Chapter 2
549 Words
Chapter 2
The Waterfront bar, nestled on the Thames, bustled with the after work milieu of white-collar workers spilling their work gossip of bad bosses and good bosses. Frank spotted his friend, Carl at the quieter end, gazing over at the boats that lined the dockside. He caught his eye and gestured with his hand as to whether he wanted another drink. Carl gave the thumbs up.
“Alright, Carl?” Frank planted down the drinks and slipped into a chair.
“Great, thanks. So, Mr Bond, how’s tricks?”
Both men clinked glasses. “I’m thinking of leaving Jodie, Carl.”
Carl’s face switched from a smile to shock in an instant. He stared at Frank, waiting for the punch line. None came. “Oh Shit.”
Frank nodded grimly. “I know she doesn’t love me anymore, Carl. And I’m seriously confused about how I feel, but one thing I do know; I’m not feeling good right now.”
Carl exhaled slowly and stared at nothing in particular on the plastic tabletop.
“Sorry to hear that mate. That is a shocker,” he said quietly.
He looked directly at Frank and added, “Most people who are unhappy can’t bring themselves to make that decision. They hide from it. But we’re only here once right? Anna and I are tight, but I’d be lying if I said we didn’t have our ups and downs.”
Frank sipped his pint and then looked out of the window at a couple strolling along the waterside. “I hear you. Part of me still wants it to work out, but I can’t see how it will.”
“How long have you been together?”
Frank sighed. “Four years, give or take.”
Carl nodded silently and took a sip of his ale.
“Listen, Carl, I know you have a lock up garage. I wanted to stash some of my things for a while.”
“Oh? Well, of course, you can. Going somewhere?”
“Yeah, to travel for a bit. I want to see some of this beautiful world before I pop my clogs. Also, I really should be getting some sun. This non-stop crap weather is getting me down.”
Carl smiled. “I’ll second that. Good for you. Whereabouts?”
“I’ll start with Goa in India. Then go to Thailand and then see what comes up.”
Carl gave a whistle, “Nice! I’m jealous. Just avoid the Middle East right now. There’s definitely going to be a war kicking off over there.”
“Oh right? Yes, I’d heard something about that. No chance of avoiding it then?” Frank hadn’t bothered too much with the news recently. He had other things on his mind and, although he worked at a newspaper, his department dealt with advertising rather than the stories of the day.
Carl leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Not likely. Saddam could basically dance a jig and sing the Star-Spangled Banner; it wouldn’t make a blind bit of difference. The Iraqi government somehow got the impression they had the green flag to invade Kuwait, but things have changed.”
“Well you can’t go around invading countries, no matter what,” replied Frank.
“No, you certainly can’t.”
Frank manoeuvred the ashtray and sparked a cigarette. “So, how is life in MI6?”
“Busy. Between you and me, you ain’t seen me, right?” Carl tapped his nose, winked and they both laughed. Carl had been an intelligence officer for six years and wasn’t able to speak about any aspect of his job to anyone. It had never bothered Frank. In fact, he didn’t want to know.
Frank took a large gulp of his Guinness and Carl looked serious again.
“I’m really sorry about Jodie. I’ll help out any way I can. Just think of it as a new beginning, mate,” assured Carl.
They clinked glasses. “A new beginning.”
- Writer
