Page 121 - My Home on the Earth

‘Wait a minute, the car is outside. We’ll walk back with you.
Steve offered the man a lift, but he declined in favour of taking a stroll along Heath Road by torchlight.
Mr Bannister waved as the police car drove past him and shook his head. There’s never one around when you want one,’ he thought. What a pity. I was hoping to see Kate tonight to find out how she is. I wish she’d have changed her mind about sheltering in the cabin.
Inside the Jolly Sailor, he was welcomed with open arms. The pub regulars enjoyed his company and status; few entrepreneurs drank there. He shuffled over to a group of men playing three-card brag – a game of bluff and sat for a while watching their eyes and expressions. Cheating was commonplace among the players.
‘Will you join us, Mr Bannister?’ inquired one elderly man.
‘Play cards with you lot? Huh, I’d be broke in three minutes,’ he smiled.
The pub roared with laughter and another man called out: ‘He’s a lot sharper than you, old Eli. How do you think he got to where he is today?’
‘Your taxi is here, Mr Bannister,’ called the landlord. ‘Cheerio, everyone. See you again.’
****
Stuart Bannister bade the driver goodnight, put his key in the lock to open the front door and went inside. He placed the torch on the hall table, hung up his coat and went through to the lounge. Sitting in his favourite armchair, he
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