A Secret Schemer (3 page)

‘The fitters are in the cellar
all day today, they came in early.’ Jena adds.

‘You must have got up early
Hun?’

‘Yeah Andy didn’t leave until
this morning, he didn’t want to go bless him.’

‘I’ll ring Lucas and then get
changed, can I smell toast or am I imagining it?’

‘Cheeky I’ll have it ready for
when you come down.’ Jena laughs.

I rang Lucas and he seemed
eager to come in, and said he’d be here within fifteen minutes. I
also decided to send Tim a text message saying I would be able to
meet up again during the week. Kate contacted me over the weekend
to say she’d be able to come round on Wednesday or Thursday
evening, I need to discuss that with Jena. While we’re out today
I’d like to find time to look at suites for my lounge, as once
we’re open that will go to the bottom of my to do list. I was
fortunate with the television set. The fitters have fixed two huge
sets on the walls in the bar and were kind enough to order and fit
one for me, they so deserve an extra beer for that favour. As I got
back to the kitchen I saw Lucas had already arrived.

‘Hi Lucas that was quick,
thanks a lot for coming in, join us for toast and coffee, Jena
makes yummy toast.’ I laugh.

‘What she really means Lucas is
toast is about the only thing I cook.’ Jena declares.

‘Your kitchen skills are about
the same as mine, thank goodness for microwave meals.’ Lucas
adds.

‘Once you start working you can
eat here Lucas, not much fun eating a micro meal on your own after
a hard day.’ I suggest.

‘That sounds great Lucy
thanks.’

‘The beer order will arrive on
Friday morning, so if you want to start work from that day it’ll be
good for me; obviously you won’t need to work all weekend.’

‘No problem I’m looking forward
to it.’ Lucas adds. ‘I’m sure I can make myself useful.’

‘Mm however hard we try to
prepare everything, you can bet there will be something we haven’t
thought of.’

‘Is that toast on it’s way Hun
or have you managed to burn it.’ I shout out to Jena.

‘Not just toast bacon too.’ She
laughs as she hurries into the restaurant.

‘Wow I’d better mark this down
on the calendar, wonders will never cease.’

Just as we’d finished our snack
the draymen turned up with the order, so I handed the delivery
sheet over to Lucas and me and Jena made a hasty retreat. We went
to the furniture warehouse first, I found the very suite I was
looking for and Jena ordered a dressing table. Then we spent an
hour in the cash and carry searching for essential stuff for the
kitchen.

As I elbowed the back door
open, laden with copious amounts of bags I managed to squeeze into
the kitchen virtually unscathed. Lucas rushed over to give me a
hand. ‘You girls certainly know how to shop.’

‘Not a good idea two women and
a credit card.’ I hastily replied. ‘Oh leave the door please Lucas,
Jena’s parking the car.’

‘Shall I put the kettle on; I
make a pretty good cuppa.’ He adds eagerly.

‘Now that sounds like an offer
I’d be foolish to refuse.’

‘I’ll have to go back, there
are still more bags in the boot.’ Jena sighs as she piles bags onto
the kitchen table.

‘If you give me the keys I’ll
bring the rest of your parcels in while the kettle’s boiling.’

Jena throws the keys over to a
rather amused Lucas.

‘An organised man at last,
where the hell did you find him Lucy?’

Undoing bags I glance over at
Jena, ‘And he’s making us tea.’

‘Priceless.’

Today has been productive and
everything seems to be taking shape, Lucas is an asset, long may
that continue. I’ve received a text message from Tim inviting me
for a meal tomorrow evening. Acting impulsively I accepted without
consideration, one of my seriously bad habits. I don’t have the
time to pussy foot around as opening day is imminent. There are
still many items on the schedule that have to be fulfilled although
by the weekend everything should be ready. On the day before we
open we can do a complete check as the last thing I want are faux
pas on the day. My suite won’t be delivered for a month so I intend
to have the lounge decorated before; all I have to do now is find a
decorator.

I’ve been wondering what this
pub was like previously. According to the brewery it had been run
by an elderly Irish couple and just before it was closed down the
trade had dwindled considerably. The brewery have advertised the
reopening quite extensively plus the restaurant will be a bonus, as
will the TV’s. I also intend to have live music, maybe karaoke if
there seems to be sufficient interest, I have to be patient and see
how it all pans out. I’ve invested a great deal of money into this
project and I really need it to work. Let’s hope I haven’t bitten
off more than I can chew….

Chapter 5

‘Where are you meeting Tim then
Hun?’ Jena asks as we’re carefully chalking out the menu
boards.

‘Sloane Square outside the
tube, he’s suggested the Cote Brassieres that French
restaurant.’

‘I’ve never been there have
you?’

‘No, although the reviews on
Google are reassuring, anyway I’ll let you know in the morning.’ I
add easily. ‘By the way Kate’s calling in tomorrow to sort out the
menus, I suggested she stayed for a bite to eat and then you can
work your magic with her profile on the dating site.’

‘That’s great should be a fun
night, me thinks a couple of bottles of wine would go down well.’
Jena suggests with a grin.

‘Absolutely, could you pass me
that red chalk Hun this one’s all scratchy.’

During the afternoon the
fitters hung all the pictures and mirrors in the bar, there was now
an aura about the building, it was beginning to resemble a trendy
bar. As I was going out for a meal Jena shared fish and chips with
the fitters, they were working later tonight as they still had
quite a bit to complete before the weekend. After numerous changes
I eventually settled on a khaki outfit which blends well with my
mass of flame coloured hair, just one problem I can’t seem to
straighten it tonight so I’m looking a tad wild…

Getting out of my cab I can see
Tim is already outside the station, he greets me with a peck on the
cheek. ‘Hi Lucy you’re looking stunning.’

‘Thank you I hope you haven’t
been waiting long?’

‘Not at all, shall we take a
look at the menu?’ There was a menu on the wall outside of the
restaurant and it looked appetising. ‘Anything you fancy?’ Tim
asked.

‘Mm lots shall we go in.?

Why is it when you first meet
you’re both on best behaviour and conversation always appears a
trifle stilted, give me a glass of wine and I’ll let my hair down.
We’re shown to a table for two. ‘What would you like to drink
Lucy?’ Tim asks hesitantly.

‘I’d prefer a medium white
wine, chardonnay would be fine.’

‘Can we have a bottle of
chardonnay then please?’ Tim asks the waiter.

We both ordered grilled lamb
loin chops with gratin potatoes and creamed spinach. The food was
delicious we chatted a lot throughout the meal. With the help of
the chardonnay I felt far more relaxed.

‘So what do you do Tim?

‘I’m an IT consultant in the
city.’

‘That sounds interesting,
however I must admit I’m rather self taught on my computer.’

‘I’ve been doing this since I
left university so I guess you’d say it’s all I know, what do you
do Lucy?’

‘I’m a publican, in fact I’m
opening my first tenancy next Tuesday. I started with City Ales
Brewery as a manager, although my dream was to have my own
tenancy.’

‘Wow, now that does sound
exciting, what pub are you taking over, is it local?’

‘It’s just been re-furbished
and renamed The Frog and Toad.’

‘Oh I know exactly where it is,
such a great name as well.’

‘Yes we’re just getting all the
finishing touches done.’

‘You say we?’ Tim enquires.

‘I have an assistant manager
who lives in, who just happens to be my closest friend, she worked
with me in the other pubs.’

‘That obviously works well for
you both, I apologise would you like dessert?’

‘Not for me thanks and yes it
does work well for us both.’

‘Would you mind if I called in
to see you some time?’ Tim asked.

‘Of course, although I’m sure
Tuesday will be extremely busy.’

‘Taxi home or would you prefer
a walk? Tim asked as he settled the bill.

‘Oh a walk definitely, it’s not
far and it’s not raining.’

‘You seem to have fulfilled
your dream then Lucy, or do you have others?

‘Well the ultimate would be to
buy my own free house, ever the optimist that’s me.’

‘And why not, my dream is to
become a millionaire by the time I’m forty.’

‘Mm don’t you think you’ve left
it a bit late with only a year to go, unless you’re planning on
robbing a bank?’ I laugh.

‘I guess I asked for that,
actually I have high hopes of designing an internet business that
will make me filthy rich.’ Tim says with conviction.

‘Good luck with that then.’ I
add with a giggle.

‘Oh most people think it’s a
joke, nevertheless I intend to keep working on it.’

‘Great stuff; I like a man with
grit and determination.’

‘Have you managed to get staff
yet?’ Tim asks.

‘Luckily a full compliment as I
advertised well in advance, although in this trade they have to
prove their honesty.’

‘Do you find it difficult to
find responsible staff?’

‘I have my ways of dealing with
untrustworthy people.’ I smile as I look towards him and tap my
nose.’

‘Good for you Lucy that’s what
I like to hear; well I’ve managed to get you home safe and
sound.’

‘Thanks for an enjoyable
evening Tim, and keep working on that dream.’ I laugh.

‘You won’t let me forget that I
can see.’ Tim places his hands on my cheeks and brushes my lips
with his. ‘I’d like to see you again Lucy.’

‘I’d like that too, call in
once we’re open.’

‘I’ll do that, chow
sweetheart.’ With that Tim heads across the road.

I did enjoy Tim’s company,
however I find his millionaire dream very amusing. I hope he didn’t
think I was laughing at him, although I guess I was in a way. I was
pleased he didn’t ask to come in for coffee, as I had no intention
of inviting him on a first date. He’s easy to chat to and after the
initial meeting the conversation flowed, I have a warm feeling
about this guy. Considering I’ve only met three potential
partners…. could I have possibly hit the jackpot so soon?

‘Oh yes Kate I certainly like
that menu, I did chalk a few bits up in preparation for Tuesday,
however we’ll set to and change them now.’ I suggest.

‘There’s also a list here of
daily specials, what do you think?’ Kate asks.

‘Scrumptious you’ve made me
realise how hungry I am. I’ll alter the chalk boards if you’d like
to ring all the food orders through, I think a daily bakers, and
greengrocers would be advisable as well.’

‘Definitely, shall I make a
snack for us all?’

‘Perfect, Jena will be back
soon she’s only at the hairdressers, and then she’ll sort your
profile out.’

‘I’m apprehensive about it Lucy
I’ve never done anything so out there before, did you feel like
that at first?’

‘Kate I was terrified although
I seem to have struck lucky with Tim, however it’s early days and
only time will tell. By the way do you mind coming in on Monday as
I’m trying to get all the staff together for a chat to make sure
arrangements are spot on for the opening.’

‘I was going to suggest I
worked on Monday so I can prepare dishes and make last minute
orders. You must be feeling thrilled about the opening Lucy?’

‘I’d say enthusiastic and a tad
emotional, fingers crossed and all that.’ I add.

‘Hair looks good are you
pleased with it?’ I ask Jena as she comes in the bar.

‘Yeah maybe a bit too short do
you think?’

‘No I think it’s great, Kate’s
making us a snack then you can get the dreaded laptop out.’

‘I wonder if she’s got any
photos on her phone.’ Jena asks.

‘I’ll get my camera at the
ready just in case, we mustn’t give her any excuses or she may
change her mind.’

‘No chance, in fact if you
fetch the camera I’ll go ahead and take snaps before she realises.
By the way you didn’t tell me about last night with Tim.’

‘Of course you left early for
the hairdressers. Yeah it was Ok he’s good company and not pushy, I
must mention his weird dream though. Remembering he’s thirty nine
now, he plans on becoming a millionaire by the time he’s
forty.’

‘What did you say in reply to
that?’

‘Good luck and laughed a
lot.’

‘So are you seeing him
again?’

‘He’s coming in the bar some
time.’

‘Cool then I can give him the
once over.’ Jena gives her usual grin followed hastily by a
wink.

‘Your opinion is always valued
Hun, come on let’s go and get that snack I’m truly starving.’

‘Camera first please.’

‘Kate that omelette was so
yummy I can see I’m going to put on weight with your cooking.’ Jena
assures.

‘I’ll second that Kate it was
delicious.’

Jena goes to the other side of
the kitchen and points the camera at Kate ‘Sorry but it has to be
done.’

‘Give me five minutes for a bit
of slap and I’ll even pose for you.’

After the photo shoot we spent
the next couple of hours on Jena’s laptop, wording Kate’s profile
and searching through the photos of all the eligible guys in her
age group. All our tastes are different and Kate is not opposed to
a slightly older guy, so we searched from thirty six to fifty years
of age. She found a few she thought who were interesting, so Jena
hit the wink button.