Page 26 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
‘Please do.’ Livvy was warming to her. ‘Please come and eat. First drinks on the house.’
‘Aw well, in that case, it’s a no-brainer.’ Jonquil grinned. ‘And I’d like to know about this old book an’ all. I’ll just clear up and that’s me finished then, I reckon.’
Livvy took the hint. ‘I’ll pay you by BACS, shall I? And book you in for the next time.’
When Jonquil had gone, thankfully taking the mummified cat with her, Livvy returned to the kitchen. Placing the notebook carefully on a shelf, she switched on her laptop. Intending to email Yolanda, she found herself putting in a search for cats in chimneys. What Jonquil had said about scaring witches must be a load of old nonsense… It appeared not. Several sites came up with numerous examples of items found in chimneys and the theory behind it. It was horrible. Feeling sick, Livvy shut down the computer and reached for her phone. Determined to put it all to the back of her mind, she sent a chatty text to Yolanda instead.
CHAPTER 17
Lager – matured in cold storage, distinguished by the use of bottom-fermenting yeast. Simple and unsubtle flavour.
With Brittany shaping up, and Stewie working with Fabio in the kitchen, a little of the pressure lifted from Livvy. She didn’t feel she had to be on the premises at all times. Karl quickly proved himself to be utterly reliable and trustworthy and she was happy to leave him in charge as bar manager so she could take the occasional night off.
Fabio declared Stewie a triumph in the kitchen, and they were already planning new menus for the run-up to Christmas.
It was only Eli over whom she had doubts. There was nothing concrete; it was just something about him. Taking Karl into her confidence, she got his assurance he’d keep a close eye on the boy. The one advantage of employing Eli was he attracted his enormous extended family along on Sunday evenings. Assorted uncles and cousins boosted wet sales considerably on an evening when it was generally quiet and there was no food on offer. Mostof the family, like Dave Wiscombe and Eli’s older sister Lucie, and cousin Daisy she welcomed, but there were a few members who could get a little unruly.
On the first Sunday in December Livvy returned from the local DIY store with a van load of Christmas decorations. She’d also invested in strings of outside lights although was still working out exactly how she was going to put them up. Karl met her in the car park and helped carry the boxes through into the kitchen.
Fabio put his hands on his hips. ‘And where do you plan to put this lot,bambina?’ He reached into the nearest box. Pulling out a garland of tinsel, he grimaced. ‘Horrid stuff.’
‘At least it’s fairly tasteful,’ Livvy rebutted. ‘I’ve gone all white and silver. Nothing garish.’ After the incident with Jonquil and the chimney, she’d wanted to do the utmost to banish anything dark and gloomy. She was determined to fill the pub with white light and Christmas cheer.
‘Nothing wrong with tinsel,’ Karl added loyally. ‘Me and the missus likes a bit of it up at Christmas. Although we usually go for red and green.’ He picked up an enormous sparkly silver tinsel star. ‘And this is the badger, all righty.’
‘Quite,’ Fabio said, glacially. ‘If you don’t mind, I’ll be off. Stewie will clear up after the Sunday lunch service. There’s only one couple left eating. And then I suppose you’ll be invaded by the Eli hordes again.’
‘At least they drink,’ Livvy said cheerfully. Sometimes Fabio’s snobbishness got a bit much. ‘Otherwise there wouldn’t be much point opening on a Sunday evening. They’re the only customers we get in then and I’m very grateful.’
‘Whatevs.’ He shrugged himself into his jacket, winding his long scarf around his neck. ‘Toodle-pips. See you on Tuesday.’
‘Bye, Fab,’ Livvy said. Karl winked at her as if to say, ‘Take no notice.’
Stewie came in, carrying an armful of empty plates. ‘Diners said to pass on their compliments to the chef.’ He looked around. ‘Oh he’s gone.’ Putting the plates next to the sink, he said, ‘Ooh ace, Christmas decs. Want a hand putting them up?’
Livvy beamed in gratitude. She was becoming very fond of him. He was a hard worker and willing to turn his hand to anything. ‘Oh, Stewie, that would be great but I think you’ve got your hands full in here.’
Stewie shrugged. ‘Won’t take long.’
‘I’d really appreciate your help in that case, but I don’t want to keep you.’
‘Where’s the tree coming from?’ Karl asked.
‘It’s being delivered,’ Livvy checked her watch, ‘ooh, in about an hour. I ordered it from Va Va Bloom.’
‘Luvverly,’ Karl said, rubbing his hands together. ‘Can’t beat the smell of a real tree. I’ll give you a hand bringing it in.’
For a moment Livvy was overwhelmed. She’d taken a chance employing Karl and Stewie and both men, in their different ways, were proving invaluable. Karl, glad to be in employment at the end of his working life, was old-fashioned and courteous and couldn’t do enough for her. Stewie, nineteen and just as enthusiastic, made no effort to hide his gratitude at being able to learn from a master chef.
She knew she’d lose Stewie to his own kitchen at some point but that was the nature of employment in this business. Stupid tears prickled. She was making friends in Lullbury Bay and no longer felt quite so alone. ‘Thanks, guys,’ she managed, through a lump in her throat. She wagged a finger at them. ‘Don’t forget to eat.’ It was one thing she stipulated. It was important to look after her staff well; training opportunities must be available, and they must eat.
‘Don’t you worry,’ Karl said with glee. ‘I’ll make time for Fab’s roasties. Don’t know what he does to roast potatoes, but I’ve never tasted anything like those bad boys.’
‘He uses goose fat and couscous,’ Stewie replied. ‘Makes them extra crunchy.’
‘Does he now? Well I never.’
‘Put any spare bowls of roasties on the bar, please, Stewie,’ Livvy instructed. ‘People seem to like them as bar snacks on Sunday evening. But make sure you eat too.’ She picked up a box of outside lights, staring at it, hoping it would inspire her with an idea of how to put them up. The George was a tall building. Did she have a ladder long enough? Did she even have a ladder? All sorts of random stuff was secreted in the outbuildings. She hadn’t had time to sort through any of it yet.
