A Secret Schemer (9 page)

‘If you both feel the time is
right, then go for it Hun, if you were asking should we get married
now, I would say give it a little more time.’

‘Hey me marriage, I don’t think
so, I’m the same as you Lucy Ross, no ball and chain.’ She laughs.
‘So have you made a decision about Tim moving in?’

‘What he appears to want is to
rent my spare bedroom for a hundred pounds a week, he says it will
be cheaper than the studio apartment he’s in now.’

‘So he’s not asking to live
with you then?’ Jena urges.

‘Not as such, as he’s sleeping
here about four nights a week, he feels it’s pointless paying out
for his flat when he spends more than half of the week here.’ I
explain. ‘He wants a separate room as he has a lot of IT equipment
and then we would both have space, also he doesn’t expect me to
feed him, I think he likes his own independence, which I feel is
great.’

‘It’s a slightly unconventional
affair, perhaps bordering on bizarre, however if it works for you
both it has to be worth a try.’ Jena offered shrewdly.

‘After giving it much thought,
maybe a trial basis on renting the room would be advisable.’

‘Sounds reasonable, I just have
your interests at heart Hun that’s all.’

‘That Jena Wright is always
appreciated, now time to get behind the bar and let Lucas have the
rest of the night off.’

As Kate arrived on Thursday
morning she looked a lot brighter, had she got good news at last?
After wishing her good morning I slipped into the office, as I
didn’t want to be seen as hounding her, even though I couldn’t wait
to see if the problem had been solved. Within half an hour there
was a tap on the door and Kate’s smiling face appeared.

‘Can you spare a few minutes
Lucy for a chat?’ She asked softly.

‘Of course I’ll be right with
you.’ I responded perhaps a little too quickly.

Over a cup of coffee Kate
started to explain what had taken place.

‘Jeff called around last night
and we had a heart to heart, by all accounts his mother was having
‘a thing’ with the ex landlord, even though he was married I hasten
to add. So when the pub closed her nose was put right out of joint,
Jeff admits she’s a difficult woman, however he’s given her an
ultimatum. Because he wants to continue his relationship with me,
she has to back off with all her aggressive behaviour or she won’t
see him again. From what he said he really laid into her, so once
again only time will tell, he admitted he wasn’t close to her and
knows she is very objectionable.’

‘Mm that’s one of her finer
points.’ I smile. ‘Thank you so much Kate let’s hope we can draw a
line in the sand, as you say Hun only time will tell.’

With that I give Kate a big
hug, as I know this has been a stressful few days for her,
hopefully the dreaded woman will have learnt her lesson, they say
everything happens for a reason.

Tim called into the bar later,
so I took a few minutes out to sit and chat, Jena and Andy had gone
out for the evening and I was working with Lucas.

‘Have you given my suggestion
any more thought babe?’ Tim asks hesitantly.

‘As a matter of fact I have,
why don’t we give it a try for a month and see how we get on.’ I
offer. ‘I feel that would be best for both of us.’

‘Could we possible extend that
to two months Lucy as I’ll be giving up my flat, I promise I’ll be
the perfect tenant.’ He teases.

‘OK you’ve twisted my arm, when
would you like to move in?’ I know it will be fun having him around
even if it is bordering on bizarre, fingers crossed and all
that…

‘Will the weekend be OK for you
gorgeous?’

‘No problem sweetheart, the
weekend it is, now I must go back to work, are you staying or
going?’

‘I should go back to the flat
and start packing.’ He said cheerfully. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow
evening.’ With that he planted a little kiss on my cheek as he got
up to leave; his smile spoke a million words.

I had a warm feeling inside of
me, that the future was full of promise….a new beginning.

Friday was a busy day
throughout and I’d booked another different band for the evening,
in fact one that Archie had recommended. He’d been full of praise
for the four guys, however I’m expected an influx of youngsters as
their groupies, so Andy could have his work cut out for him
tonight. I believe it’s crucial to please a varied age group as
that’s what the Frog and Toad is all about, everyone is welcome.
Jayne has offered to come in and help behind the bar, so in total
there’ll be five of us to serve, well covered I feel.

The evening as expected was
mega busy, Archie was in his element and Jayne clearly fitted in,
as for me, Jena and Lucas we served wearing a constant grin, as
conversation was impossible, however we were all diligent. Andy had
become a great asset as our doorman; he handled the trouble makers
with ease and fortunately had a good memory for faces. So once
again the atmosphere had been electric with a general feeling of a
brilliant night.

Much later when the doors were
locked and the gang had all turned in, I kissed Tim gently on the
lips. ‘Shall we have a nightcap or are you in a rush to get to
bed?’

‘I would love a nightcap,
tonight is special, our last night before I officially move in, and
I just happen to have a tiny gift to honour the occasion.’

‘Oh that’s so sweet.’ With that
Tim hands me a small velvet box, for a moment I panic hoping it
wasn’t the obvious (as that is the last thing I want). So I
carefully open the box to reveal a pretty silver heart necklace.
‘Thank you so much I love it.’ I say with a deep sigh of relief, it
isn’t because I don’t care, however the whole conjugal thing scares
me rigid… Tim takes me in his arms and as we share a passionate
kiss I can feel his body hardening for me, as our desire overcomes
us we start tugging at each others clothes, until at last we are
naked…Tim lowers me gently onto the floor…as he enters me our
rhythm escalates until we both reach an explosive climax…as our
breathing slowly returns to normal, I can hardly believe we have
just made love on the floor of the bar…

Saturday morning and Tim left
early to collect his possessions ready to move into my spare room.
I sincerely hoped I was doing the right thing, everything had moved
so quickly. On reflection I allayed any fears I may have by
realising the status quo could be rectified…if ever found
necessary. So with this in mind I hurried downstairs to start my
work, once again to begin in the office. Jena came in to join me
and we worked together on last night’s takings.

‘So is Tim moving in today
Lucy?’ Jena asked curiously.

‘Yes Hun he’s gone off to
collect his stuff, I gave him a back door key so he won’t interfere
with work.’

‘You’re a bit quiet are you OK
Lucy?’ Jena enquired.’

‘Mm I think so Hun, things have
moved so quickly.’

Are you having regrets?’ Jena
persisted.

‘Not as such, just a tad
confused as to how it all came about in a matter of weeks.’

‘Don’t stress Lucy it isn’t
anything that can’t be reversed.’

‘I’m being silly, look at the
little necklace he gave me last night, I’m sure he’s genuine, I
believe I’m doubting my impulsive nature, you know me Jena.’

‘I do Hun and that’s what
concerns me.’ She frowns.

‘Hey come on it’ll all be fine
just you see, now how about a bite to eat, Kate should be in by
now.’

The two of us go into the
kitchen to be greeted by Kate, who was still looking like the cat
who’d got the cream, thank goodness. I realise all the time Kate is
with Jeff I get a lull from his deplorable mother’s objectionable
behaviour. Nevertheless I would hate to be in her position, imagine
Vie Butler as a mother in law, I’d rather suck lemons!

‘Hello you two.’ Kate greets us
with a cheesy grin.

‘Hello Kate.’ We echoed.

‘You both look as though you
need a full breakfast to start the day.’

‘If you’re offering how could
we refuse?’ I add cheerfully. ‘So long as we get an update on your
love life, while we eat.’

Mary and Lucas joined us in the
kitchen so Kate cooked bacon and eggs for us all, how I wish I
enjoyed cooking, she’s so organised around food. Breakfast as
always was delicious, and when Mary had left for home and Lucas
went back in the bar Kate grabbed my arm. ‘I’m a tad concerned
Lucy, last night I found Jodie’s mobile phone downstairs, which
she’d obviously mislaid in error, being a nosey mother I glanced
through.’

‘Go on what did you find?’ I
urged.

‘Pictures of Archie.’ Kate
declared. ‘My girl’s got a crush, how scary is that?’

Chapter 13

The weekend had been rather
eventful, what with Tim moving in and then Kate realising Jodie has
a crush on Archie. Personally I’d rather not be in Kate’s shoes at
the moment with a couple of teenage kids. I wonder how she’ll
handle this knowledge, delicately I’ve no doubt. Since Tim moved in
I’ve hardly seen him, unpacking I expect, setting up his IT
equipment.

Me and Jena went to the bank
together on Monday morning as the weekend’s takings had been
brilliant. Safety in numbers and all that, plus the bank manager is
still wearing his cheesy grin. I then coaxed Jena to tag along with
me to the shops for an hours retail therapy. She’s a pushover when
I offer a hot chocolate and cup cake at Starbucks. I fancied a new
outfit for next weekend, purely to allure Tim, I’m not talking
outer outfit, more Ann Summers delights….while in the shop Jena was
enjoying a good rummage through the outfits and also purchased a
sassy little number…I’m not sure who influences who, however we
always end up in fits of giggles.

Some time later I was fairly
surprised when Kate walked into the kitchen, being as Monday is her
day off. ‘Always lovely to see you Kate, nevertheless there has to
be a reason to call in on your only day off.’ I ask
tentatively.

‘Sorry to be a nuisance Lucy, I
really need some advice on this crush Jodie has on Archie, how the
hell do I deal with it?’

Kate looks rightfully anxious;
I want to help as I hate to see her once again stressed out, only
this time for a different reason.

‘Why don’t we go up to my flat,
we can have a coffee and talk it through.’

With the coffee made and both
of us relaxed on the sofa I attempt to help with a solution. ‘So
what is your main concern Kate?’ Not a good start I’m thinking
although I have to begin somewhere, I don’t have teenage kids which
aint helping.

‘How the hell do I tell Jodie
I’ve been looking through her mobile?’ Kate says shakily. ‘She’ll
never trust me again, there has to be another way.’

‘How about saying the night she
left her mobile downstairs, his picture was on the screen?’

‘Mm I thought of that but she’d
say she always blanks the screen.’

‘If it’s the only way love
you’ll have to insist that’s how she’d left it, I mean she did
forget it anyway.’ I suggest hopefully.

‘You’re probably right I’ll
have to go where angels fear to tread so to speak, and wait for the
backlash.’ She adds gloomily. ‘That is just the start though Lucy,
how can I suppress the crush?’

‘She’s sixteen Kate cast your
mind back twenty years, it’s usually some kind of celebrity
infatuation at that age. Unfortunately Jodie has desires on a guy
who she can see on a fairly regular basis, unbeknown to you as
well.’

‘I know all of that Lucy, how I
deal with it is the question, by the way how old is Archie?’

‘He’s twenty four, have you
considered maybe approaching him?’

‘It has crossed my mind I mean
I get along great with him as a workmate; how he’d react to this
news I shudder to think.’ Kate frowns.

‘He is unbelievably popular
with all the youngsters, perhaps your answer lies with him.’ I
suggest optimistically.

‘I guess it’s worth a try.’
Kate shrugs. ‘I mean he hardly knows Jodie, surely he’ll see it for
what it is, a schoolgirl crush.’

‘Honey you won’t know until you
try, bite the bullet about how you found his picture on her mobile.
She’ll obviously give you verbal, because she’s been caught out,
then you can give her your mummy speech.’ I try my hardest to
appease the situation. ‘In fact Archie could be the solution.’

‘Thanks Lucy I’ll broach the
subject tonight and if all else fails it’ll be Archie to the rescue
tomorrow.’

With Kate looking a little less
tense we make our way back downstairs to be greeted by Jena. ‘Have
I missed out on a girlie chat?’ She quizzed.

‘You haven’t missed much Hun
just a conflab about teenagers.’ Kate assured. ‘Anyway girls see
you in the morning.’

‘Good luck Kate.’ I mutter,
with my fingers crossed behind my back, as my recollections of
being a teenager is total defiance.

‘We’re running the bar tonight
Jena, so how do you fancy fish and chips before we take over?’

‘Shall I get them? Jena
proposes.

‘If you like, I’ll lay a table
up.’

‘What about Tim will he want to
join us?’ Jena urges.

‘No love he sorts himself out,
not sure what time he gets in anyway.’ I explain.

As Jena dashes off to buy our
supper that very thought runs through my mind, I really have no
idea what time Tim gets home or where he eats come to that. I know
he’s only been here a few days; however I’ve hardly seen him.
Certainly not the start of an average relationship, nevertheless
I’d dislike someone constantly bothering me, so this way is
plausible. My life is busy so I don’t think too deeply about run of
the mill stuff, only things that affect the running of my pub, i.e.
Vie Butler.