They got the drinks in, placed their bets on the first race of the night and formed a jostling crowd as they watched the first race which was over just 1 minute after it began.
"How cool is that! - I just won" shouted Fry
There were choruses of results; with just 6 dogs racing two others had also won but on each way the odds had been short and the reward small. Dempsey and Jimmy looked at the screen already showing the next race. Jimmy decided to go for the outsider to win, Dempsey settled on a forecast avoiding the favourite he chose and nominated first and second places.
On returning to the crowd he stood by Harry "So you didn't win then partner" he observed
"I did a lot better than you"
"Meaning?"
"I didn't lose anything Lieutenant"
"Oh don't tell me you're going to be holier than thou" Dempsey turned to catch Harry's eye - he caught it.
"No I was just planning on watching the first couple of races" she took the betting slip out of his hand and studied it then passed it back"
"What you not making any comment?"
"Do you want me to?" she held his gaze as they launched into another of their fast paced dialogues
"You don't usually shut up"
"Ok then – I think you got them the wrong way round"
"You usually tell me I'm wrong"
"You frequently are"
"Well if I am I'll eat my hat"
"It's not your hat to eat Dempsey" she was smiling one of her huge grins
"So if I win I win my hat back as well" he bargained taking it off her head and placing it on his own.
"Hey the race hasn't even started yet" Makepeace stood on tip toes to take it back as simultaneously Dempsey jumped up onto a chair easing himself out of her reach. She playfully slapped his leg and watched the dogs being loaded into the stalls ready for the off. "Two minutes and it will still be mine" she pointed out.
Two minutes later the bar was in uproar again and a cheeky grin mirrored Harry's impish mood as she snatched the hat back again. The move didn't go entirely unnoticed as Jimmy turned to Dempsey, neither had any payout to collect, "She's after you" he said knowingly.
"No sorry bud – it's me that's after her - without a cat in hells chance of success" Dempsey replied ruefully.
A member of staff approached Jimmy and following their brief exchange Jimmy ushered everyone through to the dining area which had huge glass panels affording a view of the floodlit race track.
Brian found himself next to Dempsey, Harry followed on their tale.
"I'm guessing you didn't bother seeing her tonight then" Brian mused, both guys were already sinking their second pint.
"Who"
"You know - your best thing since sliced bread"
"Oh you mean Laura"
"Probably"
"No- not enough time, besides I overdid it last week – you know first flush, or first rush of blood."
"You know Jimmy there has his eye on her"
"Yeh, keeps on checking that I've not dropped her yet – I've got a bit more in me than that!"
It was meant to be water off a duck's back but Makepeace felt some feathers ruffle and water creep under them. She deliberately sat with Tom, Billy and Dave.
"Isn't that Dempsey's hat?" Tom asked
"Was"
"I thought he was wearing it just now"
"He thought he was going to win it back"
"Definitely makes you look like a cowboy Makepeace" Dave offered
"Well he certainly doesn't need to look like one – he's a cowboy – and that's a fact" She looked at Tom as she spoke recalling how Tom had been a good partner in the past
"Don't you mean cow girl Dave?" asked Billy with the same sort of innocence as Fry had
"Spikings always says that Harry is one of the boys and to treat her like that" Tom explained
"Someone should try telling Dempsey that" Harry said before she realised that she had spoken her words out loud.
"You and Dempsey are always in the thick of it" Billy commented, still grateful that he hadn't yet had to take part in any of their hair raising escapades.
"Like I said he's a cowboy"
The conversation muted but fortunately the next race was lined up to go. The tote waiters came around the tables to gather the bets and this time Makepeace studied the form guide and trainer information before placing her bet.
Tom and Billy had stuck with their each way bets, Dave hedged his bets with 'to win' bets on three out of the six dogs. Makepeace was about to place her forecast when she heard Dempsey's loud voice dominate the airwaves. She stopped and re-examining the form guide made a triple cast.
"Wow" was all Billy could say
"It's a fun night out Billy – let's hang loose" she said in reply.
