The start of her shift, the night she briefly encounters Domenic.

The pub was filling faster than my brain could register how many people were coming through. I can remember the noise of those men; they were so rowdy! I was taking orders, poring drinks, serving tables but I hadn't had any practice in this family business and it was becoming overwhelming.

"You're change, sir!" I yelled at a customer who had turned away. He turned, slurring out a thanks as he took my money. I laughed out loud but also gave him a disapproving look. I enjoyed the carefree attitude of the men but it was sad, knowing some of them may live a very short life. They were mostly my age so they must've been feeling some grief under the hyperactive mask they wore. One stunner danced his way onto a table. Since the men were occupied with drinks and the boy on the table, they gave me a breather. In his hand he held a bottle of champagne and I hoped he was sober enough not to do anything dangerous with it. But he made the sweetest speech, which sent tears shooting into my eyes as it did to many of his friends. It was a shock to hear such soft words coming from a big man like himself. When I say big, I mean buff and strong, in no means fat. Then he did something that I wished he hadn't. He opened the fizzy Champaign and it pelted everywhere! It hit the ceiling and I jerked my head in the direction of the kitchen, where my mother worked. If she had seen, the boy would've been kicked out, so would've the rest of the gang. Luckily, no stressed, tired wreck came growling out. The eruption of laughter and clapping was reassuring and I cherished this time when many attractive, young men surrounded me; they were such a pleasure.

The night slowly dragged in the same way but little did I know that my endless day would turn into a very exciting one. The only thing that was getting me through without dying of boredom, apart from the entertainment, was the constant burst of hope that I would be able to get out of work soon.

I was relieved when the pub atmosphere died down to the usual pleasant and quiet feel. This meant less chance of stuffing up orders or injuring myself. The fire crackled out warmth that made me feel like I was at home. The floor was a mess; broken beer bottles, flowing liquid and food meshed into the wood. The frames were tilted and the mantel was covered with dirty napkins. This was to be expected from a rowdy bunch and only then had I wished I could have joined their fun; mother would've never approved. The stunner who was showing off on the table came to sit behind the bar table. I was busily trying to full-fill orders but was very pre-occupied with his muscles. That whit t-shirt seemed to shine, his brown hair mass of hair was so clean, his eyes…

Still looking at his gorgeous complexion I poured something into a glass and put it on the counter, assuming someone would take it. I had no idea what I pored into that glass, or if anyone took it. I didn't even receive money in return, all the more, looking at the quiet man who had been a little wretched boy some time ago.

Then, typically, I got yelled at for the countless time that day, something got to do with beer, I don't know. I was so used to the rudeness that it no longer upset me.

A dark shadow approached me. I spun around to find my furious mother who was glaring at me. I raked my brain, trying to find a reason for her cheeks to boil and for her expression to be so violent looking but couldn't work out what I had done. She then attacked me with words in what seemed to me in an everyday tone. To surrounding watchers, her tone may have sounded aggressive but I wasn't shocked. Embarrassment sounds better. But my mind drifted to the gentleman wearing the white t-shirt. What's he doing? What was he playing at? Was he about to stand up for me? I knew how to deal with my mother when she was in one of her vampire moods, agreeing is the key. He hesitated for quite some time and I almost laughed out loud when he sat back down. Coward. They all look tough and talk tough but they are too scared. Then he bust out with a terrible excused which was both lame and horribly unconvincing. I think my mother told me to go home after that but I did not hear the rest, rather, saw her lips move. My father came out and also told me to get out of here. I was free! I realised. Free of this lousy job. I'll go home, get in hot tub with a glass of wine. Lovely. Yet I had not a clue that the most exciting part of my night was just about to begin.