Page 72 of The Cocktail Bar

“So,” he mustered up a smile, “this means you’re going to stop threatening to grass me up to the local papers… for things I haven’t even done?”

“Yes, yes… as well as to start paying for our drinks. We’ve behaved quite monstrously, with myself taking the lead… it’s just… it’s just…” She shook her head then and drew in her top lip, presumably to prevent the bottom one from wobbling. “Just between you and me,” she turned to look at River with glassy eyes, “our castle was starting to resemble more of an Abbey Ruins than a stately home. The place was dilapidated, ceilings caving in, more damp and mould and rot than an episode of that frightful excuse for light television entertainment,Coronation Street. That’s when we applied to feature in one of those programmes, out of desperation, we’d become charity. Terry has been a godsend. Yes, he’s awfully common, but it’s that delicious contrast between us and him, him and us, which is going to save our house, transforming it into its former glory—”

“Breathing new life into the saddest and darkest of corners,” Mercedes’ voice seemed to cut in then with her reminder.

“Opening it back up to the public, fuelling their aspirations and filling our coffers, just like the good old days. I couldn’t be more grateful if I tried.” Lady Rigby-Chandler retained control.

River knocked back his second slivovic, letting the fermented plum burn his throat, and preferably his voice box too while it was at it. Because what could he say to that? He might still semi-loathe the very blue blood of these silver-spooned idiots, but essentially, Lady Rigby-Chandler was showering him with the very evidence that he craved, the proof that his task had been worth it, that he wasn’t simply enriching the lives of three random customers in his cocktail bar… but a whole world beyond it.

Never underestimate the power of three. It’s a magic number. The ripples of joy this chosen trio will generate is going to envelope your town – and beyond – in something never seen before.

Isn’t that what Mercedes had predicted?