Chapter five
How he’d managed it, he didn’t know, but with the help of Christine, who’d thankfully had a quiet afternoon, Marcus had managed to get the word around about the last-minute informal meeting for ideas concerning the dog-competition, to be held at The Cheese Wedge and Pickles at seven o’clock.
Locking the door of his dog-grooming parlour, Marcus smoothed back his hair.
His shirt had been drenched washing Declan’s enormous St Bernard, Fernando, when Marcus had been distracted by a Chihuahua, a new client whose owner had failed to keep a hold of in the waiting area, even though Marcus had relayed the parlour’s strict rules that dogs must be leashed at all times.
Fernando had just had the suds washed out of his long, thick coat when the Chihuahua had run circles around Marcus, wrapping his lead around his legs.
Not even his thick apron had been able to save him from the shower, as Fernando had shook the water from his coat.
Thankfully, he kept a couple of old T-shirts for accidents just like that.
Rowan would just have to see him in his Cinderella phase—thank goodness he’d worn his ballroom clothes for the beach meeting.
There had been no time to clean up after his whirlwind of a day, so he’d either have to come back tonight and do it, or first thing.
How he missed Georgina.
A cacophony of noise greeted him as he walked into The Cheese Wedge and Pickles. Had he chosen the worst night for a meeting? He couldn’t remember if tonight was quiz night or not.
Jack’s head appeared above a group at the bar, and he gestured to the part of the pub where the pool table was. ‘Marcus, we’re all in there.’
Marcus gave him a thumbs up, and then pointed to himself, making a drinking motion, and then to the bar. Jack nodded his understanding.
Marcus looked around while he was waiting to be served.
It wasn’t quiz night, but it was certainly busy.
He tried to fool himself that his curiosity for searching the sea of faces, was only to see why the pub was so busy on a Tuesday evening, but in fact, he was searching for one face in particular.
‘Good evening, Marcus. Usual?’ Leanne the barmaid’s voice pulled his attention back to the bar.
He smiled warmly at her. ‘Evening, Leanne. I didn’t realise I had a usual.’
‘A pint of lager-top, right?’
Marcus nodded, ‘I guess I do then. Yes please.’
Marcus looked to the other end of the bar to a flustered Nile, who was pouring shots for a large group of people Marcus surmised were holidaymakers.
‘No Pippa and Oliver this evening?’
Leanne pointed in the direction Jack had disappeared. ‘They’re in the pool room. They’re attending the meeting you’ve organised.’
Marcus’s brow lifted. He thought maybe Pippa would attend, but he was pleased both Pipp and Oliver—the original dog competition organisers would be there to advise him.
He paid Leanne, and then fought his way through the crowd to get to the backroom, where the meeting was apparently going to take place.
The smell of food wafted through the kitchen door as he passed it, and he hoped he would be able to concentrate, after once again not finding the time to eat lunch.
Expecting to see just Jack, Christine, Pippa and Oliver when he walked into the pool room, Marcus’s eyes bugged out when he saw the large turnout.
Christine had also brought along Tom, and next to Tom was Ned and Mrs Calloway. Marcus nearly did a double-take when he saw her.
Tammy waved. ‘Declan and Morgan want to come to the next meeting if there is one, but they are working the kitchen this evening.’
Marcus nodded. ‘Fantastic.’
Pippa quickly added, ‘We will have to join them shortly though, Marcus, as you can see, this is not a normal Tuesday evening for us at the pub.’
Marcus shrugged, ‘Of course, I appreciate you making the effort after seeing how busy it is out there.’
Reverend Townsend dipped his head in greeting before taking a long drink of Guinness.
Marcus moved his eyes to the next face, framed by a shock of blonde hair. Veronica was there. She held her hand up in greeting. ‘Hi, I don’t actually own a dog, and I’m also only here for about twenty minutes, as I have a tour starting soon, but I’m usually good with ideas, so I thought I’d come.’
Marcus didn’t miss the rolling of Pippa’s eyes. Did they have history?
He felt his body deflate when he realised Rowan’s face wasn’t amongst them, but he quickly regained his composure.
‘Wow. I’m bowled over. Thank you all for turning up at such short notice to this informal meeting. But before we begin...’ Marcus held up a finger, while he took a long drink of his pint.
‘Steady on there, Marcus,’ Jack laughed, ‘No one’s going to take it off you.’
Marcus almost spurted his beer out at Jack’s witty comment.
‘I need a bit of Dutch courage, Jack, although this pint might just go to my head, I’ve only had a piece of toast so far today,’ he shrugged, ‘much too busy... I digress. Anyway, this is a first for me. I’m waaaay out of my comfort zone.
.. In fact, I’m more comfortable clearing out canine anal glands than this. ’
The group burst out laughing.
‘Joking aside, as I said, I’m over the moon at the turnout. As you are now aware, I’ve offered to take over the dog competition this year on behalf of Pippa and Oliver.’
A small applaud erupted. ‘Good on you, lad,’ said Ned. ‘you might not have been part of the Seagull Bay community for long, but you have earned all your boy scout badges in one go.’
Marcus chuckled. ‘If that’s a weird kind of compliment, Ned, then I’ll take it.’
Ned smiled and nodded.
‘Okay, then let’s get to it.’
Pippa stood up and offered a stack of paperwork to Marcus.
‘Hey, be careful, honey. You should have let me pass that over to Marcus,’ Oliver fussed, holding onto Pippa’s arm as she lowered back into her seat.
‘I’m fine, Ollie. Stop fussing. I’m pregnant, not poorly.’
Marcus took the paperwork. ‘Thank you. I’ll look through this later.’
Christine stood up. ‘Can I just say this.’ Everyone’s eyes turned her way.
‘Marcus has done a very commendable job taking on the organisation and hosting of this year’s dog competition, but with Georgina ill at the moment, and with all the extra bookings as residents prepare their pets for the competition, Marcus has a lot on his plate.
So if we can all chip in and help out, I’m sure the competition will be just as successful as last year. ’
Marcus was grateful for Christine’s verbal support, but it was all good and well Christine fighting his corner, but he didn’t want Pippa thinking he’d regretted offering to help. He glanced Pippa’s way. Thankfully, she was nodding, no look of horror on her face.
‘Quite right,’ said the reverend, ‘it’s wonderful when the community rallies around.’ He looked at Marcus. ‘So what is it you want us to do?’
Marcus rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Well, for starters, how about suggestions. Like the suggestion Jack has made to me about having stalls.’ Marcus looked Jack’s way. ‘It’s a coastal safety one you want to procure, isn’t it, Jack?’
Jack nodded.’ Yes it is. People need to understand the times of the tides. We still have to rescue people on a monthly basis, when they go to the cove in search of the smugglers treasure, not realising there is only a small window of time before the sea cuts them off.’
‘I can supply the wood for the stalls,’ piped up Tom, ‘I have plenty of off-cuts from when I worked with a team of carpenters on a previous contract.’
‘Brilliant,’ beamed Marcus.
‘When was that, Tom?’ Mrs Calloway asked.
Tom and Christine glanced at each other, and Marcus could read the look passed between them. Marcus tried to steer Mrs Calloway away from other people’s personal business and back to the competition.
‘Will you be entering Beau into any categories, Mrs Calloway?’
Mrs Calloway smiled. ‘Will there be a cutest dog category?’
‘There could be, I’ll see what categories were used last year. In the meantime, why don’t you get some ideas together for a couple of new categories... Maybe ask around the bay for suggestions.’
Mrs Calloway nodded. ‘Yes, I’ll be good at that.’
Marcus saw Pippa discretely mouth to Oliver, ‘I bet she will.’
Marcus quickly glanced at his phone to check the time. Where was Rowan? He’d been there when he’d told Jack the time of the meeting.
Pippa and Oliver stood up. Is there anything you’d like us to help out with before we get back to work,’ asked Oliver.
‘Just be available for questions, if you don’t mind. I’ll need to pick your brains about safety regs and whatnot.’
Jack piped up. ‘I should be able to help with understanding any regulations concerning the beach.’
Marcus nodded. ‘Thank you, Jack.’
‘We’ve included all that kind of paperwork in the bundle we’ve just given you, Marcus, but any further questions, you know where to find us,’ said Pippa, through a yawn. ‘Sorry, that wasn’t a boredom yawn.’
The group laughed. ‘We understand,’ said Christine, ‘get yourself off to bed, I’m sure Oliver can cope without you.’
‘I keep telling her that.’ Oliver’s voice was laced with concern.
‘I’m fine, Ollie. I’ll just go sit in the kitchen and peel spuds or something.’
Oliver shook his head with a smile as they made their way back into the main area of the pub.
‘I have a suggestion,’ said Reverend Townsend, ‘why don’t I offer blessings on all the entries. I’ll erect a small tent where the pups and their owners can have a private blessing.’
Marcus had to stifle his laugh. But as funny as the suggestion was, it was also cute. ‘That’s a unique idea, reverend. I bet no other dog competition has had a dog-blessing station before. Yes, thank you.’
Out the periphery of his vision, Marcus saw a large figure enter the pool room. Everyone’s eyes looked that way, and Marcus’s head followed. His eyes settled on the handsome face that looked uncomfortable under the scrutiny of everyone.
The face turned to Marcus. ‘Sorry I’m late.’