E20 Takeover

Chapter 2 - The big question

6:30 quickly approached and Jack made his way to the vic filled with excitement that Mel had finally taken him up on his offer of the drink. When he got to the vic door he neatened up his blazer and ruffled his hair in the reflection of the door handle and pulled open the door.

The pub was quite busy, Mick and Linda were serving at the bar with Tracey coming out from the barrel store. Jack wandered over to see his good friend Mick.
"Hi Mick. Linda." Jack said
"Hiya Jack" Linda waved across the bar
"You alright Jack, what you 'avin" Mick replied
"Pint please. You're busy tonight!" said Jack looking about for Mel.
"Yeah we've got open mic night. We got Ian doin' some mystical magic or somethin" Mick said handing him his pint "Here you go mate, 1.20 ta"
Jack handed him is money "Keep the change" Mick nodded and walked away to serve another customer.
Just at that moment Mel walked through the door, spotted Jack and rushed over.
"Jack. I'm sorry i'm late, I hope you haven't been waiting long" She said in a fluster
"Nah not really, you're here now that's all that matters. What you having?" He asked
"White wine please" She replied.

White wine.. that's what Ronnie used to order. Jack's face sunk as Mel looked away. He still thought about Ronnie a lot, she would always be a part of his life. The kids still ask questions sometimes and it breaks his heart to know she's never coming home.

Jack quickly snapped out of his daze as he realised Mel was now looking at him. She had a huge smile on her face.
"White wine for the lady please Mick" Jack shouted across the bar, Mick raised his eyebrows jokingly to Jack and served him straight away. "On the house" he whispered and wandered off
Jack handed Mel her drink and smiled.
"Thanks. Jack there was something I wanted to ask you" she said sipping gracefully on her drink.
"Yes?" Jack replied
"I was wondering if.. er.. Well I was going to hire Billy to help me run the club as I won't be able to do it all by myself but you know Billy and he's having a bit of a rough time at the minute you know with Honey and all that. So I was wondering if you wanted to help me run the club? Let's say.. what.. 60 40?" She asked anxiously.

Jack thought hard. Then he remembered 60 40. That's what him and Ronnie were when she found out he was the one that bought the club behind her back. This made him miss her tremendously however did his best not to show how he felt.
"60 40?" he asked
"Yeah.. why? is that not okay?"
"No! No! That's absolutely fine. I will Mel. It would be great to help you out" he said drinking a mouthful of beer.
He knew this would bring back so many heartbreaking memories but what's the worst that could happen?