"Ow's yer new gaff then? " said Bodie
"Like a shoebox , mate " replied Doyle " I never knew I 'ad so much crap "
" Never mind , amount of time Cowley gives us off we might as well live at work " sighed Bodie
" Yer not wrong there " huffed Doyle " That last oppo was a right bum number , sitting in a Trannie for four days "
" Yeah , all that and the toe rag turns up in a knocking shop in Perry Vale. All that and ee gets pulled by uniform !" growled Bodie
" No doubt 'ees in Cannon Street now singin is little eart out" said Doyle " We could ave used the collar – Cowley's been like a bulldog chewing a wasp of late! "
"Another Red Barrel?" asked Bodie " Same again for me with a chaser " The Barman looked at the pair but kept his thoughts to himself – special plod so the rumour went. It certainly kept the scumbags out.
" You get down to 'ighbury last Saturday? Charlie George scored a rocket from about thirty yards ! Pick that one out" said Bodie
" Nahh , my bird got me to take 'er to the flicks " replied Doyle
" You want to put yer foot down , sunshine. You'll be wearing a Pinnie next! " laughed Bodie
" She's a lovely girl , I'll ave you know . Not like those barmaids you go for!" parried Doyle
"Nuffin wrong wiv Barmaids . mate. Did I tell you about Lola from the Dog and Ferret – once she…"
started Bodie
" You told me , mate , and I still can't believe it." Said Doyle. He surveyed the pub. A couple of teenage lads attempted to impress a couple of spotty girls with Roller scarfs atteached to their wrists. A chubby geezer was trying to extract a pack of Players from the machine and having no luck. A couple of guys by the window were attempting to blend in with the wallpaper – they might as well been wearing " I'm an ex lag" signs.The bar was wrapped in a fug of fag smoke mainly from an old boy in the corner. Doyle thought he looked like he had been in both World Wars .
" What would you do if they banned smoking in pubs ?" he asked the Barman
"Never 'appen in my lifetime , Guv. Nobody will go to pubs if you can't smoke" said the Barman. He knew Doyle was one of those rare animals – a copper who thought about the bigger picture.
"Quite right " chimed Bodie " Next we'll be aving a woman prime minister . As if…"
The night came to an unsteady end at chucking out time . The Barman rang last orders – at least for his regulars. These two could have a lock in whenever they liked .
"That's me for home " said Bodie glassily
" I'll get a cab " Doyle slouched toward the pay phone
" You jessie , I can drive. I've only 'ad five " challenged Bodie
" You remember what appened with the Granada? Cowley did you at the knees for that!" said Doyle
" OK , I get the message . Taxi it is then"
The Barman sighed with relief . He hated Lock ins.