Just Business

Chapter Thirteen: Marcia

 A week before filming was due to start the Tell-Turner Heart officially opened. They wanted time for regulars and staff to get used to it before the cameras properly started rolling. Of course, the ground crew had already come in to install a series of small, CCTV looking cameras. Ivy had already figured out where they all were, and had taken to having some conversations sideways if she felt it was a better angle for whatever camera was closest.

For the most part, staff had stayed with the original shops. Only David, Amanda and Marcia were fully trained on all the various tills and systems. The bookshop portion still shut around 5:30, but several bookshelves had been added to the bar so select bestsellers, classics and special offer books could be sold to pubgoes.

Their first day was incredibly busy. By the end of it Marcia's bee themed display had been picked clean and David had to call his Dad to bring more honey for cocktails.

They shut early that day, using the evening to throw a private opening party to celebrate all the hard work.

David and Marcia clinked together their flutes of prosecco, looking over all they had created from the bar.

"To a good first day," Marcia said.

"And to all the good days to come," David finished.

"Marcia, David," Donnie called, suddenly appearing before them. He enveloped them both in a big hug, the three of them laughing in each other's ears. "This is all incredible, you two should be so proud."

"We couldn't have done it without you," Marcia insisted, not for the first time. Donnie had worked quickly and efficiently, pulling in an accountant friend as well to get it all done via the proper channels. Without him, they'd still be up to their necks in paperwork and unsure if what they wanted to do was even possible.

"Nah, any monkey with a law degree could do what I did," Donnie said.

"But a monkey wouldn't look nearly as good doing it," David joked. Donnie burst out laughing, and Marcia smiled at the budding friendship. After he had finished, Donnie turned to Marcia, suddenly looking nervous.

"Will Ivy be coming?" he asked.

"Yeah. She's late," Marcia said. "So not much has changed since you knew her."
Donnie chuckled, scuffing his boot on the floor.

"Do you think she'll want to talk to me?"

Marcia paused, deliberating.

"You can try and talk to her. She may talk back, she may not. It's hard to say with Ivy."

"Ah. So she's as complicated as ever?"

"Like I said. Not much has changed since you knew her," Marcia said, shrugging. "She's still Ivy."

Donnie nodded, a glint of steely determination in his eyes.

"Thanks," he said, "I'll leave you guys to your adoring fans."

Their adoring fans turned out to be Nana Matilda and Grandpa Rudy.

"I've not seen Turners this packed since that silly wizard book came out!" Nana Matilda said, pulling Marcia into a fierce hug. "And is this the man I've been hearing so much about?"

"Yes, this is David. My co-owner. Sort of."

"You never said what a handsome boy he was."

Nana Matilda had clasped his face in her hands, and was turning it this way and that as if she were inspecting a melon she was unsure about buying.

"It's lovely to meet you Mr and Mrs Turner," David said despite his squashed face.

"None of that, son," Rudy said, gently extracting his wife and tucking her into his side. "Call me Rudy."