I saw Iris’ eyes linger on the pram and my heart stirred for her.
“Are you buying?” That was Cassian. “In that case, dinner’s on you.” He started to take his youngest out of the pram, theolder boy heading straight over to Calla, who he went to nursery with.
“Dinner’s on me. As usual.” I shook my head.
“Not fair,” Finn predictably launched in. “I bought last week.”
Which was how it went. It all worked out in the end and I was aware that my brothers and me earned a silly amount of money, so we’d foot the bill more often than not, without denting anyone’s pride.
Someone each week, or at least one person, was the designated driver. In case any of the kids needed to be rushed to the hospital, they would lay off having anything alcoholic.
“True. Iris, what would you like?”
She looked like a rabbit caught in headlights.
“Gin and tonic. Maybe Finn’s gin?”
I gave her the most reassuring smile I could. “You can’t go wrong with that. Over there is Cassian and Romy.” I frowned, realising something was missing. “Where are Mia and Heidi?” Heidi was Romy’s daughter; Mia her best friend who lived with Romy and Cassian on a special guardianship order.
“Dancing practice.” Romy shook her head. “Till eight. Thank god they’re old enough to stay there on their own.”
Cassian shook his head, laughing. “Really? You didn’t want to spend every Friday evening watching eight-year-olds practice their routines to Spice Girls tracks?”
Romy glared at him. “I’m debating whether that’s the better choice right now.” She looked over at me. “I’d love a gin too, Gully. Is this Iris?” Her smile was wide and warm. “I’m Romy, long term resident of Puffin Bay.”
“She never left.” Cassian gave her a grin that suggested more teasing was coming. “Nowhere else would have her.”
She backhanded him against his side.
“Careful! I’m holding our son.”
Another glare.
“Sorry, Iris, when school’s finished for the week he turns into an overgrown child. How’re you finding Puffin Bay so far?”
Iris headed over to her, taking a seat and starting to chat. I glanced at Finn and saw him looking curiously at me, unspoken words that would be said out loud when we were on our own.
Everyone’s orders taken, I headed to the bar where Amelie was, speaking rapidly to Landon, her new bartender.
“The key thing is tonight is to not rush. Multi-task if you can, especially if someone’s ordering multiple pints or Guinness is involved. You need to let a pint settle before you top it up. Gulliver, what can I get you?”
I ordered, watching as Amelie used our drinks as an example. Pouring, letting the IPA settle before topping it up, getting the gin and tonics and wine in between.
“And if someone’s just ordered pints, you can always take a second order and start working on that.” She nodded at Landon, then looked at him questioningly. “Do you think you can manage?”
He swallowed, looked a bit scared. “I think so. How do you remember people’s orders?”
“You’re young. Your brain should manage it if you concentrate. This man here has a bar tab – let me show you where it is.” She led him to the till and pressed a few buttons.
I took the first sip of my IPA, savouring it. I didn’t drink at home and I rarely drank much when I was out, which was weird because I was a part owner of Finn’s brewery, which had been his first business. Four beers was my max, anymore and I stopped enjoying them.
But that first sip was good. Lush.
“You always look like you’re enjoying that way too much.” Amelie left Landon to it and came over to my side of the bar,adding a bottle of prosecco in a cooler and a couple of glasses to one of the trays.
“You can’t enjoy a good IPA too much. You joining us?”
She nodded. “I am. I want to meet Iris. Plus I know Ruby’s had a pain in the arse meeting with the Dean so I’m anticipating some major fall out. Unless he’s told her he’s resigning.”
