My Summer Affair

Chapter 8: A Night in Brighton

“It's just an inside joke between the girls," Cadence is quick to explain and Lucas relaxes a little, nodding. He seems to be dismissing the idea to discuss later and not in front of us. Lucas looks around the street and the restaurant and seems content with the area. He takes a sip from the extra drink on the table, Liam must have bought an extra knowing Lucas would show.

“It went as well as I had expected it to go," Lucas offers a little insight but he doesn't seem to want to explain further. He shares another look with Cadence who nods after a few seconds then redirects his attention to the group.

“Now, where were we? Has everyone found something interesting on the menu or shall we keep looking?" Cadence turns everyone's focus back on the menus but I keep my gaze on Lucas, he looks over at me and smiles. It's a sad, tight smile and I want to ask him about it but I don't want to pry. He opened up to me a little last night, maybe he wants to share more. Before I can ask or say anything, Lucas speaks up.

“Actually, I have an idea. Do you remember the last time we were in Brighton?" Lucas turns to his friends and they look at each other a little quizzical. “What was the woman's name? Ava? Yes, I think it was Ava, she owned that charming little hole in the wall."

“'Charming little hole in the wall'?" Natalie asks, letting out a little chuckle. “Sounds interesting."

“Oh, yes. It very much was," Lucas closes his eyes as he thinks then he snaps his fingers. “It was a Snug behind Quincy's Pub."

“Oh!" Liam exclaims. “I remember that! Oh, well we should definitely go there. It's still open, isn't it?"

“Yes, I'll call Ava and let her know to expect us," Alfonso pulls out his phone and steps away from the table to make the call.

“Um, hello," Margot says when the boys prattle on, “just what in the heck is a 'snug'?" She asks the question in all of our minds. The boys chuckle but Cadence explains.

“It's, well, it's essentially what you would call a 'speakeasy' in America," Cadence searches for the right word, and we all nod in understanding.

“Hey, I'm pretty sure they have speakeasies in other places too, I think," Natalie adds, squinting her nose to think it over. “Oh well. But yay! That sounds fun!"

“Are speakeasies usually open this early?" I ponder and Liam checks his watch. It's almost midafternoon but it can't be any later than 3 or 4 pm.

“Ava is an old friend, I'm sure she will have no problem with us coming in earlier. It would probably be better anyway, to go when it is less crowded," Cadence looks at Lucas who gives a quick nod to express his agreement.

“Alright, it's all set. She is expecting us in an hour. We'll have the room all to ourselves at this time but she says she'll have to open the doors for her customers at the usual time," Alfonso explains to Lucas and I wonder why we would need the privacy.

“We should head over soon," Lucas says, glancing at his watch. “It will take us about 45 minutes to get there."

“It's far away?" I ask.

“Not necessarily but we need to take a car and that might cause some delay in our travel," Lucas checks his phone as a car pulls up on the street behind us.

“We really don't mind walking," I protest. “It is a beautiful day out."

“Gorgeous, really," Jackie agrees.

“Where we are going, it would make me feel better if we drove. If you wouldn't mind," Lucas says as if he is offering and would agree to our decision if we decided we did not want to take the car but I'm pretty sure he would be able to persuade us to take the car in the end. I don't want to start a fight so I agree to the drive.

“I don't think I have ever ridden in a car this nice before," I say as I head toward it to get our party moving.

“Is that an insult to all the lovely cars I've had over the years?" Jackie laughs as we all pile into the vehicle.

“You've had many?" Cadence asks, a little taken aback by her comment.

“Oh, yeah, that's probably not a road you want to go down," Natalie laughs and shakes her head. She makes herself comfortable in the car, tucking her legs under her.

“But I still remember every one of them, and think of them fondly," Jackie smiles and places her hand over her heart.

“We're here," Lucas says as the car pulls to a stop. I peek out the window and see a normal-looking pub. I look back at Lucas and he smiles at me. “Don't be disappointed yet, you haven't seen the inside."

We get out of the car and walk into the pub and the bartender nods at the group before gesturing to a door toward the back of the establishment.

“Ava's waiting for you through there," he says in a gruff voice, then goes back to wiping down the counter. We hustle past him and open the doors to find ourselves in the kitchen. I look over at Lucas and then at my girls and notice they look confused too. Lucas and his friends just smile, clearly thrilled to be showing us this new experience.

Before anyone can say anything, a woman in her late 30s comes from around a corner and throws her arms in the air.

“Lucas, my boys!" She greets each of them with a swift kiss on the cheek, she hesitates before kissing Lucas' cheek but he leans forward to greet her in the same manner.

“Ava," Lucas says, “it is lovely to see you again. Thank you so much for your hospitality."

“Of course," Ava bows her head and Lucas makes a strange face which she catches and straightens herself. “I do apologize that I couldn't do more for you. Such short notice didn't allow me to prepare the way I should have. I didn't even realize you were in the country." Ava looks like she wants to say more but Lucas raises his hand and she stops speaking.

“I apologize for springing this on you. We are so grateful you were able to accommodate us on such short notice. I will remember to inform you the next time we are coming to visit. You know we will always want to stop here on our trip," Lucas smiles at Ava and she blushes humbly and once again bows her head.

“Thank you, sir, thank you," Ava says and Lucas nods, smiling then gestures for her to lead us.

“Oh, yes of course. Right this way everyone," Ava smiles at me as she turns to bring us back the way she came. When we enter the room, I instantly fall in love. The speakeasy is such a cute private bar area, with gorgeous seating around the bar and standing tables spread across the floor with enough space to dance between them.

“Wow," I whisper and Ava overhears, she sends a wink in my direction.

“Do you approve?" Lucas asks, smiling like he is proud of himself. I nod my head to show I do but don't give him the satisfaction of responding out loud. “Ava, where would one find your finest bottle of ale?"

“Oh, I have your favorite just in the back room. I will go grab one for you," Ava starts to hurry off but Lucas stops her again.

“Don't worry, I will grab it," Ava nods and Lucas looks at me. “Will you join me?"

“Okay," I say almost immediately and I hear Jackie chuckle at my eagerness. I shoot her a look and she just grins at me. Lucas leads me to the back room and the door swings shut behind us. “So, you need my help to carry one bottle?" I tease Lucas as he searches the racks for his choice. He looks at me over his shoulder and smiles.

“I just wanted to get you alone," the phrasing sounds sinister but I don't think those are his intentions, although I don't think I would protest if he wanted to kiss me again.

“That sounds scandalous," I admit and he chuckles.

“More than you'd think," he says under his breath and I want to ask what he means but he stands up and triumphantly produces a bottle. He looks at me and we both hesitate, I know he wants to be alone a bit longer, and I do too.

“We should probably get back out there," I suggest after a few seconds of silence. Lucas nods and then goes to the door.

“Oh no," Lucas says in a way that makes me whip around to look at him. His hand is on the doorknob and he looks over at me with an odd expression on his face.

“'Oh no' what?" I ask, coming over to him.

“I think the door is locked," Lucas doesn't look too worried but he does seem apologetic. On the other hand, I'm starting to panic.

“What?!"