As they walked towards the pub Eleni held open the door. ‘And I’ve only got one thing to say.’
‘I hope it’s, I’m sorry,’ suggested Julia, ‘as you did very nearly crash my car.’
‘More like, let’s get a drink, we have your good news to celebrate.’
‘And just so you know, the drinks are on you.’
‘Okay boss!’ chirped Eleni, with a salute.
Chapter Three
The second they stepped inside the pub Allie waved at Julia and Eleni from behind the bar. As usual Allie was thoroughly at home serving the regulars, leaning against the pumps with all her usual confidence on display. She was invincibly cheerful as ever, but as Julia weaved her way towards the bar with Eleni following close behind, she thought Allie looked tired.
Even though Allie was a natural behind the bar, she had her work cut out on days like this, and her words came out in a shout. ‘How’s your day going?’
‘Apart from this one just tried to kill me.’ Julia rolled her eyes towards Eleni.
‘What? Why? How?’ Allie asked confused, straightening the beer mats in front of them.
‘Never offer to teach someone to drive.’
Allie chuckled. ‘It’s going well, then. You’ll be in need of a stiff drink.’
‘A bottle of pinot grigio and two glasses. We are celebrating.’
‘You’re celebrating she nearly killed you?’ chuckled Allie, reaching for a bottle of wine from the fridge behind her.
Julia shook her head. ‘Not quite. The planning permission for the B&B has finally been granted!’
‘Oh, that’s brilliant news Julia, I’m made up for you.’
‘Thank you, me too,’ replied Julia smiling. Everything was planned, Julia had numerous spreadsheets with all the costs estimated and how long each part of the building work should take. She couldn’t wait to call the builder and negotiate a start date.
‘Oh, and if you’re hungry, Dad has the BBQ going in the pub garden. You know what he’s like the second the sun comes out; he can’t help himself.’ Allie swiped Julia’s cash card and gave it her back.
As they ventured outside Julia looked around for a vacant table. The setting was perfect, with a small terrace area filled with wrought-iron tables and chairs and glorious blooms tumbling from the planters in every corner. Fairy lights wrapped around the wooden trestle above them and there were three wooden steps down to the lawn area.
‘This is the life,’ said Julia, thankful that all her jobs at the B&B were done for today and she had no intention of venturing back anytime soon.
They settled on a wooden bench not far from the sizzle of the BBQ. Allie’s dad, Fraser, was in his element and looked the part, wearing his wife Meredith’s apron and poking at the coals vigorously. ‘There’s burgers ready,’ he shouted triumphantly as Allie ferried out a large platter of bread buns and people began to form an orderly queue.
Julia relaxed and poured herself and Eleni a glass of wine. ‘We can leave the car here, I’ll pick it up in the morning.’
‘Suits me,’ replied Eleni, holding her glass up. ‘Here’s to you and new beginnings.’
They clinked glasses and both took a sip.
‘I love days like this,’ murmured Julia, but she knew it wouldn’t be long before the temperature changed. Winter in Heartcross could be absolutely brutal, as everyone had discovered last year when the thawing snow had flooded Heartcross and the fierce storms had brought the bridge crashing down, leaving them all stranded. Julia glanced around the garden and, spotting Alfie, beckoned him over. ‘Guess what I have?’ she said, unable to hide the beam on her face.
Alfie smiled as he strolled over towards them. ‘I know exactly what you have… planning permission. I get all the inside information, working in the council offices. Congratulations! When does all the chaos begin? Have you lined up your builder?’
‘Hopefully as soon as possible, but I need to give Jack a ring – the builder you recommended.’
Jack Langdon was the eldest of three brothers working for the family business, established in the 90s, based in Glensheil. They’d come highly recommended by Alfie and when Julia checked out their history and reviews, no one had a bad word to say about them. She knew he’d be perfect for the job.
‘Jack’s here you know, I spotted him inside earlier. Go and have a chat with him,’ encouraged Alfie, draining his pint and placing the empty glass on the table. ‘I was just on my way home but congratulations again. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon.’
‘Will do, thanks Alfie.’
‘So what does this Jack Langdon look like?’ enquired Eleni, watching the queue finally diminish at the side of Fraser. ‘And I’m feeling a bit peckish, do you fancy a burger?’
Julia looked astounded. ‘You’re feeling peckish after that slab of cake we devoured before coming out?’
‘Always room for more food, and it’ll help to soak up the alcohol.’
Julia couldn’t believe how much Eleni put away. One of the perks of cooking the Full Scottish breakfast every morning was that Eleni got to make one for herself, and the amount of cake she consumed was astronomical – yet she never put an ounce of weight on. Unlike Julia, who only had to look at anything remotely unhealthy and wham – she automatically put half a stone on.
‘There’s Jack.’ Julie nodded towards the huddle of lads glugging lager and laughing heartily a few tables away from them. They watched as the lads lifted their pint glasses high in the air and cheered. ‘It looks like they’re having a good time.’
Jack Langdon looked like he should be on the front of a surfer magazine, with his mop of curly hair and olive skin. He was deeply tanned and looked like he’d been on holiday for a month.
‘How old is he? And he’s going to be our builder? I approve.’ Eleni was watching him closely. ‘He will be a very welcome attraction around the place.’
‘He’s around twenty-five at a guess, and if he is going to be our builder, he doesn’t need any distractions until my building work is completed,’ joked Julia with a smile.
‘Hmm, I’ll do my best but no promises… Girlfriend?’
Julia shrugged. ‘How would I know?’
‘Because you village-type people know everything about everyone, always into each other’s business.’
Julia swiped her arm playfully. ‘Don’t you be cheeky.’
‘Oh, and don’t look now, but here’s your favourite villager…’ Eleni tipped Julia a wink.
‘Huh?’
Julia’s head angled towards the entrance. In walked Flynn Carter with a confident swagger. He was now clean-shaven, wearing a Fred Perry T-shirt, navy blue shorts and flip flops.
‘Nice legs,’ stated Eleni, staring at his tanned legs and muscular calves, but Eleni didn’t need to point them out, Julia had already noticed.
‘There’s only a certain type of man who can pull off wearing flip-flops and he’s definitely one of them,’ continued Eleni.
Julia watched as Flynn disappeared inside the pub and walked out moments later clutching a beer. He parked himself at an empty table not far from the BBQ and began scrolling through his phone.