Catherine Miller - Christmas at the Gin Shack

‘I wasn’t proposing on being here just at the weekends. I figured, if I got the job, I’d take some time off from my business, which can pretty much run itself without me, to make sure this one stays afloat.’

‘Job’s yours then. That was easy. Couldn’t think of anyone better,’ Randy said, raising his mug in a toast.

‘Hold your horses,’ Veronica said from the furthest position on the bar. ‘He hasn’t had his interview yet.’

‘We know he can do the job,’ Randy said

‘Yes, but can he make a cocktail?’ Aiden said.

Olive wondered if it was Tony who really wanted to know if Richard could make one. It wasn’t like the entertainment programme he was watching had provided him with much cocktail-making so far. And as her son had been a teetotaller until the opening of the Gin Shack, was it possible for him to mix cocktails without the knowledge most would have? Had he managed to learn that quickly?

‘What do you say, Esme?’ Veronica prompted.

Esme placed her mug down and stared at it for a moment. ‘I guess it’s only fair Richard should interview like everyone else.’

‘Of course I should. Besides, I’ve come prepared. Don’t let me waste my efforts.’

Olive was just about catching up now she knew she was right about him being here earlier than he was due to be. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Richard coming here to take over, though. There was no doubt he had a bit of a controlling nature and, while much of it had been with her welfare in mind, she wasn’t sure he’d be able to help interfering in her life given the opportunity. She pushed those thoughts away, though. She’d deal with that if it ever came to it.

‘Did you know Richard was coming to interview, Esme?’ Veronica asked.

‘Nope. There wasn’t a name on the application. I thought it was a no-hoper who wasn’t able to manage the most straightforward question there was. Anyway, as we’ve agreed, we can’t fairly give you the job, Richard, without your demonstrating your cocktail-making skills.’

‘With pleasure.’ Richard went behind the bar and took a few extra ingredients out of his weekend bag.

It was really nice to think Richard had gone to some effort. Olive wasn’t sure of his motives for wanting to work there, but she knew it would be a great comfort to Tony if someone capable of doing the job was left in charge.

‘Right, I must confess that having some insider knowledge of what the Gin Shack has featured has helped make my decision easier. I’m not sure even my mum has tried this one before.’

Richard carefully poured out measures of gin with some fresh lemon juice, adding them to the cocktail shaker. He then raided his own supplies again, adding sugar and runny honey. ‘This cocktail is called the Bee’s Knees and it dates back to Prohibition. So it’s a bit vintage, but we could say that about some of our best customers.’

Richard offered Olive a cheeky smile. The cheek of it, referring to his mother and friends as vintage. But then he might have a point and, quite frankly, there was nothing wrong with that. As far as she knew it was the “in” thing and she had no problem with being in.

‘I’ve been practising this next bit. I don’t think even Tony can do this.’ With his cocktail shaker fully charged, Richard did an impressive little routine, including a throw in the air as he spun round, ready to catch it. There were delighted shrieks from everyone, the loudest coming from Skylar.

Richard took a little bow and Olive couldn’t help but lead a round of applause. It was hard to believe that her uptight son, who used to get his knickers in a twist over the thought of Olive enjoying herself, was now here delivering quite the spectacle. He had hidden depths and it would appear they were more alike than she ever could have imagined.

Richard passed them all a sample of the drink to try. The cocktail was a gorgeous golden colour, like a rich champagne only without the sparkles.

Her son had been right – Olive hadn’t tried this before. What a gorgeously simple recipe and how was it she had never thought to try something similar.

Olive always tended to close her eyes on the first taste of a new drink, as if cutting off the sense of sight aided the tasting experience. The Bee’s Knees cocktail was sweet and sophisticated all at once. The sugar cut across the sour and the outcome was delectable.

‘What do you think?’ Richard asked.

For a moment, Olive was so taken away with the flavours, she’d forgotten where she was. The murmurs from everyone else were in agreement with Olive’s own thoughts. ‘One of the nicest cocktails I’ve ever had. The only thing is… it’s not very Christmassy, is it?’

‘Ah. I knew you’d say that, so, in true Gin Shack tradition, that was just a sampler, trying it in its true form. I had to think about what would go with it and make it more festive. The Bee’s Knees Christmas-style coming up.’ Richard showed off his skills with the cocktail shaker again. Once he was done, he placed their drinks in front of them and, unlike the last one, this was ruby-red in colour.

‘What have you added in here?’ Randy asked, holding it up to the light.

Along the rest of the bar everyone else was sniffing or peering at the drink, trying to work it out before having a taste.

Olive was pretty sure she knew what it was and how pleasing it was that her son might have inherited a feel for good flavour combinations. She went in for a taste to confirm whether she was correct. Just as she thought, Richard had added a cranberry liquor. Not too much so the honey wasn’t apparent, but enough to give a taste and, although it didn’t sing Christmas in the way mulled wine might, it did say seasonal with a slight twist on a classic.

‘I thought cranberry counted as a Christmas flavour,’ Richard said, confirming the taste to anyone who’d not worked it out.

‘This is gorgeous,’ Veronica exclaimed, with everyone else agreeing.

‘You know what this means, don’t you?’ Randy said, glancing along the bar to catch everyone’s attention.

And as if they’d all practised it, in a very Apprentice -style manner, they all said (including Tony, if it was possible to identify the tiny voice)…

‘You’re hired!’

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.