Page 345 - Demo

345they have to do that, but I appreciate your gesture.%u201dThe night wore on. Betty noticed that Harry drank a lot more than he usually did. But he seemed not to get drunk. She called out, %u201cLast orders.%u201dA few people came up to be served. Harry waited at the end of the bar. She looked at the clock and blinked the lights. %u201cTen minutes drinking up time, please.%u201dBetty went and poured a Hob Goblin and took it over to Harry. %u201cThis one is on the house, Harry. It%u2019s for all that you%u2019ve done for you wife. Drink it while I see the customers out and lock up. I%u2019ll have a drink with you once they%u2019re gone.%u201dHarry was sad. It would be the first time he goes home to an empty house. Betty knew that. The customers left. She watched, and not one of them noticed Harry still sitting on a tool at the end of the bar. She turned out the main lights but kept the ones on behind the bar, and then locked the doors.She poured herself a gin and tonic and sat down on a stool next to Harry.%u201cHere we are, just the two of us,%u201d she said. %u201cHow do you feel?%u201dHe smiled and said, %u201cNot happy about going home to an empty house. Can I tell you a little secret?%u201d%u201cGo on then. My lips are sealed.%u201d%u201cShe loved sex, my wife. Even for a while when she was ill. I loved her but the person I knew is already gone.%u201dBetty leant forward and kissed him on the face, %u201cYou are a good man, Harry. You nursed her for a very long time. No one could have done more.%u201dInsanity