Page 27 of Nick & Nora Martinis

“I can't believe it. I'm so happy for you. So come on, what happened?”

“Well, they said that they had listened to the demo I had sent in and wanted me to go in and record some, so I did.”

We both have huge smiles on our faces.

“So what happens now then, Mr Big Shot?”

“I've got to go in on Tuesday and Thursday to record. There are only three songs on your CD for now.”

“This is amazing, we will play this behind the bar.” I give him one last long lingering kiss, pushing him back. I jump off the counter and walk towards where all the papers are sprawled over the floor. After we pick them up Rob places them on the counter.

Walking to the door I say. “I wondered where you were, then I thought that maybe you had changed your mind.”

“Never, I did try calling, but you didn't pick up. Then I thought that I'd give you the news in person.”

“Oh yeah, sorry shit was going down here. I'll tell you about it later, let's go tell the others your good news.” Just before we walk through the door, I turn to face him, “Congratulations, I'm so proud of you.”

“Smithy, I'm going to tell them after the bar is closed. You know what they are like. So I'll just go and play for a while if that's ok.”

I look deep into his eyes. “If that's what you want, we'll keep it as our secret for now.” I smile as I kiss him on his cheek, just as the phone rings.

Chapter Fifteen

“Earth to Abi, calling Abi.” A loud bang startles me. I look up to see Jayne sitting at the side of me rubbing her hand, presumably where she hit it on the table. “What are you sitting here thinking about, staring into your cup?”

“Nothing much, this place, the staff. You're all like family to me. My parents and how much I miss them, how things can change. People come and people go.”

“What you are talking about, no one is going anywhere. And yes we are one big happy family. Your parents were in an accident, it's called that for a reason. Do you know something, who's leaving?”

“No, I mean I don't know, I think so. I mean nothing has been said but you know that's what he wants.”

“Who are you going on about? Who wants what? Ab you're talking in riddles.”

“It's not for me to say, I mean I don't know, I'm not sure, what time is it?”

“It's eleven fifteen.”

Jayne stands up and walks over to a table collecting empty glasses.

I can't hear any music. Looking about the bar, I see Rob sitting on a stool talking to Owen and Paul. There is a middle-aged couple sitting at a table and two girls coming out of the toilets. The girls make their way over to the bar as Jayne walks back over to the bar saying something. The two behind the bar look over and Rob turns round. I turn my head away from them, this is what happens when I get into my head - I always think the worst.

I sit nursing my drink, looking about the room, “Night, safe journey home,” I tell the couple as Owen walks with the two girls, seeing them out. He closes and locks the doors behind them. He pulls out a chair and takes a seat beside me.

“Alright, what's going on?” he asks me just as the others join us with drinks in hand. Rob places mine in front of me, taking a seat on the other side of me smiling, Jayne in front and Paul grabs a chair from another table.

“So are you going to tell us what's up? And no more cryptic talk,” Jayne asks.

I look at her, then the rest of the table, I can see all eyes on me. “Bloody hell, can't I have five minutes to myself without you all thinking, I don't know whatever you are thinking,” I spout, all sarcastically.

After-hours with my team has become a normal thing, I feel like they are my family and I love it. For the most part, we all get on. We only have one or two drinks, but this is where we air our concerns and brainstorm. We have had some great ideas, and new cocktails were born.

“Smithy what's wrong baby, you've been nursing the same drink now for a couple of hours?” Robs asks.

Like he doesn't know. Then again he probably doesn't, as I've not raised my concern because it’s all in my own head, and I'm sick of blowing hot and cold with him. I need to get a grip.

“No, it's not been that long. And I'm okay, nothing is wrong.” I lie smiling at him, placing my hand on his knee, then looking at the rest of them. “You have news to share, don't you?” I say to Rob, trying to keep the heat off me.

“What news?” Owen asks.

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