PART FIVE "Thanks Arch" said Lexie yawning absentmindedly as he handed her a drink. "I don't know why you're yawning, you're the one who kept me awake last night Alexandra!" Archie teased her "Me, you started it!" Lexie replied hitting him on the arm. "me well I suppose it takes two to tango, but revenge is mine" he said winking at her. "Right then Mrs M down to business." "Do we have to, can't we give ourselves a lunch break? I thought that was the idea of coming to the pub." asked Lexie pleadingly "We'll make a deal, discuss the business now, then the decorating and then after lunch we could go over to that antique furniture shop in the next village." "Deal" agreed Lexie. The landlord appeared with their meals "ah you're the young couple who've taken over the old farmhouse at the south end of the village, bit of a state but it will be good to have people living there again, moved from far?" "We've moved down from Scotland, I'm Archie Macdonald and this is my wife Lexie, pleased to meet you" they all shock hands as the landlord introduced himself as Dan Shaw. "So" asked Dan "what are you going to be doing here?" Archie began to explain about the catering business and how they were using some of the outbuildings as an industrial kitchen and offices. "Sounds interesting" mused Dan, "you know I've been running this pub for just over a year now and I've been wondering about doing functions here, the trouble is the catering side of things, we simply haven't got the kitchen space. I can run to a few bar snacks but nothing else, you know maybe we could do something together?" "Certainly sounds like a possibility, we are hoping to have the kitchen functioning in about 3 weeks, maybe we could meet up then to discuss this further, what do you think Lex?" Lexie nodded in agreement just as Dan got called back to the bar, after he had gone she added "we mustn't be too hasty Arch, we know nothing about him and I don't want to end up catering for a pub!" "mmm true but if people booked the function room and part of the package was us doing the catering that would probably work, anyway where are we up to with all the bumph from the printers, what did they say when you phoned them earlier?" "They said everything should be ready by the end of the week business cards, enquiry forms and menu planners. I only got 100 of everything printed which was more expensive, because of getting everything changed once we have the phone number for the office after the refurbishments are complete. But I got a good deal, as they knew they would get more business from us. Arch what happened about getting those enlarged photos done for the display and what are we going to do about the brochure design?" "Well the photos are with that graphic design mate of mine in London, and we really need to sit and down and think about the brochure design, although I was wondering if just menu samples would be better as they can be updated during each reprint and are less expensive" "yes that probably is a better idea Arch, I mean that is what people will really want to know what food we can prepare and cook. You know I did have another idea, maybe for next year after we see how things progress, how about turning part of the old stable block into a tea room, I'm sure there must be a certain amount of tourist trade through here" "that is an interesting idea Lex, definitely something we should consider I had no idea I had married such a business brain!" "I have many hidden talents you know nothing about Archie Macdonald!" "oh yes tell me more!" "all in good time Arch" Lexie replied teasingly. "Is it this week, the plumber is coming back to finish off the tiling and cosmetic work in the bathrooms?" she continued "Yes tomorrow he starts, he gets back from his holiday today he thought it would take a couple of days" "So" smiled Lexie "when he has finished we will have a fully functional kitchen and bathroom, so we could move in permanently" "Lex, where would we sleep, I'm not sure if spending another night on that sofa with you is a good idea!" "Archie Macdonald, where is your sense of adventure and romance, honestly! Anyway, we might find the perfect bed when we are out today and I have the decorating and colour scheme all planned in my head, it's going to be perfect!" "You have! Do I get any say in the matter?" teased Archie "or am I merely an accessory?" "Oh no not an accessory, an essential part, but I want to decorate it as a surprise, trust me you'll love it!" "I'm sure I will" replied Archie kissing her "so lets write a list, we should go to the DIY superstore as well as the furniture place, then we can really get stuck in. Oh and Lex I was thinking of asking Duncan if he fancied popping down for a long weekend to help with the decorating" "Duncan?" "Yes, why the hesitation?" "Well his track record isn't that great, he stepped in the paint when you were doing Jamie's old room, yes I know I wasn't supposed to know but and you didn't see his attempt when Jess moved into the big house, are you sure this is wise?" "Of course, we give him paint, we give a paintbrush what could possibly go wrong?" "mmmmm" responded Lexie "come on let's go, you drive I'll write the list in the car" As Archie drove, Lexie began to write a list of the paint they needed for the various rooms, raspberry for their bathroom, white for their bedroom , she must remember to order the fabric for the curtains, cushions and also the bed linen, light blue for the family bathroom, cream for the downstairs cloakroom. "Lex don't forget to add roller brushes, masking tape and turps to the list will you. You know we really need to make our final decisions about the dining room, sitting room and all the other rooms as well, ah here we are" Archie said as they arrived at the antique furniture shop which really wasn't an adequate description, Aladdin's cave would have been better. As they entered there displayed in the middle of the shop was a beautiful antique bed, they looked at each other laughed, Lexie grabbed Archie's hand and dragged him to sit on the bed. "Right" she said we have to bounce to make sure it has good springs and then lie down to make sure its comfy!" "You sound very experienced in this matter Mrs Macdonald" responded Archie quizzically but he did as he was asked, they agreed it was not only comfortable but beautiful but also expensive. Lexie rolled over and leant her chin on her hand, she knew Archie was going to need some persuading . "So Arch" she began trailing her fingers down his chest " you have to agree its great, comfy, spacious plenty of room for some fun, no more nights on the sofa and when we have children imagine Christmas morning, you, me and maybe two, three children opening stockings, this bed has to be ours!" Archie sat up, grinning and said "don't think I don't know what you are doing, I saw the price tag but I agree its perfect, it shall be ours!" Lexie hugged him, and said excitedly "just look at that dresser over there" she jumped off the bed and walked over towards a gorgeous dresser standing at the side of the shop.