CHAPTER Twelve
Christopher
It’s Thursday night, and Grandpa and I are heading to Sweet Cocktails so we can talk to Janette. Usually, I don’t drink on a weekday, but one glass won’t hurt.
“Are you ready to go?” I ask.
“I’ll grab my jacket.” My grandpa goes for the peg, but I beat him to it.
“Let me.” I help him into it, then we make our way to the bar.
“It’s a beautiful night for a stroll by the river.”
“Indeed it is.”
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on yet?”
“I think it will be better to hear it from Janette. You know the sincerest pitches come from the heart.”
“That they do.” We stroll along the dock and into Sweet Cocktails. Soft music plays, and the lights are brighter than usual. Janette is already sitting in the booth we shared on Saturday night. Nellie’s eyes widen in surprise when she sees us. She smiles but doesn’t come over.
I help my grandpa into the booth.
“Thanks for coming,” Janette says.
“Shall I get us a drink?” I ask.
“Nellie can bring them over.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll get them.” I walk toward the bar before either of them can say more. “Evening,” I say to Nellie.
“Is that your grandad? He’s cute.”
“Are you trying to make me jealous?”
She laughs. “You’re a funny guy. What can I get you?”
“What’s Janette drinking?”
“Coffee.”
“I’ll take a coffee and two Irish coffees.”
“Jameson?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll just get the cream.” She disappears into the back room with the fridges in, and I follow her.
“I’ve got some cream for you,” I say, kissing her neck.
“Down boy. Your grandpa’s here. I don’t want him to see me slacking off.”
“He’s not investing in Sweet Cocktails. It’s me you should be trying to impress.”
“If you were my boss, we’d have to stop fooling around.”
“Well, then, I guess I’ll turn the opportunity down.” I kiss down her neck and she melts back into me. We make out until she finally pushes me away.
“There will be time for frisky business later. Right now, I have a job to do.” She gets the cream from the fridge and returns to the bar. I adjust my dick, willing it to deflate quickly. When I’m comfortable, I collect the drinks and take them over to the booth.
My grandpa watches me for a few seconds, then glances toward the bar. Without saying anything, he takes a drink of his coffee.
“I want to host an event that screams sophistication,” Janette says.
“It’s clear you have some idea of how to make a place look stylish,” my grandpa replies, looking around Sweet Cocktails.
“Thank you. I’m glad you approve of the décor. Okay, I’ll cut to the chase. I’m hoping you’ll let me host a business event at your racing box.”
“At Aintree?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. What date were you thinking?”
“I know how much you enjoy watching the horses, but I’d like it to be on a race day.”
“Why not bring them here?”
“I want to reel them in before I show them the goods. I was thinking of hosting an after-party here.” She goes on to explain the details like she did to me, then outlines the deal she offered me.
“Do you mind if I have a moment with my grandson?” His face is masked from emotion so he gives nothing away.
She hesitates for a moment but then agrees to his request. “Sure.” She scoots out of her seat and goes over to the bar.
“Don’t you think you have enough to do with the farm without taking on a bar too?”
“It’s a good investment. I’ve looked at the figures.”
“Be truthful with me. Is there some other reason why you like Sweet Cocktails?” Even though I try to fight it, I look over at Nellie. My grandpa follows my gaze. “Is this about a woman?”
“It’s true, I like drinking at this bar. I’ve got to know some of the staff and I’ve been told about possible improvements that could increase sales. If we served food, especially through the day, we could open up to more customers.”
“What if things end with this woman and you’re left in an awkward spot? It’s not a good idea to mix business with pleasure.” Just like Nellie, my grandfather has reservations about us working together. I understand them, but I’m not ready to forget the idea of being a joint bar owner yet.
“I won’t let things get complex. We’re both adults. If I put Nellie in charge of Sweet Cocktails, I’d practically be another silent partner. I’ve been coming here long enough to know she can deal with what’s thrown at her.”
“Why can’t she buy the place herself?”
“Not everyone has that kind of money.” I shrug. I’m an impulsive person, and my grandpa knows this. Making fast choices has never let me down before.
“Bring her over here. I want to meet her.”
I rub the stubble on my chin. “She might be nervous at that idea.”
“Where has your confidence in her gone?” He gives me a stern look.
He’s testing my faith in her, and I have no choice but to bite. “Fine. I’ll call her over.”
When I catch Nellie’s attention, I wave her over. “Hi. What can I get you, boys?” She pulls out her notepad.
“It’s been a long time since I was called a boy,” my grandpa says.
“Sorry. I meant gentlemen.” She touches her pen to the paper.
“Actually, we’d like to talk to you. Please take a seat.” My grandpa is full business right from the start.
She looks between us. “Sure.” She hesitantly takes a seat opposite us.
“What does Sweet Cocktails mean to you?”
“Is this a job interview?” She laughs nervously.
“Humour me.” He smiles for the first time since she came over.
“I’ve worked here since I was seventeen. I know all the cocktails we serve by heart. I enjoy mixing with people and surprising people’s taste buds. Overtime is something I want, and I’ll smile through any situation.”
“What about running the bar?”
She swipes her hand over the front of her hair. “I’ve opened and closed. I can deal with difficult people.” Her tone is unsure, and I’m not used to seeing her nervous.
He nods. “School?”
She frowns. “What do you mean?”
“What qualifications do you have?”
“I finished high school. Nothing significant.” She shrugs like education isn’t that important to her. Unless she intended to do something with a degree, I guess she doesn’t need any more qualifications.
“And what about my grandson?”
She looks at me. Her face reddens and then she stutters her answer. “We’re… erm… friends.” At the core, that’s what we are, and I’m glad she gave that answer.
“Thank you for your time, young lady.” He smiles warmly. Nellie handled herself well with my grandpa’s questioning. He’s only trying to figure out what’s going on with the bar and my personal life.
“Thanks. Can I get back to work now?” She points to the bar.
“Sure.”
She leaves us, and when she’s out of earshot, my grandpa says, “This business isn’t for you.”
“What makes you say that?” My eyebrows pull together.
“Call it intuition.”
I nod but don’t understand what he means.
Janette brings more coffee over, minus the alcohol. “Have you had time to consider my offer?”
“You can borrow my box for your meeting, but Christopher isn’t interested in investing.” He speaks for me, and I don’t argue.
She glances at me but doesn’t question his words. “Thank you.”
“Tell me about the young barmaid.” My grandpa seems fixated on Nellie, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. She’s not my girlfriend, but I wouldn’t say she’s not significant.
“Nellie lives with her sister. She’s a good girl, but her dependant takes priority.”
Janette has opened the conversation to an area I want to know more about. “Where’s her mum?” I ask.
“She wouldn’t tell anyone this, but her mum is scatty. She isn’t good for either of her daughters. As far as I know, she’s been off doing her own thing for over six months.”
My eyes widen. What limited information I have on Nellie fits with what Janette is saying. Basically, she’s caring for her sister like a single parent. This is a lot to think about, but I try not to show any emotion. I need to process without casting judgement.
We make arrangements for the VIP box with Janette before we leave. Once in the car, we start talking again.
“That was interesting,” my grandpa says.
“Yes. Janette seems pleased she can use your box.”
“I meant the girl.”
“Oh.”
“Sweet Cocktails isn’t for you. It’s too much commitment, and you’re only looking at it on a whim. Nellie, on the other hand, is a real gem. She could be good for you.”
How did he come to this conclusion in so little time? She has someone to care for and she doesn’t have much money. Not that either of these things put me off what we have. “We’re just friends.”
“Whatever you say.”
I ponder over what happened tonight but don’t understand what my grandfather saw. He’s got me thinking hard, though.