Chapter Eight
Bella
The neon lights were flickering as I pulled up in the huge pot holed car park. The sound of music was loud and the atmosphere dark and stuffy when I walked in. The place was mostly empty, the guy behind the bar wiping down looked up and smiled.
"Hey, can I help you?"
"I'm looking for the boss, the guy at the feed store said you had a job going, tending bar."
"He's out back, I'll get him for you."
He opened a door and yelled down the corridor behind it,
"Cy, got someone enquiring about the job."
"He'll be out in a minute. Can I get you a drink while you wait?"
I nodded,
"A soda please."
"Good idea, it's never wise to drink if you work in a bar."
The door opened behind him and a huge fat guy came out scowling but when he saw me he smiled,
"Well a pretty face, that's a relief. I thought it was going to be some spotty young lad trying his chance like last time. They just wont take no for an answer. Come and sit down, tell me a bit about yourself, I'm Cy, short for Cyrano but no one uses that."
I explained I was travelling to see the country but needed work and a place to live for a while,
"Ever tended bar before?"
"No I haven't but I'm willing to learn."
He looked at me then sighed and smiled,
"Hell why not, give it a go. Billy will help you for the first couple of days wont you Billy?"
The guy behind the bar smiled,
"Sure it's not that hard, the waitresses got the hard job."
"You sure you wouldn't like to work the other side of the bar, the guys would really like you"
I shook my head emphatically and he chuckled,
"I don't blame you. Billy will show you your room and tomorrow you start at lunchtime. Its quieter then so you'll have time to learn the ropes."
Billy took me out back and up a flight of metal steps to a battered green painted door and opened it waiting for me to go through first.
"Second door on the right, bathroom is next door. The key is in the lock, I'll see you lunchtime tomorrow."
Thanking him I went into my room surprised how clean and comfortable it was. There was a bed with fresh smelling linen, an overstuffed arm-chair, built-in closet, hot plate, mini fridge, and a little table. The curtains fitted and also smelled fresh, better than I'd dared hope. I unpacked and went to check out the bathroom, it too was spotlessly clean with a stack of fresh towels, a shower stall, toilet, and small wash basin. I was tired so I washed up and went to bed dreaming of Jasper and his friends.
I was woken by car doors slamming at midnight but I went off to sleep again and the next time I woke up it was sunny outside. I got showered and dressed then went out to get breakfast, the town was quite busy and I soon found a diner sipping gratefully on my first cup of coffee as I waited for my breakfast, scrambled eggs on rye with crispy bacon. I found I was starving but then remembered I hadn't eaten since the preceding lunchtime. I would have to get into a routine starting with grocery shopping. I grabbed bread, butter, cheese, milk, and a huge jar of coffee then added some apples and went to the checkout. The girl at the till was happy to chat, I think a new face in town was a novelty. I found out her name was Cindy and Billy was her boyfriend, she underlined that fact and I smiled.
"I'm not looking for any relationship, still getting over one"
She smiled then looked out the window at a movement,
"Now that's what I call a truck and what's getting out is pretty impressive too."
I turned to see the shiny pick up parked across the road, Jasper leaning against the hood watching me.
"Thanks I have to go, my friend is waiting for me"
She gaped,
"He's a friend? He is gorgeous, does he have a girlfriend?"
I laughed,
"Yes he does and she's joining him soon"
"Pity!"
I was still smiling as I put my bags in the truck and walked across the road to join him, my heart beating faster at his gaze.
"Would you like to join me for coffee?"
I looked at him,
"You don't drink coffee"
"No, but you do, and I'd like to talk to you"
"OK sure"
He took my hand and we walked to a café close to the feed store slipping into a booth opposite each other.
"So you got settled"
"Yes thanks."
"And you'll be staying a while?"
"Looks like it. How long do you plan on staying?"
"A while."
"Waiting for your girl to arrive?"
"Something like that. Bella would you like to come over at the weekend? We thought we'd have a picnic. I could pick you up here at 6.30."
"I'd love to. Can I ring you Saturday afternoon? Just in case"
He nodded,
"Sure you might get a better offer"
I laughed, but I didn't want to tell him I wasn't working at the feed store, I had a strange feeling he wouldn't be happy to think of me at the bar.
We sat quietly as I drank my coffee but it was a companionable silence then he moved.
"I have to go, Peters got a new stallion arriving today and I promised to be there."
"OK I'll see you on Saturday.
He leaned in and touched my cheek with his hand.
"Getting your Bella fix?"
He laughed,
"I guess so, see you"
I watched as he walked slowly back to the pick up followed by every pair of female eyes more or less but he was seemingly oblivious and then he was gone.
I realized I needed to hurry or I'd be late for my first day on the job.
"Mondays are always slow Bella so I'll have plenty of time to help you. Then by the weekend you'll be up to speed.
"The weekend! What do I get as days off?"
He pulled down a piece of paper with names and days on it. Following down with his finger he stopped on a name,
"You get Mary's days, so that's Sunday and Wednesday but if you need time this week I'll cover for you."
"I was invited out by my friends on Saturday but its fine. I'll put them off till Sunday."
Although it was quiet I didn't have time to think about anything but pouring beer and mixing cocktails.
"Funny but we get quite a call for those, especially the girls at the weekend."
"I'll never remember all this."
"Sure you will, it'll be so you can mix them in your sleep"
I worked straight through until closing time when my feet hurt and my back ached. I was glad to fall exhausted into my bed and slept without dreaming at all.
The next day went the same although I didn't see Jasper which disappointed me. I wondered if his girl had turned up and that thought gave me a pang of jealousy. I rang but only Charlotte was there and asked if I could come over Sunday instead. She said it wasn't a problem but didn't have time to talk because she was waiting for a call from a horse breeder. When I put the phone down I wished it had been Jasper who answered just so I could hear his voice. My shift at the bar was busier today but I concentrated hard and didn't make too many mistakes. I got hit on by a couple of customers but just smiled and ignored the comments. Why did men assume you were available and eager just because you worked behind a bar? One guy in particular pestered me all night and I didn't want to complain so I asked for Billy's advice.
"Tad's a pain in the ass. Try to ignore him and keep the bar between you and you'll be fine. He thinks he's Gods gift to women."
