‘I can’t believe it,’ Sam breathed. ‘I can’t believe we’ve organized all of this in just a few days. You’ve organized it, I mean.’

‘Joint effort,’ I shrugged, picking up another poster, ‘you were the one with the best ideas and this is what you wanted, isn’t it? You said traditional, so that’s what you’ve got, along with a couple of extras.’

The weather forecast was looking good so I had also been able to plan a few things to happen in the beer garden which was just behind the pub.

‘I have no idea how you’ve managed to get this lot at these prices.’ Sam said, now looking at the handwritten fishmonger’s and butcher’s bills.

‘Like I’ve already mentioned, everyone was so keen for this to happen that they were happy to shave their profits. I daresay it will be a one-off though, so you need to make the most of it.’

Even though the budget Sam had given me was tight, I had managed to make it work without too much pleading. Such was their fondness for him, the business owners had been extraordinarily generous.

‘I’m going to have to find staff though,’ he frowned, chewing his lip. ‘If this is going to be as well attended as you’re suggesting, then I’ll need more hands to help out.’

‘Don’t worry about that either,’ I told him. ‘I’ve been inundated with offers and all on a voluntary basis.’

The butcher was going to set up his barbecue in the beer garden, which was also where a bar skittles tournament was going to be happening, and Sophie was going to make an >extra-special seafood chowder in the kitchen which would need nothing more than the occasional stir to keep it warm and ready to serve.

Sam was looking a little emotional by the time I had finished explaining how everyone had been so willing to help out.

‘I didn’t even have to ask,’ I told him, ‘everyone just offered to pitch in.’

‘I can’t believe it,’ he said huskily, for what must have been the hundredth time.

I had no idea why he was so surprised that everyone wanted to help. Not only were they in dire need of some pub fun, but they all felt a genuine affection for him and clearly wanted the event to succeed. It amazed me that Sam didn’t realize just how popular he was.

‘And this from George,’ he went on, ‘what a way to end the evening. I knew he was collecting local stories for a book he’s planning to write, but to have him sit and tell them will be wonderful. A real old-school tradition.’