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A place where I was just living here, working at The Slipper, laughing with Gus and Jack, and having a drink with Harry.
A place beforeNoel.
But slowly, it all comes creeping back in. My smile feels false again. My skin crawls as images of Noel’s lips, and hands, and body…
I swallow, flashing a forced smile as Gus and Jack turn back to their pool game. I head back to the bar, climbing onto a stool as Harry leans against the other side.
“Harry…”
She arches a brow. “Hmm?”
I tilt my head towards Gus and Jack.
“They used to work in…” I clear my throat. “Certain circles, right?”
It’s not exactly a secret. It’s just not something that’s openly talked about. But I’ve served enough pints to both of them to have heard a few slipped stories, or hints of stories concerning what they did for work after leaving the service forty years ago, and now.
The kind of work that you don’t exactly put down on your taxes.
Harry frowns. “Yeah, I mean… I don’t think they like to talk about it much. But, yeah. Those two have definitely seen some shit, El. However,” she shrugs. “that was Shoreditch, or all of East London, back in the day. You lived here, you worked in that world, period.”
I suck on my teeth as I turn to eye two comically animated seventy-year-olds, jostling with each other and playing pool over a couple of pints. It seems almost impossible to try and imagine them in the criminal life. But I know Harry’s right.
“Can I get another whiskey and two pints?”
Harry gives me a look.
“Do I need to be worried?”
I shake my head as she turns to grab the drinks
“Please don’t make me regret pointing you in this direction, El,” she murmurs, sliding a tray of drinks across the bar.
At the pool table, Gus and Jack beam when they see me. They grin even wider when they realize I’ve brought refills.
“Oi, I thought we were buyingyouthe next round?”
I shrug.
“You can get the next one.”
“Fair enough, fair enough.”
I chew on my lip, my eyes darting between them.
Jack raises a brow.
“You’ve got thinkin’ eyes on, darlin.”
“I…” I frown. “I don’t want to be rude. And I don’t want to cross a line with either of you.”
Gus sighs. “Knew this day would come. Sorry, El, I’m a taken man.”
I roll my eyes. Jack wheezes a laugh.
“Oi, and Ella, look, you’re a pretty girl and all, but… you know, just not my type?”
“Oh you two are fucking hilarious.”
