"Come on, where are you mate? You said you'd be here" I frowned at my watch. "Come on Al…"
He was late. He'd been late before, but only by a few minutes, and he'd always apologised and bit his lip till I nibbled it for him. It was dark now: he should have been here over an hour ago. I waited a few minutes more before turning and going into a nearby pub.
"Hey, can I use ya phone?" I asked the bar tender.
"Gotta buy a pint first" he said.
I sighed heavily, handing him a fiver for one. He smirked at me and handed me the glass and change. I handed the glass to a bloke who had just approached the bar and turned back to the bar tender.
"There, I bought a pint. Where's ya phone?"
"Come behind the bar. It's through the back"
I nodded and did so, thanking him as he shut the door to give me a little privacy. I picked up the phone and dialled our home number. No answer. I stood for a moment, starting to worry more, before calling William's landline. Grell answered.
"Hello?"
"Grell! D'ya know where m'Alan wen' af'er work?" I asked quickly.
"Uh, no, sorry. I finished before him today. Want me to put Will on? He might know" he offered.
"Yeah, thanks mate"
I listened as he set the phone down. There was a bit of mumbled conversation and then the phone was picked up again.
"Good evening, Eric. What can I do for you?" Will asked.
"Well, uh, d'ya know where Alan is?"
"Alan? Sorry, no. I expected him to be with you. We left work at the same time and he was talking about meeting up with you"
I bit my lip. "He hasn't turned up. Was 'sposed t' be here an hour ago"
"He told me he was taking a short cut through the back streets through Islington. He said it would be quicker that way" he told me.
"What if he's hurt?"
"Eric, listen: look for him. Go to the backstreets and alleyways of Islington. See if you can find him, or any trace of him. As soon as you know anything, see anything suspicious or if you find nothing, find a phone and ring me again. If you can't find a phone, port and knock: come straight over. Don't put yourself in danger. Come over and we'll help you, I promise. Do you understand?"
I nodded. "Y-yeah. Ok. Thanks mate. I'll see you or talk t' you later"
I put the phone down, nerves shaking me. 'I'll find you, Alan. I promise'