A Secret Schemer (7 page)

‘I’ll ask him tonight Lucy I’m
sure he’ll agree, let’s face it he’s the right build and
temperament.’ She assures.

‘I hadn’t thought of Andy,
you’re so right though Jena he’d be perfect, also Lucas is a fit
guy so if anything kicked off I’m sure they could deal with it
between them.’

‘Have you heard the band before
Hun?’

‘No, although they have a great
following according to some of the youngsters I’ve spoken to in the
bar.’

‘Bring it on let’s hope we have
a great night.’ Jena adds.

Friday night and the band ‘Live
and Kicking’ were setting up in the bar; we had a special machine
installed to monitor the sound levels, so the music wouldn’t
disturb anyone outside of the pub. Fortunately our direct
neighbours are customers. Anyhow my reasoning is if you wish for a
totally peaceful life you shouldn’t choose to live next door to a
busy bar. Tim has called in a couple of times during the week, and
stayed over one night, however tonight will be his first taste of a
live music venue, then he’s sure to realise he can never have a
normal relationship with the landlady of a pub. He will have to
accept my way of life or run for the hills while he has the chance,
because my career comes first, as I’m certainly not a run of the
mill kind of girl…

By nine o’clock the band had
burst into action and the atmosphere was electric. Andy was on the
door looking every bit the doorman in his black suit and bow tie
(which Jena had rushed out to buy). I’d taken Mary to one side
earlier to explain why we sprayed certain surfaces with WD40, Mary
had little knowledge of drug use, and was bewildered to say the
least. Jena was behind the bar with the guys and I was collecting
glasses, although my main purpose tonight was to be vigilant. Vie
Butler and her buxom mate made an appearance for about half an
hour, this made me curious as to why she hadn’t stayed, was trouble
brewing? That question was answered when we had a visit from the
police at around ten o’clock; I took the police officer into the
restaurant to avoid making a big scene of his entrance.

‘We’ve had a complaint about
the noise.’ The officer explained.

‘We have the sound monitored
and our neighbours are happy, can I ask who has made the
complaint?’ I ask knowing full well.

‘I’m not at liberty to say,
however I can see the sound monitor is working, we do have to be
seen to follow up all the complaints. Enjoy the rest of your
evening.’

‘No problem and thanks for
calling in.’

So this is what I was going to
get every time we had music. I mustn’t let it get to me somehow I’d
put a stop to this detestable woman. As I walked back into the bar
I could see Tim edging his way to get a pint. He’s later than I
expected, although maybe that was a good thing under the
circumstances. I collected as many glasses as possible in the
crowd, the bar was heaving, and so without further ado I slipped
behind the bar to join the others serving the endless display of
eager customers. There was just a sea of hands waving various bank
notes; my secluded thought was that my bank manager would be
extremely happy on Monday morning, along with myself of course. By
the time the band had packed their gear away and all the punters
had left, Archie and Lucas joined me, Jena, Andy and Tim for a
nightcap and a hearty discussion on the evening’s incidents. They
were all interested in what the police had said, however they soon
realised it had been the work of the horror woman.

‘She’ll probably ring the
police at every given opportunity.’ Jena declared.

‘I’m sure she will; I don’t
think it’ll be long before they suss her out.’ I add.

‘I dare say they’re used to
her.’ Archie chipped in. ‘Anyway I’m off guys I love your company
but I’m on a promise.’ With that he was gone like a shot leaving
the rest of us laughing.

‘Time I said goodnight as
well.’ Lucas also left.

‘I wonder if he’s on a
promise.’ Tim asked.

‘I don’t think so he’s a loner
is Lucas.’

Me and Jena then removed the
tills.’ We’ll be back soon guys.’ We shouted as we left the
bar.

‘Lucas does seem a bit of a
loner.’ Tim suggested to Andy.

‘Each to their own I say.’ He
replied.

‘I guess it’s not compulsory to
have a partner I suppose.’ Tim added.

‘Well until I met Jena I’d been
on my own a few years, what about you Tim?’

‘I suppose, I’ve never really
bothered too much about heavy relationships.’

‘So is Lucy different?’ Andy
asked.

‘In a way yes, she knows what
she wants.’

‘And that makes a difference
because?’ Andy enquires.

‘She’s independent, I like
that.’

‘OK time to call it a day I
think, unless you and Andy want to have another drink?’ I ask
Jena.

‘Yeah you go on Hun I’ll put
the alarms on, see you in the morning.’

‘Goodnight guys we say in
unison.’ As we make our way up to the flat.

‘I don’t know what it is babe,
I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about that guy.’
Andy declares.

‘You’ve just said what I’ve
been thinking Andy, what is it with Tim, he’s sociable, smart and
he seems smitten with Lucy…but?’

‘Have you said anything to
Lucy?’ He asks.

‘No and I won’t at this stage,
she’s pretty clued up where guys are concerned, and I don’t want to
imply that I’m interfering.’

‘That’s as maybe but you know
what it’s like when feelings become involved, she’s a good catch
for any guy and you know what I mean.’ Andy emphasises.

‘The trouble is love I’m not
sure what it is about him, nevertheless I‘ll keep my beady eye on
him.’ Jena stated. ‘So Mr Wood is it another nightcap or are you
taking me to bed.’

‘Well that’s an offer I can’t
refuse.’ He laughs.

‘What the drink or bed?’

‘Bed woman bed, set that alarm
and let’s get going.’

The Frog and Toad has now been
open for four weeks, I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone,
my relationship with Tim has reached dizzy heights, and seems to be
moving in the right direction (I trust), although I had not
anticipated entering into a close liaison at this stage. Sometimes
I guess these romances come from out of the blue…Emma has now left
my employ, as Archie filmed her( on his mobile) giving drinks to
members of her family, for that I’m extremely grateful, the only
problem is Vie Butler shows no signs of going away. I called on one
of the other applicants to take over Emma’s hours and she seems to
be fitting in well, her name is Jayne Lewis and she has offered to
work extra shifts if required. As for my dear mate Jena I’m so
happy that she’s found her soul mate in Andy. At thirty six she’d
been on her own for about four years and with her natural beauty
and brilliant sense of humour meeting Andy was the icing on the
cake. Now I need to see how Kate’s love life is unfolding as she’s
been a tad quiet about it of late.

‘Have you got time for a cuppa
Kate?’ I ask hopefully as she strenuously kneads a huge bowl of
dough. ‘I’d offer to help but you’re fully aware of my culinary
skills.’ I laugh.

‘If you put the kettle on Lucy
I’ll shove this in the fridge and scrub my hands, so the answer is
yes I’d love a cuppa.’

While I’m waiting for the
kettle to boil I rummage in the cupboard and find a packet of fig
rolls.

‘Mm I haven’t had a fig roll
for ages.’ I mutter with at least two in my mouth. ‘So Kate
Marshall I need a complete update on your love life.’

‘I’ve met a new man, his name’s
Jeff and he’s forty, Kate grins widely.

‘Is he from the dating site?’ I
quiz.

‘No, as a matter of fact I met
him in the restaurant, he’s a local guy.’

‘Tell me more please.’

‘He came in for a meal a couple
of weeks ago with some friends, as he paid the bill he asked for my
phone number, he said it jokingly so at first I laughed it off,
however when I gave him his change he squeezed my hand and asked
again.’

‘So you succumbed to his charms
you floozy.’ I laughed.

‘Well he’s pretty hot, so I
thought why not, as to date I hadn’t met anyone devastatingly
gorgeous on the dating site.’

‘Good for you, so why haven’t
you been parading him around the pub?’

‘He had to go on a training
course for a week, so I’ve only seen him twice and I wanted to suss
him out first.’ Kate declared.

‘So come on spill, tell
all.’

‘Yeah we have chemistry.’ She
laughs.

‘Mm so what level are we on?’ I
tease.

‘Last night we moved up a
level.’ She grinned. ‘I went to his flat after work.’

‘You are such a loose woman!
Good for you Hun.’ I add as I stuff yet another fig roll into my
mouth. ‘You must tell Jena she’ll be thrilled.’

‘Where is she Lucy?’

‘Oh she’s gone to have her
hi-lights done, she should be back soon.’

‘I’ll catch her when she comes
in, now I’d best continue with my baking or it won’t be ready for
tonight. By the way Lucy, Lucas wants a word with you.’

‘OK I’ll go and find him now.’
With that I go in search of Lucas, Jayne’s in the bar so he must be
in the cellar.

‘Hi Lucas I believe you were
looking for me?’

‘Oh Lucy you needn’t have come
down here.’

‘No problem, shall we chat down
here or would you rather come up to the restaurant?’

‘Wherever you’re more
comfortable.’ He replies.

‘OK then let’s sit on a barrel
and chat.’

‘The house where I rent my room
has been sold. I was going to mention it before, but I thought it
would be easy to find reasonable lodgings, however it’s proving
more difficult than I thought and I wondered if you might know
somewhere I could try.’ Lucas explained. ‘I could always manage a
bed and breakfast for a couple of weeks, otherwise I may have to
move out further and travel in daily by train.’

‘That’s a shame Lucas; I guess
the new owners have decided to live in the property, anyway leave
it with me as I may be able to help you.’

‘Thanks Lucy, if you happen to
know somewhere I could get a room it would answer all my questions,
as I would hate to have to leave here.’

‘And I’d certainly hate you to
leave, don’t worry I’ll catch up with you later.’ As I slip off the
lager barrel I tap Lucas on the arm as he looks very worried, and I
go in search of Jena.

‘Wow that looks great, have you
had a third colour added?’ I ask Jena as she returns from the
hairdressers.

‘Yeah, it’s only a deeper shade
of blonde; I thought I’d go mad for a change.’ She giggles.

‘This being in love really
suits you Hun.’

‘Ha ha you’re not doing so bad
yourself Lucy Ross.’ Jena quips.

‘I could do with a chat can you
spare me five?’

‘Of course where shall we
go…restaurant?’

With that we both walk into the
restaurant and settle down at one of the small tables, I then relay
to Jena my recent conversation with Lucas.

‘Before you say anything I know
exactly what you’re thinking, and needless to say I believe it’s a
brilliant idea.’

‘Gosh so you’re now a mind
reader.’ I laugh.

‘Where you’re concerned that’s
pretty easy.’

‘Mm I’d better watch myself
then, anyway Mystic Meg I just wanted to make sure you were OK with
it as the room is on your floor.’

‘Lucy it’s your pub and Hun
I’ve got heaps of room, anyway we won’t have to share rooms as that
one’s en suite. Not that it would have made a jot of difference if
we did have to share, Lucas is a great bloke and we need him.’

‘That’s great shall we give him
the good news together, he was really concerned.

‘Why not where is he?’ Jena
asks.

‘In the cellar still I think.’
We both race down the cellar steps and as we reach the bottom
Lucas’s face is a picture.

‘Sorry to burst in here like a
couple of over grown school kids, but we have good news.’ I
offer.

‘Wow Lucy that was quick, do
you know somewhere?’

‘Yeah and if you’d like to
follow us we’ll tell you all about it.’ Jena adds.

Lucas follows us up to the
first floor where we show him the generous size en suite room,
containing a double bed, a small chest of drawers and a single
chair.

‘I’m sorry there’s not much
furniture Lucas but it’s yours and you can do what you want to make
it home, actually I do have an armchair if you’d like it.’ I
suggest.

‘I don’t know what to say I’m
speechless, are you sure you don’t need this space for someone
else?’

‘No it’s all yours you can move
in whenever you like.’

‘That is so generous; I can’t
believe this…..’ Lucas is gobsmacked. You must let me know how much
rent you require in advance?’ He adds.

‘Rent, no I’m not going to
charge you rent, me and Jena split the upstairs bills between us,
that’s electric, gas and water.’

‘Lucas as we’re downstairs most
of the time it’s minimal, I’ll sort that out with you when the
bills come in.’ Jena adds.

‘What about food?’ Lucas
asks.

‘You have your main meal
anyway, if you want to chip in a couple of pounds with us for
breakfast stuff, I’ll leave that up to you.’

All of a sudden I notice Lucas
looks sad, in fact maybe tearful, and so time we left him to savour
the moment.

Back in the kitchen we share
the news with Kate, although I don’t intend to spread the word so
to speak, except for Mary of course. The guy seems to be down on
his luck for reasons best known to him; he’s an excellent willing
worker and more than that he’s honest, and as far as I’m concerned
that’ll do for me.

Lucas moved in early Friday
morning, and after a chat with Jena he said he would like to chip
in with the breakfast food, in fact he insisted on handing over
fifty pounds. I’ve decided to keep thirty pounds of that towards
the bills, the guy deserves a break, and I’m certainly not out to
make money from him. He’s the type of guy who will fit in and not
be a problem in any way, plus he’s an excellent all rounder.