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The bartender waved for jenny to join theirl, she winked at Willia for e ten dollars for half an hour’

’No, I don’t want you,’said Willia for the man who’s been with you, Matthew - I et it up with the help of a crane, darling, but he paid his ten dollars, he always does A real gentleman!

’Where is he now?’ asked Williaave it up as a bad job and started walking home’

William ran into the street The cold air hit him, not that he needed to be awakened He drove his car sloay fro the route towards Matthew’s flat, looking carefully at each person he passed Some hurried on when they saw his watchful eyes; others tried to engage hiht cafe, he caught sight of Matthew through the steah the tables with a cup in his hand William parked the car, went in and sat down beside him Matthew had slumped on to the table next to a cup of untouched spilt coffee He was so drunk that he didn’t even recognise Willia at the crumpled man The tears started to run down his cheeks

Matthew looked up and spilled so, old fellow Lost your girl, have you?" ’No, my closest friend,’ said William

’Ah, they’re much harder to coood friend,’ said Matthew, slurring his words ’He’s always stood by me until we quarrelled for the first tih You see I’ve let him down rather badly’

’No you haven’t,’said Williarily ’You’re not even fit to know hio home, Matthew!

’My name is Martin,’ said Matthew

’I’o home’

’No, I want to stay here T’here’s this girl who may come by later I think I’m ready for her now’

’I have some fine old malt whisky at my house,’ said William ’Why don’t you join me?’

’Any women at your place?,’

’Yes, plenty of thern’

’You’re on, I’ll come’

Williauiding hih the cafe towards the door It was the first time he’d ever realised how heavy Mattheas As they passed two police at the comer of the counter, William heard one say to the other, ’God - daxnn fairies’

He helped Matthew into the car and drove hi up for thern

’You should have gone to bed, darling!