Free Liverpool Annie by Maureen Lee Page A

plate.
    A voice called, 'I say, miss, we'd like another round
    drinks.' The man turned to the others. 'What are you
    ving?'
    'I'll have a beer.'
    'Me, too.'
    'Whisky and ginger for me.'
    The orders came thick and fast and Annie did her best
    memorise them; four beers, three ciders, a whisky id ginger, two gin and tonics, a Pimms No i, an ange cordial. Repeating the order under her breath, she raced back
    the kitchen. 'Four beers, three ciders . . .' She arched wildly for paper and pencil and wrote it all )wn with a sigh of relief.
    'Whew!' She mopped her brow. 'The people in the lug want these,' she said, handing the list to Cecy. 'Take it to the master in the bar,' Cecy said cuttingly, ay it's for his bloody Marxist friends. Once you've )ne that, there's sausage rolls to take up. I daren't give em all the food at once, else they'd eat the lot and still k for more.'
    After trying several cupboards and a lavatory, Annie lund the door to the bar. It was like walking into a all of noise. She gave the order to a tall, incredibly indsome man with smooth jet-black hair and the face ■ a Greek god, whom she assumed was Bruno. 'It's for the people in the Snug,' she yelled. 'Who are you and why aren't you in uniform.^' His ancing brown eyes belied the apparent curtness of the iiestion.
    'I'm Annie, Sylvia's friend,' Annie explained. 'I've got to rush, I've something else to do.'
    She had 'something else to do' for the next three hours. It wasn't how she'd expected to spend Christmas Eve, but she enjoyed herself immensely. She made more sandwiches when the bloody Marxists declared themselves on the verge of starvation, and helped wash and dry the dishes when they appeared out of the Regency Room in great numbers, thirty of everything.
    It was almost half ten by the time Cecy sank into a chair, crying. 'Why did I let Bruno buy this place? I've never worked so hard in my life.' Her eyes lighted on Annie. 'What are you doing here.-*'
    'Who do you think looked after the bloody Marxists?' Sylvia laughed.
    'Was that you, Annie, dear? I was too busy to notice.'
    'Is it all right if I go now, Mrs Delgado?' The other waitress had removed her shoes and was wearily massaging her feet.
    'Of course, Mrs Parsons. Would you like a lift home?' Cecy was gradually becoming her normal charming self.
    'No, ta. It's only round the corner.'
    'Now, what do I owe you? The master insists I pay double for anti-social hours, so five pounds should do nicely. Is there much in tips?'
    'There's a pile of silver from the Regency Room.' Sylvia pointed to the plate of coins on the table. 'You take it, Mrs Parsons.'
    'Oh, I couldn't, miss. You did half the work.' The waitress eyed the money longingly.
    At Sylvia's insistence, Mrs Parsons emptied the coins into her bag. 'Happy Christmas!' she cried happily as she left.
    'The bloody Marxists didn't leave a penny,' Sylvia
    )rted. 'I bet they'd say the workers should be better d and not rely on tips.'
    They're just too mean to put their hands in their :kets.' Cecy looked disgusted. 'Annie! I seem to recall ed-haired young person dashing in and out all night j washing loads of dishes. I insist on paying for your rd work. You weren't here as long as Mrs Parsons, t you didn't get a single tip.' She handed Annie a five und note.
    But I didn't expect to be paid,' Annie said faintly. It would have cost twice that if the other waitresses d turned up.' Cecy adamantly refused to take the »ney back.
    Ta very much,' gulped Annie. Five pounds! 5runo appeared at the door. 'How did things go, rling?'
    Don't darling me,' Cecy snapped. 'We've been •rked off our feet whilst you've been in your element lind the bar.'
    Bruno laughed and blew a kiss. Despite Cecy's cross •rds, she smiled and blew one back. Annie sighed, :ause it seemed terribly romantic. They obviously ed each other very much.
    I suppose I'd better wake the old folks ready for iss,' Cecy said wearily, 'but how anybody can sleep this din is beyond me. As for you pair, help