Seamus lowered his hood and wrung the water out on the step of the pub, washing away a few cigarette butts in the process. He pushed open the door and scanned the cozy, dim room.
"Over here, mate."
He turned to his left and laughed. "I didn't think you'd actually be here."
Ernie Macmillan gestured to the seat across from him. He scooted the pint closer to Seamus. "I'm here most days. How do you like it?"
"It's a nice place. How the hell did you come up the name?"
"The Perky Mermaid? Swapping stories with Dad – told him how Cedric had been terribly discouraged when he met real mermaids after seeing the picture in the prefects' bathroom. Weird little tribute to him, I suppose, but it was the best I could do."
Seamus raised his glass. "To Cedric."
"To Cedric."
The two men sat sipping their beers and staring out into the rain. When the rain had slackened, and the second 143 bus had pulled away from the stop, Seamus looked up at his friend.
"You really want me to help you run this place?"
"I do."
He smiled. "You're on, then."