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“Mrs…?”
“Mrs Mop. It’s our company.” She regards at me defiantly. “We’re self-employed, we are.”
I begin to see Molly’s point. These girls are not messing.
“I see. Well, she’ll be a couple of weeks. And, yes, they did catch them.” I leave out any further details.
“We’ll still be gettin’ paid?”
“Of course.”
“Well, here’s our bill, then.” She hands me a piece of paper ripped from a spiral-bound notepad.
“That’s two weeks’ worth.”
I unfold the note.
You owe us £97.90 for cleaning bar, lavvies & back room. Pay by Friday. Cash.
It lacks something in formality, but I get the idea. I produce two fifty-pound notes from my wallet and hand them over.
“’Ave ye nothin’ smaller?”
“Afraid not.”
“Not got no cash. Ye’ll have to wait for your change.”
“Fair enough.”
She shoves the notes down her blouse. “When ye see Miss Delaney, tell ’er if she wants us tae do upstairs, just while she’s poorly, like, we’ll no’ charge ’er.”
“That’s very kind of you. I’ll pass it on.”
“She’s been right good tae us, ’as Miss Delaney. We want tae help.”
She gives me a nod and switches on the vacuum cleaner once more. Our conversation is over, and I’m dismissed.
Feeling vaguely as though I’ve just been mugged, I consider my next move. Should I order another pint?
I decide against it. I’m not much of a daytime drinker, and I have work still to do today. Getting pissed won’t help. Most pressing order of business, find out what’s the deal with ‘Gregory’.
I decide on the direct approach. Molly passes me on her way to swish a cloth around the table closest to the bar so I beckon her over. “When’s Gregory due?”
Molly takes my empty glass. “Want another?”
“No, thanks. Gregory?” I prompt.
She waves her arm at me. “Ach, he’ll be along soon enough. Ne’er misses.”
Interesting.“He comes in round the back. Is that right?”
“Oh, aye. Jenna insists. Would’nae do fer ’im tae be marchin’ in the front door.”
Would it not?“When’s he due?”
She glances at the wall clock. “Oh, any time now, lad. In fact…”
There’s the sound of a door opening and closing, then footsteps in the adjacent games room.
