Free Beyond Evidence by Emma L Clapperton Page A

expensive but we bought it so it's cheaper than it would be to rent it." Patrick put out the cigarette and held the door open for Mark to go inside first.
    As they ascended the stairs the music from the bar above sounded far away and the sounds that were heard were the base and beat of the music and the echoing conversations being had by the people being wined and dined by the staff left to run the bar.
    "It gets really busy on Friday nights in here so we probably won't get a chance to talk till closing. But I will show you the basics and anything else we can deal with if it crops up, does that sound ok?" Patrick asked as they reached the door leading into the bar.
    "Sounds like a plan!"
    As they entered the bustling room, Patrick led Mark behind the bar and showed him where everything was kept and how to run the till. The night progressed well, with plenty of cash being exchanged across the bar and food service was running at a good pace. One well dressed woman approached the bar with a piece of white card in her hand. She was waiting a few moments whilst Mark served a customer before her.
    "What can I get for you?" Mark asked politely.
    The woman wore a sleek knee length dress which fitted her figure perfectly, with slim straps. Her hair hung in loose dark blond curls around her face and her lips were shimmering under the lights.
    "My drinks list is on this, I'd never remember it otherwise!" she smiled.
    Mark took the card from her and began making his way through the list. He had his back to the woman as he made up the drinks when Patrick came to his side and said, "Think she has a thing for you!"
    "Who?" Mark tried to play dumb, but he knew fine well she was watching him. He could feel her eyes on the back of his neck.
    "The lady in the black dress, and if I'm not mistaken, isn't that a name and phone number on the back there?" Patrick took the card from the counter where Mark had placed it and flipped it over.
    "How'd you manage to notice that?" Mark was laughing now.
    "I saw it on the back when she handed you the card. Think you've got yourself a lady for the night my friend," Patrick imitated a Sean Connery accent with a sarcastic grin on his face.
    "We shall see. I'm not one to date the customers," Mark continued to make the drinks.
    "Are you serious?"
    "No. Look at her," Mark laughed. F inishing the last drink he winked at Patrick as he turned to his admirer.
    "Here we are, that will be fifteen pounds and ninety pence please." Mark placed the drinks down in front of the woman and looked straight into her eyes. As she handed him the money he gently clasped his hand around her and said, "What is your name?"
    She almost crumbled under the electricity that ran up her arm the minute he touched her. She kept her composure and answered in a steady voice, "Anna."
    "Lovely, Anna. I'm Mark and I am going to be making use of this little card that you gave me. How's about I give you a call tonight and we can arrange a date?"
    "Ok that sounds great," she smiled widely, collected her drinks and went back to the table where her friends were waiting.
    Patrick looked on in amazement. He felt like he were in the middle of a fifties romance movie.
    "That was something else, she was like putty in your hands." Patrick put his hand on Mark’s shoulder playfully and continued, "If I didn't have Jodie already I'd be asking for some tips."
    "And that is something I can't help you with, I'm sorry to say I don't know how I do it. This has happened in almost every bar I've ever worked in, I must send out some sort of aura to the ladies," he said laughing.
    The night went on as quick as it began and the bar bustled with people drinking, eating and dancing. The music played on creating the perfect atmosphere for a great night out. As the night approached closing time and Patrick and the rest of the bar staff began clearing tables and the bar, the conversation flowed between him and Mark as though they had been friends for years. Patrick was glad