‘Thanks, Fletcher.’ Rory took a long drink. Hell, he needed that after the day he’d had.
‘Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone.’ Jasper ushered him towards a large table in the corner which had been designated ‘the stag table’. Max and Fitz had been the first to arrive, followed by Colin, who Jasper had wanted to include. James was just returning from the bar with a nice claret and old Dickie was sat comfortably in the fireside chair they had moved to the stag table. Jasper introduced Rory to them all.
James was particularly chatty with him, interested in where he had lived in London and his job as a barrister.
‘So, can I ask,’ James spoke animatedly, moving his free hand, whilst holding his wine glass by the stem with the other, ‘how do you defend someone who you really believe to be guilty?’
Rory smiled at the question, which was a common one asked of many barristers.
‘I try not to pre-judge,’ he answered politely. Then his attention turned to Max. So, this was the blacksmith. Here, he had pre-judged and with good reason he’d thought. He noticed the way Max’s eyes followed the women in the pub, eyeing them up. One or two stopped to make conversation with him. Rory took in the easy, self-confident way he had with them, obviously charming, if the ladies’ giggles and grins had anything to go by. Smooth bastard. He also noticed Jasper attract quite a bit of attention, albeit on a friendly rather than flirty level. Fitz seemed a nice enough chap, although quiet, the complete opposite to Fletcher, who could still be heard barking out the drinks orders.
‘Another whisky please, lass,’ he called to Lisa who was working behind the bar, ‘and a pint for all the stags!’ he added.
‘Just how many whiskies have you had, Fletcher?’ asked Jasper with narrowed eyes.
‘Oh… only one or two,’ Fletcher’s voice quietened. ‘Now come on, lad, cut me some slack, it is your stag do.’
‘Hmm, go easy,’ Jasper replied with concern. ‘Promise?’
‘Aye, don’t worry,’ Fletcher nodded sagely.
Rory was touched by the exchange. The affection between the two of them was obvious.
‘Excuse me?’ One of the ladies who’d been talking to Max had sidled up behind Rory. He turned to face a small blonde with big blue eyes, wearing skinny jeans, riding boots and a fitted tweed jacket. Very country set, probably owns a horse called Truffles, thought Rory amusingly. ‘Aren’t you the guy who defended the activists? The Climate… err…’
‘Warrior,’ said Max on his way to the bar, overhearing the conversation.
Rory’s eyes slid over him. Was that a smirk?
‘Oh yes!’ chirped the girl. ‘The Climate Warrior!’
A few of the people surrounding them stopped as her voice carried across the room and stared at Rory momentarily before carrying on chatting. Rory felt put on the spot. Max was at the bar now, chatting to Lisa.
‘Yes, I defended the activists,’ replied Rory in a cool voice, suddenly disliking this woman who was embarrassing him and intruding on his time with his stag do companions.
‘Oh, how marvellous!’ she gushed. ‘I so admire your ethics. Tell me, how do you represent people who you suspect are—’
‘I represented the demonstrators wholeheartedly. I am one,’ Rory cut in bluntly.
‘Oh.’ She fluttered her eyelashes, clearly impressed, achieving the opposite effect Rory had intended. Then, to his horror, she waved her friends over.
‘Excuse me,’ he swiftly made an exit to the bar. Fortunately, Max had been served so he wouldn’t have to talk to him either. Lisa gave him a cheery smile and served him.
‘I’ll get this,’ Jasper said, suddenly appearing.
‘Thanks,’ Rory nodded.
‘Actually, could I have a word, Rory?’
Rory looked quizzically at him, wondering what it was Jasper could have to say to him. ‘It won’t take long.’ Jasper ushered him outside the bar, into the hotel entrance area, where it was quieter. ‘There’s something I think you may be interested in.’
Jasper told Rory about the barn that he was in the process of obtaining planning permission for, so he could renovate it along with the land surrounding it. Rory listened intently, giving his full attention. It sounded ideal, it really did. But how much would Jasper be asking for it? Ever since looking at the old farmhouse in Chipping, Rory had become a little wary about property needing a lot of work. ‘Come and have a look tomorrow,’ said Jasper. ‘See what you think.’
‘I will,’ replied Rory, reluctant to ask the price at this stage. ‘Now come on, you’ve a stag do to enjoy,’ he grinned. Adira was right, Jasper really was an astute businessman to be drumming up deals on tonight of all nights.
‘More drinks over here!’ Fletcher’s voice could be heard reverberating round the bar, again.
After much drinking, cheering and male camaraderie, all finished off with the inevitable ‘down-in-ones’, the stags had to finally say do at last orders.
