Page 7 of Nick & Nora Martinis

“Sorry, couldn't resist. The sound of silence was deafening.”

“Well try,” I snap at her, giving her the evil eye. I turn my attention back to Rob. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm struggling. I want him. I've never felt like this, never had this pull. I'm never like this. I can't think straight.

“Erm, excuse me, hello,” I hear.

Coming back to reality, I'm embarrassed that he has caught me ogling him, off in my dream world. I look away towards the piano, compose myself and look at him again.

“Let's start from the beginning,” I say with a smile, mesmerised by his blue eyes with a tint of grey.

Rob clears his throat.

“Without overstepping,” he clears his throat again as if nervous as to what he's about to say. He sits forward in the chair, and touches the back of my hand. “I know you think that I'm a good all-rounder, as you pretty much said, but my passion has always been the piano, it's my dream. But what I can and will do for you is, you said you only wanted a player a couple of times a week, so why can't I do both, until you find someone else to do the bar? I mean I'll do thirty minute sets, with fifteen off or forty five with fifteen off. It's dorable.” Looking down at our hands I jolt mine away, embarrassed that I've left it there. Smiling, he sits back, looking cool and confident. I take a moment to think, rubbing my hand over the top of the hand he just touched.

“That sounds like a great idea,” Jayne says as she smiles at us both.

I look at Rob. “How, what, I mean why did you tell me you were a barman?” I am still confused. Can a relationship work on lies? What the hell Abi, get a grip.

“I never told you I was, you just assumed and in my defence I did work here, I was the piano player,” he tells me. “And I did help behind the bar now and again. I also did the cellar work, cleaning the pumps, moving the barrels…”

I don't know what to do. I sit looking at his application and sure enough, his name is right there at the top. Stewart Roberts. Aka Rob/Robo.

“Don't you think it'll be too much doing both? As well as you doing your main job. I mean yes I'd love nothing more than for you to do it, but…”

He cuts me off. “It's settled then, for now, I'll do both. I'll put my notice in at the bank if it all works out.”

“Okay, for now. But if it gets too much you have to let me know, and are you sure about your main job?”

“Yes I'm sure,” he says, smiling like the cat that got the cream.

“Well what you are waiting for, go tickle those keys or you want my tonsils,” Jayne says laughing.

I shake my head, shooting her daggers as Rob laughs, looking at us both. I sit in disbelief that she said that, she definitely hasn't changed one bit. He stands up, pushing the chair back under the table. “Would you like me to play, Abi?” he asks.

“Absolutely, I would, I'd love that,” I say, a bit over excitedly.

“Ladies, if you will excuse me, the music is calling.” And with that he makes his way back to the piano.

Chapter Four

After seeing the last interviewee for the day I lock the door and take my seat back next to Jayne so I can take a breather. Feeling exhausted, I turn to Jayne. “What do you think of the last couple of applicants?”

“Yeah they weren't too bad, I think Paul might do well, not sure on the other one, what's his name, Carton. But you can just keep them on standby. I mean they might do well. I'm putting it down to nerves. I mean you know yourself what it's like, so give them the benefit of the doubt, ring them tomorrow and tell them they have a part time job.”

“It's Carlson, and yeah I will, then it's all hands on deck Saturday for the opening.” We sit in silence for a few moments. “Jayne,” I say as I start to giggle, shaking my head.

Jayne looks at me blankly. “What??”

“What can you hear?”

“Nothing, it's so chilled, what am I meant to be hearing?”

I smile and shake my head again.” The piano, Rob sorry Stewart is still playing it.” We both look in that direction. Jayne stands up and wolf-whistles, calling him over to our table.

“Oh yeah, well maybe I do like it after all,” she tells me grinning.

“I'm so sorry Abi, I get a bit carried away and lost in the music,” he says as he approaches the table.

“Drink anyone?” Jayne asks as she starts to walk away.

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