Page 39 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
‘Yes please. Lunch made me thirsty.’ He shot her a conspiratorial grin.
‘What do you think about a quiz? A Christmas themed one.’
‘Excellent idea. Love a quiz.’
Eli rejoined them. ‘Pete says you’re thinking of getting a pub dog?’
‘One thing I’ve learned about this town,’ Livvy said, on an exasperated sigh. ‘You can’t breathe without everyone knowing how you do it.’ She handed over Mark’s beer.
He saluted her with it and then sipped. ‘It’s both the curse and blessing of living in a small town.’
‘Tell me about it,’ Eli said, feelingly.
Livvy experienced a flicker of compassion towards him. It must be rough to mess up when young, in a town where everyone knew what you’d done and had long memories about it. ‘Do you think Tom at the animal sanctuary might have a suitable dog?’ she asked him.
He leaned against the bar, thinking. ‘Not at the moment. Tom’s not keen on rehoming animals so close to Christmas, even if he had any dogs. He’s got lots of guinea pigs,’ he added, brightening.
‘Not sure a guinea pig, no matter how cute, will be the company I’m looking for. I’ve thought about getting a cat but that was when I thought we had mice.’
‘Haven’t seen any mice. Or rats. I can tell what they are by their droppings.’
‘I haven’t seen any either. No mice or rats at The George. Thank goodness. Health and Safety would have our guts for garters if we had them. For such an old building, it’s surprisingly clear of pests. Haven’t seen even so much as a silverfish.’
‘So, you’re looking for companionship?’ Lucie asked. ‘I always think a pub dog is a nice thing to have about the place. The Old Harbour used to have a smelly old retriever, but he’s long gone.’
‘It would be comforting to have something around when I’ve closed up,’ Livvy answered.
Lucie nodded. ‘I can imagine. Big old place to be in when you’re on your own.’
‘Livvy, I’d offer my services but I’m going to be tied up with stuff in the run up to Christmas,’ Mark said, causing Lucie to give him an impish look.
More grist for Lullbury’ s gossip mill,Livvy thought but giggled all the same. ‘What sort of service did you have in mind?’
Lucie leaned her elbows on the bar next to her brother. ‘Yes, Mark. What did you have in mind?’ She quirked a suggestive brow.
Mark shifted, thrusting an embarrassed hand through his hair. ‘I was going to offer to stay over. Having another living, breathing human in the place might reassure you.’
Eli, patently bored now the conversation had veered from animals, wandered off to collect glasses. Lucie gave Mark, and then Livvy a blank look. ‘Why do you need reassuring, Livvy?’
‘It’s nothing really. I’ve had a few kids messing about in the car park at night. I thought a dog might warn them off. It’s either that or I get the police involved but I can’t see them taking me seriously. They haven’t actually done anything.’
‘Ah. I can see how a guinea pig might not do the job then. And good luck with the police. By the time they’ve come all the way from Bridport the little scrotes will have long gone. If we still had a manned police station in town maybe the kids round here wouldn’t be tempted to cause trouble.’
Livvy knew Lucie was thinking of Eli. She turned to Mark. ‘Thanks for the offer. It’s very kind of you but I completely understand if you’re too busy. Actually, my parents have promised, or should I say threatened, to come to stay soon so I’ll only be on my own for the next couple of weeks. I’ll probably be working so hard once my head hits the pillow, I’ll be asleep. Or at least that’s how I’m planning it. And if these kids persist, I’ll set Mum on them. That’ll scare them. She’s worse than any guard dog.’
They laughed.
‘Got it!’ Mark rapped the bar so hard, the couple at the table nearest them stopped chewing halfway through their turkey and cranberry burgers and stared.
‘What?’ Livvy smiled at his enthusiasm.
‘Pete,’ he called over. ‘Is your mate still looking to get rid of his gun dog?’
Pete shifted to his feet, stood for a second to feel his balance, and came over, Skip obedient at his heels. ‘Ar. He is. Too old to do a full day’s shoot now and he’s trained up a new dog. He don’t know what to do with the old girl. Why you asking?’
‘She’d be perfect for Livvy, here in the pub, don’t you think?’
Pete sucked his teeth. ‘Might do an’ all, I s’pose.’
