Disclaimer: I do not own Cherub.

Author's note: This story contains strong language which may offend some. Please don't complain if you are offended, I gave you clear warning.

Chapter Two

Bruce stepped into the dimly lit bar and looked around, trying to see by the curtain of smoke.

"I thought smoking was banned inside," he coughed, trying in vain to waft away some of the smoke.

"It is. But the landlord here doesn't care." James pulled of his coat and hung it up on the coat stand next to the door.

"See her around?" Bruce asked, sauntering over to the bar.

"Nope," James sighed, following him and getting onto a stool.

"What does she look like?" Bruce asked.

"Um, blonde, blue eyes, tall, thin. Looks like a model." James said vaguely, "Two lagers." He added to the barman.

Bruce let out a gasp. He was looking over James' shoulder.

"What?" James asked, turning round.

"Look who it is!" Bruce grinned.

James could see a few old guys and a tall, skinny, black-haired girl. No one he recognised.

"Long time no see!" Bruce was calling. He got off his bar stool and hurried over to the girl.

"Bruce!" She grinned, hugging him. He kissed her on her pale cheek.

"And James is here too!" Bruce grabbed the girl's hand and led her over to James. Something about her was vaguely familiar to James…like she was a friend he hadn't seen in years.

"Hi!" The girl laughed, hugging him, "Wow. In a million years I wouldn't have guessed I'd meet you guys. So, what are you up to now?"

"I'm a martial arts instructor at…well, you know, obviously. And James is head of maths there." Bruce said.

James was taken aback. The girl must have been at Cherub; otherwise Bruce wouldn't have said that.

"I should've guessed." The girl was beaming in a way that made her eyes light up. Something in James lit up with her.

"I've been working with orphans in Hong Kong," she was telling Bruce, "but now I'm back. You think Zara would give me a job?"

"Kerry, Zara retired years ago. Lauren's the new Zara."

Kerry… James almost fainted. Kerry's back! He hadn't seen Kerry in years.

"Lauren!" She gasped, "wow. Is Meatball still around?"

"Yeah, but he must be the oldest dog in the world." Bruce told her.

"Kerry!" James beamed, sweeping her into a hug.

"Um…couldn't you have done that when she arrived James?" Bruce asked, frowning.

"Come on Bruce. An idiot would have been able to tell he didn't recognise me. Goats lie better than you, Adams." Kerry was laughing. James loved that laugh. It was his favourite sound in the whole world.

They'd been sitting in the bar for hours. It was near closing time. Six empty glasses sat on the bar in front of the three of them. Kerry had had a white wine, Bruce had had two beers and a lager, and James had had two whiskies. Georgia/Georgina/Geraldine hadn't shown up.

"I think that's the first time I've ever seen you not drink the most, James," Kerry grinned, getting up, "I should get back to my flat. I'm renting just now. Ada will wonder where I am."

"Who's Ada?" James asked.

"She's my daughter, duh." Kerry explained, "I adopted her in Hong Kong. She's only six. My good friend Ingrid is looking after her."

"You have a daughter?" James was flabbergasted.

"Yes. Didn't I mention?" Kerry asked, frowning. "Oh well. Here's my address and home number. Ask Lauren about that job." Kerry handed James a white card, picked up her handbag and walked towards the door. James stared after her.

"Um, James?" Bruce asked, his eyebrows creasing thoughtfully, "You told a reporter about Cherub. How is Kerry going to get a job if it closes?"