Ken's Meeting
Dave & Vinny
"Dave have you noticed Ken's been a snappier than usual lately?"
"I have Vinny, he's been snappier than a Japanese tourist at a crocodile convention.”
Vinny gave Dave a puzzled look and opened his mouth to say something but had a sip of his pint instead.
At the bar Ken was tapping out a text message. Lee had been trying to engage him in conversation but had given up. Ken seemed distracted by something, he said something to his barmaid and patted her on the shoulder then stepped out of the pub.
Ken looked around the beer garden and idly thought it would need a refresh come spring. He walked from the pub and across the square green space in the middle of the houses. He booted a tennis ball from under his feet, as if on cue a small terrier appeared from nowhere to chase it. He crossed the road on the other side and went down dogshit alley. Every town had one. He heard pattering feet behind him and lo and behold one of the culprits was here. The scruffy little terrier dropped the tennis ball at his feet.
Ken lobbed it as far as he could and hustled or he'd never be rid of the damn thing. The alley gave way to a T-junction and Ken turned left, then quickly right and down another alley. He stopped halfway down this one and looked fondly at a patch of brickwork. If he looked closely he could imagine the writing was still there Ken loves Courtney. He felt a tinge of sadness, of course the wall had been replaced years ago but not in his memory.
There was a scrabbling sound and from the left of the T-junction in front of him came the terrier.
"You're more persistent than Dave is at opening time on pay day."
The dog made no comment just dropped the now slobber laden tennis ball at his feet.
Ken picked it up carefully with two fingers and threw it behind him.
Ten minutes later he was crossing a tiny bridge over a fast flowing little brook that ran through the estate and being followed by a terrier with a tennis ball in his mouth.
Ken rarely took time to wander the estate but today he wanted to be reminded of her. The woman who could have made an honest man of him if only youth and pride hadn't gotten in the way. The one who got away. Courtney.
Ken trudged up a grass embankment and skirted the pylon that was fizzing in the rain.
Finally he was on the far side of the estate and walking up the driveway that led to the parade of shops. He eyed the café, Good Times, and tried to swallow his nerves.
He checked his hair in a shop window. The shopkeeper put two fingers up and mouthed fuck off.
Ken smiled and waved. He took a deep breath and walked into The Good Times café.
There she was beautiful as ever.
Ken sat opposite her.
"Hi Julie, how's your Mum, how's Courtney?"
"She's good Dad thanks. She sends her love."
A waitress hovered nearby.
"Oh, I'll order in a moment." said Ken with a smile.
The girl made a face and put her hands on her hips.
"This isn't the Ritz mate. You go to the counter to order. The manageress sent me over to tell you dogs aren't allowed in here."
"But I...."
Ken looked down. The dog gave a little woof and looked pointedly at the tennis ball he'd dropped at Ken's feet.
"Ok, I'll take him outside in a minute he followed me in. But tell me do want a job as a barmaid in the Rampant Horse? I could do with someone with your people skills."
The waitress chewed some gum and thought a moment.
"Yeah alright then."
"Ok, first task then go tell the old bag it's a guide dog and that I've threatened to sue for oppression or something and I'll give you double pay first night."
"Cool! Ok then."
Julie's eyes twinkled with mirth.
"Oh Dad you are funny."
He winked, "Don't tell anyone. Now, how you've been love?"
They chatted for half an hour or so. Julie looked at her watch.
"I've enjoyed this Dad but I've got to go. Can we meet again soon?"
Ken smiled. "I'd like that very much."
© Darren Sant 2023
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