‘I know. I often think about him.’
‘Well, let’s try to stay off morbid subjects, eh? I miss them days myself, I must say.’
Talk of theCourierreminded Bobby of her conversation with Tony, and the promise she had made.
She nodded to her friend’s pint. ‘Have a drink, why don’t you?’
‘What for?’
‘Because it’ll put you in a good mood and I’m about to ask you for a favour.’
He raised an eyebrow as he took a sip of beer. ‘Another one? What do you need this time?’
‘It’s not for me, it’s for… someone else. And before you say no, just let me finish, all right?’
‘Huh. I can guess what this is about.’ Don planted his pipe back in the corner of his mouth, and it wobbled as he spoke. ‘You’re going to ask me to help out that work-shy loafer Scott. I wouldn’t waste your breath, Bobby. Tony Scott’s a dead-end kid and it’s long past time both of us washed our hands of him.’
‘How did you know that’s what I wanted to ask?’
‘I know Tony. He’s begged me twice for a reference, and I could’ve guessed his next stop would be you. Well he’s had more lives than a cat and he’s spent them all, so the answer’s no. I’ll not be persuaded to tell lies that’ll help him make a mug out of the next poor sod.’
‘You don’t understand. I’m not asking only for Tony’s sake. There’s a little more to it.’
He frowned. ‘Oh?’
‘Tony’s engaged, Don.’
He gave a hoarse laugh. ‘What, and for the sake of whatever deluded mare’s said she’ll marry him, you think I’ll do him a favour? If she’s a girlfriend of yours, Bobby, best thing you cando for her is warn her off before she’s signed her life away. She’ll get nowt from marriage to Tony but misery.’
‘Oh, please don’t say that,’ Bobby said quietly.
‘You know it as well as I do.’
‘You see, it’s no good.’ Bobby broke eye contact to watch the swirling bubbles in her barely touched beer. ‘This girl, the one Tony is to marry… she has to go through with it. I mean, she’s got no choice, Don. Do you understand?’
Don was silent for a long time, watching her. Bobby felt her cheeks getting redder and redder under his gaze.
‘You bloody idiot, Bobby,’ he said quietly.
‘What, you think…’ She laughed aloud, the idea was so absurd. ‘Oh Lord. No, it’s not me.’
Don let out a whistle of relief. ‘Thank God for that. I didn’t think you could be that stupid, but I did wonder when he’d be winking at you in the pub if he might’ve had his eye on you.’
‘He had an eye on everyone female-shaped when he’d had a few. That didn’t mean anything. But it is someone I care about, very deeply.’ She lowered her voice. ‘It’s Lilian.’
He frowned. ‘What, your Lilian?’
‘It wasn’t her fault. He tricked her into going on dates with him – took advantage. She says he didn’t, but I know what he’s like.’
Don didn’t speak, but puffed on his pipe. He didn’t look shocked, or surprised, or anything much other than thoughtful.
‘Don?’ Bobby said after a moment had passed.
He roused himself. ‘Sorry. Was just thinking about our Sal.’
‘It wasn’t Lil’s fault,’ she said again.
‘No. I know that.’ He sighed. ‘It’s a man’s world, all right. How’s she bearing up, your sister?’
