasses up.’
‘Now it’s time for you to share your secrets I believe.’ Lucas declares.
‘Not a great deal to share, a few shall we say flings, nothing serious. This is my first tenancy although my third pub, I believe people see me as a workaholic (far better than the alkie type I guess) a dedicated career girl. Marriage and children have never been on the cards for me.’ I say honestly.
‘You’re certainly committed I envy your dedication, so where does Tim fit into your life?’ Lucas asks tentatively.
As I once again top our glasses up with the remainder of the wine, I reply thoughtfully. ‘There’s a bit of a tale to this, I’m sure Jena won’t mind me telling you, she met Andy on a dating site and encouraged me to give it a try, hence that’s how I met Tim. So to answer your question honestly, I’m a tad perplexed by it all. As you’ve witnessed during your time here I’ve been totally absorbed with the pub opening and all the relevant ‘nuts and bolts’ linked to the same.’ I state with ease.
‘I hope it works out well for you both anyway Lucy.’
Several times during today I’ve thought about the card and present that Tim said he’d left for me, nevertheless I felt it would be rather heartless to open presents in front of Lucas, so I’ll save that little treat for when I go up to bed.