Stanley stood at the window as though he was dancing on hot coals. He knew Pat would have taken good care of his beloved pigeons for him, but he couldn’t wait to see them again. Pat had given him one that he’d named after her, and he’d have to change that now. Joycie would be furious if he didn’t. Not only that, he wanted no reminder of Pat in his life ever again.

Seeing Brian’s car pull up outside, Stanley ran out to greet him. ‘Hello, my little cherubs. Have you missed me?’ he crooned, as he opened the back doors of Brian’s van.

‘Pat was very upset that you didn’t pick them up yourself, Stanley. She started crying as I left and she told me to tell you that she’s sorry for what she did and she hopes that you and her can still be friends. Whatever happened between yous two, mate?’

Feeling himself blush, Stanley busied himself by transferring the pigeon basket over to his own car. He’d already packed his clothes earlier, so once he got rid of Brian, he was ready to go home to Joyce.

‘Nothing bad happened, we just had a silly row that’s all. Anyway, I wanted to go back home to my Joycie, so I think it’s best I don’t come to the Orsett Cock any more. Also, if you can inform me which race meetings Pat will be attending, I would appreciate that as well. Me and her can’t be friends ’cause it ain’t fair on Joycie, so I’d just rather avoid Pat altogether in future, to be honest.’

Brian nodded. He knew there was more to Stanley’s story than he was letting on, and he’d already made up his mind to ply Pat with a few G&Ts at the weekend to see if he could loosen her tongue a bit. ‘Well, good luck with Joycie, mate, and I’ll catch up with you at one of the race meetings. You’ll be coming to Peterboro’, won’t you?’

‘If Pat ain’t going, I will. Listen, I’d best make a move now, Joycie was expecting me home by eleven. Thanks again for today, Bri, I owe you a pint or two, pal.’

As soon as Brian drove off, Stanley got into his own car and turned the ignition on. Then with a big smile on his face, he drove towards Rainham. Joycie would treat him like a doormat when he got home, he had no doubt about that, but he didn’t care because he loved her. However badly she treated him, he knew that living with Joyce was where he belonged and he never wanted to spend a day apart from her again.