Page 20 of Best Summer Ever

‘I found eight,’ I told Nick, when I arrived back at the barn, just after he’d served a customer.

‘That’s phenomenal,’ he beamed. ‘I thought I’d only lost six.’

‘You told me it was about a dozen,’ I protested, as I fanned myself with the hat before tossing it back to him.

‘Yes, well,’ he grinned, neatly catching it, ‘I thought it would keep you out of mischief for longer.’

‘I don’t go searching for mischief,’ I told him, as I snatched back the hat and plonked it on his head. ‘It comes looking for me.’

There was nothing for me to help with in the cottage and holed up in my room, the rest of the day dragged, but it was eventually time to set off for Wynmouth and my shift in the pub. I’d had so many jobs over the years that I didn’t usually get jittery when it came to fresh starts, but my tummy felt a bit bubbly as I set off and I knew that it wasn’t down to eating an excess of summer fruit because I’d strictly rationed myself.

Even though the Smuggler’s was only going to be a part-time summer job, it was extremely important in that it had appeased my parents on my return, and the desire to keep them happyandconvince them that I was here for good as a single woman, or for the summer at least, doubtless accounted for the rolling tum and sweaty palms.

I parked in the pub car park and wrestled with the passenger window. The wretched thing had a mind of its own and I had no choice but to leave it open. The village was hardly a crime hotspot and the vehicle was far from desirable, so I hoped it would be safe enough.

As always, my eyes took a moment to adjust to the dark interior when I stepped inside the Smuggler’s, but the cooling effect of the drop in temperature was immediately felt and most welcome.

‘Pen!’ I waved, spotting her at the table closest to the bar. ‘How did sports day go?’

Her face looked rather rosy, but whether that was the resultof being out in the sun for hours or from the stresses of coping with the trials of the day, I couldn’t be sure.

‘About as well as you’d expect,’ she told me. ‘But knowing I have the pub on my doorstep now and that I wouldn’t have to cook my own dinner this evening was a very consoling thought throughout the day.’

I nodded at that. Given how much she loved to cook, that left me in no doubt as to exactly how exhausted she was.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t reply to your message,’ she apologised.

‘That’s fine,’ I said, with a smile. ‘I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you. I saw Nick this morning and he said you were going in early to help with the setting up.’

It struck me then that she must have replied to Nick, for him to know that. Perhaps the pair of them were finally get their acts together and wouldn’t need me to intervene on their behalf after all.

‘I did,’ Penny said, picking up her glass, ‘not that I got any thanks for it. Anyway, as soon as I’ve finished this beer, I’m heading home for a cool shower and an early night.’

‘I can’t tempt you to stay and watch me making a hash of trying to work behind the bar?’ I quipped, attempting to quell my nerves which had popped back up again.

‘On any other day…’ She grinned and I laughed.

‘Right then, Daisy,’ said Sam, as he came to clear Penny’s plate. ‘Shall we make a start? I’m not paying you to stand around chatting, you know.’

‘Oh, damn,’ I groaned. ‘That’s what I thought this bartending business was all about.’

‘In that case,’ Sam grinned, ‘you’ve been grossly misinformed. Would you like to reconsider your options?’

‘Best not,’ I said, giving Penny a wink as I followed him to the bar.

Just as I had predicted, the pub was quiet, which was just as well as Tess was driving Sophie and Hope to the airport as her dad couldn’t do it for some reason and it was just me and Sam keeping the place running.

I cleared a few glasses, served a couple of meals and some simple drinks like coke and lemonade and in-between customers, Sam showed me how to work the till, where the empties went and got me up to speed on prices and the local brews.

‘Folk are always keen to know about the microbrewery beers we stock now, so it’s handy to know a bit about them,’ he told me.

‘I’ll make a note of the names and read up about them at home.’

Sam was thrilled about that.

‘Willingness to take on homework noted and appreciated.’ He smiled. ‘And I notice the shoes too.’

‘Well, you did say comfy,’ I said, looking down at my worn and much-loved Converse.

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