It was a Thursday night in the middle of September. The Dog And Duck was filling up.

“So, come on Keith, whats her name then”, asked Timbo.

“Now my friend”, said Keith. “That would be telling”.

“Aw, come on”, said Jack.

“Nah”, said Keith. “You think I’d tell you. To get your grubby paws on her”.

“Ha ha”, laughed Jack. “So where are they off?”.

“Same place as us”, said Keith. “The Sports Club”.

No one said anything.

“So whats happened to your band, Jack”, asked Timbo.

“Not a lot”, said Jack.

“Why not?”.

“Ah, you know. Musical differences”.

“You mean you’ve split up?”.

“Something like that”.

“After one gig”.

“That’s how things are”.

Jack sipped his beer.

“What time are we going?”, asked Keith.

“Want to get there quick?”, asked Timbo.

“Any reason?”, asked Jack.

Jack and Timbo laughed.

“Come on lads”, said Keith. “That’s enough”.

“I think I know who it is”, said Timbo.

“Leave it”, said Keith.

“I don’t know her”, said Jack.

“You will”, said Timbo.

Jack sat down, pondered, then got up. “Mm”, he said, taking a long drink. “Come on then”. He drained his glass.“

“You joking” said Timbo.

“No I’m not”, said Jack. "Come on".  He stood up and opened the door.

"We're behind you", said Keith.

“I love this time of year”, said Jack, stepping onto the pavement. “Summer holidays are over and its all coming alive. Bringing something exciting”.

“If you say so”, said Timbo.

Keith stuck his hand out and flagged down a taxi. He got in the front and the other two got in the back.

“Sports Club”, said Keith.

“I’ve just dropped off out there”, said the driver. Seem to be a lot going“.

In a few minutes they were dropped off outside and Keith paid the fare.

“Come on”, said Jack.

They walked towards the door and paid their entrance fee and had their hands stamped. In a few moments they were standing at the bar, the music pulsing.

“Your round”, yelled Jack.

Keith waited to be served and Jack leant against the bar. Surveying the scene. Hands in his pockets. He took the beer from Keith and had a swig. He smiled. There was a particular object of his attention. Shimmering. Bright eyes glancing over occasionally.

He took another swig.

“If I think about it I’ll never act”, he said to himself.

He put the pint down and walked across the dance floor. There was a girl ahead of him, thrusting her hips and throwing her long hair around. He said nothing. He just danced in front of her and moved close. The bass was pounding. The lights were blasting out at him.

He looked over at the bar. Keith’s face had the words “you bastard” written on it.