Author Note: a small mention of a word that I find appalling but needed to use it for the plot.

"I'm so excited. I hear it looks amazing. And the restaurant is gone." Josie chirps in while leading Tessa down the road.

They shut the Northern for three months while undergoing renovations. When George closed the place, everyone in town assumed his very public debts had finally caught up with him. But when the work in the restaurant began, with an aggressive marketing strategy to accompany the revamp, it caught everyone in the Bay by surprise.

"Callum is meeting us there, right? I don't really want to spend my night drinking alone while you dance away," Tessa grumbles.

Josie leans in and gives her a quick peck on the cheek. "They are meeting us there. Ana has this work thing she needs to attend, but they will ditch it as soon as possible and make their way to the pub. Promise."

They arrive at the Northern that, although it has kept the name, otherwise is completely contrasting.

The interior plays with different wooden tones that bring an air of sophistication to the place, along with brass tones in the handles, seats, and lighting. The contrast of the wooden panels, the shine of the brass, and the grey walls complement the vintage decor.

The stage is still there, but they have extended it to accommodate a DJ. However, that it's not the key feature in the refurbished establishment. On the right-hand corner of the stage, there is a gorgeous black and golden Yamaha piano that pulls the attention of any soul that goes through the doors.

"Welcome to the Northern!" George greets Josie and Tessa enthusiastically.

"This place looks amazing!" Tessa says.

"Thank you," he replies with a massive grin.

"George, this is my girlfriend Tessa."

Tessa beams at Josie's public announcement.

George extends his hand and greets her cheerfully. "Nice to meet you, Tessa. A table for you two?"

"Make it four. My cousin and his girlfriend will join us."

George nods and signals them to follow.

"Your usual?" he asks Josie.

She nods in response.

"What can I get you, Tessa?"

"Beer, mate," Tessa responds before George returns to the bar.

Josie looks around the place. Her mouth opens in amazement.

"If you keep your mouth wide open like that, your jaw might fall," Tessa mocks her.

"This place looks amazing. Completely different." Josie's eyes widen at the display of black and white photographs on the wall.

"Why are you so surprised?" Tessa asks.

"Well, this place does well in summer when all the tourists are around, but in winter, only the locals come here. And, there are new clubs opening all the time... let's just say everyone knows George is up to his eyeballs in debt with several banks. So, how on earth did he renovate the place?"

"My partner." George answers while carrying the two drinks back to the table.

"George... I'm sorry... I don't..." Josie offers her excuses, embarrassedly.

George raises his hand unapologetically. "Josie, I know you and your dad for a very long time. He actually lent me money once when things were tough. You are right. My debts were unsurmountable. But, then I got a partner that actually understands business. He not only cleared my debts, but chipped in to renovate the place. We run it together, and I can focus on what I do best." He sets a cocktail and a beer on the table. "Entertain my guests," he says with a smile. He takes two menus from beneath his arm and places them on the table. "We still serve food, but it's a different menu. Anything you need, give me a shout." George walks towards the door to greet new customers.

"There you go. Got your explanation," Tessa says, while sipping her beer.

Josie leans back, puzzled. "Yeah, I guess I did." She glances at the piano that is the centrepiece of the place and at the photographs. "It's just..."

"Just what?" Tessa glares at her girlfriend.

Josie sighs. "Nothing I guess. Forget about it." Josie raises her glass. "To us."

Tessa returns the gesture with a smile and they both clink their glasses together in a toast to their love.

Two hours later and the Northern is full of bodies that sway to the Rattlesnake's edgy sound. Josie glances at her watch for the fifth time. Her foot sways to the music, but she is hesitant about leaving Tessa's side.

Tessa smirks. "Just go. I can stay here. I'm sure Callum is close by now."

Josie looks towards the dancing space and hears the beat of one of her favourite tunes playing. "I don't want you to be alone here."

Tessa holds her hand under the table. "Go," she encourages her.

"I'll stay close by, okay?"

Tessa nods, and Josie gives her a soft kiss. She gets up and makes her way to the dance floor and dances to the tune.

Tessa observes her while sipping on her beer. A tall guy approaches Josie. Tessa frowns but sees her girlfriend knows him as they talk animately. After a few minutes, the same individual places his hands over her hips and pulls her towards him. Josie immediately removes his hands away from her body and frowns.

Tessa gets up and walks towards the dance floor. "Is everything okay here?" she says, looking at Josie.

"Everything is fine," he replies instead of Josie.

Tessa glares at the guy. She can feel the stench of alcohol emanating from his body. "Wasn't talking to you, dick."

"Matthew, just leave us alone," Josie responds while holding Tessa's hand.

Matthew holds Josie's arm with an evil grin on his face. "You're a dyke now?"

"What the fuck did you just say?" Tessa shouts.

Josie holds her hand forcefully. "He's drunk. Let's get back to the table."

Josie pulls Tessa towards the table, and Matthew seizes the opportunity to squeeze Tessa's ass. "Are you girls into threesomes? She's not as bangable as that cousin, but I can still do her if you're there."

Tessa pushes him forcefully. "Leave us alone."

Matthew towers over Tessa menacingly. "Or, you'll do what?"

Josie intercedes. "Let it go," she pleads to her girlfriend.

Tessa looks at Josie's frightened eyes and nods. She turns around and Matthew squeezes Tessa's left boob. "So small..." he says.

Tessa turns around and manoeuvres her fist to land a punch across his face. But, his reflexes are faster and he grabs her arm and pushes her towards him forcefully. "I need to teach you some manners, dyke."

"Let go of her." Liam roars behind Matthew.

Matthew rolls his eyes, annoyed at the voice. "Why are you always fucking everywhere?" He lets go of Tessa and turns to face Liam. "All done with rehab?" he smirks.

Liam keeps his calm and signals for someone to approach. "Get him out of here. He's not welcome."

Two bouncers approach Matthew and drag him away, while he screams obscenities at Liam.

Liam looks at Josie and Tessa apologetically. "I'm really sorry about what happened. Enjoy the rest of your evening." And walks away.

Tessa drags Josie back to the table. "What the fuck!" she sits down. "You're okay?"

Josie glares at the space where Liam was. "Yeah, I'm okay..."

George comes to the table. "Just heard what happened. Josie, are you okay? I'm really sorry. I'll make sure he doesn't come inside this place ever again. Do you want to call the police?"

"No, that's okay..." Josie says still stunned.

"Babe?" Tessa asks.

"He works here now?" Josie asks George.

George squints at her question for a beat. "Liam?"

Josie nods in response.

"He's my partner. I thought you knew about our deal."

Josie narrow's her eyes at his comment dumbfounded. "What deal?" she asks.

"A couple of months back, I was in enormous debt with the bank. Liam made a deal with me to pay the debt and in exchange, your cousin played in the bar."

Josie opens her eyes. "Yes, I remember. But she's not playing here anymore. She's not even in the country..."

"Back then he looked at my accounts and saw all the mistakes I'd been making..." He scrubs the back of his head, embarrassed. "Well, to cut the story short, I'm glad he is back and partnered with me. Listen, let me get you fresh drinks. On the house." George goes back to the bar.

Josie sits down, stunned.

"Should we leave?" Tessa asks but Josie still glares at the empty table. "Babe, are you ok?" Tessa asks concerned.

Josie holds her hand. "I'm fine. It was just unexpected."

"I guess you never had to deal with that before." Tessa says softly, "There are quite a few assholes out there."

Josie frowns. "No! I don't give a shit about that asshole. Well, I did, but nothing happened and he's out..." She sees Liam behind the counter talking to George. "Liam is back and is George's business partner?"

Tessa glances at Liam. "You know him?"

Josie gets up. "That's Liam..." she responds to Tessa. "The Liam."

Tessa opens her eyes. "The fucker?"

"I need to talk to him." Josie states.

"Are you sure? After everything, he's done to Aimee..." Tessa asks, concerned, and glares at Liam.

"Listen, don't say a word about any of this to Callum if he gets here."

"You don't want me to say a word to Callum that you're talking to the guy that broke his sister's heart?"

Josie looks at her girlfriend and then back at her old friend. "I know it's a lot to ask. But I need to understand this. He was one of my oldest friends..."

Tessa nods in understanding. "I won't say a word."

Josie plants a kiss on her lips. "Thanks, love." She walks to the counter where Liam still whispers in George's ear.

"Josie, I'm coming with your drinks," George announces her arrival.

Liam stands still, afraid of interacting with Josie.

"I need to talk to you," Josie says to Liam. "Can we go somewhere quieter?"

Liam ponders for a moment and then gestures for her to follow him. He leads her to the back of the bar. He unlocks a door and turns the light on. Josie enters the room and Liam closes the door behind her. He walks over to the desk and sits down while gesturing for Josie to sit in the seat in front of him.

"You're back?" she asks, and he nods silently. "How long have you been back?"

Liam clears his throat. "Five months," he responds.

"Five months? How the hell I haven't seen you around?"

"I've been keeping a low profile."

Josie carefully observes her friend. He looks exactly the same, and yet different. "I got your letter," she finally says. "I don't believe it."

He looks down at the wooden table. "You're entitled to that. I'm just making amendments." He clears his throat once more. "I don't want to make any mess with you and your family."

"Is it true what everyone is saying? You were in rehab?"

"Something like that..."

"Do you mean what you wrote in the letter?"

"Yes."

Josie slumps in her chair, evidently torn. "Liam... I... don't know what to do. Aimee is my cousin. Her brother... if he sees you... he will kill you..."

"I've seen Callum. He knows I'm back," he interjects.

Josie's eyes open wide. "What the fuck?"

"I needed to speak with him in person."

"Why didn't he tell me?"

"Because I told him not to say anything to anyone."

"You made amendments with him?"

Liam nods.

"What about her?"

Liam sighs. "I wrote a letter and gave it to Callum. If he sees fit, he can give it to her." Liam looks at Josie. "I know I fucked up our friendship. You were one of the few people in my life that was there for me and I know I've destroyed it, but you need to know. I meant every word."

"Can you just answer me something?"

Liam nods.

"Was any of it real with Aimee?"

Her name cuts his heart wide open. "Everything was real." He lowers his eyes to the ground. "Aimee understood me more than anyone ever could. And I wish I had the privilege of having met her before I was a fuckup, so I could have loved her the way she deserves to be loved. I lost the chance with the love of my life, and it will always hurt, but I realise now that loving another means wanting the best for them..." He looks up at Josie. "Even if that means they will always be away from you. I just want the best for her..." he pauses. "Is...is she okay?"

Josie shuffles in her seat. "Yeah, I guess..."

Liam's eyes narrow.

Josie sighs. "She hasn't played or composed since going to India, according to her dad... so that's a bit fucked up at the moment. Callum got all worked up when their dad returned from his trip..." she hesitates. "I guess you know about Eva..."

Liam nods.

"Her dad went to India to tell her about it."

"She never cared for it."

"Yeah, but your niece wasn't in the picture then... Aimee took it well. I guess... I really don't know." She frowns. "Like, when she arrived here, everyone could see that they were both lost, you know? It's normal. They had lost a parent... and I always thought she would be the first to find herself again. She's always been so strong and mouthy..."

He chuckles at the remark.

"But, I don't know if it was because of the thing with you..." She looks up at him. "Or whatever..." She sighs. "Callum is happy but Aimee... she's lost and she was getting it back. She was playing again..." Her eyes lift and glare at Liam with George's words still ringing in her brain. "You were the one that got her to play with the band here..."

"As you said before. That was a desperate attempt to get her to stay. I was being shellfish."

"You rebuilt this place for her, haven't you? The piano at the centre is a giveaway..."

"It's not for her. I don't expect to see her again. But it's a reminder of what I've lost..."

Josie stares at Liam in awe. She gets up and takes two steps towards the office door. "You still love her?"

"I will always love her." He breathes with his eyes glued to the desk.

"Then, help her find back her way back. She needs to play. She has a gift, and Scott..." She stops at his mention and observes Liam's clenched jaw. "He's a nice guy, but he's taking her gift away by keeping her tucked away in that place. Do you want her happiness? Get my cousin back to her piano. That's how you make amendments..." Josie opens the door. "With her and me." And she walks out.