The sun dipped below the dilapidated Longcroft estate, casting long shadows over cracked pavements and giving the place a kind of mystical glow it could not manage at any other time of day.
In the Rampant Horse Dave and Vinny were not happy.
"I'm not happy." said Dave.
"I concur comrade." said Vinny.
"Tough." said Ken who was one hundred percent the cause of their unhappiness.
"Our table has been taken and every widow on the Longcroft must be here tonight." Moaned Vinny.
"You'd not normally complain at so many single ladies." Observed Dave.
Vinny looked at him aghast.
"There's so many blue rinses here it's giving me eyestrain. I hope you've stocked up on sherry Ken." Observed Vinny.
"I haven't seen this many strings of pearls since I watched..." Began Lecherous Lee.
Ken shushed him.
"Not one more word Lee or risk being barred." Warned Ken.
Lee was sat on his usual stool at the bar. Dave and Vinny were stood at the bar looking for a table but alas all were taken.
The pub door creaked open and in glided Elara Moon.
Dave stared.
Vinny stared.
Lee's jaw dropped open
Ken rubbed his hands together.
Elara wafted up to the bar her presence commanding attention. Dressed in layers of flowing fabrics that seemed to dance with every step, she wore a cloak adorned with symbols of ancient mysticism. Her raven hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face etched with enigmatic wisdom but despite all the mystical frippery what stood out the most was her massive bosom. Lecherous Lee was transfixed.
Moon's piercing eyes scanned the room, locking onto Ken behind the bar.
"Are you Ken?"
Ken, who never cracked his face, beamed.
"Guilty as charged."
"Alright love, I'll start the psychic evening soon but I'm a tad thirsty. Any chance of a pint of Guinness?"
Ken did the business and placed a perfect pint before her. She picked it up and quaffed three quarters of it in one gulp, leaving a white foamy moustache on her top lip.
Vinny whispered to Dave.
"I think I'm in love."
Elara turned his way and gave him a wink.
The first Rampant Horse psychic evening went brilliantly. Elara wandered around the room speaking to the widows who all shed a tear when their Albert or George came through to speak to them.
Dave and Vinny watched from the bar.
"She's an amazing medium." Observed Dave
"She will be mine." said Vinny.
"The till is overflowing." said Ken.
"More of an extra large." said Lee.
"Shut up Lee." said Dave, Vinny and Ken in unison.
The evening wound down and Elara came to the bar for a final Guinness.
"There's one more person I wanted to see."
She looked meaningfully at Vinny.
"I see your future. The spirits are clear on this. Next Tuesday at China Garden in town 8pm and you're buying."
She quaffed her drink and eyed Ken.
"Same time next month?"
Without waiting for an answer she drifted away through the door like an apparition and was gone.
© Darren Sant 2023
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