Taking Charge (13 page)

She took a seat in the lounge.
“I like the table over there.” Joy smiled.
“I am going to buy those chairs. Without Jordan knowing.” Tanya
giggled.
“Are you going to smuggle them in here?” Joy nodded.
“Lime green. I ordered six.”
“Six! You will never fit them around that table.”
“Yes well I ordered a table too!” Tanya roared with laughter.
“You did what?”
“Oh they were on special!”
“Specially for the lounge!” Tanya gurgled with laughter.
“Serious?” Joy nodded.
“Lime green!” Tanya giggled. She got up.
“Have to head home. Mum is suspicious!” Joy roared with
laughter.
“I made a barrel of biscuits for you. You might have to fight off
the men.” Tanya giggled. She soon walked downstairs with her
barrel. Jordan roared with laughter.
“She can’t get rid of them fast enough. Joy baked for the town. And
the neighboring community.” Tanya giggled and ran out.

Joy made their supper and Jordan walked up
stairs. He smiled.
“And what treat are we having for supper?” Joy smiled.
“Tonight. Plain old Seafood Paella.” Jordan groaned.
“You are not serious!” Joy smiled.
“Afraid so!” Jordan sat down and ate two plates full.
“Oh this was divine!” Joy smiled as he kissed her.
“I think a shower. I have no idea what is in store for this
evening.”
“No?” Jordan smiled and shook his head. He had his shower and
kissed Joy.
“See you later. I would like you down there. The whole town knows
we are dating.”
“But I can’t sing before Monday. I have to.” Jordan smiled.
“I know. Reputation.” Joy smiled.
“Very important. But what if I see you at nine?” Jordan grinned and
nodded.
“Jordan. Can I wear A T-shirt?”
“Yes.”
“But my tattoo.”
“Not permanent. Yes. Absolutely!” Joy chuckled.
“See you at nine. Oh be ready!” Jordan roared with laughter. He ran
down the stairs. Sarah stood at the door of his office with her
hands on her hips.
“Problem!” He looked at her.
“We can’t have problems!” Sarah nodded.
“Huge! I have run out of biscuits. Frank won’t part with his. Craig
is all protective of his barrel. I need biscuits! And I need them
now!” Jordan roared with laughter.
“Wait!” He ran upstairs. Joy smiled. She handed him a tub of
biscuits. Jordan ran downstairs.
“Problem solved. I found a few.” Sarah roared with laughter as she
opened the container.
“Perfect!” Jordan roared with laughter. Sarah chuckled.

It was just on eight. Tanya walked in. She
kissed Jordan on the cheek and ran up the stairs.
“I am starved!”
“Fridge!” Tanya opened the fridge and groaned. She had a bowl of
Seafood Paella. She looked up and looked at Lloyd.
“Hey Dad!”
“I am starved! What has Joy cooked up for supper?” Tanya
grinned.
“Seafood Paella?” Lloyd groaned and nodded. Tanya chuckled as he
sat and had his hot bowl of food.
“Is that the family?” Lloyd roared with laughter.
“Guilty!” Joy walked through.
“Where is Mum?”
“Oh she met an old friend. I think they call him Vodka Caramel!”
Joy roared with laughter and shook her head. Lloyd smiled.
“Will we see you later?”
“Most definitely!” Lloyd and Tanya roared with laughter as they
headed downstairs. Lloyd smiled as he stood next to Jordan behind
the bar.
“Paella was good!” Jordan roared with laughter. He shook his
head.
“Is there anything left?”
“A little.” Zeba walked over.
“Could I please have a tiny glass of Vodka Caramel?” Lloyd
smiled.
“Money first sweet cheeks!” Zeba grinned and winked.
“Pay up Lewis!” He grinned as he poured her glass. She winked as
she walked off.
“How many glasses from a bottle?” Frank smiled and gave him the
number. Lloyd handed over the cash.
“This is my Zeba’s bottle. About time she found her drink.” They
all roared with laughter. Jordan grinned.
“Now we are selling by the bottle?” Frank grinned.
“By the glass.” He put a label with Zeba’s name on the bottle.
Jordan grinned and shook his head.

The pub started filling up. The band all
arrived. One by one they picked up their instruments and played. It
was a little jamming session. Jordan grinned as he played with
Chase and Clyde. Roger walked in and grinned. He walked over to the
keyboards and smiled. They started jamming.

Frank smiled.
“I feel something in my bones. Something good is going to happen.”
Jordan and Lloyd looked at him.
“Really?” Frank nodded.
“Oh yes. Tonight is going to be out of this world. We are going to
be hitting that till so many times we are going to have an
absolutely fantastic evening.” Lloyd grinned. Ruth walked
over.
“We would like to buy the bottle like Zeba did.” Frank rang up the
bill and put the bottle on the counter. Ruth smiled.
“And I want a label on it. And keep it there.” She pointed at
Zeba’s bottle. Frank smiled and poured the two drinks and put the
bottle on the shelf. Ruth smiled.
“Is that lady coming tonight?” Frank smiled.
“Not sure Ruth.” She nodded.
“I hope so!” Frank grinned.

Jordan stood fiddling with the
microphones.
“Do you know how this works Dean?” Dean fiddled about. They both
grinned.
“No!” Jordan grinned.
“There is the possibility.” They had the head microphone ready. You
didn’t have to hold it. It hooked over the ear. Dean grinned.
“Oh so hoping!” Jordan grinned.

Joy walked through the front door. She
took off her jacket and handed it to Frank.
“Keep safe Frank. And we want a bottle of that cool stuff!”
“Which one?”
“Mmmhh. Make that Amarula. Give the band each a glass. Oh hello
here we go!” Frank roared with laughter as she paid for the bottle
and he put it on the shelf. He grinned.
“Miss?”
“Miss. You got it right!” As she took off her jacket Frank stared.
She whispered.
“Wash off! Henna.” Frank roared with laughter. Joy walked over in
her mini and her T-shirt with her tattoo plain to see all the way
up her arm. She grinned. She winked at Jordan.
“Hello boys.” Dean handed her the microphone and she put it on her
ear.
“Hello everybody! Has everyone got a drink?” They all stared. She
heard the shrieking. Joy took the guitar.
“Evening Jordan. Evening Dean. Evening Chase, Clyde and Roger.
Hello boys!” The band roared with laughter.
“What do we want to hear first tonight?” Joy grinned.
“Drive by? By Train?” Joy grinned.
“Oh we will try!” Jordan grinned as she stood in front facing the
band.
“Easy. Follow me. When I change just go a little faster. You will
pick it up soon enough.” Joy started strumming and singing. She
sang the song and smiled.
“Okay with this Henry?” Henry whooped. The dance floor started
filling up. The band suddenly started singing with Joy. She grinned
and nodded. Dean smiled. He whispered.
“I heard this on the radio this morning!” Roger grinned and
nodded.

Joy danced, sang and played the guitar.
She smiled as she danced up and down. Zeba danced up and down
singing along. Joy grinned. They finished the song and Joy
smiled.
“Can you rap?” Everyone roared.
“Yes!” Joy grinned.
“This one is for our rappers out there. A little Rappers Delight.”
She turned to the band.
“Anybody?” Roger nodded.
“Verse two.” Joy nodded. Frank walked over.
“I can do three.” Jordan stared. Frank nodded. Jordan
grinned.
“Get Tanya behind the bar.” Frank nodded.
“I will open up.” They all stared and Joy winked.

The band all smiled as they started
playing. Joy started singing. Jordan stared and she winked. He
strummed on his guitar. Everyone started to clap as they followed
Joy clapping. She stared singing and everyone roared. Joy grinned
as she sang. She sang the first bit of the song and pointed at
Roger. Roger walked to the front of the stage and sang. Joy hit her
hand against the guitar. Jordan kept on with the guitar. Roger sang
his bit and pointed at Frank. Frank got on the stage and sang his
bit. The crowds roared. Frank grinned. Joy smiled and winked at
Jordan. He had the biggest smile. They finished the song and the
three of them sang the next bit of the song. The crowds clapped and
clapped. There was loud whistling.

Joy grinned.
“Queen. Hit it. Fast.” The band grinned. Frank smiled as he went
back to the bar. Tanya smiled as she stood. She stayed where she
was and helped Frank. He smiled as she helped him pour drinks. He
shook his head and smiled. The pub was humming. It was so loud. Joy
stood in front and sang. Jordan grinned. She stood and stomped her
foot and clapped as she sang. Tanya smiled as she watched. They
poured drink after drink. The women bought bottles and had them put
on the shelf with their name on the label. Tanya roared with
laughter. Frank shook his head. He stared at Tanya.
“ACDC! Whoa!”

Jordan stared at Joy. She nodded. He
played the guitar until it almost sang. He grinned. He tapped his
foot. Joy started clapping. The band stared singing. Chase was on
the Drums. The band was over the moon. They started singing with
Joy. The whole pub came alive. Joy pointed at Roger. He started to
sing. Jordan grinned and looked at Roger. Roger sang the song
perfectly. They filled in with the chorus line. The dance floor was
full. The pub was full. Everyone was up and they were singing. Joy
nodded as she looked at Roger. He had the biggest smile. Jordan
smiled as he sang ‘yeah.’ Joy grinned and nodded.

The song ended and Joy grinned.
“Crimson and Clover.” Joy smiled and started singing. The band all
smiled. It was ending up as a rock and roll evening with a
difference. Joy danced up and down and sang. Jordan smiled and
shook his head. Jordan listened to the song and smiled. Joy was
getting her breath back. It was a slow song. But there was so much
impact. There was a lot of instrumental back up. Joy sang loud. The
band sang with her. Everyone sang. They got to the end of the song
and Joy whispered. They went straight to Sexy Lady by Shaggy. They
all stood and sang. Clyde took over with the lyrics which he sang
with Joy. The music got faster and faster. Everyone was clapping
and singing. Zeba stood right in front. She danced and sang.
“Lloyd!” Lloyd grinned.
“Right here!” She grinned. She rocked and danced with Lloyd. Jordan
smiled as he started singing with Joy. She grinned. Jordan
chuckled. Joy nodded as she sang and played her guitar and
danced.

They didn’t stop. Tanya danced up and down
with Frank. He grinned as they both sang and danced. Frank
smiled.
“I kind of like this!” Tanya grinned. She looked at the bottles
that they had sold. He shook his head.
“Ludicrous!” Tanya nodded and rang up another sale for a bottle and
added it to the shelf. Frank roared with laughter and gave her a
high five.

Joy smiled.
“Last one before we take a break. Something different. A little
Alicia Keys. Empire State of the Mind.” She grinned and looked at
the band. She whispered.
“New York!” They all nodded. Jordan started strumming his guitar in
time with Joy. Joy sang. She closed her eyes and sang. Roger sang
the backing chorus and Joy smiled. They knew the buildup of the
song was coming. Joy pelted out the words and they all grinned. The
crowds joined in and clapped as they sang New York. The end of the
song came and Joy smiled.
“Five minute break ladies and gents. Mummy needs the loo!” The band
roared with laughter as Joy headed for the loo. She came back and
Jordan pulled her in to his arms.
“I know. I can’t help myself.” She smiled and kissed Jordan.
“They are in no state to remember.” He smiled and nodded. He leaned
down and kissed Joy properly. Joy smiled.

Jordan ordered two glasses of one of the
liqueurs. Joy smiled as they both sipped. Tanya smiled.
“Would you like the bottle?” Joy grinned.
“Absolutely!” She handed over the cash and the bottle was added to
the shelf. Joy grinned. The band walked over to the stage.
“Golden oldies. Just send it!” The band chuckled as they struck up
with See you later alligator. Joy grinned. Joy whispered.
“Need a third mike.” Dean soon had a third microphone. Joy was on
the dance floor dancing. She held the microphone. It moved from
person to person. Everyone grinned as they sang. Joy had her
microphone over her ear. They sang five songs and Joy moved back to
the stage and put the microphone off. She smiled and looked at the
band,

“
Pink Floyd. Another brick in the wall. Hit
it!” Jordan played the guitar and Joy waited. She tapped her
guitar. She started singing with Roger. Roger nodded. Joy grinned
and nodded. Everyone stood on the dance floor and they moved about.
Roger grinned and pointed at Joy. They both pelted out the words.
Everyone roared as they sang. They all looked at Joy. She yelled
and air punched.
“Hey teacher, leave them kids alone!” Jordan roared with laughter
as he played his guitar. The pub was so loud as everyone sang the
song. Everyone knew the words. Tanya and Frank sang behind the bar.
They danced up and down as they served drinks. They sold bottles of
the liqueurs. There were eight bottles with labels on the
shelf.

Frank took Ruth’s bottle and poured the
last drip.
“Ruth that is your bottle.” She took out her purse and paid for her
next bottle.
“Put my bottle up there!” She pointed. Frank grinned and nodded and
put her new bottle on the shelf. Ruth nodded and smiled.
“When I go home I will take it with me.” Frank nodded and
smiled.

Joy looked at Jordan. It was already two
in the morning. She
closed her eyes and leaned her head on her shoulder. Jordan
smiled and nodded.
“Last two songs folks.” Everyone shouted out their request. Jordan
roared.
“Twice?” Everyone nodded. Joy stomped her foot and clapped her
hands. They sang the Queen song twice. Joy bowed. She turned and
looked at the band.
“Thank you gents.” She bowed and they all grinned. They started
clapping hands and Joy bowed again. Jordan smiled as he slipped out
with Joy. They walked around the pub and he walked her through the
back door and up the stairs. He kissed Joy.
“Give me ten minutes.” Joy smiled and nodded. He walked downstairs
and smiled. He closed the office door and walked through to the
pub. He smiled as he watched. Tanya and Frank were behind the bar.
He smiled to himself. Joy was the hit. She was the money spinner.
She was what made everyone come alive. Jordan sat at the bar
counter and smiled. Tanya grinned and whispered.
“Is she home?” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“Frank can you lock up?” Frank nodded and smiled.
“I will be here with Frank.” Jordan got up.
“Night everyone!” They all waved and greeted as Jordan walked off.
He locked the office door and headed home to Joy. Tanya smiled and
looked at Frank. They poured drinks faster and faster. She looked
at Frank and he shook his head.
“Don’t know!” They both grinned. They closed the pub at three.
Craig smiled.
“Coffee?” They both nodded. Craig sat down and gave them each an
Irish coffee and one for himself.
“Hell!” Frank and Tanya nodded.
“Hell again!”