Page 37 of A Seaside Escape


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‘Yes, it’s your modesty I admire the most,’ she mocked sarcastically. He really didn’t look thirty-seven though.

He made a face at her. ‘Right, I’m off to get this tap sorted. I need that chalkboard making and if it’s the sink holding you back, I’ll make sure it doesn’t stand in your way.’

Greg put his empty cup in the sink and headed straight for the workshop. Just like last time, she ran upstairs, showered and dressed.

She strolled up to the workshop with more coffee and got out the bits and pieces she needed to start on Greg’s board. She decided she was going to paint a top section in the same blue as the pub door and then write ‘Greg McBradden Playing Live Here.’ The bottom part would be chalkboard so he could write the dates on. She found a piece of wood in amongst her offcuts that would be the perfect size and set about undercoating it. They both worked in silence apart from the iPod, this time belting out a little Pearl Jam. And, of course, Greg sang along.

The tap was finished around lunchtime and he turned the handle to show Malory the cascading water. ‘Right, I’ll be off then. Think I’ll give the boat another try today. There seemed to be a few tourists around and I think the rental cottage just up from the shop has a large family staying, so fingers crossed.’

She waved him off at the front door and got back to work on the board.

At five that night she showered again, to rid herself of the paint splats. She was very pleased with the job she had made and was happy that the weather had been warm enough to enable it to dry and be completed all in the day. It was ready to take with her when she went over to the pub.

She rummaged through her clothes looking for something suitable for her first night working in the pub. She found a pair of black trousers and a fitted, V-necked black and grey top with a paisley pattern. She straightened her long tresses and applied make-up. When she looked at herself in her full-length mirror she actually liked what she saw for the first time in ages. She didn’t look quite so pale and her eyes were showing the life they had before Sam’s passing. She opted for contacts, pulled on her black jacket, picked up the brown paper wrapped board and set out for the pub, leaving Ruby curled up in her favourite spot in front of the fireplace, regardless of the fact there was no fire lit.

Her nerves were shredded by the time she had walked the few hundred yards to the pub. Stella greeted her warmly. She was such a lovely bubbly woman and put Mallory at ease straight away.

‘I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Greg then. It’s my night off and I really feel like putting my feet up.’ Stella lifted up the bar to allow Mallory through.

Once she had hung her coat in the back, Mallory took the package back through to Greg who was chatting to Ron at the bar.

A huge grin spread across Greg’s face. ‘Is that what I think it is?’ he asked.

‘Hmm, depends what you think it is,’ she toyed with him.

‘I think it’s my chalkboard,’ he said hopefully.

‘Then in that case you would be correct.’ She handed him the package and he ripped off the paper like a kid on Christmas morning. She laughed at his enthusiasm.

He held the board at arm’s length but didn’t speak. His grin was gone.

Oh great, he thinks it’s rubbish, Mallory worried to herself.

‘Mallory, Mallory, Mallory… it’s bloody brilliant!’ Greg shook his head as a huge grin returned to his face.

Phew!Mallory silently breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Bloody brilliant!’ he repeated, ‘I love it!’ He turned it to show Ron.

‘Aye she’s a talented lassie, our Mallory.’ He nodded, smiling.

Our Mallory. Her heart warmed at Ron’s choice of words.

Greg put the board down leaning it up against the bar. He turned to Mallory and for a moment looked rather awkward. Eventually he grabbed her and hugged her hard enough that she almost felt winded. Her cheeks heated at his show of gratitude. When he freed her she just smiled, not really knowing what to say.

Greg’s cheeks coloured and he fidgeted, running his hands through his hair. He obviously didn’t do public displays of affection comfortably. He muttered something under his breath about keeping it out of the way so it didn’t get damaged and walked out towards the back of the pub. Mallory looked at Ron and they both chuckled.

When Greg returned he had pulled himself together and began to show Mallory the ropes. He showed her how to operate the till, take food orders, where the glasses were kept, how to measure out shorts, and everything else he could think to teach her.

Then came the moment she had been dreading. She knew how folks, especially men, could be rather picky about the way their beer was served. She was aware that too much froth – ‘It’s called a head,’ Greg had corrected her – was a bad thing but not enough froth – ‘Head, Mallory!’ – was just as bad.

She gulped as Greg showed her how to tilt the glass at just the right angle. Not too far. The beer slid down the side of the glass and he slowly brought it to an upright position as the glass filled.Impressive, he makes that look easy.

It was her turn. The first pint was all froth –sorry, head. Greg and Ron howled with laughter. Mallory felt her cheeks heat again. The second, all beer,nohead. The men laughed again. Mallory was annoyed and stamped her foot like a petulant child. The third was better and had potential, according to Greg and Ron.

Greg decided it was time to let Mallory loose on the customers, so he stood back and gestured for her to serve the couple who came to the bar. Once she was done and had managed to get their order correctandgive them the right change, she felt quite proud of herself. Greg and Ron gave her a mini round of applause.

Ron beamed. ‘Aye, you’re a natural, lassie. And you’ll certainly brighten this place up, if you know what I mean.’ He gestured towards Greg and winked at her, making her giggle.

Greg thankfully didn’t see Ron’s gesture. ‘See, I told you you’d be fine. Now you’ll need to decide what hours you’d like to do, but really, I could do with some help on the nights I’m playing here. You know when the crowds hear about my gig and they come swarming in droves.’ He chuckled and Mallory rolled her eyes.