‘I fully appreciate what Jack is saying,’ Annie Walker said when they were finally seated in the back parlour and all the introductions and pleasantries were out of the way. She slipped some half-moon glasses onto the end of her nose and glanced back to Jack’s letter in her hand. ‘It’s just like my husband to try to help someone out, but are you sure you’re ready for all the heavy work? Because that is a large and integral part of the job.’
‘I’m pretty well as fit as I ever was,’ Steve said, crossing his fingers behind his back. ‘And I’m still working on it, so I reckon I’m as ready as I can be to tackle whatever’s needed.’ Steve looked her straight in the eye as he said this, until eventually she looked away and he hoped that it was his eyes twinkling a little that had brought the slight smile to Annie’s lips. ‘After all, it was my leg that was damaged, not my arms,’ he said, ‘so I reckon I can still lift the odd barrel and the like.’ Steve grinned, hoping she wouldn’t ask him to demonstrate these skills right now as he was actually feeling the effects of his long walk.
‘And do you really consider you’re ready for the managerial responsibilities this job entails? After all, you’ve been serving in the army for the last few years,’ Annie said.
‘As a corporal,’ Steve pointed out. ‘Which in itself involves taking on responsibilities.’
‘But not as a high-flying officer, so at least you won’t be after my job.’ Annie gave a tinkling laugh. ‘Though you will be used to taking orders.’ Steve wanted to smile at the slightly patronizing way she said that and he hoped his face didn’t give him away.
‘And would you say, generally, that you have a good head for business?’ Annie asked. ‘I will, of course, still be in overall charge, but I need someone solid and dependable who can take care of all aspects of the day-to-day running of the place. I have two young children who need my attention as well as the pub, and until the Germans surrender and peace is declared, we have no idea when Jack is likely to be coming home.’
As if on cue the door suddenly burst open and a little boy ran into the room crying, ‘Mummy, Mummy, who was that funny man with the limp who came hopping in?’ He stopped when he saw Steve and stared up at his face before glancing down at his legs. The boy then drew back his foot as if to let loose a mighty kick at Steve but luckily Steve saw the sudden movement and caught the boy’s leg before it could make contact. He held on to it while the boy could only hop in ever-decreasing circles. ‘I bet I can make you hop much better than me,’ Steve whispered into the boy’s ear. His voice was soft but steely and he continued to smile. He didn’t want to say more as he was waiting for Annie to intervene.
‘Tell him to stop!’ the boy squealed, but Annie only made soothing noises. ‘Oh Billy, you are such a one. I thought I told you to stay in the kitchen and look after Joanie? What will your father say? You know, he won’t tolerate such behaviour when he comes home.’
‘Then I don’t want him ever to come home. I hate him!’ Billy shouted. ‘He’s not going to tell me what to do.’
As if he suddenly realized he was still holding on to the leg of Jack’s son, Steve stood up abruptly and as he did so he lifted the young boy off the ground.
‘Put me down!’ Billy screamed. Steve paid no heed at first, but when it became apparent Annie had nothing more to say, he eventually lowered him to the floor. As soon as he was standing upright, Billy aimed a kick again at Steve’s legs which Steve was fortunately able to parry. Billy’s jaw tightened as he turned away and he began to half run, half walk round the room with an exaggerated limp, shouting, ‘I’m Mr Hoppy and I can hop better than you!’ in a taunting voice. When he reached the door he turned and pulled out his tongue. Annie gasped, then Billy hopped off into the vestibule, leaving the door wide open behind him.
Annie shook her head and made a tutting sound as Billy disappeared, but then she got up to close the door and Steve could see she was smiling.
‘What can you do with such a rascal?’ she said with no attempt at an apology.
‘Hope that he grows up to be a decent man like his father,’ Steve offered diplomatically, making sure to maintain the smile on his lips, even though his leg had begun to throb in anticipation of what might have been.
‘Now, where were we?’ Annie said.
‘Discussing my ranking, I think.’ Steve handed her a sheet of paper, outlining his previous jobs. ‘I’d say my work history speaks for itself,’ he said. ‘I think you’ll find I can work at whatever level you require.’
‘So, what would you say are the essentials for a good pub?’ Annie asked as she glanced over the paper.
Steve was about to say, ‘a pretty barmaid,’ but he managed to check himself and said instead, ‘A good pub should have contented staff. Someone behind the bar who has a sense of humour and a happy smile.’ He gestured towards Annie with his hand as he said this. To his surprise she blushed as he held her gaze for a moment and he realized that was not the answer she’d been expecting. ‘I’ve seen what looks like a new pub not very far from here,’ Steve said quickly.
‘Ah, yes, indeed,’ Annie said, peering through the glasses that had slipped down her nose. ‘That would be the Tripe Dresser’s Arms, though I believe they have some fancy new name for it now, which I find not a little pretentious.’
‘Well, as a newcomer to the area I’d certainly want to check out the opposition.’ He didn’t want to tell her he’d already done that and that he intended to visit the Pride of Weatherfield again in the very near future in pursuit of the pretty barmaid in the green dress who did indeed have a sense of humour and a welcoming smile. Annie continued to probe with a further list of questions until there really seemed nothing left to ask. Finally, she stood up and Steve followed suit. He had assumed the interview was a formality so he was surprised when she said, ‘I’d be happy for you to start tomorrow, but I’m afraid it would have to be cellar work only for the time being. I’m sure you understand that I’ll have to follow up your references before I can make the bar manager’s position official.’
‘Yes, of course, I understand,’ Steve said politely.’ He didn’t really, for he’d assumed the job was his, wasn’t her husband’s endorsement of him good enough? ‘And how long do you think that might take?’
A flash of annoyance crossed her face. ‘I shall get on to it as quickly as I’m able,’ she said. She glanced towards the closed door. The sound of children squabbling was increasing. ‘It’s been very nice to meet you, thank you so much for coming, Mr Carter.’ She put out her hand and Steve shook it. ‘It’s Steve, please,’ he said. ‘I look forward to working with you,’ and he gave her what he hoped was a winning smile.
It was a week before Steve received notification that the manager’s job was his should he still want it, and if his leg hadn’t been playing up that morning he would have danced round his mother’s kitchen with delight.
‘At least that Mrs Walker knows a good thing when she sees one,’ Mrs Carter said as he waved the letter in front of her.
‘Only thing is, Mam,’ Steve’s face was suddenly serious as he sat down at the table, ‘it means I’ll be moving out of here again. You and dad have done so much to help me since I’ve been back, and you know I’m grateful, but I’m afraid it’s too far for me to travel each day. I’ll have to try and find some digs in Weatherfield, closer to the pub.’
‘Don’t worry, love. You don’t have to make excuses. It’s your life and you have to do what you have to do. It’s not as though you haven’t lived away before. You were never home much before the war. I’m just right proud you’re not letting that nasty injury business get in your way,’ she said, kissing the top of his sleeked-back hair. ‘Just be sure to remember to visit us once