Page 106 of Kicks

That was long gone. He’d kept a few friends that he saw occasionally. Disco nights had soon been replaced by school run mornings. Everyone had eventually drifted away.

The realisation that he didn’t have a life to go back to hit Billy like a truck. He got to his feet and walked out onto the balcony for some fresh air. It was almost dusk. The bars and eateries that lined the marina were packed.

So that’s where everyone is.

Billy watched the couples chatting away, sharing jokes and funny stories. Of course, Eddie crashed into his head. It hadbeen sweet of Crystal to go and say goodbye. Yet even that had ripped the scab off the wound.

The possibility that Eddie was having the same thoughts across town was almost too much to bear.

Billy got his phone out of his back pocket and dialled.

“Hello?”

“Can you come over?”

The car swung into a space. Billy was perched on a wall waiting.

When the door opened, Billy felt a little easier.

“Little brother,” Harry said, walking over to him. “What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry for dragging you over. I needed to talk. You weren’t too busy, were you?”

Harry sat next to him “I just about survived bathing Lennox. I’m good for a beer. You’re buying.”

“Deal.”

They wandered toward the marina. Billy had a favourite bar that was tucked in the corner.

“He’s not a fan then? Of baths.”

Harry made a face. “I’d rather go in the ring with a six-foot Yorkshire guy.”

Inside, the customers were jammed together like sardines. A sunny Friday night always brought out the punters. Billy spied a spot right in the corner.

“Go and grab it,” he said to Harry and pointing.

“Shit, you’re good.”

Harry wandered over. He seemed completely oblivious that the crowd parted as he walked through. It was as though his sheer bulk made people subconsciously move.

“Two Peronis, please,” Billy said, handing a twenty-pound note over.

As the barman did his thing, Billy stared across at Harry. He was gigging at something on his phone.

If only Mum could see this.

His drinks arrived. He left a fiver on the bar.

As he walked over to Harry, he noticed the punters didn’t so much as budge an inch for him. Typical.

He sat down. “Bloody hell, it’s busy.”

“Well, you will live in the marina. My local would have seats and cheaper prices.”

“But you have a car.”

They clinked bottles and took swigs. Fuck he needed that.