CHAPTER Five
Nellie
My boss, Janette, busted my ass for being late to work, but I promised I’d make up the time. Christopher has slowed down his drinking but is still at the bar, watching me with curiosity. It’s unnerving, although I’m thankful for the lift home.
“Nellie, are the drinks ready for table five?” Polly, my friend and fellow barmaid asks.
“Yes. Just one more thing.” I pull up the tray from under the counter and add an umbrella to the pina colada before gesturing for her to take the order. “Perfect.”
“Thanks.” She takes the tray, and I look at the next scrap of paper with table one’s martini choices on it. I get the glasses and line them up ready to get to work on the order.
“Last orders in ten minutes,” my boss announces.
“Is it always this busy?” Christopher asks.
“Yes. You just miss it. By ten, your dates are usually getting handsy and you’ve left.”
He laughs. “You’re probably right.”
“So, why is tonight different? Why don’t you have a date?”
“I thought about what you said.”
“And what was that?” I finish up the martini drinks as a crowd accumulates around the bar. “Hold that thought.” I serve the customers, and Polly hands out the last few orders I have written down on scraps of paper. My boss rings the final bell to signal we’re closing as I print the last few bills. Polly takes them to the customers, and I start to clean down the bar top.
Leaning on the bar, I say, “So…?” ready to hear Christopher’s answer to my question.
“Last week, you said I need someone more permanent. Someone who understands my needs and won’t get wrapped up in planning our future.”
I did say that, didn’t I? I’m surprised he was ready to hear it, though. “Good for you. Where do you think you’ll find this girl?”
He gives me a look. One that suggests the answer is obvious. Who does he have in mind? The only person he’s staring at is me. No. That can’t be right.
“Me?” I touch my chest, feeling my heart rate accelerate.
Polly puts a tray of empty glasses on the bar, breaking the daze that’s washed over me. She doesn’t linger as she goes to get some more glasses.
“Why not you?” he asks.
Bile rises in my throat as panic sets in. I never thought I’d see the day he showed an interest in me. I’ve found him attractive since the first time I laid eyes on him, but I didn’t think we’d ever be friends. “I work most nights. I’ve got other responsibilities with my sister. Dating someone is the last thing on my mind.”
“They sound like excuses rather than a no.”
My boss comes over with another tray of dirty glasses. “You can close tonight, Nellie. I expect everything spotless for when I arrive tomorrow lunchtime. Come on. Get a move on. These trays aren’t going to clear themselves.”
“Sure,” I say with a frown. She’s pissed off that I was late, even though I couldn’t help it. Urgh. Closing is the worst, although I should have expected it for my tardiness. At least Christopher will be able to walk me along the River Mersey if I accept his ride. The docks are beautiful, but a little scary this late at night.
My conversation with Christopher will have to wait until I’ve got on top of some of the cleaning. I load the dishwasher in the back room before helping Polly wipe down some of the tables.
“What’s with Mr McNabb tonight?” she asks.
“No idea, but he’s offered to help me get home, which I could really use.” That’s an ounce of the truth. He’s sort of told me why he’s solo tonight, but I need to stay focused on my job rather than think about his offer.
Polly and I work the room as my boss encourages the customers to move on. By the time, the last person leaves, my boss is sitting, talking to Christopher. Polly leaves after the tables are done, while I mop the floor.
“I thought you were leaving?” I say to my boss.
“Oh, I am,” she says. “It was nice to catch up with you, Christopher. Don’t forget to tell your parents I was asking about them and maybe I’ll see you next weekend. Did you remember your keys, Nellie?” She seems less cross than she did earlier, which I’m glad about. I need this job.
I check my cardigan pocket, which is stuffed in a cupboard behind the bar. “Yes. I have them. Goodnight.”
“Thanks for taking this one home for me,” she says to Christopher.
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Goodnight.”
She turns off some of the lights and leaves me to finish up. The last set of glasses goes into the dishwasher, and I start to cash up the till. Saturdays are always busy, but tonight has been a one for takings.
“Do you like your job?” Christopher asks.
“Yes. It fits well into my life.”
“Don’t you have any bigger dreams?”
I shrug. “Yes, of course I do, but they’re not on the cards for me.”
“Why not?”
To protect myself and Ainsley, I need to be brief. Working at night means I can be around for my sister during the day. When she’s at school, she’s pretty much out, but I’m there if she needs me. During the holidays, we hang out and I take her to gymnastics. With my mum dipping in and out of our lives, working nights works best. “I’d like what most people would. Money, security, and a way to express the talents I have.”
“Are you an artist?”
“Not on paper. But I like making cocktails. If this was my bar, I’d mix good food with great drinks. But none of that is going to happen. I’m living in a council house with my family. There’s nothing coming to change that.”
“Never say never.” He seems to be thinking hard about what I’m saying. His face is too serious for my liking, but I try not to let it affect me.
I shrug. “I guess.”
“Do you find me attractive?” The conversation has come full circle.
His question catches me off guard, and my face starts to heat. “You can’t ask me that.”
“Why not?”
The dishwasher finishes, plummeting us into silence. Christopher is gorgeous. I’ve thought that since the first time I saw him. Our relationship has never been anything more than a bit of banter. I’m not looking for a boyfriend or someone to take me out, but that’s not what Christopher is offering.
Sex is not a sin. I might not be adventurous in the bedroom, but I’m not a virgin. It’s been a while since I had someone, and his offer is tempting. We’re at a crossroads, and my decision will have consequences.
His muscles are tight under his shirt and, shamefully, I start to wonder what it would be like to run my hands down his body. My face now feels like it’s on fire. “Fine. You’re attractive, but you knew that already. You have a new date on your arm every week. That much is obvious.”
I bag up the money and take it into the back so I can put it in the safe. Once it’s locked away, I take a deep breath. Am I actually considering Christopher’s offer? I shake my head. Not because I’m ready to tell him no, but I’m too nervous to say yes.
When I’ve composed myself, I grab my things and step back into the bar area. I switch off the remaining lights and gesture toward the door. He follows me outside, leaving Sweet Cocktails behind. There’s a thick vibe in the air. Maybe it’s nerves or sexual tension, but it’s putting me on edge.
Pulling the keys from my pocket, I lock the door. When I turn to face Christopher, he’s holding out his own keys. I’m nervous about driving such an expensive car, but somehow, he’s confident in my ability. “For you, driver.”
“Thanks.” His keys have wings on them. The brand looks familiar, but it’s not one at the forefront of my mind. We walk to the car park in silence. It’s not uncomfortable, yet the tension is still there. I’m unsure what to say to break the mood. There are a few cars in the car park, and we make our way past them until we’re standing in front of a silver Aston Martin.
He leans over my shoulder and presses the button to unlock his car. I’m walking down a new path and this feels like a big step. He opens the door for me and I climb inside. It’s too late to back out now. I buckle myself in while he gets into the other side. Here we go.