Chapter 19
Hot chocolate – gained in popularity recently, especially at Christmas. Ideal when in need of comfort and warmth.
L ivvy needed to get away from the pub for a while. Despite trying to shrug it off, the incident in the early hours had shaken her. Plus, she’d been eating, sleeping, living the pub ever since she’d taken over and it was beginning to feel all a bit too much.
As soon as it was properly light, she drove into Exeter.
The air was satisfyingly crisp and seasonal as she climbed into the van and she tuned into Bay Radio which blasted out some cheesy Christmas hits.
She sang along to ‘Step into Christmas’ as she turned down the hill to drive through town to hit the main road west.
She needed to hunt down a Christmas present for her father and hadn’t found any inspiration on the internet.
What she craved was a good browse through a department store.
After tracking down a parking spot big enough to take the van, all the time wishing she’d taken the park and ride, she found herself in the civilised atmosphere of John Lewis.
Enjoying the Christmassy muzak and the tastefully decorated white Christmas trees dotted about she discovered some cashmere scarves in the menswear department.
She wondered if she should get Mark something.
It was tricky; she’d only known him a few short weeks, but he already felt like a good friend.
‘Christmas shopping?’
She turned with a jolt. It was Jason Lemmon. ‘Oh hello.’ There was something about him which unnerved her. Maybe it was because everything about him was pale. There was no warmth to the man. Prematurely greyed hair, icily pale blue eyes, the whitest of skin.
He lifted a carrier bag. ‘Me too.’ Grimacing, he added, ‘I like to get it all done well before the day. Have you much to buy?’
‘Not really.’ Livvy shook her head. ‘Think I’ve got presents for my mother. The difficult one is my dad. I never know what to get him.’
‘Men are tricky to buy for, I agree.’ Jason gave a charming smile. ‘I’m afraid I’ve given up with my parents, they insist they don’t need anything, so I take them for a decent meal somewhere instead. Gives us time to catch up a little, too.’
‘What a good idea.’ Livvy warmed to him. ‘Much better than spending loads on something unsuitable.’
‘I entirely agree.’ Jason blinked his pale eyes slowly. ‘And, of course, I get to enjoy the treat too. I’m considering bringing them to The Runaways, or should I say, The George, this year.’
‘And we’d be delighted to host you all.’
‘So, what does your father like to do? Has he any hobbies? I might be able to suggest something.’
Livvy shook her head again. ‘He was always too busy running the hotel chain to have any hobbies. Now he’s semi-retired, although not as retired as Mum would like him to be, they’ve developed a new career.
’ When Jason raised an elegant brow in query, she added, ‘They like to cruise. Preferably somewhere hot and sunny.’
‘In that case, I may have the perfect solution to your present buying quandary.’ He took her arm gently and propelled her to a corner of the store.
After Jason’s help with her shopping, it seemed churlish to refuse his offer of coffee so she allowed him to lead the way to nearby Gandy Street.
A narrow, medieval thoroughfare, full of trendy shops, bars and cafés, it thronged with Christmas shoppers.
White lights were strung across the lane; the short December day was growing gloomy, a sea fret beginning to gather.
The lights cheered everything. Livvy made a vow to buy yet more for the pub. It was a dark time of year.
They settled in the first coffee shop they came across. The café was heaving with Christmas shoppers, but Jason hovered over a table where two women were idling over their empty cups and something about his presence made them move.
Livvy eased into her seat wedged against the wall and looked around while they waited for the waiter to take their order.
On each table was a hideous red and green lamp in the shape of a Christmas troll.
Red and purple foil garlands hung in heavy swags all around the walls, festooned with flashing multi-coloured fairy lights and dangling gold lanterns.
Covering each large window looking out onto the street were light curtains shimmering lime green and pink.
Two corners were dominated by enormous fake trees smothered in vivid pink and white fluffy decorations and with yet more flashing fairy lights.
It was Christmas but with added punk. If you entered without a migraine, you’d have a fairly good chance of leaving with one.
‘They really love Christmas in here.’ She grinned, thinking of her restrained, colour coordinated decorations back home in The George.
Jason gave a superior smile in return and snapped his fingers at the waiter.
Livvy ordered a hot chocolate. There was something about the contrast between the suave Jason and this joyously chaotic café that made her crave a rebelliously childish comfort.
‘Gandy Street is somewhere I’d like to explore more. ’
‘It’s a charming little place. Well worth investigating. I’ve heard it’s the street JK Rowling based Diagon Alley upon.’ He added, ‘She attended the university here, I understand.’
‘Well, in that case, I’ll definitely have a good look around. I was a huge Harry Potter fan as a kid.’ Her hot chocolate arrived, and she began to pick off the star shaped marshmallows. Eating one, she sighed. ‘I feel as if I’ve hardly stepped foot out of the pub recently.’
‘Mm. The perils of running a business. But you have staff? How is that working out?’
‘Oh, Jason!’ Livvy put a hand to her mouth. ‘I’m so terribly sorry. I’ve completely neglected to thank you for suggesting Fabio. He’s been amazing.’
Jason batted her apology away. He preened slightly.
‘I was only too happy to put his name forward. There’s absolutely no need for thanks.
And, after all, I get to sample his food so it’s a win-win situation all round.
’ He lifted his coffee cup. ‘Here’s to a very fruitful partnership between you two. ’
There was a slight edge to his voice that Livvy couldn’t interpret. Ignoring it, she replied, ‘Thank you. I think the restaurant is really going to showcase his talents.’
‘Do I detect a hesitation?’
‘I’m not sure Fabio will want to commit to the restaurant long term. Much as I have ambition for it to become a destination eating place, I suspect it won’t be big enough for him. He’s worked in such prestigious venues.’
‘True. He won’t stay around forever.’
‘He’s back because his mother is ill, I understand.’
‘His mother is dying,’ Jason said succinctly.
Livvy lapsed into silence, sipping her hot chocolate, thinking.
It was troubling to have her fears about how long Fabio might stay confirmed.
‘I had no idea it was that bad,’ she said eventually.
‘Poor Fabio.’ No wonder he’s moody and taciturn.
‘And there’s no guarantee, without Fabio, that The George will be as successful.
’ Last night’s doubts were still playing on her mind.
‘Also true. There’s never a guarantee of success in business, no matter how hard one works.
But I’m sure that won’t be the case with The George,’ Jason pointed out equably.
‘Take my advice, make sure there isn’t anywhere else in town that’s doing quite what you’re offering.
I think that’s key. Develop your unique selling point.
’ He smiled graciously and leaned back. ‘Although I’m sure I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. ’
‘No, you’re not,’ Livvy thought, wondering why he was so invested in someone else’s business.
However, it was also a relief to talk to someone who obviously understood the issues.
‘But that’s easy to say, more difficult to do.
I think, at the moment, I’m offering a combination of the community feel of The Ship and the food of The Old School Kitchen.
I’m not sure that will be enough long term. ’
‘As long as the restaurant menu is a tad more sophisticated than the current bar one. The bar food was excellent, but I think you’d be wise to offer something really exceptional in your restaurant.’
Livvy smarted. The bar food was exceptional. It was just a pared down version of the restaurant menu. ‘It will be if Fabio has anything to do with it.’
‘Then I really don’t think you can lose.’
‘That’s good to know.’
‘I’m confident.’ Jason paused. ‘As long as you can keep Fabio, of course.’ He drained his flat white.
‘That’s the crux of the matter. Chefs like him are few and far between.’
‘Then you’ll have to cross that bridge when you come to it. Just one thing. What have you planned for the skittle alley?’
‘Nothing at the moment. Leaving it be.’ Livvy pulled a rueful face. ‘And it’s the one thing The George can offer which no other pub in the town can.’
‘Then I’ll just leave this thought with you. An old-fashioned skittle alley may not fit in with the image you hope to achieve.’ He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Livvy stared down at her mug and swirled the cream into the chocolate.
Irritably, she tucked her hair behind her ear.
Jason was voicing what she’d been concerned about.
Plus, the skittle alley, due to its age and run-down condition, was costing her a fortune to heat.
Her father was right, she needed to be clearer about what she was trying to do with The George.
Was it too hopeless to marry a gastropub with a community hub?
Could it be both or was she diluting the concept and risking excelling at neither?
‘I may have to close it,’ she admitted. ‘I’m not sure how Pete and his gang would feel about that, though. ’
‘Really, Livvy. Is Old Pete and his even more aged dog your target demographic?’
Livvy looked up quickly. She wasn’t sure she liked how he was talking about Pete.
‘Lots of things to think about,’ she said, breezily.
‘Lots of decisions to make.’ She gave a tight smile, unwilling to continue the discussion.
What she did, or did not do with The George was up to her.
And it was what she did that would dictate whether it would fail or succeed.
The responsibility was crushing but it was hers alone.
Jason took the hint. ‘Indeed.’ He lined up his coffee cup handle with the teaspoon in the saucer in a fastidious manner. ‘I hear you’ve found something rather interesting in your chimney.’
Livvy was taken aback at the change of subject. She wasn’t sure she wanted to discuss that with him either. She remained silent but this time Jason didn’t take the hint.
‘I bumped into Jonquil. She sweeps the chimneys in some of the properties I develop. She mentioned a mummified cat? How very intriguing.’
‘I suppose you know all about these things?’
‘Only the bare minimum. I’m more of a scientist.’
Livvy could believe it.
‘These witches’ charms and so forth. Very common in Dorset. Nothing more than superstition, of course.’ He gave a slight shudder. ‘Primitive stuff, and nonsense. Can’t have been pleasant for you, though.’
Livvy gave a quick shrug. She refused to be drawn on the subject of the mummified cat. It still freaked her out to think about it. ‘I’d heard a story about a couple of star-crossed lovers connected to the pub. I don’t suppose you know anything about them?’
‘Star-crossed lovers, eh?’ Jason’s eyes glinted. ‘Well, that’s a bit more like it.’ He pursed his lips. ‘I’ve only heard something vague about the tale. Why not pop into the museum? I believe Barbara is well versed in local history.’
‘I will. Thank you.’ Livvy began to gather her things.
‘And thank you for the hot chocolate and showing me the delights of Gandy Street.’ She stood up.
‘And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve more Christmas shopping to do.
’ It was a flimsy excuse and, moreover, a lie but she had a sudden need to get away. And get away from him.
When she offered a ten-pound note to pay, he batted it away. ‘You can treat us next time.’ He caught her hand as she passed by him. ‘I hope there will be a next time, Livvy.’ His thumb caressed her knuckles in a way which made Livvy’s skin crawl. ‘I’d really like there to be.’
Livvy gave him a stiff grin. ‘Bye, Jason,’ she said through gritted teeth, and navigated the confusion of tables, chairs and shopping bags on her way out of the café.
I’d rather sup with the devil. She was grateful for him pointing out the silk cummerbund and matching bow tie for her father’s present but refused to extend their friendship beyond that.