Page 19 of Perfect Three

Sebastian’s words seem to hold hidden meaning, but Lucy ignored them and asked him about the renovations.

“I always wanted to turn the place into something more than just a pub like it was originally.It was a bloody rough dive when I bought it, but gradually I got rid of the unsavory element—all the drunks, and the lowlifes—and focused on something more upmarket, hence the nightclub.There’s a lot of tourism here, and I wanted to capitalize on it.

“Then, of course, there’s a big trade with the locals as well.There wasn’t anything like it here.Nowhere for the locals to let their hair down.Anyway, then we bought the building next door.”He gestured at the restaurant.“We always planned it would be separate but a real part of the whole complex.Didn’t want to build something to join them together, hence the covered walkway.I think it works.”

“So do I.I love this area in between the two buildings.”Lucy gestured at the cobblestone courtyard.

“Apparently the two-story building was a coach house station, and this area was where the horses and coaches were driven in.When we were doing the renovations, we found some old horseshoes.They’re hanging on the walls in the restaurant now, for good luck.This area was a cobblestoned road that ran from Atom Street right through to Browns Road.The street was closed in the early 1900s and sold off.Over the years, people have built on it.When we bought the coach house this was all that was left.”

“So that’s why the doors look like big barn doors.”

“Yes.Those ones on the other side lead to our garage and storage.”He pointed behind him.“We can drive right through.There are doors on the other side where the alley is.There’s access into the restaurant, to upstairs, and out here.”

“So you have everything you need under one, oops, two roofs.Did you plant the trees too?”

“Actually, those eucalypts were here.We just added the garden around them.”

“It’s really lovely.”

“Thanks, I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

“You should be.”

“Later, if you’re interested, I’ll show you upstairs.You’ve seen the offices and staff room, but most of the upstairs area is ours—everything on the right-hand side.Originally, it was many rooms for travelers to sleep overnight.We converted it into one huge apartment.Three bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, big living area, large office, and a storage room.It’s perfect for us.”

“So you both live there?”Lucy asked, confused.

Sebastian looked a little uncomfortable as he replied ‘yes’, leaving Lucy to wonder why.

“Handy for work.I gather you’re both involved in the running?”

Sebastian seemed relieved Lucy had asked a question and he eagerly replied.“Well, it’s mainly me.I’m the overall manager and the owner.I check the rosters, oversee the ordering, and stuff.Jack is the PR man.He’s a whiz at publicity and getting our name out.You met Roger.He’s the day manager.He works Monday to Friday from nine to five and helps me oversee the whole complex.Then we have Walt, who’s the night manager.He’s on from Wednesday to Sunday.

“We shut the night club at two in the morning on Friday and Saturday nights, then midnight Sunday.Everything except the coffee shop is closed until Wednesday.Wednesday and Thursday we shut at midnight, and the restaurant is open from twelve to ten Wednesday to Sunday.The coffee shop opens at six every day except Sunday.It stays open until two in the afternoon, but we have a separate staff for that with Roger on hand in case of problems.”

Sitting outside felt pleasant and Lucy found herself relaxing in Sebastian’s company.She found him interesting as well as attractive, and she wondered what it would be like to date him.He was about to say something when Jack returned and put his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“Hi, you two.More coffee?”

“Usual for me.Latte again, Lucy?”

Lucy hadn’t noticed how much time had gone by.She looked up at Jack and said, “Yes, thanks.”

He nodded and disappeared, returning about ten minutes later with three coffees.Sitting alongside Lucy, he looked at Sebastian opposite.“Tom said everything looked great.”He nodded at Lucy.“And to thank you, Lucy.”

“Your bookkeeper did most of it.I just finished it off.”

“When Roger told us someone was coming from an agency, I was relieved.”He grinned.“Guess he should have told us who it was instead of calling you ‘the temp’ whenever we spoke.But you have no idea what a panic we had when Roger sent Gordon home, especially as we were interstate.”

Sebastian cringed and then gave a laugh, his dark brown eyes twinkling.“Now I’m so glad Gordon was sick.We found you again.”

Jack raised his coffee cup and saluted Lucy with it.“I’ll second that!”

“So, Lucy, tell us all about you.Give us the abridged Lucy story.”

“Oh hell, the Lucy story, gee.”She sugared then took a sip of her coffee.“Office and certified bookkeep temp.Mother of a daughter thirty-three who has three children—a set of twins and a baby boy.Not much else to the story.”

“Oh, I’m sure there’s a lot more.So, married, single, in a relationship?”

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