'Sorry love'. He pouted in pretence of kissing her. She pushed him away.
'Let’s just go before someone comes along'. Bob, still pouting, closed his eyes waiting for a kiss.
She kisses him lightly and quickly. ‘Let’s Go!'
Bob turns the key. Nothing. Again. Nothing. One more time. Nothing!
'Fucks sake Bob'.
'Have you got the RAC number?' Bob asked more in hope than belief.
'No'
'What about your phone?'
'No I left it in the house' Bob rolled his eyes and Marie hit him again. 'You don't get any reception in the pub anyway. Do you have yours?'
'Left it on charge'
'Well?'
'I guess we better start walking then'
'I don't think so'
Bob took off his seatbelt.
'You coming?'
'I'm not leaving the car here'. She pushed the switch on the radio, remembered the problems with the car and turned it back off.
'It's only 10 mins walk to the pub down the hill. I dinnae want to leave you here yerself'
'I think I could look after myself.'
True, Bob thought, she did all that karate stuff right enough.
'I'll lock the doors until you get back.'
'Sorry Marie. I'm a dick.'
'I know. Just hurry up and get back.'
'Ok, Love you, see ye in a minute.' Bob trudged up the hill and eventually out of sight.
'Pish!' Spiv looked at the clue.
'What?' Pam sat in the passenger seat. The drizzle on the windscreen glistened under the car park lights.
'I forgot I was to go to my ma's'.
'Well go then or we'll never get back'. Pam had noticed some of her college buddies in the bar, and felt she could do without these stupid games. ‘You know I haven’t got long tonight. I need to get back’. Spiv knew he had to get over to his mums tonight. He was sober, and had to speak to her while with a fresh head. So much had been happening with his Dad, that he needed her confirmation of details.
'Naw, listen, you get in there I'll go get the clues after I've been to my mum's'.
With one hand already on the door, Pam replied, ‘You sure?’
'Yeah, just go and I'll see you in a bit'
'Ok', she kissed him on the cheek. ‘Do you want me to help you with the clue first?'
'Eh, no. It's fine. I'll be fine. I'll be back soon.'
Pam left and, holding her hood to her hair, she jogged towards the back door of the pub and was soon inside in the warmth.
She watched from the back window as Spiv got out of his car and disappeared from view up the back steps. She felt in her pocket and found her own car keys there. He would be going to his mothers. He would be a while. She could always head back home herself if necessary. She turned to see the bustle of people across the bar.
Emma sat in the car, waiting. Tom had been gone for a good few minutes. The clue should have been simple enough to ensure this was a quick visit.
'Wait there, I'll just be a minute', he had said. But something didn't feel right, so she opened the car door and made her way to the bar entrance, which was situated up the right hand side of the alleyway. It was cool and she was not well attired for this. She folded her arms and walked steadily up to the pub entrance. Two blokes were leaving as she arrived and one held the door while looking her up and down. She smiled kindly, and hoped Tom was on his way out of there.
The pub was dry and bright. Some football screens on the TV to the left and about three folk discussing the game. Quiet. To the right two couples at different tables. No hilarity, half drunk pints and two small whiskies. When they got the clue they would be able to comment on just how sad this little pub was – and this used to be Tom's local. But where the hell could he be?
There didn't appear to be anyone serving, so Emma made her way back out the doors without speaking to anyone. A giggle up the alleyway stopped her in her tracks as she glanced around into the darkness. A whisper, a light moan and a giggle. Some footsteps and 2 shadows close together came out of the shadows.
‘You bastard Tom!’
‘What?’ The shadowy figures kept walking towards her, but Tom had spoken to her from towards the car. ‘What’s up with you shouting?’
‘I thought…’
