‘I should have walked out of the door myself,’ she said to Cindy. ‘Should have got myself a job and lived a life. It was just that with his mam and dad’s bit of money, it was always easier not to try.’

Cindy removed her hand and sat upright. ‘Well, it doesn’t matter any more, you’re here now.’

‘Ah, it’s Eric the milky,’ shouted Babs over the heads of the men drinking at the bar. ‘Has your Gladys fallen asleep, or what?’

‘Eric? Good God, man, I never thought we would see you in here. Is it a man’s drink you’re after now?’ asked Reg who’d got caught by another customer and had only just reached the bar.

Eric laughed. ‘I am – Babs, a pint of mild, if you would.’

‘It’s my pleasure, Eric. I take it you’ve escaped? The police won’t be coming in, will they? We don’t want no trouble with your Gladys.’

Eric looked shocked and stuttered, ‘Oh, n-no, not at all…’

Babs chuckled. ‘I’m kidding, Eric. Oh, it’s good to see you. Now Reg, two port and lemons and your usual, is it?’

Eric peered towards the table where the ladies were sitting. ‘I’ll get those for you, Reg,’ he said.

‘Eric, it’s a gentleman you are, thank you.’

A voice called out, ‘Reg, would you and Cindy play some arrows? We have Denny’s wife who wants to play a game and she can’t if the other team doesn’t have a woman to make it equal.’

Reg turned to Eric and behind his hand said, ‘That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about Denny’s wife, that she’s a woman. She can down a pint faster than any docker in here and she plays better arrows too! I can’t,’ he called back, ‘we have a visitor with us.’

Eric who had spotted Maggie as soon as he had walked into the Anchor, did not let his moment pass. ‘I’ll keep your visitor company for you, Reg, if you and Cindy fancy a game?’

‘Would you mind?’

Eric felt his heart lighten. ‘No, not at all. She’s one of my best customers is Maggie Trott, I wouldn’t mind at all.’

Babs, listening, grinned and took a packet of arrows from the shelf next to the till and held them out to Reg who took them willingly. ‘Right, I know my place, I’ll take these drinks over and then we’ll go and find the dart board.’ Reg winked at Babs and scooped up the three drinks into his hands.

‘I’ll be over in a moment,’ said Eric. He wanted to make sure Reg told Maggie in advance and she was comfortable with the idea.

*

‘Here you are ladies,’ Reg said as he approached the table. ‘Cindy, we’re needed for a game of arrows.’