Single Handed by Nathan Burrows

Author:Nathan Burrows [Burrows, Nathan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

38

Gareth stared at Dave, unable to believe what he had just heard.

“What did you just say?” he asked him, hoping that he’d misheard.

“It was the copper, Kate, boss,” Dave replied, “with Laura.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you were in a club so presumably it was dark, right?”

“One hundred per-cent.” Dave wriggled again on his chair before glancing at the door, and it was obvious to Gareth how uncomfortable the young man was. “Charlotte saw them as well. Sorry to be the one to let you know.”

Gareth frowned, trying to take in the news. That was not what he had been expecting Dave to say at all. That would explain why she hadn’t answered his text messages.

“Flat battery, my arse,” he muttered under his breath as he took a hefty pull on his pint, almost emptying the glass. He put the glass down on the table so hard that Big Joe and several of the customers turned their heads to look at them. Gareth fixed one or two of them with a stare until they got the message and turned away to mind their own business. Only Big Joe continued to look at him, and Gareth wasn’t about to try to do the same thing with him.

“Gareth, do you mind if I head away?” Dave asked, looking at him with a pained expression. “Only Charlotte’s waiting for me.”

“Go on,” Gareth said, “off you fuck. And Dave?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for letting me know. It can’t have been easy, but I appreciate it.”

Dave didn’t hide the look of relief on his face as he got to his feet before ambling toward the door. Gareth watched him go, relieved to be on his own for a few seconds to process what he’d just heard. Or try to process, at least. A moment later, he drained his glass and returned to the bar.

“Same again, fella?” Big Joe said as he approached. He already had a fresh glass in his hand and was holding it under the pump.

“Please,” Gareth replied with a nod.

“Everything okay?” Big Joe asked, pouring his pint.

“Yup. Just peachy.”

“You do know all breakages must be paid for, right?” Big Joe was smiling as he said this, but Gareth knew it was a warning to behave himself.

“Sorry, Joe,” Gareth replied. “Just had some unexpected news, that was all.”

“I thought you were going to twat him for a moment there.”

“Who? Dave? No, he was just the messenger. Besides, when have I ever started a fight inside your gaff?”

“Fair point.” Joe laughed as he put Gareth’s pint down on the bar. “But you’ve finished a fair few outside it.”

“Not for a long time, Joe,” Gareth said, forcing a wry grin onto his face and offering Joe a ten pound note.

“This one’s on me, mate,” Joe replied. “Just don’t smash the glass.”

Gareth returned to his table and sat down heavily. One thing he knew was that there was no way he was going round to Laura’s place for dinner now. He reached into his pocket for his phone and tapped out a text message.

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