Maybe in the future, with Adrian’s help, that was something he would remedy.
Chapter Sixteen
Familiar
Adrian arrived at the now-familiar bar of the Manor Inn at six-thirty, lucky to find a small round table still available. He straddled the knee-high stool facing the front door as soon as he’d bought drinks, anticipation filling his chest. The place had almost become as familiar as the Red Lion back in Drayton and, if pushed, he could probably recite the bar menu word-for-word. He’d introduced Toni to the place on Monday—almost empty, as usual—when she’d met Megan and the daughter, whose name turned out to be Maggie.
Friday night and the place was bursting at the seams, with all the larger tables already occupied. Tonight Megan was assisted by a man around the same age—her husband probably—and her daughter, all helping to serve the crowds. He noticed the man at one end of the bar now, during a lull in service, chatting and laughing with a group of men around the same age. Even being busy, both Megan and her daughter found time to come over and say hello, to collect the truck keys from him and ask after Leonard and the renovations on the house. No doubt they had become a popular topic of gossip in the quiet town.
“You’re a proper regular now, aren’t you?” said the daughter, Maggie, as her mother returned to the bar with empties. Adrian recognised the flirty look well, had spent a lifetime reading the signs.
“Feels that way,” laughed Adrian. “Who are all these people, anyway. And why is the place so busy?”
“Are you serious? It’s the May bank holiday weekend, isn’t it? Where have you been?” Adrian had been holed up in the house all week, with just Toni’s smartphone playlist and Bluetooth speaker to keep them company. “Most of them’s holidaymakers. Dad’s pleased, of course, ‘cause all our rooms are booked up and we’ll probably be rushed off our feet next week.”
“Is that your dad behind the bar?”
“Yeah, lazy sod. Usually lets us run the place when it’s quiet. Had to get off his backside tonight. Those old blokes are all his local buddies. You should go say hello.”
“I’m good, thanks,” he said, winking at her, which made her laugh and put some colour in her cheeks.
When she left, Adrian rechecked his phone. Almost seven. Leonard had texted him from Swindon and said he’d be arriving around sixty-forty-five, traffic willing. Why the hell did he feel such nervous excitement just looking at the message? Maybe because he wanted Leonard to relish the way the house was shaping up as much as he did. Or more likely because he knew he would have someone sharing his bed tonight.
During the week, Toni had insisted they venture out farther during a couple of the evenings, to find different places to visit and more varied food to eat. Adrian had come to realise just how provincial the area actually was— probably the way Howie had felt about Newbridge and the surrounding area. Drayton in Norwich, where Adrian lived, was hardly a metropolis, but at least the town had a regular bus service, its own train station and more shopping choices. Then again, maybe that was the charm of somewhere like Newbridge, that the town remained far enough away from the noise and trappings of modern life.
“What are you smiling at?” came the warm, all-too-familiar voice.
Adrian’s head shot up, followed by his body, which almost knocked the table over.
“Lenny,” he said, wanting to hug the man, but quickly coming to terms with his surroundings. Instead, he thrust a hand out in welcome.
“Whoa, careful there,” said Lenny, his own hand coming down to steady the table. Without caring what people thought, Lenny ignored the outstretched hand and stepped around the side of the table. Without hesitation, he grabbed hold of Adrian and pulled his body into his own. Adrian allowed himself to be encompassed by the man, let the warmth and strength of his arms hold him as though they were long-lost friends.
“Are you sniffing me?” muttered Adrian after a second, chuckling while squeezing Lenny back.
“What if I am?” said Lenny, letting him go and taking a seat. “I’ve missed you.”
Adrian waited until they both sat down, for Lenny to remove his coat and settle, continuing to stare intently at him until their eyes met.
“I missed you, too,” he said, winking. “What was the hold up?”
“In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a gale whipping up out there. Don’t think there’ll be rain, but it’s going to be a wild night.” Lenny winked back at Adrian. “If I play my cards right.”
Lenny’s grin widened into a full, unabashed smile, and railroaded Adrian’s usually ever-present appetite for food. He wanted them both to drink up so he could take Lenny back to the house.
Unfortunately, Lenny had other ideas.
“Before that, however,” he said, placing his phone and car keys next to the pint glass, “I really need this pint. And I’m famished. Haven’t eaten since breakfast. What are the specials tonight?”
While Lenny chugged on his beer, Adrian rattled off the three specials, none of which had particularly caught his imagination. They both settled on the beef and ale pie with onion mash, on the basis that it would probably be quicker to prepare and finish up.
When Adrian returned from the bar, Lenny was on his phone. Adrian stood by his stool and mouthed to Leonard whether the call was private, Lenny shook his head and pulled the phone to his chest.
“It’s my cousin, Mary. Just give me a second.”
Adrian nodded and tried to concentrate on his pint of ale but kept catching Lenny’s eye.
“It’s okay,” said Lenny into the phone, meeting Adrian’s eyes and winking. “Your mother explained that to me at the funeral. I hope everything’s okay?”
