Prologue
Ken stood on the threshold of the pub doorway. He hadn't smoked for twenty years but he kept an emergency fag near the till for emergencies such as this. The cops had left a few hours ago and taken the boy with them.
He took a drag on the cig. That craving never really went away, it just lurked in the background like some bogey man waiting to strike.
The sun was coming up over the estate. It was one of the few times even the Longcroft's brutally austere architecture had a grim kind of beauty to it.
He remembered Graham McFarlane from school. Not big Graham then but still a bully with a nasty future ahead of him. Ken had been one of the few boys not intimidated by him, there was even a grudging respect for each other. The years had changed that. Ken a humble landlord making a, mostly, honest living. Big Graham the hardest gangster in the area who it seemed was resorting to murder now and Ken had just crossed him.
Closed
Dave banged on the back door of the Rampant Horse.
"Ken. Open the door man. I'll die of thirst."
Vinny ambled into the car park.
"Not open?"
"Of course it's open. I'm just stood here banging on the door for my health."
"Sarcasm is for clever people Dave. It doesn't suit you."
Dave banged away at the door ignoring his friend for now.
Vinny calmly took his phone out of his pocket and dialled a number.
After three rings the call was answered and a grumpy voice said,
"What?"
"Open the door to the pub Ken. I know why you're closed and we need to chat about that."
A heavy sigh came across the ether to Vinny's ears.
"Okay but do tell that idiot to stop banging on my door."
"Dave, Ken says stop banging on his door please."
Vinny hung up.
Council of War
They heard a rattle as Ken unlocked the pub door. He let Dave and Vinny in and then locked it behind them.
He poured them both a pint.
"This one is on the house, for your support yesterday."
Ken poured himself a coffee from a pot he kept near the bar. He'd given up drinking as well as cigs twenty years ago.
The three of them sat around Dave and Vinny's usual table.
"So why are you closed Ken?" asked Vinny.
"You know what happened yesterday. I'm not scared for myself but I can't expose my customers."
He paused, "and friends to any danger."
Vinny shook his head.
"That's not really your decision to make Ken. When we got involved we took away that choice. Besides you'd be playing into his hands if you sit in here waiting for the knock. Better to have some witnesses. I'm not scared of some jumped up gangster." said Vinny.
"Nor me." said Dave.
Ken looked upset a moment then an expression of intense relief crossed his face.
"You'd face him down for me?"
Dave looked at Vinny.
Vinny looked at Dave.
"Of course," said Vinny, "There's a lot of mileage in getting the eternal gratitude of your local bar keep." he raised his now empty glass for emphasis.
"I agree." said Lecherous Lee who was leaning against the doorframe of the gents.
"How...." started Ken.
"You left the toilet window open you dingbat. If we're facing down a gangster you'll have to be cannier than that Ken. Oh, and mine's a lager please."
A Visitor
Against his better judgement, and to stop Dave and Vinny nagging, Ken opened up the pub that day. It seemed the word had gotten around because the pub was busier than usual. The people of the Longcroft loved few things more than a bit of drama so Ken saw faces he hadn't seen before in the pub that night.
"He's doing a brisk trade tonight Dave." said Vinny.
"Yeah, he'll have to have a run in with gangsters more often."
Dead on eight Big Graham McFarlane sauntered into the pub with the easy going walk of a regular punter. He gave Ken a smile.
"Evening Ken. It's been a long time."
Ken finished serving a punter before he answered.
"It has. How have you been keeping?"
"Oh you know. Ducking and diving."
"I wouldn't really know being just an honest business man myself."
Graham winced.
"Why so hostile?"
Ken shrugged.
"We don't normally have scum like you in here."
Lecherous Lee who was sat on a nearby bar stool went white.
Graham shook his head sadly.
"No wonder your shitty little pub is barely making a profit with such a poor attitude towards your paying customers."
"You haven't bought anything yet." Observed Ken.
"Then I'll have a lager."
"No you won't because you're barred. Get out before I throw you out."
Graham gave an easy laugh. He stretched showing off his well defined muscular frame.
"You were always a gobshite at school. I see not much has changed."
Graham leaned forward and whispered now.
"Now you've caused me quite a lot of inconvenience but out of the goodness of my heart I'll let you off with a fine as it's a first demeanour. I'll be back tomorrow to collect ten grand and because of our shared history I'm going to add this pub to my protection list. I'll want a grand every first Thursday of the month thereafter. To cover expenses, you know."
Ken eyeballed him.
"Fuck you."
"First payment ten grand. I'll be back tomorrow to collect. Nice chatting with you."
Graham strolled from the pub.
TO BE CONTINUED...
© Darren Sant 2023
If you’d like to give Darren a bit of support you can drop a coin in his Tip Jar
The Witness - Pt 1
The Alleyway Late afternoon and James had bunked off school. It was no big deal. His grades were down the toilet anyway so one more day off wouldn't make any difference. His Mum had spies everywhere though so he had to get ever more creative about where he hung out when he was supposed to be in school. The old warehouse district was fun to explore anyway…
Pied Off - Part 1
George Thompson removed the tray of buns from the oven. The smell that wafted behind the steam that rose from them was intoxicating. You cannot beat the smell of quality bread fresh from the oven, he thought. Looking round the small bakery he was pleased with his days work. All of the cakes, pastries and breads from yesterday had sold out and he had the majority of tomorrow’s stock either chilling or ready for the nightshift lad to bake off later on. He turned as the back door opened and the delivery driver came in smiling.