Chapter 28
Cognac – eau de vie! For celebration and to be shared with friends.
To be savoured
L ivvy closed the main door and bolted it behind the last customer.
Turning, she let out an enormous sigh of relief.
The Christmas Quiz had been a raging success.
Gerry’s group had, with one or two amiable grumbles, dispersed as requested.
Karl had gone home to his wife, Lucie had given Brittany and Eli a lift and Stewie, having cleaned up the kitchen and brought out some leftover snack plates, had disappeared into the night.
It was midnight and the only people left were her father, Simona and Mark.
She collapsed onto a chair. ‘That went well. It was manic! Lucie was brilliant and the raffle prizes were all well-received; I was so glad Jan and Colin won the Christmas lunch at The Henville. Such nice people. And I can’t believe the vicar won the bottomless brunch.
She seemed pleased.’ She lifted up her green suede pixie boots and wiggled them.
‘My feet are killing me, though. Oh hello, Angel,’ she said, as the dog nuzzled her drooping hand.
‘Did you mind missing all the fun? It was a little too crazy for you, my love.’ The springer, having been released from the bedroom and, having had a quick shuffle round outside, now settled in front of the dying embers of the wood burner.
‘I thought it was all marvellous.’ Brian brought over the bottle of Delamain Pleiade cognac, and glasses.
‘Haven’t had so much fun in ages.’ He sat down and lifted the bottle to the light.
‘I say, someone’s been giving this a hammering.
’ Pouring them all a measure, he added, ‘And I was full of admiration at how you handled that group at the bar, Liv, darling. The ones with Gerry Wiscombe? No need for me to intervene.’
‘Thanks, Dad.’ Livvy sipped her brandy. ‘Just hope they were too drunk to remember I promised their next round was on the house.’ She frowned. ‘We do good business from them in wet sales on a Sunday night but I don’t want to encourage a crowd like that.’
‘No indeed.’ He turned to Simona. ‘And we are very grateful for your help, my dear. You were an absolute angel behind the bar.’
Angel, at hearing her name, lifted her head and whined.
Simona giggled. ‘Not you, my little darling doggie. It quite took me back to my working days. I was fortunate to marry a rich man, Brian, and gave up any idea of working for my living but sometimes I miss it.’ She lifted her glass to his and they clinked them together.
Livvy glanced over at Mark. He was still dressed in the bottom half of his costume, a thick pair of brown corduroys.
He’d taken off the brown jumper with the enormous flashing red nose on it and the antlers.
His hair stuck up in sweaty spikes and his cheeks were flushed.
His white T-shirt showed off surprising biceps; she’d never seen him in so little clothing.
It made Livvy go hot all over. Tortoiseshell specs on, he was engrossed in his phone so she didn’t want to disturb him.
His sister, Natalie, had gone out with friends, so he’d come along to the quiz alone and had manned the scoreboard.
Santa’s Little Helpers, who for some reason had come dressed as flamingos, had come in a close second, so had demanded a recount.
Livvy wondered a) why some people took quizzes so seriously, and b) just what the fascination Lullbury Bay had with big pink birds.
The marking team conducted a recount and the What the Dickens team was proclaimed the winners.
It had been a stressful half hour, but he’d handled it all with calm efficiency.
That was the key to his personality, Livvy realised. Nothing seemed to ruffle him.
‘Oh my feet though,’ Simona echoed Livvy’s moan. ‘Had I known I was to become mine host I would have worn my Crocs.’
Livvy smiled. ‘I can’t believe you have any Crocs, Simona.’
‘Of course, sweetness. One can’t wear Manolos all the time.’
Livvy giggled. ‘Help yourself to food. Think you’ve all earned some. Plates!’ she exclaimed. ‘I’ll go and get some.’ She began to haul herself off the chair but her father rose, pushing her down by the shoulder.
‘I’ll go.’
Simona watched him go through narrowed eyes. ‘He is simply dreamy, your father. I’ve had an absolutely heavenly time, Livvy. Any chance of letting me do it again?’
Livvy surveyed her over the rim of the brandy glass. ‘You really want to work in a pub, Simona?’ she asked disbelievingly.
‘Well, only this pub. I can’t tell you what a fabby time I’ve had.
And maybe I could choose my shifts? Give you a hand when you’re really busy like tonight?
’ Simona cocked her head on one side and Livvy thought she detected wistfulness.
‘I wouldn’t expect a salary. Maybe a gin and tonic every now and again. ’
‘But why would you want to work unpaid at a job which can be really hard work?’
‘Christmas is coming up, darling. It’s when I miss my Terence the most. He loved the season, you see.
We’d hole up somewhere beautiful and snowy, eat wonderful food, just be together, the two of us, cocooned against the world.
And then in the new year, we’d go skiing.
’ Simona bit her lip, her eyes dewy. ‘Being busy would take my mind off him a little.’ She brightened.
‘So you see, darling, it would be you doing me a favour, not the other way round.’
Livvy was touched. ‘Of course you can. It would be lovely.’ She meant it. Simona was fun to be around. The customers thought so too.
Brian brought the plates through and dragged over another table to give them more space to eat.
‘Don’t feed her too many sausages, Simona,’ Livvy warned as the woman fed Angel a treat. ‘She’s getting tubby now she’s retired. I wouldn’t have you down as a doggie person.’
‘Darling, the least said about my past sex life the better.’ Simona giggled, back on form. ‘Oh, I see what you mean! I absolutely adore dogs. Just couldn’t have one. Terence and I were never in one place long enough and the yacht never seemed the right place.’
‘No, I can imagine,’ Livvy said drily. Her parents were wealthy, but Simona’s lifestyle was something else. She took a brie and cranberry tart. It was the first time she’d had a chance to eat all evening. Closing her eyes in bliss, she chewed.
She heard Simona give a silvery giggle. ‘Seeing as your daughter has checked out, I’ll do the honours. Would you care for a sausage, Brian? They’re delicious.’
He chortled. ‘I don’t mind if I do.’
‘And do you cook, Brian? I can quite see you in a frilly apron.’
‘It’s usually me who cooks Christmas lunch. Off to the Caribbean this year. Jolly good fun.’ He lowered his voice conspiratorially. ‘Just as well The George has Fabio and Stewie. I wouldn’t trust Livvy with a turkey baster.’
‘I heard that!’ Livvy said, not bothering to open her eyes.
‘What are you doing for Christmas Day, Simona?’
‘I’ll be all on my own. I was going back to Italy to stay with friends, but travel is so tedious at Christmas. I have a Marks and Sparks feast and am going to enjoy cuddling up in a blanket in front of some mindless Christmas specials on the TV.’
Livvy heard the pout.
‘We can’t have that,’ Brian blustered. ‘You must come here. Seeing as we’re off on the water for Christmas, we’re having an early celebratory lunch here tomorrow before we go. Don’t worry, I’m cooking.’
Livvy opened half an eye. They looked to be getting very cosy. She smiled and closed her eyes again, exhausted.
She wondered what her mother would think of the exquisite Simona getting so pally with her husband.
To her amazement, Penny had been lured downstairs by the brass band and had stayed for the second half of the quiz.
She’d joined Daisy and Rick’s team and actually looked to be having a reasonable time.
Livvy stifled a groan, silently thanking her father for landing her with a guest for their early Christmas lunch.
Their family dynamics could be tricky at the best of times.
Still, maybe having Simona there would dilute things?
‘Gotcha!’
Mark’s shout had them all jumping a foot.
‘God, Mark,’ Livvy gasped. ‘You gave me a heart attack. What is it?’
He waved his phone at her. ‘You’re on South West News and Views .’
‘What’s that?’ Brian asked.
‘It’s the premier website for restaurants and pubs down here. Reviews, recommendations, where to eat suggestions. Incredibly influential.’
This made Livvy sit up. Reaching over, she took his phone. ‘We are! Look, everyone, we’re featured. They’ve even included a review. They must have been in to eat, and we didn’t notice.’
‘What, like a secret shopper?’ Simona said. ‘I’ve always fancied myself as one of those. I think I’d be rather good.’
‘You would,’ Livvy agreed. ‘And they’ve included the pic of me in the cherry picker. Look, Dad.’
Brian slid his reading glasses down off his forehead and squinted. ‘Oh I say, Liv. Was that safe?’
‘Probably not. And there’s a write-up of the bonfire party and they like the fact we stick to local produce. It’s all fantastic promo. About as positive as you could get. More so!’
‘Brilliant, Livvy,’ Mark said, his face glowing with pride. ‘It might be why it was so busy tonight. Looks like the feature went live two days ago.’
‘This calls for a celebration.’ Brian emptied the last of the cognac into their glasses. ‘Well done, my darling. Proud of you!’
‘Thanks, Dad.’ Livvy was taken aback. He’d never been so blatantly complimentary before and this was twice he’d praised her tonight.
‘It’s all rather marvellous, isn’t it?’ Simona put in. ‘How much have we made for the RNLI, Mark?’
Mark took his phone back. ‘I was totting it all up before I spotted the feature on the South West site and got distracted. One thousand and fifty-three pounds but I haven’t counted the bucket donations yet.’
‘How wonderful. Well done, Livvy.’
‘And that should reflect in a tidy profit too,’ Brian said.
‘Wasn’t the point of the evening, Dad.’
‘Can’t make a profit, can’t keep going, darling girl. That’s the reality. You’ve staff you’re responsible for now. Can’t let them down.’
Livvy gulped. She hadn’t thought about that before.
Had been so fixated on the risks she was making, hadn’t considered how her staff would feel if it all went tits up.
Stewie and Brittany were young; they’d find similar jobs, as would Eli, although she was beginning to feel protective of the boy; she’d rather he worked at The George than fall into his uncle’s clutches.
And people were always looking for good cleaners, so Candice would be fine.
It wouldn’t be as easy for Karl and Fabio.
Karl had already been made redundant once and Fabio would be fussy, even though he was keen to stay in the area while his mother was ill.
She couldn’t deny they were all depending on her, in some way.
She loved the team she’d built up; she didn’t want anything to change that.
Her mood sobered. Trust her dad to prick her bubble. Staring into the wood burner, she murmured, ‘The fire’s dying down. Shall I put another log on?’
‘It’s late. It won’t hurt to let it die out,’ Mark said kindly, perhaps sensing her shift in mood. ‘The evening’s been a resounding success and all thanks to your hard work. Didn’t you say the chimney sweep found something up there?’
‘She did,’ Livvy answered, thankful for his change of subject. ‘Jonquil was at the quiz tonight. It was her collecting donations with menaces. Her team came dressed as wrapped Christmas presents.’
‘It was a super idea,’ Simona said, ‘until they tried sitting down. Had to take their boxes off.’ She gave a peal of laughter.
‘Just as well they had something on underneath and the place was nice and cosy. They had to sit the evening out in T-shirts and shorts. What did Jonquil find in the chimney, darling? She sweeps mine next door too. I find her rather,’ she paused, ‘abrasive, shall we say?’
‘It’s why I gave her team second prize in the fancy dress comp. Felt sorry for them. They’ve won a bar meal for four.’ Livvy ignored her father’s tut. ‘She found a cat.’
‘Oh, my goodness. A stray?’
‘No, it was dead. Long dead and horribly mummified. Jonquil said she finds all sorts of things up chimneys. The cat was supposed to ward off evil.’
‘Hell’s bells, kitten,’ Simona said with feeling. ‘Wish I’d never asked.’ She glanced at her dainty gold wristwatch. ‘Goodness, is that the time, darling? This Cinderella needs her beauty sleep. Walk me home, my gallant?’ she asked Mark.
‘Delighted to just as soon as I can find my reindeer jumper and antlers.’
Costume found and thank yous and hugs exchanged, Brian and Livvy saw their guests out.
Illuminated by The George’s Christmas lights, the pub car park was white over, a gleaming, sparkling frost covered every surface, the windscreen of her parents’ BMW opaque.
Stars glimmered in an inky, cold sky. Below them, in the quiet, the sea shifted and sshed.
‘What a perfect night.’ Simona shivered as her breath misted out into the frigid night. ‘So romantic.’
‘Night, Livvy.’ Mark hugged her to him and kissed her cheek. His lips felt very hot on her frozen face. ‘Been a great evening.’
At that moment, the security lights blazed on.
‘What the–’ Brian exhaled in shock.
Livvy gasped and Mark’s arm tightened around her shoulders. Her van, discreetly parked out of the way in the far corner and next to the old stable block, had the word BITCH painted clearly in white paint on its side.