Page 31 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
‘They really love Christmas in here.’ She grinned, thinking of her restrained, colour coordinated decorations back home in The George. Jason gave a superior smile in return and snappedhis fingers at the waiter. Livvy ordered a hot chocolate. There was something about the contrast between the suave Jason and this joyously chaotic café that made her crave a rebelliously childish comfort. ‘Gandy Street is somewhere I’d like to explore more.’
‘It’s a charming little place. Well worth investigating. I’ve heard it’s the street JK Rowling based Diagon Alley upon.’ He added, ‘She attended the university here, I understand.’
‘Well, in that case, I’ll definitely have a good look around. I was a huge Harry Potter fan as a kid.’ Her hot chocolate arrived, and she began to pick off the star shaped marshmallows. Eating one, she sighed. ‘I feel as if I’ve hardly stepped foot out of the pub recently.’
‘Mm. The perils of running a business. But you have staff? How is that working out?’
‘Oh, Jason!’ Livvy put a hand to her mouth. ‘I’m so terribly sorry. I’ve completely neglected to thank you for suggesting Fabio. He’s been amazing.’
Jason batted her apology away. He preened slightly. ‘I was only too happy to put his name forward. There’s absolutely no need for thanks. And, after all, I get to sample his food so it’s a win-win situation all round.’ He lifted his coffee cup. ‘Here’s to a very fruitful partnership between you two.’
There was a slight edge to his voice that Livvy couldn’t interpret. Ignoring it, she replied, ‘Thank you. I think the restaurant is really going to showcase his talents.’
‘Do I detect a hesitation?’
‘I’m not sure Fabio will want to commit to the restaurant long term. Much as I have ambition for it to become a destination eating place, I suspect it won’t be big enough for him. He’s worked in such prestigious venues.’
‘True. He won’t stay around forever.’
‘He’s back because his mother is ill, I understand.’
‘His mother is dying,’ Jason said succinctly.
Livvy lapsed into silence, sipping her hot chocolate, thinking. It was troubling to have her fears about how long Fabio might stay confirmed. ‘I had no idea it was that bad,’ she said eventually. ‘Poor Fabio.’No wonder he’s moody and taciturn.‘And there’s no guarantee, without Fabio, that The George will be as successful.’ Last night’s doubts were still playing on her mind.
‘Also true. There’s never a guarantee of success in business, no matter how hard one works. But I’m sure that won’t be the case with The George,’ Jason pointed out equably. ‘Take my advice, make sure there isn’t anywhere else in town that’s doing quite what you’re offering. I think that’s key. Develop your unique selling point.’ He smiled graciously and leaned back. ‘Although I’m sure I’m not telling you anything you don’t know.’
‘No, you’re not,’ Livvy thought, wondering why he was so invested in someone else’s business. However, it was also a relief to talk to someone who obviously understood the issues. ‘But that’s easy to say, more difficult to do. I think, at the moment, I’m offering a combination of the community feel of The Ship and the food of The Old School Kitchen. I’m not sure that will be enough long term.’
‘As long as the restaurant menu is a tad more sophisticated than the current bar one. The bar food was excellent, but I think you’d be wise to offer something really exceptional in your restaurant.’
Livvy smarted. The bar foodwasexceptional. It was just a pared down version of the restaurant menu. ‘It will be if Fabio has anything to do with it.’
‘Then I really don’t think you can lose.’
‘That’s good to know.’
‘I’m confident.’ Jason paused. ‘As long as you can keep Fabio, of course.’ He drained his flat white.
‘That’s the crux of the matter. Chefs like him are few and far between.’
‘Then you’ll have to cross that bridge when you come to it. Just one thing. What have you planned for the skittle alley?’
‘Nothing at the moment. Leaving it be.’ Livvy pulled a rueful face. ‘And it’s the one thing The George can offer which no other pub in the town can.’
‘Then I’ll just leave this thought with you. An old-fashioned skittle alley may not fit in with the image you hope to achieve.’ He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Livvy stared down at her mug and swirled the cream into the chocolate. Irritably, she tucked her hair behind her ear. Jason was voicing what she’d been concerned about. Plus, the skittle alley, due to its age and run-down condition, was costing her a fortune to heat. Her father was right, she needed to be clearer about what she was trying to do with The George. Was it too hopeless to marry a gastropub with a community hub? Could it be both or was she diluting the concept and risking excelling at neither? ‘I may have to close it,’ she admitted. ‘I’m not sure how Pete and his gang would feel about that, though.’
‘Really, Livvy. Is Old Pete and his even more aged dog your target demographic?’
Livvy looked up quickly. She wasn’t sure she liked how he was talking about Pete. ‘Lots of things to think about,’ she said, breezily. ‘Lots of decisions to make.’ She gave a tight smile, unwilling to continue the discussion. What she did, or did not do with The George was up to her. And it was what she did that would dictate whether it would fail or succeed. The responsibility was crushing but it was hers alone.
Jason took the hint. ‘Indeed.’ He lined up his coffee cup handle with the teaspoon in the saucer in a fastidious manner. ‘I hear you’ve found something rather interesting in your chimney.’
Livvy was taken aback at the change of subject. She wasn’t sure she wanted to discuss that with him either. She remained silent but this time Jason didn’t take the hint.
‘I bumped into Jonquil. She sweeps the chimneys in some of the properties I develop. She mentioned a mummified cat? How very intriguing.’
