Chapter Eighteen
“Is now a good time for that chat, Son?” Dennis asked hopefully.
Matt had been putting his dad off for days now, citing the need to focus on Robyn, but since the antibiotics had worked their magic and she was up and about again he had run out of excuses.
“Er, well, I...”
“Grand, I’ll put the kettle on.”
Matt didn’t even try to argue, pretending he was intently focused on getting out the mugs and teabags, three spoonfuls of sugar for his dad, splash of milk. He’d known this day was coming, had been dreading it for the past six months, in fact. The moment when he’d have to admit that the pub was in the red. He could go and get the accounts book from the beer cellar to reinforce his point, he supposed, but it really wasn’t necessary. Dennis had eyes. Even with the bad weather keeping people cosied up at home, he had noticed the lack of even the regulars at the bar, the notable absence of new barrel deliveries. Surely he must suspect that his failure of a son had run the place into the ground during his absence?
Sitting opposite each other with the new space heater on the floor nearby – Dennis had bought half a dozen of them online and had them shipped with next day delivery, one for each room that Robyn may want to use, despite them telling him her tonsilitis hadn’t been caused by the draughts in the old place – neither seemed keen to be the one to start the conversation.
“Well, Son,” Dennis spoke softly, a difference to his usual gruff, loud landlord persona, “this is a curveball I didn’t see coming.”
Matt nodded sombrely but didn’t interrupt.
“You know, retiring to Portugal had always been your mam’s dream. Little bar on the strip with plenty of hours in the day to sunbathe on her own little roof terrace. It didn’t happen, not in time for her anyway, and when I tried to recreate it by myself it felt hollow. I found fault with every property I looked at until eventually I cottoned on, it wasn’t them it was me. So, I didn’t do a great job of spending your inheritance lad, and I decided a few months ago to use the money to pay off the tiny mortgage that remained on this place and to squirrel the rest away for you to invest in your future plans.
“Dad, that might not have been a good…”
“Hang on, lad, I’m not finished. I’d been planning on coming back when the lease on my rental ran out anyway. Now, all that to say, it’s important to chase your dreams while you can. Don’t put them off. None of us know how much time we have. I know you didn’t like that course you started down in Sheffield, but that’s because you were picking the Business degree you thought you should be doing, when in fact you ought to have followed your heart and your interests and done something like History and Heritage. You could if you want to, apply again I mean, or keep making a go of it here, or do something else entirely. What I’m saying is, there’ll be money in the pot when I’m gone for you to pursue your own passions. This pub here was mine and your mam’s little slice of Heaven and you did a grand job looking after it for me, but…”
“Dad!” It came out louder than Matt had intended, his fingers drumming an anxious refrain on the wooden tabletop, “Dad, I’ve run the place into the ground. There’s no profit. I’m so sorry. I’ve failed again.”
“Failed? What are you talking about? You’ve never failed that I know of, Son. You left that degree because it was never the right fit for you in the first place. I was proud of you for knowing your own mind in the end and walking away.”
“Proud?”
“Very. And as for this pub… Well, it’s a very difficult time for the hospitality trade right now. You’ve done well to keep the place on its feet and ticking over. Now the mortgage is paid off, you’ll have three choices. The first is to throw everything at it – we own the field too, did you know that? Your mam wanted it so the tree would always be protected, but didn’t want the villagers to think she’d stepped above her station or would be uppity about them using it, so she kept it a secret and made me do so too. Was adamant that everyone should still be welcome up here to sit on her bench, for Guy Faulk’s night, the annual vintage revival fayre and all that. So, what I’m going a long way about saying is that you could use that land for music festivals, or beer tents, or whatever you fancy to diversify the old income a bit.”
Matt sat wide eyed and, to be honest, rather shocked, as the weight that he’d carried for many months fell away with his dad’s words. It was a relief and a challenge, and a rush of new hope all at once.
“What’s the second option?” Matt asked.
“Sell up and pursue something different entirely with the proceeds. Third is get someone in to run the place and you live off the profits while you go and do other things. I guess that one’s the riskiest because, as you’ve found, it really takes all your energy and often innovation to make money in this business. Anyone not in it for themselves might make a lacklustre attempt at best.”
“Wow, I’m not sure what to say, other than I need you to stick around Dad, teach me everything you know.”
“If you’re trying to give me a reason to live, lad, I already have plenty, it’s my body that’s not playing ball not my motivation. You’ve grown up here, you know this old place like the back of your hand, you’ve got what it takes in you already, I think you’ve just been too afraid to put your own stamp on it. I know you took the reins at short notice to help me out, and I’m so grateful. I wouldn’t have been able to keep going after your mam passed if not for you. But now you need to start living and not just treading water. Woo that beautiful woman of yours and…”
“Thanks, Dad, love you.”
Love you, Son, now did you say we had some chocolate digestives? This tea’s looking awfully wet!”
Matt felt like a new man. All that worry and self-doubt, all the secrecy and late nights staring at the numbers and willing them to change, all finished. Not that he was na?ve enough to think he wouldn’t have worry-filled, sleepless nights in the future, but Matt felt like he was flying now with the freedom of having the weight lifted.
“Robyn!” He called, following the sound of her dulcet tones into the main bar where she was at the mic on the makeshift stage they used for live music at the pub.
“I love you always forever, near or far…” She looked him straight in the eye as she sang and he couldn’t help but walk straight up to her and take her in his arms, slow dancing until the microphone hung limply in Robyn’s hand by her side as they swayed close.
“I needed to see if it still worked,” she whispered against his cheek, “my voice I mean. After an awful infection like that one.”
“And does it? Sounded great to me.”
“Not quite there yet, but it will be,” she allowed him to spin and twirl her, always ending back with their bodies pressed together.
“What did your dad want? You both looked a bit pensive when you went in there.”
“I’ll tell you later, but it’s all good. I feel like a new man to be honest. Maybe a complete fresh start is what we both need. You and me, I mean. Come out with me tomorrow. Christmas shopping. We could go to Alnwick or Morpeth, even Newcastle if you fancy, I’m guessing the trains’ll be back on by now.”
“I’m not sure I’m up to much walking yet, and the crowds never appeal at this time of year, but a trip round the two villages would be lovely, um…” Robyn paused and stopped swaying too, and Matt got the impression that what she was about to say was important.
“Sounds great,” he whispered, “and..?” He looked at her encouragingly.
“Well, would it be a date, do you think? Officially, like?” She blushed and he’d never seen anything cuter.
“Would you like it to be?” Matt enjoyed prolonging the moment, cupping her cheek lightly.
“Yes!” Robyn squeaked and batted his arm, colour infusing her face.
“Perfect, then I’ll collect you at ten.”
“Collect me? We live together.”
“Yes, and that’s been half the problem, I think. We can talk about all this, but I do think a little romancing is in order. So, I’ll pick you up from your bedroom door at ten on the dot.”
Matt gave her one final spin and then walked away, knowing Robyn was watching his retreating back with wide eyes and a happy smile.
It felt good to feel good.