Taking Charge

by Bridgitte Lesley

  “Just a few slices would suit!” Shane nodded.

  “I like a roast. Can you do a roast Joy? That would go down rather well.” Michael nodded.

  “With that funny sauce.” Joy shook her head.

  “Apple sauce.” Michael nodded.

  “Sure as heck we can stay for lunch tomorrow. What do you say?” Everyone nodded. Jordan smiled.

  “We could. I guess.” Joy nodded and looked at Jordan. He nodded.

  “I think that would be rather nice. A roast. Haven’t had a roast in a while.” Quartz smiled.

  “We don’t mean to come and throw our weight around.” Jordan shook his head.

  “No. I think it would be rather nice.” Michael grinned.

  “You know. You need another set of those chairs and a table. Hot pink would look good in the other corner.” Jordan nodded.

  “You planning on visiting often?” Michael nodded.

  “I think I just might.” Michael grinned and they all looked at him. Roland nodded.

  “Mmmmhhhh. Something or someone caught your eye?” Michael grinned.

  “Not telling Pops.” Roland chuckled and nodded.

  “What happened to our Penny?” Michael nodded.

  “She will be here at nine.” They all nodded.

  They finished their meal and Anne and Tanya did the dishes. Tanya dished up the left overs and put them in the fridge. The family headed out.

  “See you all at nine.” They all grinned.

  “See you then.” Jordan stood in the middle of the lounge and looked at the table and chairs.

  “He is right you know. Hot pink. I like that color. How would that look?” Joy smiled and walked over to Jordan. He opened his arm and pulled her in for a hug.

  “We could put it in that corner. The whole lounge looks so much bigger. We have the space for another. I think we should.” Joy smiled and looked at Jordan. He looked down and smiled and pulled her in to his arms and kissed Joy.

  “What a lovely day.” Joy smiled.

  “How is the Inn?” Jordan grinned.

  “Pub. Doing fine. They are getting used to me not being there the whole time. Now for my shower and get dressed. I have this singer who comes in at about nine. Rather good.” Joy chuckled and smiled.

  “Remember. Just carry on as normal. But I will be wired for sound.” Jordan nodded and smiled.

  CHAPTER 19

  Jordan walked over to the stage and everyone followed. They all took their seats. Jordan smiled as they all looked at him with questions in their eyes.

  “We are going to open up with Drive By. By Train. Okay?” They all nodded and looked at each other. Jordan stood on the stage and started playing his guitar and singing. They sang right up to the chorus. Joy walked in and suddenly joined in with the singing. Jordan grinned and winked. She sang as she walked up to the stage and picked up her guitar. The crowds suddenly got louder and louder. Everyone in the pub stood up and looked. Everyone started to clap. Joy smiled. She wore a pair of tight leggings with boots and a black T-shirt with no sleeves. She had her make up on but she didn’t wear the wig. Jordan stood and danced as he sang. It was so loud in the pub. He smiled and looked at Joy. She smiled and looked at the band. They had huge smiles as they played and sang.

  It was a fun evening. They took a few more breaks than normal. Jordan held Joy in his arms every time they had their break. Tanya and Shane ended up standing behind the bar counter with Frank. The pub seemed to fill up faster and faster. Jordan looked around and smiled. They got back to the stage and started singing again.

  Jill slowly put her hand on the door and pushed it open. Frank smiled.

  “Jill! Come on in!” Jill smiled. She whispered.

  “I had to come and see for myself. Because I didn’t really believe. You know. Maybeth just phoned me. I was already in bed and fast asleep.” Frank smiled and nodded.

  “And I have something that you would love.” Jill smiled.

  “Gosh it is noisy in here.” Frank smiled as he poured her a little glass of liqueur. She smiled and walked through to take a look. Frank walked up to her and stood next to her.

  “My goodness isn’t she beautiful! Look at that figure!” Everyone waved.

  “Jill! Come on in. Join us!” Jordan grinned and looked at Joy. Jill walked through with her little glass in her hand. She started dancing with her glass in her hand and her handbag hooked over her arm. She smiled as she looked at Joy.

  “You naughty girl!” Everyone roared with laughter. Jill smiled.

  “But I like it!” Jill turned as Maybeth walked through the door.

  “Maybeth. Get one of these and come!” Frank grinned. He poured Maybeth a liqueur. She slowly walked over to Jill. She fiddled with her ear and turned the volume down on her hearing aid.

  “See Jill! I told you!” Maybeth smiled and looked at everyone.

  “I have never been in here you know!” They all grinned.

  “And I have lived in this town for sixty years!” Jill smiled and nodded.

  “From now on Maybeth. Saturday evenings!” Maybeth nodded.

  “Where is George?”

  George stood at the bar counter.

  “I will have some of that funny stuff that Maybeth is having.” Frank smiled as he poured the little glass. George nodded. He held up his glass.

  “And she still thinks a pub is for men only.” Frank chuckled and nodded.

  “Oh now she knows!” Tanya roared with laughter. George slowly got on the bar stool.

  “Now I believe we can buy a bottle. Is that right?” Frank nodded. George nodded.

  “Now I will have a bottle of this. You can put Maybeth’s name on the bottle and put it up there. It might be there for a long time. But my Maybeth also needs her own bottle.” Frank smiled as George paid for the bottle and the drinks that Maybeth and Jill were sipping. Frank put the label on the bottle and put it on the shelf alongside all the others.

  Maybeth slowly made her way to George. He helped her up on to the bar stool. She turned her hearing aid up.

  “George. Now why didn’t you tell me I could come in here?” Shane grinned as he listened. George smiled.

  “How far is your drink?” Maybeth shook her empty glass. George smiled.

  “I bought you your own bottle.” Maybeth beamed. Frank reached for the bottle and filled their glasses up. She smiled and looked at her name.

  “Oh George. That is the most romantic thing you have ever done!” Frank smiled as he put the bottle back. George pulled Maybeth into his arm and smiled.

  “Did you see our Joy? Naughty girl. She let the children write on her arm.” George shook his head.

  “I didn’t see the kids. I didn’t go all that way.” Maybeth smiled.

  “I was dancing with Jill. She mustn’t over do it.” Shane smiled and looked at Tanya.

  They all looked at Jill. She plonked her handbag on the counter and took out her purse. She handed Frank a note.

  “Fill me up. And Frank. If you can take care of this.” Frank put her bag behind the counter and poured another little drink. She looked up.

  “Maybeth you have your own bottle!” Maybeth smiled and nodded.

  “See you all later. They are playing my song!” Jill walked off sipping.

  Jordan looked at Joy.

  “Last one.” She smiled and nodded. They played their last song. Joy stomped her foot once. Everyone suddenly stomped their feet and clapped their hands. Jordan grinned and looked at Joy.

  “Hit it!” Roger roared with laughter and shook his head. The pub was so loud. Bruce walked through the door. He looked at his watch. Frank smiled.

  “I think I need an Irish! The entire town is in here. The boys are patrolling the street making sure everyone gets home safe.” Frank grinned. Craig got the Irish coffee ready. Frank whispered.

  “George and Maybeth. Can you get them home?” Bruce nodded.

  “I will drop them off.” Frank nodded and smiled.

  Bruce stood and drank his Irish.
He smiled.

  “George. Maybeth. Are you ready?” They both nodded and smiled and hopped off of their barstools. Bruce helped them to hop in to the patrol car. He smiled as he drove them home and saw them inside their home. He smiled and headed back to the pub. He walked through. The band was still playing what was supposed to be their last song. Frank smiled.

  “Thanks Bruce.” Bruce nodded.

  “Another Irish?” Bruce nodded.

  Joy took a bow. The band took their bow. They walked off the stage. Jordan smiled and held Joy in his arms. The pub slowly started quieting down. Shane grinned.

  “Tanya it is getting busier! Hell! I thought it was going to quieten down.” Tanya nodded.

  “I know. This is strange.” Frank looked at them both. He took three little glasses and put them beneath the counter and poured a little liqueur for each of them. They took a quick swig. Tanya closed her eyes and grinned.

  “Ouch!” Shaun grinned.

  “Tell me about it!” Frank roared with laughter. After an hour things seemed to quieten down. Everyone stopped to chat to Joy and Jordan. Quartz and Zeba got up.

  “Home time for us. You boys can catch the bus.” The parents grinned and headed out.

  It was four in the morning when the pub’s last patron walked out. They all sat down and had an Irish coffee. Shane shook his head. Frank grinned.

  “Hell! We used almost all those liqueurs again.” Jordan chuckled.

  “I am glad you just pour. Imagine if you had to mix.” Frank nodded.

  “And we are not going to get energy drink in!” They all roared with laughter and nodded. The family soon got up. Tanya smiled.

  “And we leave here at this time of the morning and we are sober.” Shane grinned and nodded.

  “Hey guys. See you at six. Breakfast run?” Joy groaned. Jordan grinned.

  “Breeze by!” Shane nodded.

  Everyone headed home. Jordan locked up and they walked upstairs. They both bounced on the bed fully clothed.

  “Jordan.”

  “Sweetheart.” He looked at Joy. She was fast asleep. Jordan smiled and his eyes closed in an instant.

  CHAPTER 20

  They both woke up early. Joy giggled.

  “I am still fully dressed!” Jordan grinned.

  “So am I. Why are we awake so early?” Joy shook her head.

  “I feel revived.” Jordan chuckled and nodded. They stepped in to the shower and Jordan took Joy into his arms and made love to her.

  “Breakfast run?”

  “Why not!” They got dressed and walked down the stairs. Jordan hopped on the bike and Joy hopped on behind him. They pulled up to the road as the entire family came down the road. Even Anne, Dalton and the parents were on the bikes. Michael smiled.

  “Give me two minutes.” They sat and waited. Michael soon headed back with Penny sitting behind him. She waved as they rode up. They all rode out.

  Jordan smiled as Joy started to speak.

  “I remembered to take the roast out thank heavens.” Jordan grinned.

  “What an awesome evening. When you walked in. My heart almost stopped. Now that is one outfit I really like.” Joy giggled.

  “I was not too sure.”

  “Well. I think they are so proud of you. I overheard a lot of chatting. And it is all good.” Joy smiled.

  “Maybeth. What a honey. She thought the pub is only for men.” Jordan chuckled.

  “Bruce took them home.”

  “That was nice of him.” Jordan smiled.

  “Where are we headed?”

  “Breakfast would be nice.” Jordan chuckled as he followed. Shane was in front with Tanya. She was directing Shane. They all pulled up to the restaurant. There were loads of bikes parked out the front.

  They all walked inside. Everyone greeted. They were all strangers but they were all friendly. They all sat down to their breakfast. Penny smiled.

  “I am starved!” Michael nodded. Their coffee arrived and Jordan smiled as he sipped. A couple walked in.

  “Hey the Sheridan’s!” Jordan grinned. Graham pointed.

  “Head out on the highway!” Walter grinned.

  “Looking for adventure!” They all joined in.

  “And whatever comes my way!” Walter roared with laughter. He shook everyone’s hand. Jordan smiled. Walter and his wife Emily joined their table. Walter grinned.

  “Now this is just dandy! You never know who you bump in to.” Quartz nodded.

  “Came down to visit Joy.” Emily nodded.

  “And how is the schooling going Professor?” Joy nodded.

  “Swell!” Emily nodded.

  “Nice to hear that. My daughter is going to be having her baby any day now. So we are waiting.” Joy smiled.

  “And how many grandchildren is that then?” Walter groaned.

  “This will be number six!” They all roared with laughter. Emily giggled.

  “We like that we can hold and hand back.” They all chuckled and shook their heads. The chatting carried on right through their meal. They finished up and Roland paid for their bill. Michael grinned.

  “Thanks Pops. Did that hurt?” They all grinned as they listened.

  “Yes that hurt! But not as sore as that bottom of yours is going to be when I am finished with you!” Penny giggled and shook her head.

  They all climbed on their bikes and headed for Zeba and Lloyd’s home. Joy and Jordan waved as they made their way to the pub. Jordan parked the bike and they walked inside. Jordan unlocked and opened up. It wasn’t even nine in the morning. Joy started preparing their roast and got everything ready for lunch time. Jordan carried another two tables upstairs with chairs.

  “I hate carting things up and down.”

  “Well then don’t.”

  “There are going to be so many people for lunch. We need to sit somewhere!”

  “Stop yelling at me!”

  “I am not yelling!”

  “What is your problem!”

  “I have no problems! This place is too small for so many people!”

  “Well then this is the last. I will make lunch and then I am out of here!” Jordan snorted.

  “What? To the motel?”

  “Yes to the motel!” Jordan walked down the stairs.

  “Yes! We would hate anyone to think that you live here!” Joy banged about in the kitchen. It was soon lunch time. Everyone bounded in for their roast. Joy smiled as they all walked in. They all sat at the little tables and some in the lounge and ate. It was a constant chatter. They all finished up and had their coffee.

  Roland smiled.

  “And we are going to be rude and head out. That was lovely. Thank you.” Joy smiled. They all walked out and the family hopped on their bikes. Joy hugged and kissed them all. She stood and waved as they rode off. Joy walked inside and packed an overnight bag and took what she needed for Monday. She climbed in her van and drove over to the motel. She lay on her bed and slept.

  Jordan worked in the pub. He didn’t say a word to anyone. He felt so bad. He felt rotten. He was so cross with himself. He hadn’t meant to shout. And he needed to apologize. The pub got busy and he had to help serving meals. The night ticked away. Jordan walked up the stairs after locking up. He looked around. His home was so neat and tidy. Joy had made sure that everything had been cleared and cleaned before she left. Even the left overs were in the fridge. Jordan sat down on his couch and held his head in his hands. He felt the buildup of tears. He wiped them away and whispered.

  “What have I done?” Jordan headed to bed and lay in bed tossing and turning for hours.

  Joy smiled as she walked into the staff room.

  “When I walk in get them on their feet with the hymn.” Thomas nodded. The teachers all walked through to the assembly hall. They all smiled as they took their seats. Thomas walked on the stage and stood.

  “Everyone up.” The pupils all stood up and looked at each other. Tanya got up and walked to the door. She saw Joy walking over. She nodded and walked
back to her chair. Thomas put the music on and the hall erupted with their hymn. Joy walked in and smiled. She chuckled to herself as she walked down the middle of the hall. She winked at Thomas and he grinned. She quietly greeted all the parents.

  Joy walked on to the stage and the hymn ended. Everyone sat down. Joy yelled.

  “Good morning Banderlee!” Everyone yelled good morning. Joy smiled.

  “Welcome to our parents who have dropped in. And to each of you. It is so good to see you after a weekend!” They all chuckled.

  “We have a lovely newsletter this week. What a lovely civvies day we had. I am proud that you all took a few extra minutes to look so smart. Thank you.” Everyone chuckled. Tanya and Penny smiled and looked at each other. Joy smiled.

  “We have news. I am going to hand over to Miss Lewis who has some important information. And then to Mister Baker. News is good ladies and gents!”

  Tanya walked on the stage and gave her proposal for the Drum Majorette squad. It was so quiet while she spoke. Tanya looked around.

  “Are we going to have our own squad?” There was a loud roar. Tanya smiled.

  “And are we going to enter that competition and win!” There was a loud cheer. Tanya smiled and left the stage and Clive walked up. He looked at everyone.

  “And if you have Drum Majorettes we sure as heck need a band!” There was loud whistling and Clive chuckled and looked at Tanya.

  “And we will be competing at the end of this year. And we will win! Because we are Banderlee!” Everyone put up their fists and yelled ‘yes’. Clive smiled as he walked down the stairs.

  Joy walked up. She nodded at Penny. Penny got up and started handing the newsletters out. Joy smiled as the Prefects all got up and helped to hand out.

  “Ladies and gents.” She walked up and down.

  “I have made some big changes in this school. But we all learn to adapt. Because change is constant. Not so?” They all smiled and nodded.

  “But I would like to commend you on accepting the changes. And making the most of them. I know it isn’t always easy. There will always be new and exciting things happening. I am proud that I am here to be able to implement the good things.” Everyone smiled as they listened.