Written by Simon Hart

‘Yes, Ruby love. What can I get you?’ asked the busty barmaid.

‘A G&T please,’ replied Ruby. She had popped into the pub for a quick drink and had to wait for a while to be served. It was certainly crowded this lunchtime she thought as she listened to the burbling of the people around her.

The barmaid returned and pushed the G&T into Ruby’s hand. ‘That’s £1.20 thanks, Ruby.’

Ruby reached for her purse and offered her the money. ‘Busy day, Gloria?’

‘Oh yeah, same as ever, Ruby love, lunchtimes round here are a nightmare since the brewery sacked that pathetic good for nothing Martin Mayes.’

‘Yeah, well he had it coming didn’t he,’ replied Ruby, ‘thinking he could walk off with half the profits without being found out.’

‘Yeah it seems every bar manager we get is worse than the last.’

‘Oi love! Over here,’ shouted a man from down the bar.

‘Opps! There’s never a moment’s peace in this place. See you later, Ruby,’ Gloria said making her way back down to the bar.

Ruby picked up her drink and went and sat down at an empty table. The stools were uncomfortable and the table was barely big enough for her handbag and her glass, but she had to admit the place had a certain style. It was in all respects just a typical bar, but the owners had made a little effort. There were fresh flowers on the windowsills and the carpets were clean, although this being a bar, not entirely spotless. The atmosphere was happy and most of the drinkers seemed reasonably pleased to be there. Really you could not ask for much more than that.

Mere moments later the happy atmosphere dissipated as two burly looking men walked in. They had shaved heads and similar mean looks on their faces. Conversations in the pub were reduced to a whisper and everyone was busy staring at them.

Ruby kept her head down and tried to look interested in her drink. A quick glance up revealed that they were heading her way, which made her feel rather nervous. One of the pair was demanding drinks from Gloria and the other stopped at Ruby’s table.

‘What’s going on?’ he asked.

‘Who wants to know?’ replied Ruby

‘Paul Maloney,’ he said menacingly, ‘and you are sitting at our table.’ There was particular emphasis on our.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, ‘I didn’t see the sign that said this was the Maloney brothers’ table. Perhaps I’ve gone blind.’

‘Are you having a laugh? Don’t you know who we are?’ he grunted.

‘No I don’t, and I’m not going to be bullied by two thugs like you. Sit somewhere else.’

Paul’s equally thuggish looking brother, Gus, had joined him. ‘She’s at our table,’ his voice was an aggressive whisper. ‘Move.’ He gestured to the rest of the bar.

‘Oh for goodness sake its only a table.’

‘Then,’ said Gus, ‘you won’t mind shifting will yer?’

Ruby was just about to acquiesce when a handsome young man came to join the three of them. He was dressed in a smart black suit, and was carrying a brief case in his hands. His blue eyes sparkled and he had a friendly looking face. His head was shaved, exposing more dark skin.

He nodded at the brothers. ‘Paul, Gus. You hassling this young lady?’

‘No, Mr. Fox,’ Paul Maloney replied looking down at his feet sheepishly.

‘I should hope not,’ he said sternly, ‘Oh look, there’s a table free over there,’ he pointed to the far side of the bar. ‘Might be best if you got over there, sharpish.’

‘Yes, Mr. Fox,’ they replied, before skulking off across the bar.

Ruby looked up at the stranger in relief. She hated to admit, but she had not been as brave as she had sounded when she was talking back to the brothers. She had learnt through travelling with the Doctor however that bullies had to be stood up to, no matter what. Usually they backed down pretty quickly if you tried.

‘Hi,’ said the man offering his hand, ‘I’m Ethan Fox.’

Ruby shook the hand gratefully. ‘Ruby Mundy. Thanks for that, I don’t think I was getting through to them.’

‘Oh don’t worry about the Maloney brothers. There just the hotel grounds men. They like to think they’re hard but soon as they’re threatened with the sack they behave themselves.’

Ruby smiled at him. ‘So you’re their boss then?’

‘Yeah, for my sins. I look after the day to day running of the hotel, under Aunty Rosie’s guidance of course. So you new here?’

‘Yeah, I’m staying in the hotel for a few days. I’m an old friend of Gloria’s.’ She pointed to the barmaid.

‘I see. Well can I get you another drink Miss Mundy?’

‘Oh call me Ruby please, and yeah I’ll have another G&T thanks.’

He smiled at her and she gave a little smile back. Suddenly her stay looked being a good one.

2.

‘Sometimes, Rufus Sugar, I wonder why I ever employed you.’

Up in the manager’s office Rufus Sugar was on the receiving end of yet another dressing down from Auntie Rosie. Sometimes he really wished the old cow would give it all up and retire, leaving them in peace for a while.

‘What is it now?’ he asked wearily.

‘I’ve had three complaints about your rudeness to the customers this week.’

‘Oh they deserved it. Right load of wingers. There wasn’t anything wrong with their rooms.’

Her voice was steely. ‘You know that and I know that, but you know better than to argue back, Rufus. It doesn’t do our reputation any good. For a Customer Service manager your customer relations leave a lot to be desired.’

‘Yeah I know, its just sometimes… you know…’

‘Yes, well make sure it doesn’t happen again.’ She smiled a little smile at him. ‘I don’t want to have to replace you.’ Rosie placed a hand on his shoulder affectionately and he tried hard not to choke on her overpowering perfume.

‘Other than that, any complaints?’

‘Oh no, Rufus, we’re going from strength to strength. Bookings are up since Ethan took over as Marketing Manager. We’ve been doing fabulously this last couple of months.’ She overemphasised the word fabulously, as always.

‘Good, good,’ he murmured, trying not to look her in the eye. He had a strange feeling in his stomach, like a thousand butterflies fluttering around. It had started happening recently when he was around Auntie Rosie. He knew what it meant but really did not wish to admit it. She was a fine looking woman, well preserved for her age and everything, but she was not someone he wanted to be romantically involved with. At least that is what he thought. It was just that way she had of looking at him; it made him all gooey inside.

‘Everything okay, Rufus?’ she asked noticing the curious look on his face.

He cast his eyes back down to the mess on his desk and nodded.

‘Well, we’d better get on then. This hotel won’t run itself you know.’

Ruby had enjoyed her G&Ts and was busy being shown around the grounds of the hotel by Ethan. He was a charming host, pointing out a few things of interest and then taking her for a walk around the lake. It glistened, as the afternoon sun caught the ripples that played across its surface. Ducks swam idly out to the island in the centre waiting for their ducklings to catch them up, and in the trees bird twittered incessantly.

‘Do you take this much interest in all your guests?’ she asked.

‘Only the gorgeous ones.’ It sounded like a tacky come-one to Ruby, but as soon as he fixed his smile on her, she felt herself begin to melt inside.

‘Well you must be looking at someone else pet,’ she said meeting his smile. ‘I’m not the kind of girl that a hunk of a man like you could love.’

‘They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ he replied.

‘Then you must be blind,’ she said, laughing.

‘Ruby, don’t be so down on yourself. You’re a great looking woman. You’re kind, gentle and beautiful. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.’

Ruby blushed and looked out across the lake. It was beautiful here and really tranquil. All this attention, too. She could never have predicted that happening and from someone as gorgeous as Ethan Fox.

‘Thanks, pet, I don’t know what to say.’

‘You don’t have to say anything at all, Ruby.’ He moved towards her, and she closed her eyes waiting to feel his lips touch hers.

There was a bleep from his pocket. He pulled away from Ruby and reached for his pager.

‘Damn! Talk about timing.’ He read the message and frowned. ‘Ruby, I’m sorry, I’m going to have to go. Can I take you out for dinner tonight to make it up to you?’

The look of obvious disappointment that had spread over Ruby’s face cleared slightly. ‘Yeah, okay why not. I’ll be in the hotel bar at eight.’

He smiled at her again. ‘Great! I’ll be there,’ he said as he made his away back to the hotel.

‘You’d better be!’ she called after him.

Well, Ruby, she thought to herself, you’ve got an afternoon to get yourself ready for this date. Time for some pampering, she decided, and so with one last look across the beautiful lake, she strolled off back to the hotel complex.

3.

The school bell had rung loudly and the schoolyard had quickly filled with teenagers heading for home. There was lots of shouting and the school kids showed more energy at this time of the day than they had at any other time.

Two boys were walking home together. They looked somewhat dishevelled. Their ties were hanging loosely round their necks and their shirts were untucked and covered in grass stains from the game of football they had played at lunchtime.

‘Good game at lunchtime, Gav, wasn’t it?’ asked the smaller of the two boys. He had big blue eyes and spiky brown hair.

‘Yeah it wasn’t bad was it, Adam?’ replied Gavin running a hand idly through his messy blond hair.

‘Mum says you can come round later if you like. I could do with some help with me maths homework.’

‘No probs, matey,’ Gavin said, ‘I’ll be over about 7ish. Got a couple of things to do.’

‘Cool,’ smiled Adam. Gavin smiled back at him, and they both looked a little embarrassed. They both cast their eyes back to the ground and sauntered on towards home.

‘Did you see that new girl?’ asked Gavin.

‘Abby?’

‘Yeah Abby. She’s all right isn’t she?’

‘If you like her sort I s’pose,’ Adam said. ‘ I’ve got my eye on that Sally Bristow, you know the captain of the hockey team? She’s got a good pair of …erm …’ he paused as Gavin flashed him a dirty smile.

‘Legs?’

Adam giggled and went red; ‘Yeah that’s exactly what I meant, Gav!’

‘Reckon you’ve got a chance with her too, mate. She’s always talking to you.’

‘Do you think I should ask her out?’

‘Go for it,’ Gavin replied encouragingly, ‘You’ve got nothing to lose have you?’

‘Yeah, you’re right. You’re going to have to help me work out what to say you know.’

‘Of course, which is what we do tonight Adam instead of Miss Morrison’s maths homework.’

They paused as they reached the junction between Baldwins Lane and Sherbourne Way. Gavin playfully punched Adam’s arm.

‘Later, matey,’ he said and turned off into Sherbourne Way. Adam grinned at him and set off up the road, heading for home. It seemed his life was improving all the time, he thought.

Ruby was letting the strains and stresses of the day pass her by as she lay in the bubbling Jacuzzi. This holiday was just what she needed. The bubbles effervesced around her as she slid her head under the warm water for a few moments. She resurfaced and smiled to herself. A little pampering was exactly what she deserved. It was not very often that she had the chance to sit back and relax and so this was a welcome interlude for her.

Her mind kept wandering back to her date with Ethan Fox that evening. She still could not quite believe it. After all it was not every day that someone as stylish and good-looking as him fell for someone like her.

Well, she thought, I am going to get this right for a change. She felt determined to have a wonderful evening out.

Her peace and quiet was disturbed by a loud alarm that rang through the complex. Not sure what was going on, she quickly rose from the pool and wrapped her large bath towel around her. Everyone seemed to be heading out of the building in some alarm, and with a little embarrassment she realised she was going to have to leave the spa half undressed.

‘We’ve got to get everyone out, Ethan, just in case,’ Rufus said. ‘Even if the call was a hoax we can’t risk our customers’ safety can we?’

‘I know, but I didn’t want them to panic. Setting off the bloody fire alarm like that will have them stampeding through reception like a herd of angry wildebeest.’

‘Come on we’d better go out too, just in case. I mean if this place explodes we don’t want to be stuck in here too, do we?’

‘No way, mate, ‘ Ethan agreed. ‘We better go and face the wrath of Auntie Rosie, hadn’t we?’

Outside a crowd of bewildered guests and staff amassed. Some of the guests had rounded on Auntie Rosie who was fending them off as best she could. She caught sight of Ethan and Rufus and beckoned them over. They huddled together.

‘What the hell is going on?’ she hissed at them.

‘We had a phone call telling us there was a bomb somewhere in the hotel,’ Ethan replied, ‘Rufus rang the fire bell and got everyone out.’

Auntie Rosie looked concerned. ‘Have we any idea where it might be and who could have planted it?’

‘Maybe its someone you’ve upset down the years, Rosie,’ Rufus murmured, ‘Could be any number of candidates.’

She was just about to begin one of her tirades when Ethan interceded, ‘Look, now isn’t the time for this. We need to tell this lot,’ he pointed across at the assembled guests and staff, ‘ that there’s no cause for alarm.’

Auntie Rosie agreed and went to address the crowd. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, ‘ she began, ‘there’s no need to be alarmed. This is simply a drill and we hope you will bear with us while we sort things out. Once again I assure you that there is no reason for anyone to panic…’

It was then that an explosion tore through the building, shattering the windows as smoke poured out.

Ethan looked around the crowd and with a sudden panic realised he could not see Ruby in the crowd. ‘Ruby!’ he shouted.

4.

There were screams among the crowd as glass flew through the air. Rufus quickly pulled Aunty Rosie to the ground and shielded her from the flying shards. She looked momentarily surprised and then smiled appreciatively up at him. He blushed a little as she thanked him quietly, and gently pecked him on the cheek. He knew of course that becoming involved with Rosie was like cuddling up to a venomous snake, but still he could not help himself.

‘Rosie…I…’ he stammered.

She shushed him. ‘Rufus, now is not the time for this. We’ve got the guests to think of. Come on, we’ve got work to do.’

She allowed him to help her up and she instantly began to look at the debris around her. Fortunately it seemed there were not too many injured people; the guests seemed more dazed than injured. The building itself did not seem to be in too bad a state either. Obviously the bomb had been designed to cause chaos rather than damage. Her mind kept wandering back to one thought though, who could possibly want to blow up The Croxley Arms?

Ruby looked around her in shock. Moments earlier she had been relaxing in the spa and now here she was in the cold among a confused crowd. She had wrapped a dressing gown around her when she left the spa, but it offered very little protection now she was out in the cool late afternoon air. She had been lucky. She had not been hurt, but she was rather dazed.

She was vaguely aware that her name was being called. She craned her neck above the bodies around her to see who was calling her. She grinned as she saw it was Ethan searching for her in the crowd.

‘You-hooo! Ethan! Over here!’ she called.

The relief on his face was obvious as he ran over to her side. ‘Oh Ruby,’ he said wrapping her up in a big bear hug, ‘I was so worried you’d been caught inside.’

‘I think my lucks in today, Ethan,’ she said smiling at him.

‘It sure is, babe,’ he laughed,’ but looks like dinner might be off I’m afraid.’

Ruby looked crestfallen.

‘I’m sorry, babes, but with this explosion business I’m gonna be busy. Don’t worry I’ll make it up to you, I promise.’

Ruby was trying hard not to look as disappointed as she felt inside. ‘You’d better, Mr Fox, or else you’ll be in big trouble.’

‘I promise,’ he said solemnly, ‘I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of you, Miss Mundy! Come on,’ he took her hand, ‘I’ll see if I can find you something a bit warmer to wear.’

‘Thank you kind, sir!’ she said with a curtsey and she allowed him to lead her off.

The next morning was clear and bright. It was a Saturday morning and the enthusiastic parents of the Girls’ Hockey team lined the pitch, dressed warmly, waiting to cheer their children on.

Adam was also on the edge of the pitch. His chat with Gavin had resulted in a plan and he had decided that it was time to come down and try his luck with Sally Bristow. He was not sure exactly what he was supposed to do, but at least being here and cheering her on might do some good.

As the girls came onto the pitch, Adam cheered and clapped enthusiastically. He caught Sally’s eye, noticing at the same time her rather short hockey skirt. He smiled shyly at her and was pleased when she waved back at him.

Mr and Mrs Bristow were also there to cheer their daughter on. Mr Bristow was enthusiastically waving the school scarf above his head and cheering every time Sally was near the ball. Hockey sticks clashed against one another and goals were scored. Sally’s team were taking the lead.

It was all coming down to a penalty. Sally’s team had yielded one and so the team lined up beside the goal. The ball was launched in the air, and Sally moved forward to intercept it. For a split second it looked as if she might be able to reach it, but the ball bounced on an uneven area of grass and was heading straight for her head. She tried to move out of the way.

The ball smashed onto her forehead and she dropped unconscious to the ground.

Mr and Mrs Bristow stood stunned for a second before rushing to their daughter’s side. ‘Sally!’ screamed Mrs Bristow.