Veronica adjusted her handbag as she waited for the bus to arrive at the stop. The season was turning a new leaf, and Fall was finally approaching. Veronica wasn't sad to see the sun go. This morning had been a welcoming change of crisp air tinged with the promise of rainfall.
She saw the familiar silver vehicle turning the corner and desperately tried to chug the remaining coffee she had down her throat. She was in no mood to argue with the bus driver about how she wouldn't spill the coffee on the floor if he let her into the bus with the styrofoam cup.
The last dregs of coffee slid down her throat as the bus stopped before her. The driver, Harvy, gave her a small nod as she threw the cup in the bin and boarded the bus, showing him her travel pass.
She had been taking the same bus for the last five years, seeing the same group of people sitting in the seats that she knew most of them by now. She walked past Donna, who was crocheting a hat and took her seat at the back of the vehicle. Pulling out her headphones, Veronica was about to listen to her morning playlist when her phone started ringing. It was her manager.
"Good morning, Martin," she greeted.
"Where are you?" Martin asked, his voice annoyed. This wasn't good. Normal Martin was hard to handle on most days, annoyed Martin was a whole different case. A basket case, if she was being honest.
"It is 8:30 in the morning, Martin," she replied. "I am on the bus to the inn."
"We have a problem."
"A problem?" She asked, wondering what could already go wrong before the day had even started.
"The Bridgestocks have arrived."
Veronica scrunched her eyebrows. "No, they are scheduled to arrive at 10:15. They called at the inn three times to make sure that I knew they were arriving at quarter past ten."
Martin sighed. "Well, apparently, they took an earlier train and are now waiting at the inn to be checked in and entertained as if none of us have a life."
She shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Where's Lucille? Shouldn't she be there to check them in? Nothing in their itinerary starts before 12:30. What are they doing here so early?"
There was a rustling sound on Martin's end, followed by a loud thud, which probably implicated that her boss just fell. After a beat of silence, he replied, "Lucille had the night off and since we had no guest scheduled to have an aneurysm and arrive two hours earlier than their designated time, Manny was manning the front desk."
Veronica sighed. It usually took her twenty minutes to reach the inn with the bus. sixteen more minutes to go. "I will be there soon. I will call Manny and tell him to offer the Bridgestocks coffee and refreshments while they wait."
"Good."
Before Veronica could add something else, Martin had already disconnected the line. She frowned at her phone screen and prayed that the bus would go faster.
Despite none of this being her fault, the Bridgestocks were furious that she hadn't been there to check them in. Veronica did all but mime that they were supposed to arrive at 10:15, and that is why she wasn't there to greet them. In the end, they could only be placated with an on-the-house lunch. She had enough experience with people like this to know that checking them out was not going to be an easy feat. But that was a problem for the future. Right now, she needed coffee.
"I need coffee," Veronica said as she entered through the kitchen door. "And the largest anvil known to man."
Minho chuckled. "Coffee is by the counter, and I will get right on securing that anvil. Who is the anvil for, by the way?"
Veronica poured herself a cup and took a sip. "Me. Would really appreciate an anvil to drop on me any second now. The kitchen smells amazing. What are you making?"
"Blueberry muffin with a vanilla filling, grab one. It is not an anvil, but I can try pelting you with it?"
"So tempting." Veronica took a bite from one of the muffins and groaned. "God, this is good."
"Did you kill the Bridgestocks?" Veronica jumped at the voice behind her, almost dropping her muffin.
Martin stood behind her, sipping from his cup. He was wearing his usual pantsuit made from a fabric that probably cost more than Veronica's monthly salary.
"I checked them in," Veronica explained, chewing the rest of the muffin. "I offered them a free lunch for their troubles. Oh, and they want us to send someone up around 11 A.M. so that they can get ready for their tour of the park since they don't like to set alarms during vacation."
Veronica visibly saw Martin swallow whatever scathing reply was on his tongue and nod. "I am meeting with the wedding party in the afternoon so I will be gone for most of the day. If you burn down the place, don't call me."
"He is always such a ray of sunshine in the morning," Minho said to Martin's retreating figure.
"Oh yeah," Veronica agreed, reaching for a second muffin. "I am blinded by his warmth."
"So how was your yesterday?" She asked, licking the vanilla cream from her finger.
"Eh," Minho replied, removing his apron. "Finally did my laundry. Then, I continued to rot in my bed until it was time to order takeout."
"Horrifying but still better than mine."
"What did you do?"
Veronica took a sip of her coffee. "Selena set me up on a blind date."
Minho made a face. "Ugh. Enough said."
"Yeah," Veronica continued. "I don't know what has gotten into Selena. She has gotten in her head to help me get a boyfriend. And I can't say no to her.
"Because she's your boss?" Minho asked, his eyes curious.
"No," she replied, taking a moment to think about her answer. "Because she truly means the best for me when she sets up these dates. It doesn't take a lot out of me to go out on these dates just to appease her."
Minho didn't say anything, just continued to look at her in a way she couldn't quite understand.
"Well, I better go before Martin burrows everyone underground." Veronica brushed the crumbs away from her coat. "He is especially chipper this morning."
When it was time to wake up the Bridgestocks, Veronica went herself knowing damn well they would throw a hissy fit if it was someone else. She had been working at the Hawthorne Inn for the past five years. She was well-versed in the types of people that came here, and while most days she loved her job, she wasn't particularly fond of certain people she had to interact with. The Bridgestocks for their part showed no more tantrums, especially after the free lunch.
South Molton got its fair share of tourism. The town was scenic enough that it gave people the illusion that they were far removed from society but close enough to the city that it didn't make them pull their hair out. For her, Molton was her home. It was the only place that felt like home anyway.
The rest of the day passed without any major incidents, and much to Martin's relief, Veronica managed to not burn the inn down in his absence. She was getting ready to leave at the end of the day when her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Veronica?" The voice belonged to a girl as far as Veronica could understand over music blaring in the background on the other end. Veronica put a finger on the other ear as if it would help her hear better.
"Yes, who is calling?"
"It is Lana," the girl replied. "I am a friend of Charlotte."
Veronica put her bag down. "Oh hey Lana, is everything okay?"
Veronica knew Lana. She went to school with Charlotte. She didn't remember giving her number to Lana, but the fact that the girl was calling her sent her to the edge.
"Actually," Lana started. Veronica knew it was something in her tone that was making Veronica rush out of the inn. "Charlotte told me not to call you, but I think this is serious. Could you pick us up?"
"Where are you guys?"
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The music and alcohol stench hit her through the door. The club was vibrating with bass as Veronica walked on the sticky wooden floor, her heels sticking to the spilled alcohol no one had bothered to wipe. The club was illuminated with disco lights that did nothing to help Veronica make out Charlotte or Lana in the sea of people.
Veronica skimmed over the multitude of people grinding against each other on the dance floor in the center of the room. When that didn't work, she started looking among the figures sitting at the bar. Pushing past a couple of people, she finally found two silhouettes she recognized.
As she got closer, she could see that Charlotte was sitting on the stool with her head on the table, eyes closed while Lana rubbed gentle circles on her back.
"Hey," she rushed to their side, taking the empty stool next to Charlotte. Lana looked up, and the relief on her face was visible.
"Oh good," Lana said, pushing her glasses up. "You are here."
"What happened?" Veronica asked, trying to subside the panic creeping into her voice. This was not good. Charlotte was sixteen. She shouldn't be let into a club, let alone be served alcohol at one. "Is she okay? Are you okay?"
"I am okay," Lana replied. "Deeply in trouble with my parents but okay. Lottie is okay, too, I guess. I have been trying to rehydrate her for the past twenty minutes. I didn't know who else to call. Calling Mrs. Hawthorne would have gotten Lottie in so much trouble. So I called you and -"
Veronica cut her off. "Honey, it is okay. How much did she have to drink?"
"A couple of tequila shots, I think."
Veronica sighed and brushed a few strands away from Charlotte's face. She had so many questions, but right now, wasn't the time to bombard poor Lana with them.
"I think you should leave Lana before you get in any more trouble with your parents. I got it from here, okay?"
"Are you sure?"
Veronica nodded and smiled. "Go. And just tell your parents that you lost track of time studying with Lottie at my place. Alright?"
Lana shot one last look at Charlotte, grabbed her bag, and left the club. Veronica watched her figure retreat into the dark before setting her attention back on Charlotte, who was busy mumbling something.
Charlotte Hawthorne was the daughter of Selena and Nate Hawthorne. The owners of the Hawthrone Inn, and while Selena and Nate were some of the nicest people Veronica knew, they would not take to their sixteen-year-old daughter getting drunk in a club nicely
"Lottie?" Veronica nudged her a little. When that didn't work, she tapped her cheek lightly, which elicited some jargon in response that got lost in the music.
Veronica spotted a bartender coming her way, chatting on his phone, and she felt this anger coming up at the thought of some bartender being careless enough at giving sixteen-year-old tequila shots. She and Lana could've gotten hurt. Anything could have happened if Lana hadn't called her.
"Excuse me," she said to the bartender, making him look up from his phone. He looked around her age, and while the bar was very dimply lit, she could tell that he was extremely handsome. "Can I get a bottle of water here, please?"
"Sure," he replied, his Australian accent thick. Placing the bottled water in front of her, he asked, "Is your friend okay?"
Veronica was unscrewing the bottle of water and replied, "I don't know. You should have thought of that before serving a minor some alcohol." She nudged Charlotte and put the mouth of the bottle under her lips, making her drink some water.
He narrowed his eyes at her and leaned on his elbows. "Excuse me?"
Veronica looked up to find his eyes intent on her. He was really good-looking. "She is sixteen, you know. I am pretty sure she looks sixteen, so I am wondering why you thought it was okay to give her anything alcoholic, let alone tequila shots."
"I assure you, I am not the one who served her alcohol, I am not even working today," he replied. He didn't look mad just curious as Veronica tried to get more water in Charlotte. "But I can get you some coffee to help your friend."
Veronica sighed. "That would be great. And I am sorry for insinuating anything. I didn't know. You were the first bartender I saw nearby and just combusted."
He waved her apology away. "Don't worry. I understand. I will get you that coffee right now. And ask around who might have served her those drinks. Stuff like this doesn't usually happen here."
Veronica watched him leave, pulled out her phone, and typed a quick message to Selena that Charlotte was spending the night with her and the two of them were having a girls' night.
"Lottie," Veronica was not polite with her nudge this time, making sure to shake her properly. After a couple more shakes, Charlotte finally opened her eyes and woke up. She had a groggy look on her face, her eyes slightly dazed. It took Charlotte two seconds to take in her surroundings. Veronica saw the confusion set in as soon as she saw her.
"Veronica?" She mumbled, pushing her hair out of her face.
"Oh, thank god, you are awake."
"I feel like shit," Charlottle slurred. Veronica could see the red rings under her eyes, which meant she had been crying. Not for the first time, Veronica wondered what events led to the two of them sitting her in this bar.
"Oh," Charlotte started, fisting a bit of her hair. "Mom is going to be so mad. This is bad."
"Sweetie, it's okay. I messaged her and told her that you were spending the night with me. But what happened, honey?"
Charlotte looked in her direction. "It's Ethan."
"What about him?"
For a second, it didn't look like Charlotte might respond, but then her eyes welled up, and she said, "He cheated on me with like the whole cheerleading squad."
Veronica reached out and rubbed her arm gently. "Oh, honey, I am so sorry. This sucks."
Charlotte turned and looked at her. "I am so sorry. I know this is insanely irresponsible, and if mom found out, she would kill me rightfully so. But I am begging you, please don't tell her. I will never, ever, ever do something like this. Not even when it is legal. I promise."
Veronica had to smile at that. "I won't tell Selena, but we have to get you home, and for that, we need you to stand on your feet, so let's get some coffee in you, okay?"
Charlotte was about to reply, but the bartender returned with two cups of coffee with him. He placed one before Veronica and said, "Thought you might need the extra strength." He was about to offer the other one to Charlotte but stopped. "Charlotte?"
Charlotte looked up and froze. Veronica's eyes jumped between the two of them. "Chan?" Charlotte mumbled. "Oh, this is perfect. This is just the absolute perfect screw-up to have happened."
"You guys know each other?"
The bartender, Chan, explained, "Our parents are very close friends." Charlotte accepted the coffee he was holding. "I am sorry, how did you manage to get liquor at the bar? We are very serious about that."
Charlotte took a tentative sip of the coffee and made a face. "I feel like throwing up."
Veronica sighed and rubbed her back gently. "I know, babe. I know." The hangover tomorrow was going to be worse, but Veronica decided to keep the information to herself.
"Lottie?" Chan sounded exasperated.
Charlotte looked a little sick as her eyes darted between Chan and Veronica. "I found someone to pay for us. A couple of guys. They have already left, though, in case either of you were thinking of pulling a John Wick on them. I didn't know you worked here. I don't want to cause any trouble on your shift."
Veronica had a lot to say, and judging from the tick in Chan's jaw, so did he. But both of them let it slide on account of the green tint to Charlotte's skin. Chan sighed and said, "It's not my shift today, I was just dropping some stuff off for a friend. Try finishing that coffee. You'll feel better."
"This sucks," Charlotte mumbled. "I can't get up without feeling like emptying my stomach. Chan is definitely mad at me and is probably going to tell Mom, and then I will be grounded till I am 30. I am so sorry, Veronica."
"Hey, it is okay." Veronica sipped her coffee. It had gotten cold. "I will talk to him and tell him not to talk to Selena just yet."
Veronica watched Charlotte take tiny sips from her cup. When she saw Chan approaching, she waved her arm to get her attention.
"Is everything okay?" He asked, looking at Charlotte with concern. "Does she want to throw up?"
The green tint to Charlotte's skin was slightly receding. "I don't think so. Hey, so I was wondering if you could not tell Selena or Nate about Lottie's little escapade. I know this was really careless of her, but I do think she has learned her lesson. If not, the hangover tomorrow will surely teach her one. But if you could just keep it between us. At least just for now."
Chan's eyes were intent on her, making Veronica shift in her seat a little. She was suddenly conscious that she was sitting there after being at work all day with her hair probably fizzy and the toll of the long day visible on her face. which, in turn, made her conscious about feeling conscious.
"Of course," he replied with a nod. "Just a little mad at the guys who agreed to buy her the drinks, but yeah, I won't snitch."
"Thank you so much," she exhaled with a small smile. Neither of them spoke for a while, but she could feel him looking at her. "So, how do you -"
But Charlotte cut his question off, "I want to go home."
"Can you get up?"
Charlotte put the cup down and tried getting up. She swayed on her feet for two seconds before landing back on the seat with a thud. "A magical form of transportation to teleport us to home might be handy right about now," Charlotte replied.
Veronica snickered. "It is okay. worse comes worse, I can carry your home piggyback style."
"Do you have a way to get home?" Chan asked, offering Charlotte a glass of water.
"No," Veronica replied. "But I was thinking of hailing a cab because the bus is totally out of option."
"I feel horrible, the cab is gonna be so expensive." Charlotte rubbed her temple in exasperated circles.
"Shh, that's none of your business." But Charlotte was right. The cab ride would be expensive, but Veronica wasn't about to say anything. The girl looked horrible, and subjecting her to a bus ride when she could barely even stand up would be simply cruel.
"And not to mention, very hard, especially on a Friday night," he added. "You could borrow my car. If you have a license, that is."
Veronica turned to stare at him. "I do have a license, but I can't borrow your car. It is very nice of you to offer but how will you get home."
He shrugged, pushing up the sleeves of his white shirt up to his elbows. "I will take the bus. Take it. You need it more than I do." He fished out the keys from his pants and offered them to her.
"I could be a thief, you know," Veronica said, eyeing the keys. "I might take your car and never come back. Do you really want to trust a stranger?"
He chuckled and leaned in. "If the stranger is this pretty, then what's a little grand theft auto?"
Veronica rolled her eyes. Her eyes jumped from the key to the guy, her brain doing the math. It would save her the trouble of getting a cab, which was nothing short of impossible on Friday nights. And he was a friend of Selena and Nate, so she guessed she could trust him.
She took the keys. "I am thankful, Chan. I can come here and give you back the keys tomorrow."
"And here I thought I could ask you out on a coffee as a ploy to get the keys back." Veronica just shook her head. He cocked his head to the side, a small smile playing on his lips. "I don't work Saturdays though, so I guess we will have to do the coffee thing."
"Or," Veronica supplied, grabbing her purse. " You could come to the Hawthrone Inn tomorrow, and I will just give you the keys then." Grabbing her purse, she turned around and helped Charlotte get up. "Just ask for Veronica Lovejoy."
"See you tomorrow, Veronica Lovejoy," he called after her.
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