A Secret Schemer (2 page)

‘Yeah that sounds cool.’

‘We can go through menus next
week one day, when they’ve finished fitting the kitchen equipment.
I’m thinking short but interesting with maybe a daily special?’

‘Shall I write a few samples
out?’ Kate asks.

‘Perfect, I’ll let you know
when the kitchen’s operational.’

‘Then we can talk internet
dating, Kate have you ever tried?’ Jena enquires.

‘No have you two?’ Kate
asks.

‘Oh Jena’s done more than try
it Kate she’s met her soul mate, only problem is he lives in
Portsmouth.’

‘That’s a shame how’s that
going to work then Jena?’

‘Well it’s still early days, he
comes up on the train at weekends due to the parking problems we
have around here. Fortunately he works for a big company and is
applying for a transfer.’

‘What does he do Jena?’ Kate
asks.

‘He works for a construction
company as a labourer, as he’s been with the company for over ten
years he would like to stay with them.’

‘He certainly sounds well
grounded Jena, I hope it works out.’

‘Oh it’s sure to Kate when Jena
lures a guy into her web he’s no chance of escape.’ I laugh.

‘So you met him on the internet
then Jena?’ Kate asks.

‘Yeah I didn’t realise how easy
it was to join, you can set your page up within a few minutes
completely free, then have a search and if you decide that
particular site is for you then pay to join for a month and away
you go.’ Jena explains.

‘Why don’t we have a girlie
night before we open, as I won’t have much time afterwards, let us
know when you can make it Kate.’ I add.

There’s a knock on the door
which breaks up the lunch time chat and another applicant
arrives.

‘Hi you must be Grace please
come through to the restaurant, by the way I’m Lucy Ross. This is
Jena Wright my assistant manager and Kate Marshall who is in charge
of the kitchen.’

After the introductions we left
Kate to interview Grace as she would be working with her everyday
if suitable. By six o’clock we had interviewed fourteen people for
various positions. Both feeling weary we decided to order in a
pizza, go through all the applications and make a final
decision.

‘I definitely feel Lucas Carr
will be perfect for the bar and cellar, and Archie Miller just the
bar as he’s such a lively character, what do you think Jena?’

‘Totally agree, what about Emma
Barlow you’ve put a tick on her application?’

‘Mm she only wants part time
anyway, so let’s try her on the graveyard shift.’

That sounds a gloomy shift,
however it’s the afternoon quiet time, and she has a child so she
could probably do with some quiet time.

‘I’m sure Mary Grant will make
a fabulous cleaner, she’s local and over sixty, plus she was the
only one who applied for the job.’ I laugh.

‘Would you like to do the
honours Hun and ring them all? I’ll enter all the details on line,
and I’ll also keep a couple of the others as possibilities, then I
think we deserve a glass of wine and a DVD.’

‘Make that a bottle Lucy and
we’re talking. No DVD as tonight I’m entering you on the dating
site.’ Jena declares.

‘Do I get a choice?’

‘No chance Lucy it’s now or
never.’………..

Chapter 3

‘Time to check your profile
Lucy, I bet you can’t wait.’

‘Jena it’s not eight o’clock,
no one will have even noticed my profile yet.’ I laugh.

‘Don’t you believe it Hun men
surf the net at all hours let’s face it the average guy looking for
a mate on a dating site, he’s like a kid in a sweet shop with so
many delights to choose from. Of course they all think they look
like Brad Pitt or George Clooney, most don’t think of using a
mirror. So Lucy Ross it’s time to start the process of
elimination.’

‘Hey I’m not any ones soft
centre Jena Wright.’ I laugh.

I’m slightly dumb struck by all
this as without hesitation Jena opens the link to the dating site
and to my horror I’ve received five messages, had thirty guys wink
at me and four have made me favourites. So between sipping our
coffee and noisily crunching toast we read the messages and scan
all the guys, this is all new to me and I must admit I feel
somewhat apprehensive. After much deliberation I settled on three
prospective beaus (or should I say the best of the bunch)…….

‘What’s tickled the pair of you
so early this morning?’ Len enquires as the guys burst into the
kitchen.

‘If I tell you that Len I’d
have to kill you.’ Jena declares.

‘Mm it’s that good then.’ He
laughs. ‘We should have the kitchen finished by tonight Lucy then
you can start stocking up.’

‘Great at least I can order all
the basics, thanks guys.’

‘Get the beer ordered in Lucy.’
The other guys shouted in unison as they went into the bar.

‘Already ordered guys and
should all be delivered next week, don’t worry I’ll buy you pint
when you’ve finished.’

‘We’re planning to come in on
opening night to see how it goes.’ Len chimes in.

As the guys start to unload
more equipment me and Jena head into the restaurant to sort out the
seating and lay the tables up.

‘Shall I wink at the three guys
you’ve selected Hun, it’ll start the ball rolling.’ Jena asks.

‘Why not, then we can have
another look tonight. By the way did you ask Lucas to come in a
couple of days before the opening date so he has time to sort the
cellar out?’

‘Yeah he said if you need him
before just send him a text and he’ll come round straight away.’
Jena adds.

‘Eager beaver I like that, I
think he’ll be good.’

‘If he’s on his own I bet it’s
not long before someone gets their claws into him, he’s pretty
hot.’ Jena declares.

‘You’d better not let Andy hear
you saying things like that.’

‘No he’s not my type; however
you have to admit he’s fit.’

‘I’ll agree he’s pleasing to
the eye, although also not my type.’ I add.

‘Shall we start by unloading
all the dining equipment first; they appear to have sent far too
much.’

‘That’s OK there’s heaps of
storage space. I must admit I quite like the china design, now we
need to find the perfect matching napkins from the catering
catalogue, or we could nip to the local cash and carry.’ I add.

The morning passed quickly and
at lunch time the guys went out for fish and chips. We all sat
around the large kitchen table eating them the correct way, out of
the paper! After lunch we decided to sort out the staff rotas, it’s
always best to work two weeks ahead.

‘Is it alright if I nip to the
supermarket Hun as one of us needs to stay here.’ Jena asks.

‘No problem, can you get a few
bits to keep us going?’

‘Yeah I thought I’d get enough
to last over the weekend. Is it OK if Andy stays over?’

‘Of course Jena this is your
home now honey.’

After Jena left I made my way
upstairs. On the first floor there were two large bedrooms, one
which was en suite, and a single room, a lounge and a bathroom.
Jena had chosen the room nearest to the bathroom and lounge as this
would make more of a flat for her. The second floor had been made
into a self contained flat for me, comprising of two bedrooms a
large lounge, bathroom and small kitchen. This was ideal, in fact
the layout of the two upper floors were perfect as you didn’t have
to go through the bar at all, hence the bar would be closed and
securely alarmed at night. This made it far better for Jena as she
could invite Andy to stay and it wouldn’t interfere with the
running of the pub. I intend to keep the single room made up just
in case one of the staff needs to stay over at night. As for the
other large en suite bedroom I’d made no plans for that one as yet.
I’d bought some of my furniture with me from my previous pub;
however I intended to buy a new suite for my lounge and a decent
size television, as after working long hours it’s good to be able
to enjoy a few comforts. Everywhere had been painted white, it was
a tad clinical although very clean, and so at some time in the
future I may have the lounge decorated. The bedroom was not a
problem as by the time I get to bed I’m virtually asleep as my head
touches the pillow. In both of the bathrooms there was a bath and
shower which was brilliant as the shower is quick, but a long lazy
lay in the bath was pure luxury…..Walking into the lounge I noticed
there was a door in the ceiling which must be the entrance to a
loft, one thing’s for sure I won’t be venturing up there as spiders
are definitely not my best mates. While I was in the flat on my own
I decided to log onto the dating site, although I’m loathe
admitting that I’m becoming fascinated by the whole encounter. I
found the three guys who I’d selected as maybes and once again read
through their profiles. I realise that unless I actually meet them
I’m never going to know if we have chemistry, so without further
thought and being lead by my impulsive nature I reply to the
messages and agree to meet them. (One at a time of course) Jena
will be shocked when I tell her. I’m sure I can fit in three dates
before our grand opening, being as they all live within this area
it should be easy enough to arrange. Feeling rather pleased with
myself I make my way back to the kitchen as the guys are probably
desperate for a cuppa.

‘You must have smelt the tea
pot.’ I say, as Jena makes her way back into the kitchen loaded
with Sainsbury’s carrier bags.

‘Everyone and their aunty were
in that blooming shop I swear.’ Jena moans.

‘So long as you’ve got biscuits
we don’t give a damn.’ Len teases.

‘I wouldn’t dare come back
without them.’

After the tea break I opt to
tell Jena about replying to the three guys….

‘So what did you say?’ she
asks.

‘I only agreed to meet up for a
coffee, so now I have to wait for a reply. I really couldn’t see
the point in exchanging loads of emails with someone I didn’t know
and possibly wouldn’t want to know, so I thought let’s meet and see
how we get on.’

‘Wow Lucy Ross that’s very
brave of you, I thought you were going to be a hard nut to
crack.’

‘Who me darling, never I’m as
soft as treacle.’ I laugh. ‘Well I should be able to fit three mini
dates in before we open, as I sure won’t get much time
afterwards.’

‘Who do you think you might
prefer? Jena asks.

‘No idea yet Hun give me a
chance. People usually look different to their photos anyway, let’s
face it one mug shot and all that.’

‘Well when we’ve finished in
the restaurant we’ll have another look and see if anyone’s
responded.’

‘Ok if it’ll keep you happy.’ I
reply.

By the time we’d finished the
restaurant and the guys had fitted all the equipment in the kitchen
it was six thirty, so once again it was going to be a quick snack
of the Heinz fifty seven variety.

‘There’s nothing like beans on
toast when you’re starving.’ I declare.

‘Now it’s time to check Perfect
Partners.com.’ Jena swiftly opens her lap top.’ Wow Lucy you’ve
already got two messages.’

‘What do they say, read them
out Hun?’

‘Cool, they both want to meet
up as soon as.’ Jena declares.

‘Which two Hun, I’m beginning
to feel just a tiny bit nervous?’

‘The first one is from Steve
who says he’s free to meet up any evening except Friday, and the
other one’s from Tim who is free any evening, or afternoons at the
weekend.’

‘Oh well Hun there’s no time
like the present as they say, let’s arrange the meetings now before
I lose my nerve. You write the replies Jena make one for tomorrow
night and one for Saturday, best not muddle their names up so I
know which is which.’ I laugh.

‘OK I’ve made both meetings for
seven thirty. The first one is in Starbucks at Belgravia, the
Saturday one in the Corkscrew. Didn’t want you being seen at the
same venue with different guys, we don’t want to blemish your
reputation.’ Jena giggles.

‘I still can’t believe I’ve
been talked into this, let’s hope I don’t live to regret it. I
don’t have to wear a red rose in my hair do I?’

‘Only if you want to, positive
thinking Lucy it could change your life forever.’…..

Chapter 4

Monday morning and I’ve now met
all three of the guys from the dating site, Steve, Tim and Paul. I
must admit they were all pleasant and polite and I spent over an
hour chatting with them, is there one I would like to meet again?
It has to be Tim as I felt there was a definite connection between
us; he gave me his card so I now have his mobile number, time for
me to decide whether I use it or not. Jena has been checking out my
profile and has told me there have been more messages and winks,
however I cannot envisage going on numerous one night dates. I
politely declined Steve and Pauls offer of another meeting, which
takes me back to Tim and should I contact him….

‘Hi Lucy have you decided what
you’re going to do?’ Jena enquires as she pours the hot water into
our coffee mugs.

‘I’ve thought of little else
Hun. As I took the plunge and tried out the dating site I believe I
should try the second meeting to see how it goes, what do you
think?’

‘Be churlish not to, give the
guy a chance you said there was a connection, go for a meal or a
walk in the park, what about meeting up with a few more?’

‘No three’s enough Hun I don’t
want to make a hobby out of it; I’ll send him a text message later
and take it from there.’

‘The brewery rang and they’re
delivering all of the wines and spirits this morning.’ Jena
adds.

‘Great I’ll ring Lucas and see
if he’d like to call in and sort the order out, being as he’ll be
doing most of the orders. If he comes in then we could take a trip
to the cash and carry.’