It was warm in the Happily Ever After Inn, and Louis paused to mop his brow and take stock of his progress. They had arrived in Chalybe just before noon and immediately began cleaning up. Louis was surprised at how dusty everything was after just a two week absence. He felt a surge of jealousy as his gaze drifted to the bar where Winston was showing Steph where the various glasses and cups were kept and what each was for. The old bartender had been spending a lot of time with the young lady explaining her duties and showing her around the inn and had little time for Louis.
The boy shook his head. His boss was far too trusting. He had welcome her, a thief, into their home without reservation, allowing her to sleep in one of the empty rooms. Louis was sure that she would disappear with the contents of the high shelf the moment she knew what it was worth. Never mind the massive hoard of silver coins that was sitting in Winston’s chest, just down the hall from where she slept.
Steph noticed Louis’ look of disapproval and made a face. “Stop leering at get back to work. There’s still plenty to do.”
Louis scowled. “I’ve done plenty. And don’t think you can take advantage of Mister Weaver’s good nature. I’ve got my eye on you.”
“Oh I’m sure you do, you little pervert,” she shot back.
Louis felt his face go red and was racking his brain for a witty retort when he heard a knock at the door. He looked in that direction and saw the familiar silhouette of Ogden Fuller. The door cracked open a moment later and the ruddy faced mayor stepped in.
“I know it’s early, Winston,” Ogden began and fell silent when he saw he inn’s new addition.
“This is Steph,” Winston smiled. “She will be working here today.”
“Will she now?” Ogden muttered at length, still haven’t recovered his composure.
“Would you like a drink?” Winston ventured.
Ogden blinked and broke into a broad smile. “A beer would be grand, thank you.”
As the mayor approached the bar, Louis could see that a small crowd had gathered outside, waiting for their favourite bar to open for the first time in a fortnight.
“We might as well open early, Mister Weaver,” Louis suggested.
Winston looked around the main room and pursed his lips as he pulled the mayor’s drink and set it in front him. The mayor looked at the landlord and grinned. “The boys have been crawling up the walls waiting for you to come back. You can let your standards slip for one night.”
Louis looked up from his scrubbing hopefully. There was still plenty for him to do, wipe down the tables and chairs, put a layer of polish on the railing, sweep the stairs. He hadn’t even gotten started on the kitchen yet. The supplies they had brought up with them from Estos were still in an untidy pile by the door.
Winston sighed. “I was planning to open tomorrow. There is so much left to do.”
Ogden cocked his thumb over his shoulder at the crowd outside and raised an eyebrow. “I’m afraid the lads won’t be able to wait that long.”
“But I haven’t had time to prepare dinner, and the place is a mess,” Winston objected.
“They won’t mind,” Ogden laughed. “Come on, just this once.”
Winston looked at the crowd in quiet contemplation for a moment before tugging at his waistcoat. “I suppose one night won’t hurt, but I will only be able to serve drinks.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“That will suit the lads just fine,” Ogden grinned. “Mind if I announce the happy news?”
“Go right ahead,” Winston sighed. “But tell them to give us five minutes to get everything ready.”
“I think I can hold them back for two,” Ogden laughed as he made his way to the door with a glass of beer in his hand.
Louis threw his brush into a pail of water and leapt to his feet. “Should I prepare the room, Mister Weaver?”
A cheer went up outside as the mayor delivered the news. “Hooray for Winston!”
Winston gave the main room a once over and shook his head before sighing. “It doesn’t look like we have a choice.”
Delighted to have his backbreaking labour cut short, Louis quickly busied himself removing the dust cloths from the tables and chairs stacked in a corner and setting them out around the room. Soon, the work was done, and Winston rang the bell as Louis rushed to return the pail and brush to the kitchen. When he returned to the main room, men were crowded around the bar as they fussed over Steph. Louis scowled. Being as soft hearted as he was, Winston was sure not to tell them just how they had met. However, Louis resolved to watch her like a hawk. The implications for Winston could be huge if one of his employees was caught stealing from the patrons. Louis then noticed Winston was beckoning him and walked up to the crowded bar.
“What is it, Mister Weaver?” he gasped as he pushed his way through the crowd.
“It seems that our friends aren’t particularly interested in hearing about my trip to Estos,” Winston remarked with a wry smile.
Louis looked at the men who were practically salivating over Steph who must have been the youngest lady in town by a good margin. “If only they knew, eh, Mister Weaver?”
Winston frowned. “I think she deserves the chance to turn over a new leaf. I hope you will be discrete when asked about how we met.”
Louis scowled but at length relented under Winston’s pleading gaze. “Fine, I’ll keep my mouth shut, but you better believe I will have my eyes peeled.”
“Excellent,” Winston declared. “Then you can serve the drinks while I get supper started in the kitchen.”
Louis’ eyes bulged. “Me?”
“You’ve done it before, Louis,” Winston pointed out.
“Yes, but that was a drink or two when things were winding down,” Louis protested. “None of them have been served yes.”
The wry smile returned to Winston’s lips. “Our friends were less thirsty than our good Mayor implied.”
Winston paused and shook his head as Greg Brewer snapped, “I think you’ve monopolized the young lady for long enough, Ogden! Let someone else get a word in!
“Or perhaps they were just thirsty for something else,” Winston winked.
Louis made a face. “What a bunch of dirty old men.”
Winston chuckled as he made his way to the kitchen while Louis eyed the men who were fawning over Steph and shook his head, wondering if any of them were ever going to order a drink. At length, Steph managed to get away from the men for long enough to slide Louis a scrap of paper. To the boy’s surprise, it contained a list of drinks. He shot her a quizzical look, and she glanced at the men as if to say that they were their orders.
Louis shrugged and started with the five ciders. Once he put the drinks on a wooden serving tray, Steph deftly retrieved it, served the drinks to their intended recipients, and returned the tray with the correct number of coins on it. Louis couldn’t help but be impressed with her efficiency as he scooped the coins into the drawer and began on the next lot of drinks. Soon, everyone had been served, and the novelty of the new face had worn off, and the men made their way to their seats.
“Finally,” Steph sighed as she walked past the bar. To his surprise, she stopped in front of a hooded figure standing at the bar that Louis hadn’t noticed until now. “Sorry about that. My colleague was too busy giving me the stink eye to serve our guests, it seems.”
The figure pulled her hood back and Louis was surprised to see that it was Carla. He looked around frantically to see if her companion was with her.
“When did you notice me?” Carla asked, sounding impressed.
Steph blinked. “When you walked in with the rest of them. Were you…”
She was interrupted by Ogden exclaiming. “Ah, it’s our winter visitor. So you made it down the mountain safely after all. Thank Barylon for that.”
Carla nodded politely at the mayor before returning her attention to Steph. “You’re new.”
Steph smiled broadly. “So, you’re from out of town, are you?”
“That’s right,” Carla nodded and mirrored Steph’s smile. “You fancy yourself a thief, do you?”
Louis’ jaw dropped and Steph shot him an accusatory look before quickly turning back to Carla and shaking her head vigorously. “No, why would you think that?”
Carla’s smile broadened. “I know that look.”
She paused and produced a pouch from inside her clothes and hefted it in her hand, jingling the coins inside. She then hung it prominently on her belt and patted it. “I’ll make you a deal,” she said. “I’ll let you keep the coins if you can take this off me without me noticing before closing.”
Steph beamed broadly. “You have a deal.”