‘I missed the train.’

‘When’s your next one?’

‘I don’t care. I had to see you again.’

‘You’re mad.’

‘Maybe. Can I take a photograph of you?’

‘In this state? Working behind the bar?’

‘Yes. So that I can remember you the way I first saw you.’

‘No. I’m all sweaty.’

‘Horses sweat. Women glow.’

‘Nice try, but still no.’

‘I’m a customer. I can do what I like.’

‘You’re not a customer, you haven’t bought anything yet.’

‘A pint of Carling please, Deb.’

‘Are you eighteen?’

‘Yes, just.’

‘Got any ID?’

‘I love it when you get stern with me.’

‘Shush! The barflies will hear.’

‘I don’t care. They are witnesses to the flowering of our love.’

‘You should be a poet when you grow up.’

‘I am grown up. I grew up when I met you.’

‘I bet you say that to all the girls.’

‘I’ve never said it before in my life. You are my muse.’

‘You can’t have a barmaid for a muse. Especially when she’s ten years older than you.’

‘You didn’t seem worried about our age gap last night.’

‘Shush! Seventy-five pence please.’

‘One for yourself?’

‘Why, thank you, sir. One pound fifty.’

‘I’ll always remember you.’

‘What you mean is, you’ll think about me occasionally. It’s not the same thing.’

‘You should be a philosopher when you grow up.’

‘I am grown up. Too grown up for you.’

‘I’ll be the judge of that.’

‘Put that camera away now. I’ve got a break in ten minutes, I’ll see you in the garden.’

 

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