A Bar Tender Tale

by Melanie Tushmore

  Good riddance, Nathan thought. Although he feared the damage may have already been done when he caught the look on Auryn’s face, staring right at him.

  Shit! Stupid Danny!

  Nathan was silently cursing the boy’s name as he blushed again, carrying his empties around to the bar. After catching Auryn’s questioning eyes just the once, he couldn’t look at him again.

  Stupid bloody Danny. Damn, damn, damn.

  “We’re really low on glasses,” Stuart nagged him.

  “Yeah, okay,” Nathan muttered. He glanced nervously at Auryn, but the man wasn’t looking at him now.

  Nathan moved out from the bar again to collect glasses.

  He hurriedly went through in his mind how to explain to Auryn none of that was his fault. Surely Auryn would have realized that? He couldn’t help it that the one time Danny decided to throw himself at Nathan was right now. He didn’t want Danny. Not anymore. He would have told the dimwit as much if he’d ever answered his phone! Nathan only wanted Auryn. There was no contest! He reasoned he would just A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 115

  come out with it. Tell Auryn that the young man he might have noticed just then was his ex.

  Very definite ex; no sequels, no returns.

  Taking another breath, Nathan carried his glasses back to the bar. A small wave of panic washed through him when he saw that Auryn wasn’t there. Nathan set the glasses down and scanned the venue. Maybe he’d just gone to the gent’s?

  Although the bar was pretty much packed at the other end, Nathan was sure if that’s where Auryn had gone he would be able to see him squeezing through the crowd.

  Heart sinking, Nathan looked toward the door. He spotted Auryn immediately, heading straight for it.

  Shit. Nathan was poised to run out from the bar when Stuart grabbed at his arm. “Why have you emptied the till?”

  “Huh?” Nathan looked at him in surprise.

  “The till,” Stuart repeated.

  Nathan’s gaze snapped to the door and watched Auryn leave through it. His heart pounded, desperate to follow, but the worry in Stuart’s voice kept him still.

  “What do you mean? I haven’t touched the till.”

  “But it’s empty.” Stuart was confused. “And the log is showing your key was the last to be used.”

  “What? ”

  Nathan absently patted his jeans pocket. His key was….

  Gone.

  Oh no.

  He nudged Stuart aside to stare at the electronic till log, quite clearly stating Nathan’s name and the time the till was A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 116

  opened. Then he glanced down into the till itself, coins still there but all of the notes were gone.

  “Oh my God,” he whispered in shock. “It wasn’t me.

  Stuart, it wasn’t me—”

  “Where’s all the cash?” Justin peered over their shoulders. “I need to use the till.”

  “Looks like someone’s been in the till,” Stuart said calmly, though the worry was clearly etched on his face. “I’d better get Matt. He’s gonna go ballistic.”

  “Oh my God,” Nathan repeated. “He’s gonna sack me!”

  “Don’t panic,” Stuart patted a hand on his shoulder.

  “We can look at the CCTV. If Matt remembered to turn it on….”

  “Oh fuck,” Justin swore. “Well someone had better go get a new float from the hotel. You know Matt; he’ll want us to keep serving.”

  “Excuse me?” a thirsty man at the bar tried to get their attention.

  “Yeah, hang on a sec, mate.” Justin waved at him.

  “We’re having a drama!”

  “I’ll go tell Matt,” Stuart said, as Nathan was still in shock. “Then we’d better—”

  “Ooh, hello,” Justin interrupted, looking across the bar.

  Stuart and Nathan followed his gaze, surprised to see the two doormen barge their way inside and try to squeeze their considerable bulks through the crowd.

  “Where are they off to?”

  “Beats me,” Stuart answered. “Looks like trouble.” A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 117

  “Bloody hell!” Justin exclaimed. “More drama than Eastenders tonight!”

  “They’ve run into the gents. Do you think it’s trouble or are they just dying for a shag?”

  “I’ve gotta get some air,” Nathan said.

  His head was starting to spin. He felt sick with worry, certain he was going to get sacked over losing his till key and subsequently getting the place robbed. He walked through the venue in a daze. How could everything have gone so wrong in a matter of minutes?

  Tonight had turned into a disaster.

  Nathan pushed through the glass doors, now sans doormen, and stepped out. He was intent on chain-smoking the entire contents of his cigarette packet while he waited for Mathew to sack him.

  Before he had a chance to get started, he saw, amazingly, that Auryn was standing right outside, talking on his phone.

  Heart pounding, Nathan took tentative steps toward him.

  “Yes, I’ll be here too. Okay, thanks.” Auryn ended the call and looked at him. “Hello,” he said.

  Nathan was so nervous he felt woozy. “Hi,” he replied quietly.

  “Well….” Auryn made a face as if to say, this is awkward.

  “I’m, er….” Nathan wasn’t sure what to say. He worried he was going to be sick.

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  “Boys in blue are on the way.”

  Nathan panicked. “What, for me?”

  To his surprise, Auryn laughed. “I hope not, Nathan! No, I called them. They can pick up that cheeky brat and his friend that your helpful doormen have just gone looking for.”

  “Huh? What?”

  Auryn asked, “That was your boyfriend, wasn’t it?” Nathan blushed. “Ex-boyfriend.”

  “Yes… I’m sorry to say that he pinched your keys. I thought you would’ve noticed, but he seemed to er… distract you rather well.”

  “Oh.” Nathan’s cheeks felt so hot he thought he might burst into flame. “I um, I was just surprised. I tried to tell him to get lost. I don’t like him, you know, not now. There’s nothing between us.”

  “Hmm.” Auryn nodded. “Anyway, I watched him sneak behind your bar. Had his hands in the till quick as a flash, he did. I tried to get the other barman’s attention but they were so busy. He’s a fast one, that… um?”

  “Danny,” Nathan mumbled.

  “Right. Yes, so him and that lad with him, they went in the gent’s. I told your doormen. So hopefully they can catch him red-handed, and you won’t get in trouble.” Nathan nodded his head, partially relieved. His pulse started to slow a little. “Thank you. I hope so, or Matt’s gonna string me up by my balls.”

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  Auryn looked like he was going to speak then changed his mind. He offered a small smile, then simply said, “Hope not, Nathan.”

  THE police showed amazing response time. There must have been a patrol car nearby, as they cruised to a stop outside the venue before the Rainbow’s doormen had even reappeared. The two police officers, a male and a female, entered the bar where Lewis and Neil had detained Danny and his friend with the evidence in hand. The cabaret had been forced to take an impromptu break, with a quip from Miss Anthropic about “cabaret interruptus” as Mathew dealt with the drama. Justin had sneaked outside with Nathan and Auryn to tell them what was happening.

  As always, everyone loved a spectacle. After a few brief questions, the police officers were satisfied with the charge of theft and drug dealing on the premises. Danny and his friend had been caught with a small bag of cocaine and a larger bag of weed between them. They were handcuffed and escorted through the bar, amongst the gawking punters, most of whom also followed them outside for a convenient cigarette break.

  “We’ll give you a call about statements,” the female police officer told Mathew as they steered Danny and his
cohort out.

  “Yeah, no problem. Just let me know,” Mathew answered. “We’ll have the CCTV footage too.” A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 120

  “Good excuse to bar him for life,” Stuart muttered, having slunk in beside Justin.

  “Damn right,” Justin agreed. “Hey, Danny!” he called out. “You skank!”

  Nathan bristled with anger. As Danny was dragged past him he couldn’t help himself from exploding. “You fucking evil bastard!” he shouted, his hand balled into a fist. “I could’ve lost my fucking job!”

  A strong hold snapped around Nathan’s wrist, pulling him back. He was too angry to even see who it was and shouted, “I fucking hate you, you slimy little shit!”

  “Oh fuck off, bitch!” Danny spat back, as the police officers pushed him away.

  “Hit him, Nath!” Justin chimed in. “Glass the fucker!”

  “Justin.” Stuart frowned. “You’re not helping.” Nathan tried to follow after Danny as they both continued to hurl insults at each other. Someone was holding him back, and thankfully Danny was taken away and shoved into the patrol car. His companion, quiet and nervous, was also steered away.

  “Enjoy prison!” Justin waved after them.

  “I don’t think they’ll get prison,” Auryn said. “Depends if it’s their first offense.”

  Nathan looked up, realizing it was Auryn who had held him back. His anger quickly fizzled out and left him feeling ashamed over how he’d reacted. Auryn didn’t look directly at him. He released his hold on Nathan’s arm and stepped away.

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  “Come on, you lot,” Mathew called out. “Get back inside.

  We’ve still got a bar to run.”

  Dammit, Nathan thought. He still had to work.

  Now the show was over, the crowd began to break up.

  Nathan was so embarrassed he tried to hide amongst the other bodies, but Mathew singled him out.

  “Nathan, a word?”

  Oh wonderful.

  Nathan reluctantly had to sit in the back office with Mathew and receive a stern lecture about being careless at work. It was only a minor telling off, but even speaking calmly Mathew could be an intimidating boss. Nathan was already a jittering wreck from the panic and upset of the evening, and this was the last straw.

  He would have happily crawled under the bar and hidden for the rest of the night, but he still had to finish his shift. Stuart and Justin’s endless ribbing over the whole episode didn’t help his mood either. The only thing that kept him sane was Auryn being there.

  However, Nathan noticed Auryn had stopped drinking alcohol and seemed a bit tense. Nathan tried to brush it off, but he didn’t think it looked good. Not good at all.

  Eleven p.m. couldn’t come quickly enough. Nathan was bone tired and worried about this feeling of unease. He could almost see the tension on Auryn, and when he did manage to snatch a few words with him, he seemed quiet and distant.

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  Nathan felt crushed. He’d blown it; he knew he had.

  And why would Auryn want to see him again anyway? It wasn’t like he’d given off the greatest impression; the first night they met he got so drunk he couldn’t even stand up, and tonight he'd shouted abuse at his ex-boyfriend in public like a ratty old fishwife.

  Great start.

  He was surprised Auryn hadn’t run for the door sooner.

  The man was probably only staying now to be polite.

  “I doubt that’s the first time Rainbow’s has had a cops and robbers party in the toilets!” Miss Anthropic was making yet another joke about the incident while Nathan died of shame. The cabaret, and his public humiliation, ended at 11

  p.m. when the downstairs club opened. Four more barmen had already joined them as Stuart and Nathan clocked off.

  Nathan was relieved to get away. He was fed up and tired, and there was glitter stuck in his eye from where he’d rubbed it, forgetting he had makeup on.

  Tonight sucked, but at least he could leave now. Auryn left with him, saying he’d walk Nathan home.

  Nathan’s hopes had truly sunk. Being walked home and left at his door with a stiff goodbye was the most likely scenario he could imagine tonight. Auryn was obviously too polite to just run off, but good manners were only delaying the inevitable.

  Perfect, just perfect.

  He didn’t say much on the short walk back to St. James Street, neither did Auryn. It was on the tip of Nathan’s tongue to make a joke about their awkward silence, but he A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 123

  didn’t have the nerve. Luckily a few random partygoers making their way home, mostly brash ladies carrying their high heels in hand, provided ample distraction.

  They were at Nathan’s front door in no time, which was probably for the best. Nathan fiddled with his keys, but there wasn’t much point; the door was open again. The stupid latch was busted, which was yet another thing to add to his shit list.

  “So um… are we still meeting tomorrow?” Nathan asked quietly.

  “Oh, I meant to say… Gaz said he was going to that gig to see Tazz’s band. Didn’t you want to go to that instead?” Nathan’s skin prickled all over. He was right. Auryn was trying to get out of seeing him.

  “Look.” Nathan let out a sigh. “I just want to say, I know tonight has been a bit… dramatic, but this rarely happens to me. I mean I’m normal, okay? I don’t like dramas, and I’m not some crazy psycho.”

  Auryn gave him a small smile. “I’d never think you were that.”

  “Then why don’t you want to see me tomorrow?”

  “Um….” The smile dropped. “It’s not that, Nathan. I just thought if you’d already arranged to see your friends, then you shouldn’t cancel on them because of me. That’s not a good thing to do at any time.” Nathan looked at him, trying to read his expression.

  “But Sunday evening is my only time off, apart from Monday daytime, which you’re working.”

  “I’m sure we can sort something out the next week.” A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 124

  Next week!

  “All right,” Nathan said. He tried his best to remain calm while suggesting, “Why don’t you come in now? I was gonna watch a film to unwind. You haven’t seen House of 1000

  Corpses yet, have you?”

  “Er….” Auryn blinked at him. “No. I mean, yes, I have seen it but….”

  “But what?”

  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, Nathan. It’s been a long night—”

  “Okay, don’t worry,” Nathan said quickly. “Bye.” He stepped inside and carefully shut his door. Auryn didn’t stop him.

  Well, that was that then.

  At least he’d tried. Nathan drew in a shaky breath and hurried down his hallway, bustling with his keys to get in his own door. Thank fuck he had some rum inside. Although the only cola he had was probably flat, but he’d live with that.

  He needed a goddamn drink… or several.

  He let himself into his bedsit, closed the door and leaned against it. In the dark he took a few deep breaths while he contemplated what to do next. Tonight had been the shittiest night in… well, forever! Maybe it wasn’t too late to emigrate?

  Nathan’s thoughts were interrupted as he heard footsteps echoing from outside in the hallway. Could be one of his neighbors; there were three other doors along there.

  But the footsteps came to a stop right outside his door.

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  Shit! Nathan thought, what now? Was it the loopy old man from flat one? Damn his door for not having a peephole!

  A soft knock on the door made Nathan jump.

  “Nathan?”

  Auryn? Nathan’s heart began thumping earnestly. He blinked a few times in the dark. What should he do? He quickly put his keys away in his pocket and shrugged off his jacket. He tried to hang it up on a peg but missed, and it fell to the floor. He barely noticed.

/>   Nathan took one breath to calm himself, then slowly opened the door halfway. Auryn was standing there, waiting.

  Those dark eyes found his, and Nathan had never felt more relieved to see anybody as he did right now.

  Assuming this was a good thing, of course.

  His hopes had already started soaring; he couldn’t help it. He waited for Auryn to say something. After a long moment the man looked away. He appeared to be nervous.

  “Um, well… we’ve been here before,” he started. Nathan frowned slightly in confusion.

  “Nathan,” Auryn said, holding his hands out as if trying to pluck the words from the air. “I….” A wry smile appeared on his lips then vanished just as quickly. “I feel like I’ve upset you again.”

  Hm, Nathan thought. Déjà vu. His patience for beating around bushes was thin tonight. Heart still thumping away, he answered as calmly as possible.

  “Honestly, Auryn? Yes, you have.”

  Auryn looked at him, seemingly surprised. His arms dropped down by his sides.

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  “Right,” he said. “Um… why is that?”

  Nathan resisted the urge to beat his fists on the man’s broad chest. Breathe in, he thought. Breathe out…. “Look,” he replied, “as I’m sure you’re well aware, I’ve had a pretty shit night. I don’t care if you don’t want to watch a movie with me—”

  I do care!

  “—but like I said before, I wanted someone to spend time with me, and y’know, you’re kinda giving me the impression that you… don’t.”

  Those dark eyes dropped down as Auryn looked away.