Page 58 of Game Changer

Chapter23

Zara

Gemini has been unusually quiet for the last few days. After the roaring success of the place when Buckie was here showing everyone why he’s a great actor, the novelty seems to have worn off faster than I was expecting it to. The negative press surrounding us right now is starting to have an effect on my trade. The extra bookings we had taken have dwindled and a lot of customers have cancelled altogether. As soon as my name was put out in the media, and associated with Crush, it was as though there was a stain on my name. The whole thing has left me feeling defeated.

The comments about me on social media have been condescending at best, downright nasty at worst. My morals have been called into question by people who don’t — and never will — know me. I’ve never had to deal with anything like this in my life and I now understand how it must feel when famous people are constantly bombarded by this crap. I don’t know if this is the kind of scrutiny I want to be under. I must have been incredibly naïve not to see how my association with Buckie would impact my businesses. I mean I own a strip club and he’s an A list celebrity. It’s a match made in paparazzi heaven. He warned me right from the start, but my heart ruled my head as it’s always done when it comes to him. I can’t help myself.

All the information about me is in the public domain, so it isn’t hard to find out what the nature of my businesses are. This was always bound to become a problem; I just wasn’t expecting it to blow up so big so fast.

“Zara, do you mind if I leave early today?” Peter, one of my bartenders asks, breaking into my melancholy.

“Sorry Peter I was in a world of my own there.”

“That’s okay. I was asking if I could go early today. This place is dead. I don’t think there needs to be three of us here.”

I sigh heavily. He’s right and unfortunately if this keeps up, I won’t have the funds to even employ some of them anymore.

“Yeah, that’s fine Peter. I’m so sorry about all this. I hate that you guys are suffering because of me.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Those gossiping wee bitches tapping away on their phones will get tired of this and go and bother someone else soon. Anyway, I’m sure your man has it under control by now.”

“Thanks Peter. I’m glad I can count on you guys to big me up.” I hold my hand up and he high-fives me.

“See you later,” he says walking away towards the staff area, taking off his apron.

I survey the lunch crowd. It’s sparse but there are still enough customers to hopefully break even today. I’m going to have an uphill struggle to get my reputation back on track. I know from experience that news travels fast about dodgy establishments. It’s been the downfall of many a great hospitality venue in this city. I lost my first job in a pub because the landlord didn’t pay his staff’s taxes that were due. The story got out to the local community and people boycotted the place in solidarity with us. The knock-on effect of that meant the business closed permanently because the landlord declared himself bankrupt.

I take a seat on a bar stool and see my afternoon manager emerge from the office with a white envelope in her hand.

“Hey Zara,” she says holding up the envelope.

“Hi Kate. What’s that?”

She sighs as she reaches me and hands it to me. “I’m sorry but I opened it not realising that it was addressed directly to you and not the pub. You really need to see it.”

I frown as I take the letter out and open it. The headed paper bears the insignia of Glasgow City Council, and as I scan the words written on it, my stomach takes a dive.

I look up at Kate and shake my head at her. “What the fuck! Am I reading this right? They’re planning to suspend my licence?”

A cold sweat starts to work its way up my body. As I re-read what’s written on the crisp white paper. One line in particular stands out to me.

Breach of alcohol licence conditions may be punishable by suspension for up to 3 years.

“Kate, they’re saying that we’ve served underage drinkers here. This can’t be. You guys always keep a close eye on that.”

“There’s no way anyone underage has been served alcohol in this place. For a start, it’s not exactly the type of place an under-ager would want to be in. This pub is too old for them.”

“This is a bloody nightmare. If it’s not one thing it’s another right now. And how the hell do I prove this didn’t happen?” I shrug my shoulders and slap the letter down on the bar.

“I’m honestly at a loss. Thereisno way to prove it didn’t happen. What do we do in the meantime?”

“Keep doing what you’re doing now, but up the I.D checks. If you even have a suspicion that they’re under twenty-five, I.D them. But you’re right even at the legal age of eighteen they wouldn’t really frequent this place. You might end up making a thirty-something’s day by asking them for proof that they’re old enough.”

“No problem. I’ll brief the staff now and leave a memo for the evening staff.”

“I’m going to head over to Crush to give them a heads up and I’ll make the rounds to everyone else. This is a disaster.”

“I’m sure it’ll be okay. These things usually blow over quite quickly. They’ll all be gossiping about someone else by the weekend.” Kate smiles and heads back towards the office, stopping to talk to the two bartenders first, giving them their new orders.

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