Lydia nodded and Alice opened her mouth, about to wave her order form at Ruby, but Ruby didn’t give her a chance, she grabbed her handbag, and darted out of there.
Usually she gave the hotel one hundred and ten percent of her attention. But not today. She didn’t know how much time she had with Steve, so she needed to make the most of it.
***
As Ruby entered the house, the atmosphere changed. The door slammed, she huffed and puffed.
“I am so pissed off,” she said, removing her shoes and dumping her handbag on the couch. Steve chose to remain silent. He’d learnt a long time ago to let someone rant when they needed to. “I got cornered by a member of staff. What part of ‘it’s my day off’ do they not understand?”
Steve made Ruby a fresh coffee in the cafetière, and put it in front of her.
They definitely needed a coffee machine – it would have been ready and waiting in the carafe to be poured. He lived, breathed, survived only because of his coffee machine. Sitting at the table, Ruby muttered language that truly shocked him, drumming her fingers along the wood. Yes, he heard curses a lot, but not from the mouth of his dear, sweet, baby sister. She used to shout, “oh, poo,” when angered, not every expletive under the sun.
“Who’s Pete?” With Ruby’s face looking like thunder, Steve would hate to be him.
“My assistant manager and he’s a total waste of space. Probably why Lydia couldn’t find him. Skiving off chatting up a waitress, knowing him. There have been rumours he takes naps in a room if it’s available.”
Steve chuckled. “Ruby, can you give me a job?”
She screwed up her face. “Do you really want a job?”
“How else am I going to meet people? I can’t stay cooped up here. I can’t just wander around Cribbs Causeway.”
“There is Cabot Circus.”
“What?” Steve frowned.
“It’s another shopping centre, but never mind.” Ruby shook her head, gesturing for Steve to continue.
“I need to make some friends, get out and socialise, and work is the best way. Isn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose so.” She rested her head in her hands, slumping onto the table. “I can’t pay you – as I said, there’s just no budget right now. You’ll just have to keep it quiet that you’re not actually on the payroll. It’s a bit dodgy, but I don’t think anyone will question it.”
“I don’t need the money. I want an excuse to get up every morning, that’s all. Lead a normal life.”
“Okay.” She sighed. “This is the best I can do; cleaner or bar staff?”
“Bar staff, that’s a no-brainer!”
“You’re sure? Some would rather clean.”
“How many women am I going to meet with my head down the toilet?”
“Good point. But still, I bet you come begging after a week.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve worked in a bar before. I can practise my cocktail making abilities.” He shook an imaginary cocktail shaker.
“Tom Cruise has already done that film! A very long time ago.”
“They might remake it, like they’ve done Footloose.”
Ruby sank her head into her hands. “Oh God, I hope I don’t get the sack for this.”
“You won’t, but if you do, I’d make sure you were okay. I can afford to.” He patted her arm.
“That’s not the point. I actually like my job.”
“You were cursing it only five minutes ago. I think I heard every swear word in the English language. French, too.”
“Oh, shut up.” Ruby finished her coffee. “Coffee tasted good by the way. Is this real coffee?” She looked at him speculatively.
He grinned. “I went shopping.”
Her eyes widened with horror. “You did what?”
“Relax. No one took a blind bit of notice. I’ve even got us some dinner in.”
“Oh, yeah, I’ve failed to get to a supermarket this week.”
Steve stood, clearing the table. “So when do I start my new job?” he asked, taking the mugs out to the kitchen.
“You can start tomorrow. You’ll have to do some training first, about the facilities, hygiene awareness and general hotel procedures.”
“Awesome.”
“You’ve really got to work on the accent.”
“I am!”
“You’re an actor for Christ’s sake. Pretend it’s a part you’re playing, a role.”
Steve opened the fridge and started taking the ingredients out he needed to make dinner.
“You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” he said, in his best British accent.
“Ha! Ha! Very Michael Caine. Just tone it down a little.”
Steve felt a sting on his right ear where Ruby flicked it.
“That hurt.” He rubbed his head and scowled. “Make yourself useful and peel the potatoes.”
“Pardon?” Ruby raised her eyebrows, as if waiting patiently.
Steve cleared his throat. “Please can you peel the potatoes,” he concentrated on sounding more British, “Darling? Ouch!”
***
“Okay, thinking about tomorrow,” Ruby said, tucking into her plate of food. “I think you might want to act a little clumsy or nerdy. It worked for Clark remember?”
Between them they’d knocked up a simple dinner with lamb chops and lashings of mint sauce. Damn, had he missed mint sauce. This was what living an ordinary life was about.
“More acting required, huh?”
“Yes, and I was thinking that we should change your name.”
Steve nodded. She had a point and he had thought this too.
“What about Stuart, it’s close to Steve? I wondered about Stefan, but would that be too close?”
“Stuart is good. Not so keen on Stefan.” Steve pulled a face.
“Then, Stuart it is. If I start saying Steve, at least I can correct myself. Also, as you’re my brother you’ll have Fisher back for your surname.”
Steve nodded. “Stuart, Stuart, Stuart,” he said, more to himself. Would he remember he was using a different name? Maybe he really did have to look at this as just another acting part. But there’d be no camera on him.
“Oh, and we’ve got to come up with a back-story, for why you’ve been away. You phoned from the airport.”
“How’d you know about that?”
“Lydia let it slip.”
“Will I get to meet Lydia? Is she cute?”
“I don’t know, she’s not my type.” Ruby rolled her eyes. “She’s quieter than Alice. But I’m not getting you a job so you can shag half the staff. You’re going to have to pull your weight, Steve, otherwise the others will start moaning. You have to work.”
“Yes, I know, boss.”