Freda and JennyO took a quiet seat in the corner, checking out the scene. The usual crowd was there - a bunch of derros in the corner, drinking beer and singing songs about sheep, Mr Chongo had rolled up and was having a quiet one at his table. The usual balding pseudos in black skivvys, black framed glasses and bad jeans, and a bunch of kids round the pool table.

And there was Magenta, chatting up Vlad like he was the only man in London. Some young women never recovered from the shock of growing breats, thought Freda while jennyO went off to get the drinks.

"Hey, blondie, wanna drink?" Freda looked up to see a pugnacious looking bloke with startlingly deep, dark eyes, a good jaw, and dark hair. She sized him up, checked out the socks and sandals, and said "haven't seen you round here before. Pull up a chair.."

JennyO came back to find Freda deep in conversation with someone she was refrring to as JC. He had a quiet sense of humour, at least, JennyO hoped he was joking about the goats..