Page 1 of Nick & Nora Martinis

Chapter One

“So this is it, the famous 'Sweet Cocktail Bar', I've heard so much about? The refurb is looking good.” Jumping a bit at the unexpected sound of a female voice, I turn slightly on the stepladder I'm on to see my best friend, Jayne, standing in the doorway.

“Jay,” I scream as I get down from the stepladder, all excited at seeing her. Making my way over: “What are you doing here? I thought you said you couldn't get the time off.” Reaching her, I pull her in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“I wouldn't miss this for the world, it's your big opening,” she tells me with a smile, as she glances around the bar.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I never, just thought I'd try on the off chance before going to your house.”

“Come on in, I'll get you a drink, what would you like?” Stepping back, I grab her arm, pulling her inside. I'm so thrilled to have my bestie here. It's been way too long since the last time we were together in person, it has to be five years, we have a lot of catching up to do. Reaching the bar I run around the other side, collapsing the ladder.

“Alright, now what are you having? Do you want to try my new cocktail? You will love it,” I say, winking at Jayne. “I know how much you like a tot.”

“No, nothing for me at the moment thanks, I just want to sit and relax with a nice cup of tea and then freshen up after all that travelling. But I'm definitely up for trying him later…” She looks over and nods her head in Rob's direction. Turning back to me, she adds,” Unless he's taken,” eyeing me up. I look over at him. He is tall and lean, not my usual type but I could get lost in his blue eyes. Just as I'm about to look away, he glances my way with a smile.

I shake my head as I hear her giggle.

“You lady, are taken,” I say to Jay.

“Are you?” she asks, winking at me.

“No, I'm footloose and fancy free, have been now for a few years, as you well know. Don't see the point of rushing into anything, I'm only twenty-nine.”

“Looks like you have lost weight too,” Jayne tells me as she looks me up and down.

“Nope, still a size fourteen. But I'm guessing that's about to change with the home cooked meals you're going to do,” I say, smiling.

She shrugs her shoulders while looking around, ignoring what I'd just said.

“I remember when we used to drink here before we hit the town, but it was nowhere near as nice as it is now. You've done an amazing job.”

“Cheers Jay, I had a fab team of workmen, they did exactly as I asked. And it's better now because it was a pub before and now it's a high-end cocktail bar. The subsidiary is owned by yours truly.”

“God, we were always here. You have done well,” Jayne tells me.

“Had some cracking nights too,” I say as we both start giggling.

“Anyway, I know that I know the area well but I've been away a while, so is the B and B up the road still there and is it decent?” she says, looking back at me. As she drops her rucksack on the floor, she takes a seat on one of the bar stools.

“Yeah, it's still there, but why are you not staying with your mom and dad?” pulling my eyebrows down in confusion. “You know you can always stay here with me upstairs in the flat if you want. That way when you've had a belly full of drink you won't have to go that far to stumble home and find your bed.” Smirking at the last part about trying to walk home from here after a night out.

Her mood changes. “In all seriousness Abs, I was hoping you'd say that. I'm knackered. And if I'm honest I can't be bothered to go look for somewhere. Oh, and the thought of facing my parents right now really doesn't appeal to me. They will ask why I'm back, where Ian is, and I don't want the inquisition, so if only for a night or two I'd be grateful.”

I give a little chuckle, while shaking my head. “Parents aye, I'm sure they have mellowed now and why wouldn't I ask you to stay with me? Our age has no boundaries. But here we are, thirty-ish, I get you don't want your parents asking questions, we have to catch up. It's a no-brainer. Had I known you were coming I'd have had the spare room all ready.” There was no way I'd let her stay elsewhere if she didn't want to go home.

“I wasn't sure I was coming to be honest, I just knew I had to get away, take some time to get my head cleared. As for my mom and dad, there will be questions all the time, and I'm not in the mood to answer them.” She frowns but recovers quickly.

“What's going on, you okay?” I say, a bit discombobulated.

“Yeah, can we chat about it in a bit? I'll tell you all about that lying cheating bastard I called a boyfriend.”

“What!” My hand went up across my mouth, I was shocked. I stood there for a moment, taking in what she had just said, thinking back on the last time I had seen them together. They looked so happy. Always laughing and joking, holding hands. He looked at her like she was the only woman in the whole world. Walking back around the bar, I pull her off the stool, giving her a big heartfelt hug. “It's going to be alright, you can stay here as long as you need.” I release her from the hug and grab her bag from off the floor.

My heart bleeds for her. I really thought that she had found a good one in Ian. I hope I never see him, he'll have a piece of my mind, wanker treating my bestie like that, doing the dirty on her. “Come on, I'll show you where your room is. Take as long as you need to get settled. I will be down here in the bar for the rest of the day, I've got a few interviews to conduct and some other bits to sort out. You're sure you're going to be okay up there on your own?”

“I'm a big girl now Abs, I'm sure I'll be fine. I can't thank you enough for this, you are the best. And besides, if I need you I'll come down and get you.”

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