Part 10 continued
Later that day.......
Bzzzz bzzzz....Ben gets a text message.
TERRY - you coming?
Ben checks the time 8.30pm, then puts his phone in his pocket, after he looks up and sees a sign, the rocket.
Cold pint at last, Ben thought as he opened the door to the pub and walked inside.
The bar was nearly empty, only 6 people. On the left sat behind a table 1 old man. One of the regulars. On the far left sitting on a stool at the bar another old man, probably a regular too Ben thought,
Behind the bar, Sally stood talking to Gina who is sitting at the far right on a stool at the other side of the bar, having a drink. To Gina's right at the jukebox a man in his 20s. Nobody at the pool table. On the table in the middle of the pub, with his back facing the bar, looking straight at Ben, Terry sitting with a pint in his hand.
1 pint Sal, said Terry as soon as Ben was through the door.
Terry looks eager, thought Ben.
I'll just take a piss, said Ben, then start walking towards the door sitting between Gina and the guy at the jukebox.
Hi Gina, said Ben
Hey Ben, said Gina with a smile
Ben opened the door and walked in to the bathroom.
While ben went to the bathroom Terry got up with his pint and walked to the bar.
Here ya are Sal darling get yourself one, said Terry, putting his arm out £10 in hand.
Thank you my lovely, said Sally taking the £10, then walked to the cash register.
You got some nuts Sal, salted please, said Terry.
Sally walked towards the back of the bar and grabbed some nuts then put them on the bar in front of Terry, there you are my darling, said Sally.
Thank you Sal, said Terry.
Terry looked towards the left side of the pub, where the regulars normally sat, then grabbed the fresh pint and the nuts.
He turned around and walked to the furthest left corner,
a bench seat around three sides and a table in the middle, slightly partitioned off. He sat down and waited. Facing towards the pool table. A few seconds later the door with the plaque saying Toilet opened.
Ben walked out and turned right towards the bar, Gina smiled while he past but didn't say anything, Ben returned the smiled and walked by.
I'll talk to you later, thought Ben..
Terry wasn't the only one eager to talk about the days events.
Over here boyo, I've got ya pint, called out Terry, his usual volume, the pub was quiet.
Ben walked along the front of the bar.
How are you, lovely ok?, said Sally looking at Ben.
I'm good thanks Sally, you? Said Ben
I'm good my darling thank you, said Sally.
Ben walked over and sat at the bench to the right of Terry, Ben was facing the bar.
Immediately Ben grabbed his pint.
Cheers Tez I've been waiting for this, Ben said, then took a big drink.
What a fucking day boyo, said Terry then had a drink.
So, that fucking pillory, and the dress, what the fuck was that all about, said Terry quietly.
What's a pillory, said Ben
The thing in the middle of the room, with the bloody soaked dress on, said Terry.
The dress was bloody, asked Ben in a surprised voice.
And the book, hundreds of names, all with crosses, said Terry
Ben sat listening to terry while drinking his pint.
And I was thinking, Doris, she's lived there 20 years. Is she in the book, said Terry
I wonder if her daughter is in the book, said Ben
After taking a drink.. yea.. maybe, I didn't think about that, said Terry.
The jukebox clicks......
What is that place really, said Ben.
Some sort of sick playhouse for elites and aristocrat wankers i think, said Terry.
Another, said Terry looking at Ben,
Yea go on then, said Ben
2 PINTS SALLY AND ONE FOR YOURSELF MY DARLING, terry called out.
Ben looked over to the bar, Sally was getting 2 pint galsses, Gina was sat in the same position looking directly at Ben smiling, standing next to her talking, the guy from the jukebox.
Ben smiled back.
So what do you think they did to Paris, asked Ben.
I don't know, but I don't but ive got a feeling she wont be seen again boyo, said Terry.
All things considered, the guys where taking things well. The events of the day taking their minds of their own problems..
So where did you get to today. decide to have an early one?, asked Ben
Music started to play, not very loud, Ben wasn't sure what the music was at first...
What do you mean boyo I was at work until 5 cheeky bastard, said Terry.
Ohh... I saw your van wasn't there at dinner.. I thought., Ben said
Terry interpreted, fucking Thomas the silly bollacks he is, broke his tooth on one of those fancy crackers the other day at the estate, had to go in to Oxfordshire to the emergency dentist.
A cracker, Ben said with a smile.
Yea, bloody wolly he his that boy, said Terry
Fucking lady gaga, Jessica's sort of shit, Ben thought now recognising the music.
Did you see Claudia today, asked Ben
2 pints hit the table top in front of them.
Thank you Tez my darling, said Sally
Terry got out is wallet and pulled out a £20, giving it to Sally.
Thank you Terry, let me know if you need anything, said Sally then turned and walked away
Ben looked over to Gina, still sat looking in his direction smiling with the guy at the side of her chatting to her.
Fucking lady gaga, fucking Jessica, thought Ben, while smiling back.
I seen her boyo but only a glance, didn't manage to talk to her, said Terry.
I'm worried about her, said ben now looking at terry with a concerned face.
Yea I am too boyo, said Terry
The old man sat on the stool at the left side of the bar got up, picking up his flat cap.
See you tomorrow Sal, the old man said then turned and walked out of the pub.
See you tomorrow Gordan, said Sally as he walked out.
Where are all the regulars, said ben.
Sal said one of them died, Poor bugger had been coming here for 40 years, Heart attack, yesterday, said Terry.
You would think they would want a drink then, said Ben.
Yea boyo I would, Sally devastated she's, going to lose a fortune bless her, said Terry.
The guy next to Gina walks in to the toilet, and Gina immediately walks over to Ben and Terry
cowboy style boots, short blue denim skirt, tight white vest top outlining her pierced nipples.
she looks great,.. ooofff those tit's, thought Ben.
So... how are you Ben, said Gina with a smile.
I'm good Gina how are you doing, you look great, replied ben with a smile.
I'm good, it's good to see you again, said Gina.
And you,.. how about a smoke soon, said Ben.
Ohhh I would but.. but im going soon, I have to babysit for my sister, said Gina, sounding disappointed she couldn't stay.
Ohhhh O.., Ben said, before Gina interrupted
But I came over to see if you'll be in tomorrow, Sally wants me in from 4 until 10 but we could do something after, if you like, said Gina while smiling.
Yes I'd like that, I'll be in tomorrow for sure, said Ben
Great then I'll see you tomorrow honey, said Gina then leaning over and giving Ben a peck on the cheek.
Talk tomorrow then Gina, said Ben.
He'd caught a smell of her perfume as she bent over. It reminded him of Jessica.
Fucking Jessica, thought Ben.
Gina walked back to the bar and a few seconds later the guy exited the toilet and stood next to her.
For the next 40 minutes, Ben and Terry talked. The conversation was light. About the estate but nothing dark or serious, until Ben noticed Gina and the guy.
Gina and the guy, Now walking towards the exit, the guy walking just in front of Gina.
Bye Ben, said Gina with a smile.
Bye darling, said Ben as she left.
So who was the guy with Gina do you know, asked Ben looking at Terry
Her brother I think boyo, said Terry.
Ohh I was thinking it was her fella, said Ben
Noooo, anyway he likes cock apparently, ANOTHER ROUND SALLY MY DARLING, said Terry.
Not long later the other old man sitting not far away from them left the pub without saying a word,
leaving the men in the pub alone, Sally behind the bar looking at her phone.
The 2 men sat talking in the corner for the next few hours. The conversation started light and humours, only broken up to get fresh pints and go to the toilet.
Gradually the conversation turned, Ben told Terry about Jessica and all she had done, both men now d*unk and emotional. The pub closed. A lock in.
Most of the lights off, Terry now drinking a glass of Whisky and Ben his Pint of fosters....
soo boyo.. I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone, said Terry a d*unken voice and thick Welsh accent.
I'm going to tell you how I fucked my whole world up, Terry said. A weak voice. Not a voice ben had ever heard from Terry.
Terry started to explain his past...
|