They laughed and egged him on. ‘The point is, Ricky, me ol’ son, it’s no good just staring. Get in there and chat the bird up.’

Ricky took another swig. ‘I dunno. I ain’t never chatted up a bird before.’

Most lads their age would have ribbed the life out of him, yet Arty and Liam knew the history and were only too pleased to take him under their wing. They’d grown up knowing Mike and the pain he’d gone through in believing Ricky was dead, and, of course, when they all discovered otherwise, and the revelations came out about how Ricky had been so severely treated, they naturally had a soft spot for him.

‘I’d chat her up meself, but I reckon she’s outta my league,’ said Liam, with a cheeky grin on his face. Although he wasn’t the best-looking young man, the fact that he knew it gave him confidence that was unmatchable. ‘Any chubby ones, one ear missing, or a flat nose about? I ain’t fussy.’

Arty nearly spat out his drink. ‘Aw, leave off, Liam. You ain’t that fucking bad, mate. You look kinda hard. Women like a tough geezer.’

Ricky was still thinking about how he would approach the barmaid.

Then, when she turned his way, her stubborn expression made him smile. She looked as though she really didn’t want to be there. Her black hair and thick black eyebrows would have looked stupid on any other young woman, but not on her. She had green eyes, accentuated by her extra-long mascaraed lashes. The nose piercing wasn’t so attractive, but her serious face was.

He raised his brows and then smiled from ear-to-ear, showing a small dimple. For a moment, the barmaid paused and then looked behind her, bemused that such a strikingly handsome young man was looking her way.

She faced him again and wondered whether he was really giving her the eye or if he was just pissed. Then he winked, and at that moment, she was drawn to him.

He flicked his head for her to come over, and as soon as she did, he was a little unsure of what to do next. Come on, Ricky, get a grip, he thought.

‘What can I get ya, mate?’ she said, with a confident tone.

‘A smile would be nice,’ he replied.

The barmaid suddenly felt her face blush. That was a first: she never blushed. In fact, she never looked at the male species as anything other than a pain in the arse.

‘Give me something to smile about and I might just do that.’

Ricky chuckled at her feisty attitude. ‘You have really pretty eyes, and I bet they light up when you smile.’

Arty and Liam were open-mouthed as they watched Ricky charm the knickers off the young woman.

‘Look and learn, Liam, look and fucking learn,’ said Arty.