Chapter 3 – Pub night
For Katharina, my sister in crime
[Authors note: I know I haven't been updating in a long while, but I was fairly busy with uni stuff and had some problems finding my motivation. I wanted to thank everyone who was so kind and left a review, favourited or followed me, thank you very much, I feel very humbled.]
At the Pub -
The doorbell chimed as Alice walked into Leaves & Beans, her favourite Café / Pub. She enjoyed coming here and getting a good cup of tea and sometimes some advice from one of the owners, Linda. Linda ran the place for over 25 years now together with her husband Frank. Both were now in their mid-sixties and treated Alice like their own daughter, since their kids were adults by now. The pub itself was very cosy with lots of wood and high windows which allowed the daylight to shine in. The Pub was sectioned off into two seating areas: one close to the bar, which served alcoholic beverages and one close to the barista station which served hot drinks like tea and coffee along with a selection of homemade cakes and scones. Alice sat down on one of the comfy chairs near the barista station and let out a long breath. Yesterday had really taken a toll on her, she could still not get the snickering idiot and his moronic co-worker from the rock-climbing centre out of her head. First, he had run her over and then he had called her boring and uptight. 'What a wanker', she thought. As if she had sensed that Alice was in the need of some cheering up, Linda came over to her table and sat down next to her with a nice cup of Earl Grey, a fitting choice for this grey afternoon. "What's that long face for, love?" asked Linda. "You look like you're in need of a good cuppa. Here, have some tea and then tell me what's bothering you." Linda said and placed the cup of tea in front of Alice. Alice breathed in the faint aroma of citrus and took a sip. It tasted like heaven. At least for her. The fine citrus aroma that she had smelled now mixed with the strong intensive flavour of the chinese black teas that had been mixed along with a hint of bergamot oil. She could taste the high quality of the tea. Tea like this always managed to calm her, make her worries and the problems of everyday life seem smaller, less important and helped her focus on what was really important. "There you go love. Now that's better. Now, tell me, what's bothering you?" Linda asked gently and smiled at Alice in a way that made her feel better already. Alice sighed and began to tell Linda about the day that she had had. She told her everything, from having a nice start in the day with Sir Winston, her cat, and then, after realizing what time it was, rushing to get her things together to go bouldering at the rock-climbing centre and ultimately getting run over by that idiot, only to see him again at the rock-climbing centre, where he had called her boring and uptight. Her! Anyone who had eyes in their head could see that she was very far from boring! "And don't even get me started on that idiotic co-worker of his! Seriously, who did he think he was, going on about my butt! Ugh, some guys are just the worst. I'm telling you Linda, you can be glad that you don't have to worry about that." Alice finished furiously. A little smile played around the corners of Linda's mouth. "Was he at least handsome then?" she asked mischievously. "Linda!" Alice exclaimed. "That's not the point! The point is that he ran me over, didn't even say sorry and was overall incredibly rude. Not to mention that his co-worker is a bloody misogynist!" Linda chuckled. "I've got just the thing that'll keep your mind off him. You know how Frank and I have talked about having a special event here at the pub that will draw more customers to us, right?" Alice nodded. "We decided to have an open microphone night. We thought that we would separate this into two events. One with readings and what did you tell me about the other day? Ah! A poetry slam. We thought that we would do that one Saturday and the next Saturday we would ask local musicians to perform here. What do you think?" Linda looked at her expectantly. Alice thought about it for a moment. "I think that's a great idea!" she answered. Linda smiled. "Why don't you and Alfred perform as well? I would really enjoy watching you two perform together. You two harmonize very well. He could play the guitar while you sing, or you could sing a duet together. Oh! That would be marvellous! Please consider, alright dear?" Alice was hesitant to agree. She liked singing and singing with Alfred was always a lot more fun, but she was not sure she wanted to perform. "I'll ask him and then let you know what our final decision is, alright Linda?" Alice asked. "Sure dear. Just let me know before next Wednesday so I can fill your slot if you decide you don't want to perform, alright?" Linda asked, a kind smile on her lips. "Sure Linda, we'll let you know." Alice answered and drank the last sip of her tea. "I'll give him a call to see if he's home now and run your idea by him." Alice said and started looking for her purse. She fished out the right amount for her tea and paid. "Oh no dear, you don't need to pay for that. It's on the house." "I insist" Alice said and gently shoved the money towards Linda. Then she got up and called Alfred. "Hey Alfie, it's me. Are you home right now? I just left Leaves & Beans, Linda told me they are planning to have an open mic night. They want to ask local musicians to perform at the pub. She asked whether you and I want to perform as well. I told her I'd run the idea by you and let her know our decision." "Sounds like a cool idea" Alfred answered. "Why don't you come over and we talk about what we wanna play?" "Sure, I'll be there in 10. See you." Alice said and hung up. She got on the nearest Tube and went to Alfred's place. 'Bloody hell' Alice thought. 'Don't they have better shit to do than blocking the entrance and the exit?!' She was getting annoyed. There were too many people taking their time for her liking. She had to only had to change once to get to Alfred's station, but it took her longer than she liked. Once she arrived, she took a deep breath outside the station. It managed to calm her a little and she went on to Alfred's place. His flat wasn't very far from the station, so she walked the rest. When she arrived, she rang the doorbell. It took just a moment until she heard loud footsteps approaching. Then the door flung open and Alfred grinned at her excitedly. "Come on in!" he said and took her coat. She followed Alfred into his living room where she spotted Madeleine sitting on one of the chairs. "Hey Maddie" Alice greeted with a smile. Madeleine was Alfred's sister and her cousin. She liked hanging out with her because she was great company and always listened to Alice when something was bothering her. "Alfred told me about the event at Leaves & Beans. Do you have any songs in mind that you want to perform?" Madeleine asked curiously. Alice thought about it for a moment. "How about Set fire to the rain by Adele? I know, it's a little challenging, but I think I could sing that." "Sure, let me just grab my guitar and we'll give it a try." Alfred said and went into the other room to grab his guitar. When he got back, he sat on the chair next to Alice and started strumming the chords to the song. After some time, she started to sing. Making music with Alfred and singing was one of her favourite past times. "What about Chasing cars? It's one of my favourites." "Yeah, sure. Want me to join in?" Alice replied. "Sure, why not" Alfred answered, beginning to strum the chords. "Why don't you two make a mash-up of Drag me down and As long as you love me? Maybe as a surprise for Linda and Frank. To thank them for asking you guys to play." Madeleine suggested. "Yea that's a great idea!" Alfred replied. Alice was on board as well. "It might be a little too melancholic but maybe Turning tables? I could ask Frank to accompany me on the piano." "Sounds good" Alfred said. "Maybe I could finish with City of Stars?" "Yes, that one's great for you. One of my favourites when you sing it actually." Madeleine said smiling fondly at her brother. "Then it's set. I'll call Linda and let her know we're in." Alice said and grabbed her phone to call Linda.