Читать книгу Once A Pilgrim - James Deegan - Страница 18

6.

BILLY HAD LET himself in at the front of Robinson’s just after eight.

Switched on the lights and the heating.

Ran his hand down the length of the dark wood bar to check it wasn’t sticky and breathed in the mixture of stale fags, spilt beer, and Pledge spray polish.

He walked to the office at the back of the pub.

Looked at the notebook to see if the night manager had left anything.

They were running short of Carling Black Label.

One of the bar staff had given her notice, but temporary cover was being arranged – one of the lads, his younger sister had done a bit of bar work before.

All good. No problems.

Humming tunelessly to himself, he went into the kitchen and from there down into the cellar to double check the lager stocks.

At just after nine o’clock, he went back to the front door to let in Stephen and Laura, the cook and barmaid who were on that morning.

‘Alright guys?’ he said, with a broad smile. ‘Is it cold enough for ye, is it?’

For a moment, he stood in the doorway, smelling the frosty air, and looking up and down the street.

His last morning on earth, and he had no idea.