Page 49 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
‘Darling, what a crush!’ Simona, dressed as Jessica Rabbit in a slinky red number appeared, wriggling her way through. ‘Good to see the old place busy though. Ooh, I see you have the delectable silver fox helping you out.’
Livvy laughed. ‘My dad?’
‘I can see where you get your good looks from, darling. He’s a honey! You look swamped, sweetie. Want a hand?’
Livvy blinked. ‘You want to serve behind the bar?’
Simona pushed a perfectly manicured hand through her immaculate peek-a-boo wig. ‘Don’t let this glossy appearance deceive you, kitten. I worked in many a bar and club before I married Terence. I’m sure it can’t have changed all that much. And I take it the prices are all on the till?’
‘Yes. I–’
‘Oh go on. It would be fun.’
‘Be my guest. Actually, that would be brilliant. I could concentrate on getting the teams to their tables, everyone seems to want to stay in this crush at the bar for some reason and Brittany’s just popped into the kitchen to give Stewie a hand. Ask Karl or Dad if you need any help.’
Simona gave a ridiculously camp wink. ‘I shall make sure I ask Brian, don’t you worry.’ She clapped her hands together in glee and lifted the bar hatch. Turning to a group of three men dressed from top to toe in red and white stripes, she said, ‘Hello, my darlings. What wonderful candy canes you make. What can I get you all? Pints of our craft ale or some of our home-made mulled wine. It’s absolutely delish on a cold night like tonight.’
Livvy watched her for a second and grinned. She would do fine. She turned to attempt to usher a quiz team, all dressed asScrooge, to their table. ‘Hello there. What’s your team name? What the Dickens. Great name. You’re over here on this table. Follow me, I’ll get you seated and then get you some drinks. Yes, it is a crush at the bar!’
Things calmed down once the quiz actually began. Lucie proved an excellent quiz master and everyone was charmed by the brass band turning up at the halfway point to play carols. Jonquil had volunteered with a collection bucket for the RNLI and was making her way round the tables. People were giving generously, possibly as Jonquil was employing her very own ‘special’ brand of charm.
To the accompaniment of the band thumping out ‘I Saw Three Ships’, Livvy carried two platters groaning with food to Daisy and Rick’s table. She said hello to Jan, Daisy’s mum, and her boyfriend Colin and then headed back to the kitchen. The snacking plates were proving popular. As she did so she became aware of raised voices coming from Gerry’s group. Going over, she asked brightly, ‘Everything all right, gents? Having a good evening? Love the tinsel crowns. Very Christmassy.’
‘We’d have a better night if Eli would serve us what we asked for,’ Gerry slurred.
Livvy faced Eli. He looked miserable. ‘Is there a problem Eli?’
‘No, Livvy.’
Once again, she wondered if Gerry was making life difficult for him in some way. She looked at the group of men. There were seven of them, all sweating and drunk. They’d only been in the pub for an hour so it was puzzling how they’d become inebriated so quickly. She caught sight of a shot glass. Ah, so it had been pints and chasers. ‘Well, tell you what, chaps, we’ll make this pint your last and then you can get home to your families. You don’t want to sit through the rest of the quiz if you’re not taking part. I mean, how boring would that be?’
They started to look militant.
‘How about, to show you how much we appreciate your loyal custom, I’ll get you a couple of plates of snacks. No charge. Get you in the mood for Christmas. And your first pint the next time you’re in will be on the house.’
The group’s grumblings turned to appreciative cheers. Gerry swayed a little, slopping his beer onto the stone flags. ‘You’re a game girl, babe.’
‘I am indeed. But I’ll hold you to a promise that after this one you’ll go home. I won’t serve you anymore tonight.’ She smiled. ‘More than my licence is worth.’
Gerry saluted her with his glass.
She squeezed behind the bar and whispered into Eli’s ear. ‘I’ll get them their food, hopefully it’ll mop up a bit of alcohol but don’t serve them anymore. If they start getting stroppy, get backup from Dad.’
He nodded, looking relieved.
‘Back with their food in a mo and then we’ll gently encourage them out. Before the rest of the quiz gets going. Okay?’
‘Thanks, Livvy.’
She patted him on the shoulder. ‘No problem.’ She just hoped the strategy would work. It was either that or bring her father in; he had a lifetime’s experience of dealing with difficult customers. She didn’t want to do that though. It wasn’t just Eli’s self-confidence that would be undermined if that happened.
CHAPTER 28
Cognac – eau de vie! For celebration and to be shared with friends.
To be savoured
Livvy closed the main door and bolted it behind the last customer. Turning, she let out an enormous sigh of relief. The Christmas Quiz had been a raging success. Gerry’s group had, with one or two amiable grumbles, dispersed as requested. Karl had gone home to his wife, Lucie had given Brittany and Eli a lift and Stewie, having cleaned up the kitchen and brought out some leftover snack plates, had disappeared into the night. It was midnight and the only people left were her father, Simona and Mark.
