Brodie was in charge of taking the orders across the floor now, since he was better suited to elbow his way through the crowd. So, when a new customer appeared, Paisley was alone behind the counter.
"Well, aren't ye a sight for sore eyes?" the man said, grinning to reveal few teeth and blackened gums. He was around thirty-five, balding, with a scalp shining with sweat, a strongly-built body from a lifetime of farm laboring, and a general unwashed odor about him.
Paisley forced a smile. She had to be polite, after all.
"What can I get you, sir?"
"Ooh, sir. I like that. Ye can call me sir any time ye like, lassie."
There was some sort of implication there that she didn't like.
"Beer?" she tried. "Or ale?"
"Ale, lass. And daenae skimp. Ye will feel the back of me hand if it's all head and nay liquor."
Paisley flinched at that. The man was smiling, but somehow it didn't feel like a joke. She didn't smile this time, concentratinginstead on pulling the man's ale and pushing the drink across the bar towards him.
He paid immediately, flicking a coin in her direction. Paisley missed the catch, and the man snorted with laughter as she scrabbled on the floor.
The man stayed leaning against the bar, eyes following her. He drank down his ale in three large swallows and gestured that she should fetch him another.
Rabbie appeared behind the man, glancing nervously at Paisley. All trace of his previous good humor was gone.
"Come on, Tam, time to go. Help an old man home, wouldnae ye?"
He laid a hand on Tam's broad shoulder, but the younger man shrugged it away irritably.
"Leave it, Da. I'm staying here."
"Ye have had enough, Tam."
"Mind yer own business."
"If ye drink much more," Rabbie continued, his voice dropping, "Ye will get mean. We all know it. Come on, lad. Be sensible."
"Get lost, Da, or I'll put yer lights out."
Paisley sucked in a breath at that. She'd never heard a man speak that way to his father before, not ever. Rabbie had gone white and backed away like he'd been burned. He glanced helplessly at her and shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm sorry, lass. Tell Dom I tried, will ye nae?"
Before she could say another word, Rabbie melted back into the crowd. He didn't return.
Paisley was kept busy, serving drinks and exchanging banter with some of the patrons. Brodie appeared every now and then, tray empty, and requested another dozen or so drinks.
Tam stayed where he was, though. He drank steadily, eyes on Paisley, and occasionally ordered another one.
Towards midnight, the crowd started to thin, and the requests for drinks started to taper off. Brodie stared at Tam at one point and leaned over to whisper in Paisley's ear.
"Daenae serve him any more drinks."
Before Paisley could ask how on earth she was supposed to do such a thing, Brodie was gone, leaving her alone again.
On cue, Tam tapped the counter to get her attention, indicating that he should get another drink.
Paisley drew in a breath.
You can do this,she told herself, and slipped along the counter to face Tam.
