Livvy regarded his open, friendly face. ‘Thanks, Mark. That would be lovely. I haven’t seen much of the area since I moved here.’ She smiled. ‘And I have to admit I’m getting rather stir-crazy.’
‘Leave it with me then. I’ll give you a ring. The pub’s still on the old number, I take it?’
Livvy nodded. She watched as he slid off the bar stool and let himself out. A kind man. One who would be good to have as a friend.
CHAPTER 6
Espresso – a concentrated form of coffee, small serving topped by crema. To brighten the senses
Two days later, Mark called for her at eight in the morning. It was a fresh, breezy day with cotton wool clouds boiling up over a sea foaming with white horses. Livvy took in a great gulp of briny air as she waited for Mark to pull into the pub car park and turn around. Several gulls took off in high dudgeon at the intrusion and she watched as they wheeled and swooped expertly. Sometimes she couldn’t believe she was living by the sea. Living her dream. Waving to Dougie, or possibly Duncan, who was leaning against the wall having a smoke and a mug of tea, she got into Mark’s Mercedes.
‘Lovely day,’ she greeted him.
‘It is. Proper wintry bite to that wind, though.’ He turned out of the car park and concentrated on navigating the narrow hill up out of town. Livvy was happy to sit back and admire the sea on one side and the elegant Georgian houses on the other. Oneor two already had Christmas trees in their windows, with lights strung up outside and one house had a fine display of white reindeer in the front garden.
Austin had said Lullbury Bay went mad for Christmas and it looked like some started early. She hoped she could get the pub properly going in time for the season. Christmas could be a wonderful time in a pub. She pictured the place, warmed by the wood burner, a tree in one corner, the bar festooned with lights.
Once clear of the town and on the road to Bridport, Mark picked up the conversation. ‘Craig assures me he’s got some stuff in which might be of interest. A job lot of chairs and tables from a restaurant.’
‘Sounds promising.’
‘If we get there early, we can have a good look at it and then get some breakfast somewhere. How does that sound?’
Livvy grinned. ‘Perfect.’ She sighed and leaned back against the headrest. ‘It’s really nice to let someone else do the driving for a change. I’ve been so busy rushing around getting things done, I’ve hardly noticed where I am most of the time.’
Mark chuckled. ‘Let me know when you’re next on the road. You don’t sound very safe.’
‘I’m probably not. Too busy thinking about collecting the next order of soft drinks from the Cash and Carry.’ Livvy gave a short laugh. ‘If it’s any consolation, my old van won’t go above thirty with my foot floored, so I don’t think I’m too much of a danger to anyone. And, to think, I had to sell my gorgeous Mini to buy it.’ She looked around at the Mercedes’ interior. ‘This is a lovely car. Very luxurious.’ She wriggled. ‘Loving the heated seats.’
‘Thank you. It’s a bit of a weakness of mine. I like nice cars. And I’m in it for a fair bit of the week, travelling for work, so I consider it a necessity.’ He flashed a quick grin.
‘What do you do, Mark?’
‘Argh, I was hoping to put off telling you the sorry truth. I’m an accountant. Not very glamorous.’
Livvy looked around at the car’s interior again. ‘But well-paid.’
‘That’s the pay-off. A grindingly boring job which pays dividends.’
Somehow Livvy thought there was more to it but didn’t feel it was the time to probe. She hardly knew the man, after all. ‘You don’t sound as if you’re from Dorset?’
‘The northern accent escapes sometimes although I haven’t lived there for years. Yes, Yorkshire born. Trained and worked in London and then made good my escape to Dorset.’
‘After your divorce?’
Mark slowed the car as they reached the outskirts of Bridport. He paused before answering. ‘It was one of the contributing factors. Gemma was very bedded in with London life; she’s a real city girl. Born and bred. I wanted out.’ He shrugged as he indicated and turned into an enormous car park which flanked a bland-looking square building. ‘It was all very amicable in the end. We’re both happy and have ended up friends. I go up to London for work quite a lot and we’ve got to the stage where we can have a civilised conversation over dinner.’ He parked up and killed the engine. ‘Here we are.’
Livvy followed him into a cavernous space full of every object she could imagine. Enormous, old-fashioned wardrobes lined the walls, paintings hung in random patterns, crammed onto any available space, sagging sofas and scruffy chairs hogged the floor and tables were littered with vases and ornaments, all decorated with tiny For Sale tags. Her heart sank. She couldn’t imagine any of this having a place in her pub. She was about to say so when a voice boomed from behind them.
‘Mark, you old reprobate. Good to see you!’ A man the size of a small planet descended upon them. He clapped Mark onthe back with such force that it moved him a couple of inches forward.
Mark coughed a little, turned and greeted his friend. ‘Craig mate.’ They shook hands then Mark introduced Livvy.
Craig beamed. He put an arm around her shoulders and began leading her through the warren of furniture. ‘Ah, the brave soul who has taken on The Runaways. Do tell me you’re going to change the name. I must pop by when you’re all set up. Always a favourite hostelry of mine. Such charm. Or it had before it was covered up in corporate chintz. Now, my dear, come this way. I may have just what you seek.’
Craig took them into a side room, still an enormous space but more intimate than the main floor. ‘Took delivery of it all last week. They’ll fly. Good stuff. All antique pine, ready-stripped, none of your violent orange here. Have a good old look and, if you’re interested, come and take a punt. Main auction is at ten. They’re up fairly early on in the list so don’t be late.’ A voice shouted his name from somewhere distant. ‘Ah, duty calls.’ He pushed them both forward, thankfully more gently this time. ‘Enjoy. Enjoy!’
Livvy caught Mark’s eye and smothered a laugh. ‘Quite an eccentric.’
