CHAPTER 21
There was not one person drinking in the pub when Rosa got there for her first shift. Raffaele came out to greet her. If he hadn’t been gay Rosa would definitely have been hot on his very expensive-looking Gucci heels. He was dark-haired and about the same height as Luke, with the sort of face that was so cute you just wanted to squeeze it.
When he spoke, Rosa noticed that he had a slight Italian accent. It then all came flooding back from the New Year’s Eve drunken afternoon at the bar. Jacob told her that he had interviewed Raffaele for a chef’s position and had asked if he wanted to live in. Raffaele had said yes, not realising he was moving straight into Jacob’s flat. Luckily Jacob’s ruse worked. They had hit it off and had been together five years, married for one.
‘Ciao, Rosa. How are you?’
‘Good, thanks, Raffaele.’
‘Jacob will be down in a minute - and don’t worry, it won’t be quiet like this all night. We’ve got a table of four and a table of two in for dinner later. Why don’t you familiarise yourself behind the bar, and do help yourself to a drink.’
‘Great, thanks, I’ll do that.’
When Raffaele had made his way back to the kitchen, Rosa looked around her. It really was a lovely space, with stained-glass windows at the front and a smart wooden bar stocked with every drink you could imagine lined up along it, cleverly lit to create a relaxing ambience.
‘Hiya, kidder, you all right?’ Jacob hobbled towards her.
‘Yes, good, thanks. I left Hot at home tonight, by the way. Thought I’d better concentrate without having to worry about him.’
‘Oh, the boys will be disappointed. I’d already told them there’s a new sausage in town.’
Rosa laughed out loud as Jacob limped towards her.
‘How’s the foot?’ she asked.
‘Bloody painful, but hey, I’ve got another one.’
‘So, I’m slightly confused, do you live above here then?’
‘Yes and no. Like I told you, we have a beach house in the next town, but we also have a room here, for when we have late nights, et cetera. My sister and her boyfriend live above fulltime. The dogs always come with us, wherever we go. We get to our other house as much as we can, which is quite a lot since Alyson and Brad are more than capable of running the joint. I like to keep a hand in though.’
‘What a nice position to be in.’
‘Yes. I’m very lucky. Now, to business. So, you’ve had a look at the beers on pump. Here are the menus for drinks and food. White wines are in the bucket.’ He pointed to a shelf to the side of the bar. ‘Reds under there. If you can be waitress too tonight, that would be great. Any cash tips you get, you can keep them all.’
‘OK, great.’
‘Let me just show you the till.’
Rosa watched carefully as Jacob showed her all the buttons.
‘It’s a bit more modern than mine in the Corner Shop,’ she said, ‘but I’m tempted to keep that one anyway, as it’s so old-school.’
‘I don’t want to sound like an old dog teaching you new tricks, Rosa, but watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. It’s handy having a till that does all the sums for you. Helps with your accounts. Have you run any sort of business before?’
‘No. To be perfectly honest, I haven’t got a clue. Like I said the other night, I was left the shop. Before that I’ve literally been doing bar work, shop work and the occasional telesales job. But I figured it can’t be that hard. Buy stock, sell stock, buy more stock, make a profit, spend the profit on nice things.’
‘And also, you need to add to your list: pay bills, buy food, pay accountant, upkeep property, have time for a life . . . this lark is harder than you think, Rosa.’
‘You sound just like Josh.’
‘Just keeping it real, honey. Plus, you need to deal with being the new girl on the block. It took us at least six months before we were accepted here. This place used to be a rundown boozer; every local had their specific stool at the bar. They didn’t like it when the townies came in, took away their seats and turned it into a gastro-pub. It was when I started taking business from Madam Hannafore that it got really interesting though. I had a fire in my stockroom last summer. Yes, it was an incredibly hot day and the smoking area is adjacent, but I still have questions.’
‘Really?’ Rosa was wide-eyed.
‘I’m not saying anything like that will happen to you, but make sure you get your insurance sorted pronto. And don’t get me wrong, there are some great people down here - the majority, in fact - and when the tourists start coming, it is good fun and that’s when the money begins to flow. But just watch your back, Rosa.’
‘Josh kept on about insurance on too. I will sort it tomorrow.’
‘He’s cute, your Josh.’
‘He’s not “my” Josh – he’s not my type. We’re friends because he used to be my landlord. OK, he’s more of a friend with the very odd benefit, but more benefit for him really.’
‘Aw. I thought you went well together. Tell him though, if he wants to teach us how to rugby tackle next time he’s down, send him our way.’ Jacob grinned saucily at her. ‘Any idea what you are going to sell yet, anyway?’
‘Actually yes. I was thinking of pet products. Leads, bowls, food, gifts, maybe even little doggy coats.’
‘I like it - and of course you have your first customers here. I’m not sure if I can see the locals putting their hounds in a pink tutu, but you never know. However, the general pet stuff, yes, I see a definite market for it. There are loads of dog-friendly B&Bs and holiday cottages around here too as it’s such a good walking area.’
‘That’s what I thought.’ Rosa felt cheered by his enthusiasm.
Jacob put his hand to his head in thought, then said: ‘Actually, there’s a guy I know in London who set up an online business selling similar stuff. Would you like me to check out his supplier for you?’
‘Oh Jacob, that would be amazing, thank you!’
Just then, the door to the pub opened.
‘Here we go, girl. It’s over to you.’
Jacob watched on as Rosa ably poured a pint of Guinness and located the requested wine at quick speed. His gut had been right; she was very capable. The customers would love her too.
The girl reminded him a bit of how he was at her age. In his twenties, the nearest he got to looking to the future was booking his next holiday, and relationships just ebbed and flowed with no sense of settling down. It wasn’t until his thirties that he had bucked up his ideas and started making a success of himself. He had wished he had had some guidance earlier on, but hindsight is a wonderful thing and he certainly had created his own path in a good way. He had also been very lucky to meet Raffaele, who was not only extremely fit, but was also loyal and a hard worker, with a close family who had similar values to his own.
The evening moved along swiftly, with Rosa taking both food and drink orders without incident and chatting amiably to the clientele. Both tables were renting cottages in the bay and had taken an extra week off work after the New Year. Jacob had gone upstairs once he was sure Rosa was happy to be left alone, with the instruction that she was to ring the bell at the bottom of the stairs if she needed him.
By ten o’clock the place was empty. Rosa was just thinking that on a cold Wednesday night in January it was unlikely they would get any more business and maybe she would ask Jacob if she could go, when the door was pushed open.
‘Hey.’ She greeted the lone punter with a smile. ‘What can I get you?’
The fellow was attractive in a geeky sort of way. Tall and skinny, the top of his nose had a little bump on it and he was wearing horn-rimmed glasses. His blond hair was cut short in a Tin-Tin style, with a trendy little quiff. His lips were full and his eyes light blue and almond-shaped. Clad in a grey woollen hoody and well-fitted jeans, Rosa likened him to a younger-looking Leonardo DiCaprio.
They both stared a little too long at each other and Rosa felt that strong connection that only eyes can make.
‘Rocking in here tonight, then?’ the newcomer said.
‘We’ve had a few in earlier, but to be fair it is January.’
‘I’ll just have a half of the local ale, please, to get me back up the hill.’ The man took off his hoody to reveal a tight black T-shirt then sat at the bar. ‘I’m Joe, by the way.’
Rosa handed him his drink. ‘Rosa.’
‘Ah, proud new owner of the Corner Shop. As announced by the landlady’s son the other night at the Ship.’
‘I didn’t see you there.’
‘Because the last I saw of you was with a big rugby lad carrying you out under one arm, that’s probably why.’
‘Oh God. Ways To Make an Impression, Part One.’
‘It’s fine. I doubt anyone really took any notice. Most people were pretty drunk. I guess you’ve forgiven the landlord’s son though, as I saw him skulking out of your place on New Year’s Day.’
Oh bugger. ‘He was just adjusting my pipes before he left.’
‘That’s what they call it these days, is it?’ Joe winked at her.
‘How rude. No way! He has a girlfriend.’ Rosa was indignant but fuming inside that someone had spotted Lucas leaving.
‘Anyway, what brings a young - and can I detect from that accent, a Mancunian - man to an empty pub in the middle of nowhere on a Wednesday night in January?’
‘Boredom. Knowing there was a new pretty barmaid in town. Top marks on the accent, by the way.’
Rosa smiled. ‘Flattery will get you everywhere.’
‘Good that he sorted the plumbing for you, anyway.’
But Rosa didn’t want to be talking any more about Lucas Hannafore.
‘I paid him,’ she said tightly.
‘Same night as his girlfriend got hit up the road, wasn’t it? He must have been frantic when he took the call at yours.’
‘What did you say your name was again - Monsieur Poirot?’ Rosa was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
Joe cocked his head to the side. ‘Rumour has it, it was Lucas himself who ran her over, you know.’
‘If you live here I’m surprised you believe anything you hear. This place seems to be one big rumour.’
‘Ha! You learn quickly. So, how’s it going with the shop anyway?’
‘Fine, fine. I’m ready to start stocking it up now. Want to make sure it’s right though, before I open.’
‘People can’t wait to see what you are going to be selling.’
‘I have a few ideas,’ was all Rosa would say. ‘Anyway, it’s refreshing to see another younger person down here. Old Queenie Cobb was telling me that when kids get to a certain age, they try and escape the boredom.’
‘Oh, I don’t herald from here, as you’ve gathered already.’
Rosa felt a surge of disappointment as she clocked his wedding ring.
‘So, when do you think you might open?’ Joe asked.
‘Depends on how quickly I can get hold of stock. I’m thinking of selling pet products, as it goes: food, bowls, accessories, flowery doggy butt-plugs. What do you reckon?’
Joe laughed out loud. ‘Interesting - and a fine start to shocking the locals, but the rest sounds like a good idea. There would definitely be a market for most of those things because the nearest decent pet place is around forty miles away.’
‘I was actually thinking of doing an Open Day.’
‘Great idea.’ He downed his drink.
‘Maybe you could help drum up some business and then come along. Bring your wife and kids.’
Joe pulled on his hoody and stared right into her eyes again.
‘Soon-to-be ex-wife and no, I have no kids of my own. Here, take this. I’d be happy to help.’ He pulled a business card out of his pocket, closed his hand around hers as he passed it to her, then left.
Putting his glass in the washer, she whispered out loud, ‘Ooh, Joe Fox, Editor, South Cliffs Gazette, you can cover my opening any time you like.’