Vinny sat down with a grunt and handed Dave his pint.
"Bloody hell Dave I just got a right earful of grief from Ken."
Dave sipped his pint and thought a moment.
"Earful of Grief weren't they a 70s prog rock band? Their stand out single was Bowel Exploder if I recall correctly."
Vinny gave him a withering look.
"So what was he moaning about Vin?"
"All I said was oh, you're starting early with the Halloween decorations then and he says no why? So I just said about all cobwebs all over the place."
"So what did he say?"
"Just short changed me and muttered something about the cleaner's week off.”
Dave laughed.
"You're as tactful as a sledge hammer Vinny. But speaking about Halloween and such what's your thoughts on ghosts and such?"
Vinny sipped his pint.
"Well I've always trusted the evidence of my eyes and ears. I believe in science and logic but I also believe we're a long way from understanding fully how our universe works."
"Example?"
Vinny sipped his pint and thought a moment then pointed at Scrapps.
"That little dog still sits under Old Pete's table six months after poor Pete is dead and buried. He's bonded with me but when he comes in here he has to show loyalty to Pete."
Dave nodded.
"Sometimes when I'm in the gents I swear I hear Pete say evening Vinny."
Dave nodded.
"Funny you say that but I swear sometimes when I've walked past his table I've heard the scribble of his pen on the paper as he does his crossword."
"Always keep an open mind"
When Dave bought the next round he bought an extra pint and put it on Pete's table.
© Darren Sant 2023
