“Yes actually, it wasn’t great.”
“G’day mate,” Ashley gestured towards the Mojitos, “how gnarly is this coldie?”
“Oh God.” Megan covered her face.
“Crikey, don’t be a drongo mate.”
“Please stop.”
Ashley threw her head back in a fit of laughter.“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you for the drink, by the way. You remembered myfavourite.”
“Of course I did, it’s my favourite too.”
They lifted their glasses in salute.
“What shall we cheers to?”Megan asked.
“To old friends.” Ashley smiled sincerely, but she noticed a hint of disappointment cross Megan’s face.
“This place is gorgeous, isn’t it?”
“It’s incredible. I’m glad you suggested it. I bet my gram would love it up here, I’ll have to tell her.”
“How is Nancy?”
“She seems great. Did she tell you they’re thinking aboutexpanding?”
“No, she didn’t. I haven’t been to the bar in a few weeks so I haven’t had a chance to catch up with her.”
“Yeah, she mentioned that.”
“What? That I hadn’t been?”
“You know how she is. She likes to know how you’re doing. She wishes you would go by more often and gets worried when she doesn’t see you.” Megan smiled softly.
“If you see her before I do tell her I promise I’llvisit soon.”
“I think it’s sweet that she cares for you. I know you don’t have any grandparents, so that must be nice.”
“I care for her too, she’s a remarkable woman. It must run in the family.” Ashley nudged Megan playfully. The comment was intended to be a causal compliment, but the atmosphereintensified.
“Anyway, back to the expanding part. The unit next door has become available and they’re thinking about putting an offer in to double the size of the bar.” Megan’s change of subjectwas tactile.
“Really? Wow? Shouldn’t they be slowing down attheir age?”
“That’s exactly what I said! Apparently, the bar manager that works for them is amazing, so they think he will be able to run it the majority of the time and they can just reap the benefits.”
“I don’t blame them, they should be enjoying their life now not working behind a bar.”
“You have inspired them for part of the expansion as well.”
“What do you mean?” Ashley took a sip of her Mojito, which was already almost empty.
“They want to have a dedicated writers area with book shelves, sockets to plug laptops in, a large-screen TV playing the news, etc. They said, and I quote,‘Ashley will love it’,so you must be the favourite because I don’t see them having a dedicated basketball section.” Megan crossed her arms and pouted theatrically.
“Let’s be fair, it is classed as a sports bar and they often have the basketball on so don’t act all misfortunate. I love that idea though. I have spent so many days writing at the bar over the pasttwo years.”
