Definitely Dead by Kate Bendelow

Author:Kate Bendelow [Bendelow, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books - crime, thriller and mystery
Published: 2021-05-23T16:00:00+00:00

31

Spence had arrived for his shift at The Eagle earlier than he needed to. Lisa, who he was taking over from, had been effusive at the opportunity to leave an hour early. If truth be known, Spence was the grateful one. As lovely as his sister and her family were, he hated intruding on them.

‘Has it been busy?’ he asked Lisa.

‘Not too bad. The usual stream of regulars, a heavy-petting couple dressed in office clobber who are clearly having an affair and Sloth, who’s been nursing the same pint of Guinness for nearly two hours.’

‘Sloth?’

‘Yeah, you remember from The Goonies? He’s sat over there by the door.’

Spence glanced discreetly over. He spotted him straight away and understood what Lisa meant; he was an unfortunate-looking man.

‘Blimey, he’s a big bastard, isn’t he?’

‘He gives me the creeps. He asked me what my favourite colour is. Weirdo.’

‘Ah, did he now? He probably wanted a guess at what colour underwear you’re wearing. You might actually be in there.’

‘Erm, I don’t think there’s any chance of that,’ Lisa said with a grimace.

‘Don’t put yourself down, love, you’re not that ugly.’

‘Cheeky sod.’ She swiped at him with the bar towel. ‘Right, I’m off. Thanks for the early finish. If you ever get yourself a life and need me to cover a shift for you, I owe you one. See you tomorrow.’

He blew her a kiss as she left with a swing of her hips and a flick of her hair. As he watched her walk out the door, he couldn’t help but notice that the man was staring at him unflinchingly. He found it rather unnerving.

‘Can I get you the same again, mate?’ he called.

The man nodded, swallowing down his dregs. He carried his empty glass over to the bar and watched as Spence pulled another pint. Once again, Spence was aghast at how huge the man was.

He had a large bulging forehead, which was accentuated by his receding, mousy-brown hairline. His protruding eyes were rimmed with dark shadows and his nose looked like it had been broken several times. His mouth hung open causing him to drool slightly.

‘What’s your favourite colour?’ Lurch said.

‘Oh, I dunno pal, I’ve never really thought about it. Orange, I guess. You know that bright orange glow you see during a sunset? The colour of salmon. I love that. Why, what’s yours?’

Lurch grinned widely, revealing a mouth of missing teeth. No wonder he was drooling, thought Spence.

‘Rainbow. I like the colour, rainbow. That’s my favourite. I like all the colours.’

‘Good choice, mate. Here’s your drink – on the house.’

Lurch smiled bashfully and carried the drink carefully back to his table with both hands. Spence watched him go. He felt a bit sorry for the bloke. He clearly wasn’t the full shilling. He’d pay for the drink out of his own pocket later, to make up for laughing about him with Lisa.

He watched the man as he settled himself at the table. He might be big, but he seemed harmless enough, Spence decided.

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