Ruby was on a mission. She went into the Dance Hall determined to get the job. She did not want to become financially dependant on a man she only knew a handful of days. She had her game face on when she met Linda Merryweather at the front door. Frankie was right. It only took her a brisk 20 minute walk from her front door to the Dance Hall, which made commuting to work as easy as it had been back in Portland to Vince’s. no doubt that’s why he chose that house for them.
Linda Merryweather was appropriately named, as she was a bundle of sunshine. She had platinum blonde hair in two low pigtails and bangs framing her face. The uniform suited her, black trousers and a long-sleeved black shirt with GVDH on the left of her chest in a white oval. The logo was high enough not to be inappropriate. Her bright blue eyes drained a lot of Ruby’s performance anxiety from her, but not her determination.
Linda smiled and nodded, listening to all of Ruby’s interview answers and her pitch as to why the proprietor should hire her. She put her all into selling her people skills, her experience working in a bar, and her work ethic.
“Oh that’s wonderful.” Linda had giggled at her and cut her off after 10 minutes of listening to her. “Can you start Tuesday? We’ve had to swap things around this week so senior night will be on Tuesday instead of Wednesday, and Bennie will be on his own otherwise.”
…
…
…huh?
“W-erm, yes?”
“Oh that’s perfect. Ryan, our regular temp, has moved on again and I’m pulling my pigtails out trying to cover for him and see to all the front of house stuff too. I’m sure you’ll be a firm fit here. It will be nice to have another woman on the team too. A female bartender should keep the boys from getting too rowdy. You’ll whip them into shape I’m sure. Welcome to the Glen Valley Dance Hall team Ruby.”
It had been that easy. All she had to do was show Linda she knew how to run the bar and make a selection of drinks, which she could do with her eyes shut, and that was it. Hired.
Linda let her head out with a smile and a wave, and Ruby couldn’t wait to tell Nella all about it. I’ve been wanting to get a bartender spot for years, and now I’ve got it. Here in Glen Valley.
Frankie turns up and wants to be a dad to Nella. He accepts her for who she is. They get a fresh start, a new school for Nella, and she won’t have to worry about college fees when the time comes. They have a lovely new home, splitting the rent with Frankie, and it was better than anything Ruby could have ever afforded on her own. Now she has her dream job? Really? God, you must exist after all. This is a dream come true. As long as Frankie doesn’t turn out to be some sort of monster underneath his gruff prince charming exterior, we’re good.
Ruby removed her jacket and once she reached the high street and checked her cell. Signal here in Glen Valley wasn’t great, but Nella had managed to text her an essay about how her morning had gone with her father.
*Mum, just reporting in, and Frankie is awkwardly sweet. We had pancakes and we’ve gone the grocery shopping. He waited in the car as I ran it into the kitchen and put it away. He didn’t want to come in with me because he is like, super afraid of you mama-bear blocking him. Isn’t that funny? Anyway, he’s taking me shopping for school supplies and then we’re heading to a Café called Brew N Biscuits. How cute is that? Frankie said since I like tea this will be our go-to spot from now on. Isn’t that awesome? We have a spot! We’ll meet you there. Love you! Nel XOXO*
Ruby smiled and her heart ached. She was pleased that Nella was having such a good time with Frankie, and she hoped he was all that he seemed. If he wasn’t? Nella would be heartbroken. This is happening all too fast. I want to put the breaks on and slow them down, but I feel like I’m being outvoted. She was pleased that Frankie was ‘super afraid’ of her. So he should be. I’ve loved and raised Nella all her life, and he’s been on the scene a few days. He legally gets a say, but he isn’t taking over her life. I will veto his vote if I think Nella needs protection from him.
Ruby found the Brew N Biscuits easily enough. It was on the main high street and everyone she asked had been eager to direct her. Everyone is so friendly here. It was a nice change from city life, where you avoided talking to strangers unless your life depended on it. Ruby pushed open the door and saw what looked like a modern café. Wooden floors, brick walls, fairy lights, and fake ivy leaves looped the ceiling. The tables were tall and round with tall metal backless stools. The wall behind the service counter was roof high, with jars of tea and a pair of ladders on wheels attached to the shelving unit to retrieve any ingredient they might need.
“Mum!” Nella called out to her and Ruby had to laugh. Nella was in her element. She sat in the back right corner of the tea room with her back to the brick wall, her legs crossed elegantly on her high stool, and three different cups of tea in front of her. Shopping bags were on the floor around her, and Frankie sat to her fight with his back against the other wall. The peppy brunette wave energetically over at Ruby to join them. “Over here!”
“I’m coming.” Ruby chuckled and walked through the tea house to join them. She pulled over another stool and sat facing the pair of them. A pang of worry went through her at how close they seemed to be already. Nella had a hand on his forearm and she was glowing with joy. The same warmth was clear in his smile as Frankie adored her. I’ve heard of people just clicking right away, but isn’t this a little fast? Surely they don’t have that much in common, do they? “So? Have you had a good morning?”
“Amazing, but first, did you get the job?” Nella redirected and lifted her tea up to sip with her left hand. The right resting comfortably on Frankie’s left forearm. In perfect sync Frankie lifted a cup of coffee to his own mouth, and Ruby wasn't sure why she didn’t like that. How seamless the pair of them seemed to be. The blonde shook it off and nodded with a big smile.
“Yes, I did. I really wanted the job and she really needed a competent bartender on her staff, so it worked out really well for both of us.”
“Way to go mum!” Nella cheered, and then turned her steely eyes to look at Frankie’s. “Mum’s been wanting to stop being a server for a while now but Vince’s never had an opening for her. She said she’s too old to be relying on tips, but I’ve told her that’s nonsense.” Nella put her tea down and waved her hand at her mother, whilst pining Frankie into a corner with the next question. “My mum’s still hot, right? She’s only 36 and I would kill to have curves like her.”
“Nella?!” Ruby hissed, flustered and not comfortable with knowing either way what Frankie thought.
“What? You’re a Milf.” Her daughter was definitely pimping her out. Whatever idea you have in your head young lady, I’m going to shake it out of you later. “Isn’t she Dad?” Nella pushed him for an answer, and Frankie felt like he was about to go straight through the thin ice he was suddenly standing on.
“Well…” Frankie put his coffee cup down and tugged at the collar of his fire chief uniform. Ruby was watching him now too. He’d started to answer, so she wanted to know what he was going to say. “…Ruby is a lady, and as a gentleman, I would not wish to comment on her in any way other than to say she looks lovely.” There. That had to be the best possible way to answer, right?
Wrong.
Comments (0)
See all