Page 15 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
‘The who?’
Brittany spluttered with laughter. ‘The knit and natter group. They yarn bomb the town. Knitted hearts in the park for Valentine’s, giant yellow chicks for Easter. They literally go all out for Christmas. One year we had a full-sized nativity scene outside the church and knitted holly and ivy all along the promenade railings. My sainted ma is a sometime member when she can be bothered. They meet in The Sea Spray and knit and, well, natter.’
Another form of community.Lullbury Bay seems good at it.‘Sounds great,’ Livvy said. ‘I’m hopeless at that kind of thing but I’d love a Father Christmas for the pub.’
‘You would?’ Brittany looked appalled.
Livvy grinned at her. ‘If you can’t do tacky at Christmas, when can you?’
‘I know, darling, but there’s a limit.’
‘You won’t get no Father Christmas in time for this year,’ Claude said. ‘You has to put in a request months afore. Takes a deal of time. You might land a knitted holly wreath, I suppose.’
Livvy registered Brittany’s horrified look and smiled. ‘I’ll think about it. Thanks, Claude. And thanks for your hospitality.’
‘Off to The Ship now then, I reckon?’
‘No getting past you, Claude.’ Livvy tipped back her drink and rose. ‘I need to check out the rest of the competition. Are you coming, Brittany? I’ll stand you lunch, I hear the pies are good in The Ship.’
Brittany got to her feet. ‘Would rather a burger in the Toad, darling,’ she said, brooking no opposition.
As a compromise they ate burgers in the Toad and Flamingo, a pub which looked to be family-orientated, and popped intoThe Ship for coffee. Livvy loved how it was hidden away along an alleyway off the main street. She also enjoyed the feel of history shifting off the half-timbered walls. She drank her coffee while Brittany flirted with two likely lads at the bar. If she could train her up properly and instil any kind of work ethic, Brittany would be an asset. When she forgot to maintain the cool, posh girl façade, there was a charm. Combined with a no-nonsense brusqueness, it would serve her well behind a bar.
Looking around at The Ship’s interior Livvy thought this might be her closest rival. A simple menu which showed they had confidence in their food; a convivial atmosphere; an enormous inglenook fireplace belting out welcome heat; what looked to be a thriving darts team judging from the cups displayed in a cabinet; and it clearly appealed to locals and tourists alike. As she was making a note of what beers they had on tap, two burly blokes dragged in a Christmas tree.
Lenny, who she’d discovered was the landlord, resplendent in a Deep Purple T-shirt and faded Levis, supervised exactly where the tree went. Fitting snugly into the alcove next to the open fire, it would look wonderful when dressed and twinkling with lights. She put one on the list of things to order for her own place.
As they left, one of the lads at the bar called over. ‘Oi, Brit. Give us a snog.’ He grinned and gestured to the bunch of mistletoe hanging above their heads.
‘You should be so lucky, darling,’ Brittany shot back. ‘Whatever makes you think you can afford me?’
Livvy grinned and followed her out. She was right. With a guiding hand, Brittany would be a real asset to The George.
As they walked down Lullbury Bay’s steep main street to where she’d parked the van, a white sports car shot past. It was driven by a very chic blonde. And Mark was in the passenger seat.
CHAPTER 11
Bourbon – barrel aged American whisky primarily made from maize corn. Can be harsh on the palate
Livvy had two more days until The George’s soft opening and there was one more place in Lullbury Bay she wanted to check out. In her experience, it paid to get to know your competitors. It was also an advantage to build up links with other traders. She needed to know what they offered so she could develop The George’s unique selling point. Little sense in offering what all the others were.
The Old Harbour had the obvious advantage of position. Who wouldn’t want to sit under a glowing sunset right by the sea? The Toad and Flamingo did exceptional home-cooked food and, judging from the play equipment in its beer garden, aimed itself at families. The Ship had its history to offer and was slap bang in the middle of town, once you’d found it.
She needed to offer something in The George that the others couldn’t. She wasn’t confident a dilapidated skittles alley, however popular, would quite cut it.
The one place she had yet to try was The Old School Kitchen. Not a pub but a restaurant. If she was to make good food The George’s main attraction, she needed to pitch it differently to the town’s main restaurant.
It was almost embarrassing to ring Mark again. He laughed uproariously at her invitation but added he’d pick her up that evening. Having made an online booking, Livvy was impressed with the restaurant’s website and added it to her list of ever-growing things to do. Her phone buzzed. Thinking it was Mark, she saw, to her delight, it was her best friend from boarding school.
‘Yolly! Hi. How’s life in the diplomatic corps?’
‘Hard work, doll. I keep running out of cocktail dresses.’
‘How awful,’ Livvy replied, not hiding her sarcasm. ‘How’s Cosmo?’ Yolanda had married a diplomat who had been posted to the British Embassy in Washington.
‘Oh he’s loving it. You know Cosmo. Even if things are rather tricky with the Special Relationship at the moment.’
‘You don’t sound so keen. Is everything all right?’
