Chapter Seven
June 2015
Mallory was really enjoying working at the pub. She had made several new friends and had mastered the art of pint pulling in the two weeks since she had begun perfecting the skill. Greg had been great and they had laughed a lot during their shifts together. The chalkboard had made an appearance when Greg had played his second gig, which had been surprisingly busy.
It was a week until her birthday, but she hadn’t heard anything from Josie about when her and Brad were coming up, which was more than a little disappointing. But knowing her friends of old she felt sure they would be in touch soon to make the necessary arrangements; after all they knew how important it was to her for them to be with her on her first birthday since Sam’s death.
She stood behind the bar on the night of Greg’s third gig and he was, as always, dressed for the occasion. Tonight, he wore a white linen shirt and he had married it with khaki combats.Very smart, Mallory smiled. Although, why he felt he had to look different on the other side of the bar befuddled her.
‘You look terrified,’ she commented as he stood drinking a glass of cola. ‘What’s up?’
‘Ah, nothing. I always get like this before I go on. Goodness knows why. I’m a grown man.’
‘Age has nothing to do with it. We all get nervous, Greg. You’ll be fine.’
He checked the clock and so did she. Eight, time to go on and the bar had filled up nicely. People enjoyed coming to hear him sing and Mallory enjoyed it too.
He took his position at the mic and lifted his guitar onto his lap. ‘Evening all, anyone would think something was going on with all of yous turning up tonight,’ he joked. ‘As always, I’ll steer clear of my own stuff but be warned, one of these days I’m going to sneak one in when you’re not looking.’ A low mumble of laughter ran around the pub. ‘Don’t forget, no singing along, it puts me off and yous lot can’t sing anyway.’ The usual jovial boos and light-hearted heckles came.
‘Right, this first song is a wee bit obscure, but I love it, so tough if you don’t.’ He smiled. ‘It’s by a band called Nirvana who take me back to my younger days. I’d like to dedicate this to someone who I think I can now class as a good mate. Mallory, this is for you. It’s called “About a Girl”.’
He began to strum his guitar and his eyes closed as they always did when he first started to play. Mallory was touched by his gesture and when he opened his eyes and looked her way she smiled her approval as she bobbed around to the music. He nodded and winked at her with a cheeky grin. The song felt quite appropriate too given their long chats about their lost loves.
Greg’s set was very well received and he even had a swarm of young women around him by the end of the night. They had been in last time, but hadn’t dared approach him. This time they had obviously acquired a little Dutch courage. They giggled and played with their hair as they chatted to him and he seemed a little embarrassed but also appeared to be enjoying the attention.
Mallory chuckled at how the girls flirted and batted their eyes. ‘Get you with your groupies,’ she joked when he came over to the bar, finally rid of the mini harem.
‘Aye, they cannae resist.’ He blushed. ‘What did you think tonight, matey?’ he asked. She smiled at the new term of endearment she seemed to have been allocated.
She scrunched her face. ‘I thought it was a bit rubbish really.’ She carried on emptying the dishwasher under the bar. He looked hurt. ‘God, for someone who doesn’t get offended easily, you get offended…easily!’ She threw a bar towel at him. ‘You were fab as always, you numpty.’
Greg frowned. ‘Great choice of words. Remind me to get you to critique my first album, eh?’ He threw the towel back at her.
‘I especially liked the Nirvana track you opened with.’
‘Aye well, that’ll be before your time, eh? You being such a kid,’ he teased.
‘Oy! I remember Nirvana very well thank you.’ Mallory went through to the back to get her coat.
‘Are you finished up here? I’ll walk you home if you like?’
‘Why? Scared some of your groupies will be waiting outside?’ Her turn to tease him now.
‘Funny.’ He made a face at her. ‘Actually, I could murder a coffee and I’ve none left at home.’ He grinned.
‘Cheeky sod.’ She laughed.
They walked back to Mallory’s and were greeted by a very giddy little black dog who sniffed at Greg and followed him around, scenting her new canine friend. Mallory went to put the kettle on.
‘Your answering machine light is flashing,’ Greg hollered into the kitchen.
‘Oh right, thanks.’ She made the coffee and carried it through to the lounge, placing it on the tree stump table.
She hit ‘play’ on the answering machine. ‘Oh hi, Mally. It’s Josie… look I’m really sorry, but we can’t make it up for your birthday. Brad has a lot on with his latest job and we just won’t get the time to come up. I’m sure you understand, babe. I’ll ring you later. Love you! Bye, bye.’
Devastated, Mallory slumped onto the sofa. Josie and Brad hadn’t been up since the funeral and she missed them like mad. How could they miss her birthday? They promised they’d be here.
Greg came and sat beside her and rested an arm loosely around her shoulder.
