"It isn't like that" Zubin says with exasperation and Ric sighs. "I don't want to hear your excuses"
"Well tough because you're going to get them anyway" He replies determinedly.
"What makes you think I'm going to stop around long enough to hear them?" Ric demands and then it's Zubin's turn to sigh. "It's not all about you, you know."
"Oh I feel much better now you've told me that." The other man replies tiredly, downing the last of his drink. "Now I know you're not screwing my daughter just to get back at me, that's a whole weight off my mind."
"If for once in your life you just listened to someone other than yourself, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation." Zubin cries explosively.
"Oh go on then, enlighten me. I cant wait to hear this."
Smiling from the table behind them, I sip my drink quietly, also eager to hear how Zubin plans to get himself out of this one.
"Oh what's the point? It wouldn't make any difference to you anyway, you're not going to listen to a word I say."
"Sure I am" Ric counters easily. "I'm all ears, I'd make use of it if I were you."
"But you'll only hear what you want to hear" He blusters, and I have to agree with him; Ric does have the innate ability to ignore every sensible sentence you utter, and spring on the one word he doesn't agree with.
"Well why the hell are you still sat here telling me we need to talk!" Ric exclaims with another sigh.
"Is this a private argument, or can anyone join in?" Michael asks, appearing at their table, having passed mine a few minutes before, in such a daze that he didn't register the fact I was sat there. A fact which the other two also seem to have missed. Still, all the more fun for me.
"Be my guest -"
"It's private if you don't mind -"
Michael sits down despite their conflicting responses, and Zubin takes another mouthful of his drink sourly. "So what's the problem gentlemen?"
Even from this distance I cringe at his condescending attitude, however this too seems to pass by unnoticed by the other two, too wrapped up in their own issues to recognise it.
"There isn't one" Zubin lies gruffly, and Ric opens his arms lightly. "Oh come on Zubin, it's not like you're ashamed of it is you? After all, if you love her like you say you do -"
"I do" He replies through gritted teeth, and Ric smiles. "In that case, the more the merrier ey? You never know, he might take your side. Then again… He might have two brain cells and actually know to rub them together. Who knows"
Michael hides his smile at Ric's witty response, and gestures to the barman that they want refills. Quite the little gentleman isn't he? Shame he cant keep it in his pants really.
"Have I missed something?" Michael asks and Zubin looks away crossly as Ric fills him in eagerly. "Zubin… Professor Zubin Kahn… My best friend… Has been sleeping with my daughter. Who is, by the way, pregnant with his baby."
Zubin glares at him, face like thunder. "Do you have to make everything sound so sordid?"
Ric frowns. "Well it is isn't it? You've known her since she was born Zubin! You're her godfather for goodness sake, don't you think sexual relations are slightly beyond the call of duty?"
"Ah" Michael says simply, his expression telling me that at that instant, he was wondering what the hell he'd just walked into, and wishing more than ever that he'd simply gone home to his loving wife rather than sulking at the bar with his tail between his legs. Not that his delightful other half would be back at the house. I find it much more interesting to drown my sorrows here, able to watch and hear every sorry little word which falls out of his mouth.