by Sharon Booth
'Will you be all right?' he asked, getting to his feet. 'You and James, I mean? Are you sure you can be happy, after everything that's happened?'
'I honestly don't know,' she admitted. 'Things aren't great, but I know he wants to make it up to me, and for now, I'll let him try. Who knows how it will end? I just know we've suffered in silence for long enough. Time to start again. Make or break.'
'Good luck, Beth.'
She kissed him softly on the cheek. 'Give my love to the children.'
'I will. Maybe — maybe when you get back, you can come round more. See them when you like.'
She smiled, delighted. 'I'd love that.'
He showed her to the door and she stepped out into the yard, turning to face him. 'Eliot, don't put it off any longer. Call Eden. Promise?'
He nodded and waved her off, then shut the door and rested against it for a moment. His gaze fell on the telephone, and he thought, just for a moment, about picking up the receiver. Then he shook his head. He couldn't and wouldn't call her.
He headed back into the kitchen. He needed another coffee. He had a lot of thinking to do.
Chapter Thirty-Four
'Is this the same place?' Eden gaped at the gleaming kitchen of The Red Lion. The stainless steel shone, reflecting her astonished expression back at her and urging her to close her mouth, which she hastily did. 'What's happened? Are we expecting Environmental Health?'
She'd been dreading going back, after two days off. Usually, she walked into a room that looked as if it had been in the middle of the Blitz. Gavin wasn't good at keeping on top of things, and first days back at work after any kind of break were usually spent scrubbing and disinfecting as if her life depended on it — after all, customers' lives really could depend on it. Someone had to ensure basic hygiene standards were met, and it wouldn't be Gavin.
'There's a party booked,' said Fiona. 'Some special do. Gavin was under strict instructions that the place had to be immaculate, or he wouldn't get paid.'
'Crikey. When's the party?'
Fiona glanced at her watch. 'In about four hours.'
'Four hours!' Eden looked at her, horrified. 'How am I supposed to get everything ready in four hours?'
'I'll help, and you don't have to make a cake, or anything. That's being provided by the clients.'
'But what do they want? A meal, a buffet? Are there any vegetarians? Oh, God, a party should take days of planning! This is going to be a nightmare.'
'Just wing it and enjoy,' advised Fiona. 'I don't think anyone will care.'
'But why such short notice?' Eden puzzled. 'When did they book it?'
'A week ago.' Gavin staggered wearily into the kitchen, looking as if he were about to have a coronary. 'That's the toilets done. Remind me to employ a cleaner. I've been on my hands and knees for hours. I'm done in.'
'A week ago? Well, why didn't you tell me?'
'Forgot.' He shrugged. 'Anyway, what's the problem? We've got a well-stocked kitchen — me and Fiona made sure you've got everything you need. The place is clean as a whistle. I've got two extra bar staff coming in to serve drinks. All you have to do is put your pinny on and make a few vol-au-vents, for Christ's sake.'
'A few vol-au-vents?' Eden could have stamped her foot in pure Honey style. 'Are we having a nineteen-seventies theme, or something?'
Gavin looked delighted. 'How the hell did you know that? Client specifically requested it. Knock up some sandwiches, some prawn cocktails, some vol-au-vents and sausage rolls, and the like. Great minds, eh, Eden?'
'Don't be ridiculous.' Eden wondered if Gavin had gone mad while she'd been off. 'No one would want that nowadays.'
'Shows how much you know. Oh, speak of the devil,' he added, as his mobile phone rang. He disappeared into the bar, and Eden turned to Fiona. 'What's going on? Has he finally lost the plot?'
'You know Gavin,' said Fiona. 'A law unto himself. Look, don't worry about this. I'll help you out.'
'But I'll have dinners to cook, and you'll have to serve. When am I going to get the time?'
'Pub's closed to the general public all day,' said Fiona. 'We've got nothing to worry about but the party, so let's get cracking.'
'Gavin's closed the pub? Bloody hell.'
Her employer returned within minutes, beaming from ear to ear. His obvious joy was unnerving, to say the least. 'The bloke's really looking forward to this. Wants the lot! Throw in a few quiches, there's a good girl, and them Ritz crackers. Oh, and can you do a few bowls of Angel Delight and jelly?'
'Angel Delight and jelly? Have you gone barmy?' Eden shook her head, then suddenly the penny dropped. 'Oh, my God. This is for Cain Carmichael, isn't it? No one else is stuck in the seventies like he is, and he loves Angel Delight! Is this party for Cain?'
'No. It's not.'
'Really? You're sure?'
'Cross my heart. Now, can we get on please, 'cos we haven't got much time, you know.'
'You think?' Eden rolled up her sleeves, fastened her apron, and went to wash her hands. 'Right. Let's crack on. Although, you'll have to go to the shop for Angel Delight. Funnily enough, we don't have any in stock.'
****
A large cake was wheeled in by two men. It was a chocolate extravaganza and must have cost a fortune. Eden peered at it, then glanced around at the room, which was almost unrecognisable. When she'd clocked off her shift two days ago, she'd left behind a dingy looking barroom with a beer-soaked carpet, and a layer of grime on every surface. Today, the place looked bright and clean. Everything had been highly polished and was sparkling. Gavin had even hired an industrial carpet cleaner, who'd brought years of dirt up, leaving a carpet that looked almost as good as new. Even the tables had no ring marks or beer stains on them. There was decent, soft toilet roll in the toilets, too, the soap dispensers were full, and there were paper towels. The toilets had a curious smell — a sort of mix of disinfectant and pot pourri. It was odd, but an infinite improvement on the usual smell that lingered in them.
In keeping with the seventies theme, Gavin had stocked up on alcoholic drinks that had apparently been popular back in that decade. The room was decorated with balloons and paper streamers and Congratulations on your engagement banners. So, it was an engagement party. She'd be face-to-face with a happy couple, flushed with love and looking forward to a future together. Great.
She wandered back into the kitchen and stood looking out of the window over the back yard of the pub. For a moment, she wondered what Eliot was doing. Did he ever think of her? Or had he pushed all thoughts of her from his mind, the way she'd tried to banish him from hers? Cuddling up to Shaun the Sheep every night in bed hadn't helped her forget, either, but she couldn’t bring herself to throw it away. It was all she had left of the man she loved, after all. She hoped Eliot had been more successful at moving on than she had. He deserved peace of mind, and happiness. Maybe, with her gone, he'd find it with Daisy.
Realising the yard was a blur, she blinked away the tears. No time for wallowing. She had a party to get on with, and the guests would start arriving in a few minutes. The two extra barmen had turned up, and they helped Eden and Fiona carry the plates of food to the tables, which had been covered in immaculate white cloths. Gavin must have bought them specially. Whoever the clients were, they must have paid well to warrant such attention.
'Looks good.' Gavin nodded in approval, looking so excited, anyone would have thought it was his party. He kept glancing at the door while shuffling from foot to foot, like a child waiting for permission to open his Christmas presents.
'What's up with him?' Eden said, as she and Fiona headed back into the kitchen to finish washing and clearing up.
'Who knows?' Fiona smiled at her. 'Just relax and forget about it. Let's have a cup of tea, eh?'
Eden thought she could use something a bit stronger than tea. She felt a bit weird and a little strung out. Her nerves were jangling, but she couldn't imagine why. She supposed it was because she'd staked her reputation on bowls of Angel Delight
and jelly, and a table full of seventies-type snacks. If the clients didn't approve, that could be her career up the spout.
A buzz of conversation started up in the bar, followed by some shrieks of laughter, and as the music began, they hurriedly finished their tea. Gavin would want them behind the bar any moment.
Sure enough, he popped his head round the door. Raising his voice over the blast of Suzi Quatro, he said, 'Do I pay you to sit on your arses, or what?'
'Bloody cheek,' muttered Eden.
Fiona winked at her, to her bemusement. Fiona was usually the first to moan about Gavin, but she looked as if his comment hadn't even touched her.
She followed her colleague through into the bar but stopped dead in shock. 'Oh, my God!'
The room was like a Who's Who of seventies rock music. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly were happily tucking into her ham and tomato sandwiches, cocktail sausages, cheese and pineapple chunks on sticks, and Ritz crackers with soft cheese. They looked blissfully happy, as if they were right back in the good old days.
'Eden, my favourite girl who ain't related to me!' Cain threw his arms around her, his straw-like hair lacquered to within an inch of its life, and his eyes rimmed with kohl and layers of black mascara. He wore black leather trousers and a white shirt that would have looked good on a pirate but did nothing for his scrawny physique. 'How are you, my darlin'? You ain't bin to see me for ages!'
Eden returned his hug, glancing over his shoulder at Gavin, who gazed adoringly at his idol. 'I thought you said this party wasn't for Cain?' she said accusingly.
He beamed at her and waved his hand in the direction of the happy couple, who were chatting to none other than Rex Scotman. 'It's not. It's for these two,' he said.
Eden broke away from Cain and stared at them in amazement. 'Honey and Teddy! They're engaged?'
'They are,' said Cain, putting his arm around her. 'Who'd have believed it, eh? Ain't never seen nuffink like it. True love that is, right there. Devoted to each other.'
'I'm amazed. I thought this would have all blown over by now,' admitted Eden.
'Me, an' all, truth to tell, but no. It's gone from strength to strength. You won't believe what's happening next. He's only taking Honey out to Africa, to see that bleeding music school in all its glory. Can you imagine Honey in Africa?'
'No,' said Eden bluntly. 'I can't.'
'Me neither, but she's up for it. I dunno, Eden. Seems like this charity thing has really caught her interest. She's planning all sorts of fundraisers. 'Course, Rex thinks the sun shines out of her arse, but she'll always be my baby, won't she? I mean, she's not his and never will be.'
'Of course not, Cain,' said Eden. 'Honey loves you. In her own sweet way.'
'Yeah. I realised that, that day at the cottage. She were that cut up about everything, when she thought Teddy had been lying to her, and all she wanted was her old dad. Just goes to show you.'
'Mm.' Eden didn't want to remember that day. She didn't want to think about Yorkshire at all. 'And are things between you and Rex any better? The concert was amazing, by the way. You were great.'
He had been, too, surprisingly. She could almost imagine why young girls in the seventies had thrown themselves at him. Soft lighting and makeup had worked a miracle. His voice had been strong, though, she'd give him that.
'Aw, thanks, darls. Let's just say, me and Rex have called a truce, for the sake of our kids. Wants me to go to Africa with him next year, see the place for meself.'
'But you won't?' Eden thought he'd terrify the life out of the little children over there. He looked like a walking scarecrow half the time.
'I'm thinking about it. I'll see what Honey makes of it first. If she can cope, I can. Got to admit, it wouldn't do my chances of a knighthood any harm, would it?'
'No. I suppose not.'
'Eden!' To her astonishment, she was enveloped in a huge hug from Honey. Well, that was a first. Honey had never been affectionate with her before. Would wonders never cease. 'How are you? I've missed you!'
'Have you?' Eden thought she might have to sit down. 'Er, well, thanks. I've missed you, too.'
She actually had. In her own weird way, Honey had wormed her way into Eden's affections, after all. How strange.
'What do you think?' said Honey, waggling her left hand in Eden's face, so she could see the huge rock sparkling on its third finger. 'Isn't it gorgeous? Teddy chose it. It was a surprise. I'm so happy.' She hugged Teddy to her, and Eden couldn't help smiling. Teddy looked at his fiancée so adoringly. It was funny how things turned out. One never knew what fate had in store.
'So, where's Freya?' Eden asked, not wanting to dwell on fate. It seemed to have dealt her a particularly cruel blow, and she couldn't think about what she'd lost, while Honey had gained so much.
'Pah. Freya.' Cain snarled. 'Too downmarket for her here. She was furious. She wanted a do in London, for God's sake. Told her, this was Honey's night and she could lump it. She's gone to some bloke's castle in the Highlands and won't be back until after the New Year now. Shame.'
'Well, to be fair, I would have expected you'd host this party somewhere a bit grander than the Red Lion,' admitted Eden. 'Why here? Of all places!'
Cain and Honey exchanged glances. 'Here is where everything started. Where Teddy came into my life, really,' said Honey.
'And where you came into our lives, too,' said Cain. 'I told Gavin, we'd happily pay a wad of cash, as long as he got the place sparkling. The slightest whiff of bacteria, and he wouldn't get a penny. And it had to be a secret, too.'
'But why?'
'To make sure you turned up, and so you didn't have time to think about things.'
'Things? What things?'
Cain winked at her. 'I'd best go and sort those two out,' he said, nodding over at one of his seventies bandmates, who was arguing with Snarler over the last bowl of Angel Delight. 'It will be handbags at dawn, otherwise.'
Honey kissed Eden on the cheek. 'I'll talk to you later, Eden. We'll have a proper catch up. I've got so much to tell you. I'm going to Africa, can you believe! I'm so excited. Anyway, I'm going to drag my husband-to-be onto the dance floor now, but I'll see you later.'
'Yeah, fine.' Eden stared hard at her. There was a definite air of mischief in Honey's eyes. What was she up to?
Turning, she headed back to the bar, thinking that today was like something out of a dream. She would never have believed what she'd be stepping into when she came into work a few hours ago. There was a long queue for drinks, and the two new barmen were obviously struggling. She stepped behind the bar and began to help.
'Er, Eden.' Fiona sidled up to her, flicking a cloth casually over the bar. 'Don't look now, but I think you've got a stalker.'
Eden frowned. 'What?'
'Don't look now, I said!' said Fiona, grabbing her arm. 'Very gorgeous chap, over by the door. Can't seem to take his eyes off you.'
'Huh. Very funny.' No doubt it was one of Cain's elderly cronies hoping to put another notch on his bedpost that night. Well, he could whistle for that.
'Ooh, he's coming over. Get ready. And remember, if you don't want him, send him in my direction.' Fiona winked at her and sidled off, a huge grin on her face.
Eden pulled a face and braced herself to fend off the ageing lothario's advances. As she looked up, she felt the ground begin to spin beneath her feet.
Eliot gave her an uncertain smile. 'Eden.'
It was the first time he'd called her by her real name. She clutched the bar for support and simply stared at him, unable to form a word.
He watched her nervously. 'Are — are you talking to me?'
She swallowed, then jumped as Gavin's voice bellowed in her ear. 'Two glasses of Blue Nun, Eden. Quick as you like.'
'Right. Yes.'
She poured the drinks, her mind whirling. Her hands shook so much, she was sure she'd given extra measures, but who cared?
What was Eliot doing here, of all places? And why tonight?
Sh
e handed Gavin the drinks, and he rushed off, no doubt to deliver them in person to one of his idols.
'How have you been?' Eliot's eyes burned into hers.
She wished she could read what was on his mind, but he was being very careful not to give much away. 'Oh, you know. Busy. You?'
'You know.'
She nodded and took someone else's order. A Babycham, two Cinzano and lemonades, two pints of lager and a Snowball. Wow, these people really knew how to embrace a theme. Unless they always drank the stuff, of course. Watching them bopping away to Wizzard's See My Baby Jive, it wouldn't have surprised her.
As she retrieved the glasses and reached for the bottles, she couldn't help noticing that a rather attractive redhead had sidled up to Eliot and was trying to engage him in conversation. There was no wonder, really. Dressed in black jeans, a black leather jacket and a checked shirt, he looked effortlessly sexy. His tousled curls were a stark contrast to the backcombed, lacquered styles that most of the other men were sporting, and he looked tall, lean, and exactly the sort of man that Eden would happily lock lips with until there was no breath left in either of them.
'I ordered a Snowball, too, remember,' said the customer, a sharp-nosed man, with two inches of black roots adding a fetching finishing touch to his platinum blonde mullet.
'Huh? Oh, yes. Sorry.' She quickly finished the order and took his money, trying not to smirk as she saw Eliot struggling to get away from the redhead. Small talk wasn't his strong point, and neither was flirting. At least, not intentionally.
'Did you want a drink?' she asked him, thinking he needed rescuing and she'd let him suffer long enough.
